Gaslight (Crossbreed #4)(97)
Christian slouched in his chair and nibbled on a saltine. “I’ll sit for a while and then take a walk around the property. I want to listen to the conversations in here first, so don’t ask me any questions that’ll break my concentration.”
Viktor took a handful of crackers and crushed them in his hands before sprinkling the crumbs onto his steaming chili. After dusting off his palms, he mixed it all together and gobbled up a few spoonfuls.
“We have a couple of interested parties back there,” I warned Blue. “The guy who looks like a lumberjack is a grizzly.”
She sipped her coffee and discreetly glanced across the room behind me. “I should have worn my earrings. Grizzlies aren’t into falcons. They prefer larger predators.”
“He might have a fetish. He looked interested.”
The flush in her cheeks began fading as she leaned over her chili bowl, the steam warming her face. “Yeah, you’re probably right. The smaller the population, the less picky they are. You can bet he’ll be over when we’re done eating, so take your time.” Blue sighed and stabbed her chili with her spoon. “It’s going to be a long night.”
“Do not go off alone with anyone,” Viktor said.
A few of the men in the building looked leery of our presence, but most were titillated by the sight of Blue and me. Well, mostly Blue. Men couldn’t resist her silky hair and sapphire eyes. Or maybe it was her long legs and distinct features, which hovered between feminine and masculine. Whatever it was, Blue had that certain something that drew people’s attention. Viktor probably hadn’t planned for this kind of reception.
“Maybe we should tell them we’re a lesbian couple,” Blue suggested with a straight face.
Viktor choked on his coffee. Drops splashed on his grey pullover sweater and the table. Once the coughing subsided, he proceeded to rant in Russian while cleaning himself up with a paper napkin. “Let them believe that Blue is my child. They won’t disrespect her father by coming at her from all directions.”
“What about me?” I asked.
“It won’t take long before they realize you’re not a Shifter. The fewer lies you tell, the better. You’re a Mage, end of story. They might lose interest. I’ve rented a plane, and the mechanics are giving it a thorough inspection. I told them we’re waiting on our contact to let us know when to leave. Otherwise, we won’t have a ride from the airport, and our landing point is remote. This will give us all the time we need to wait on our suspects.”
“Do we even know who we’re looking for besides a newly made Vampire girl scared out of her wits?”
“Perhaps she goes willingly. Maybe they only do business with sellers who choose volunteers.”
I thought about what Houdini had told me—that all his victims were willing. That likely made the whole exchange and transport a lot easier. Some probably freaked out, but maybe not all of them did.
“Christian will alert us of any suspicious activity outside or if anyone is avoiding the main office,” Viktor continued. “We’ll stay inside.”
I set down my spoon. “Maybe I should mingle and get some intel.”
Christian gave me a scolding glance. “Don’t listen to her. She’s away with the fairies.”
“Nyet. It would only bring trouble.”
I pushed my bowl forward until it clicked against the coffeepot. “Most of these guys look like locals. If they come in here often, they probably see a lot of people coming and going. And if there are any Vampires coming back, these jugheads are going to be the ones who know about it. I’ve got experience working a room. I know how to get what I want.”
“She’s got a point,” Blue said. “We need to split up after a while and talk to some of these guys. Blend in. If people see us huddling for too long, they’ll get suspicious.”
I stood up and pushed in my chair. “No time like the present.”
Christian gave me a peculiar stare as I fluffed my hair and adjusted my bra. “I think you’d best be sitting in that chair before I strap you to it.”
“Jealous I might get information before you do?”
He tapped his ear. “Won’t happen.”
I flattened my hands on the table. “Why don’t we make it interesting? Winner gets whatever he or she wants.”
Christian leaned back in his chair, arms folded. “That’s rather ambitious. I don’t wager what I can’t know.”
“Loser drives home,” Blue suggested.
Christian pursed his lips. “The only thing Raven can drive is a man insane.”
“Loser rides home in the trunk,” I said. “If you lose, I’ll let Viktor drive your sweet ride.”
Viktor sipped his coffee, oblivious to the chatter.
Christian stood up. “You’re on.”
I pivoted on my heel and sauntered toward the men across the room. If there was one thing I had, it was years of experience working a room for either food or information. And this bet would be totally worth winning with Viktor driving below the speed limit and me getting the entire back seat to myself.
I approached Diesel and waggled my brows. “Where’s that drink, mountain man?”
Chapter 29
After sundown, some of the patrons at the New Brunswick Breed Airport had left, while one or two others wandered in. The airstrip stayed busy, but not everyone who debarked came inside. One of the boys in Diesel’s three-man group cranked on some music and livened things up. I’d gone to the bar once, moseyed over to the bathroom twice, and made idle talk. Most were either waiting to pick someone up from a flight or just passing through.