Page 76 of Marked By Moonlight
I gripped Mina’s shoulder before she followed.
“But…” she tried.
When I shook my head, Mina slumped, muttering, “God, I hate this. Everything about this.”
I pointed silently toThe Tower of Blue Horses, and she sighed.
“Okay, everything except that.”
I left her there to appreciate it in silence while Roux and I finished making arrangements with our hostess. Then I tugged Mina out of the study and bid Anastasia goodbye.
The moment we exited the building, Roux was on the phone.
“Good news, Gordon. We have a go for two candidates. The client has invited the Bulgarian and the Latvian.”
Maybe not such good news, because he grimaced at whatever Gordon said and went on in a measured, “Anything you say. Can you see if they’re available?” He nodded a few times, then halted in his tracks.
Mina and I stopped, looking at him.
“You have? I-it is?” Roux stuttered a little, then composed himself. “Roger. We’re on it.”
He clicked the phone off and stared at it for a good ten seconds.
“What?” Mina asked.
His expression was pained. “I forget how quickly Gordon moves sometimes. He’s already booked the suite adjacent to ours to hold meetings in, and he’s had the clients on standby, so they’ve already confirmed for tomorrow.”
Mina blinked. “How did he know which buyers Anastasia would choose?”
Roux’s eyes drifted to mine, and I sighed. Yes, Mina was that naïve when it came to the way her godfather operated.
“I guess he has good instincts,” Roux said tactfully.
When we were a block away from the hotel, he tapped Mina’s arm.
“I forgot one thing. Can you help me order flowers and food for tomorrow?” He gestured toward Kensington High Street.
“Shouldn’t we check the new suite first?” she asked.
He shook his head so vehemently, I knew something was up.
“No. It’s identical to ours. Marius can have a look and let us know if any changes are necessary. But I really need your help on this.”
Mina knew about as much as he did about flower arrangements and finger food. Another sign of something amiss.
I go where she goes,I growled into the tiger’s mind.
He gave me a firm look.Better that you check the new suite before Mina does. I’ll keep her safe.
In other words, safely away from that suite. What the hell was going on?
He jutted his head toward the hotel, then stuck on a fake smile for Mina. “It won’t take long, I promise.”
Mina followed him glumly, giving me an uncertain wave. “See you soon.”
“See you,” I forced myself to say, though every instinct screamed for me to remain with her.
I watched them walk to the end of the block, then bolted into the hotel and hurried to our suite, where I banged on the door.
