Guild Boss (Ghost Hunters #14)(17)

He had known something was wrong when he returned from the month-long mission in the Rainforest and discovered Lucy was no longer available online or on the phone. He had finally taken the drastic step of contacting her father and stepmother, who had assured him that she was well but that she was still recovering from her ordeal.

It hadn’t taken much digging to discover the gossip about her mental instability. That was when he had finally realized her experience in the tunnels had destroyed her career. Okay, she had a reason to be pissed. Sure, he had saved her life, but then he had left her alone to confront both financial and personal disaster. She was right—a weather channeler’s reputation was everything when it came to working in the Underworld. So, yes, she was grateful to him, but that did not mean she was going to fall into his arms.

What in green hell had made him think he could walk right back into her life and pick up where they had left off?

Offering her a contract had struck him as a brilliant way to ease back into her world, but things were not going smoothly. At least she was still speaking to him. Under the circumstances, that seemed to be a good omen. The dust bunny was the only one who was genuinely thrilled to renew their acquaintance.

Tonight Otis was dressed in a small, sequined black jacket trimmed with a red bow tie. He had his toy dust bunny clutched in one of his six paws. Lucy was dreading the evening, but Otis was excited. Life was simple for a dust bunny. Party time was party time: meant to be enjoyed.

A valet wearing the livery of the hotel-casino opened the rear door of the limo.

“Welcome to the Amber Palace, Mr. Jones,” he said. “Mr. Smith has given instructions to make sure you have everything you need.”

“Please tell Mr. Smith I appreciate the courtesy,” Gabriel said.

Aiden had briefed him earlier on the local power brokers. Maxwell Smith, who owned the Amber Palace, was a member of the exclusive Illusion Club, the group of movers and shakers who ran the town.

Gabriel climbed out of the rear of the limo and reached back to take Lucy’s hand. She slipped gracefully to her feet, Otis tucked under one arm.

The valet escorted them toward the glass doors, forging a path through the reporters. Lights flashed and video cameras hummed. Tourists who had been strolling down the brightly lit sidewalk stopped to see who had emerged from the limo. Murmurs of It’s the new Guild boss rippled across the growing crowd.

“Sorry about this,” Gabriel said quietly.

“No need to apologize,” Lucy said. She smiled graciously for the cameras. “I agreed to take your contract because I’m hoping it will restore my professional reputation. As far as I’m concerned, this is all free publicity.”

“Don’t try to spare my feelings. Just tell me straight out that you’re in this because you’re using me. I can handle it.”

She gave him a glowing smile. “I’m in this because I’m using you.”

“Okay, that’s harsh.”

“You’re a Guild boss. I’m sure it would take a lot more than that to wound your feelings.”

You’d be surprised, Gabriel thought. But he kept his mouth shut. It was becoming increasingly clear that he really had screwed up during the past two months.

More cameras and lights fired. Otis chortled. Evidently looking for a better vantage point, he bounced up onto Gabriel’s shoulder and waved his toy dust bunny.

The tourists loved it. So did the journalists.

There were squeals of delight and some amused laughter.

“Isn’t he adorable?” a woman said. “Love that little tux.”

Gabriel stifled a groan. “I’m not sure this is quite the image Aiden was going for.”

Lucy smiled. “After all these weeks of being photographed during the tours, Otis has decided he loves to have his picture taken. He gets excited when he thinks he’s the focus of attention. He likes to play to the crowd.”

A determined-looking man thrust a microphone in front of Gabriel’s face.

“Welcome to Illusion Town, Mr. Jones. I’m with the Curtain. Any comments about your plans for the new Guild organization you’re establishing here?”

“I look forward to working with the mayor, the city council, and the citizens of Illusion Town,” Gabriel said. “The Guild is here to serve the community.”

Aiden would be proud, he thought. He had remembered his lines.

The journalist switched the microphone to Lucy. “You must be Mr. Jones’s date for the evening, Ms.—?”

“Bell,” Lucy said firmly. “Lucy Bell. Professional weather channeler.”

The journalist’s eyes lit up like a casino sign. “You’re the woman he rescued a couple of months ago, aren’t you? Thought I recognized you. Looks like the Curtain can confirm the rumors.”

“What rumors?” Lucy shot back.

“That you and the new Guild boss developed a personal relationship after he carried you out of the tunnels. Wow. This is going to make the front page. People will love it, especially now that the studio is casting for the movie Guild Boss.”

“My relationship with Mr. Jones is strictly business,” Lucy said. The words were carved in glacial ice. “I am currently under contract with the Guild.”

The reporter opened his mouth to ask another question, but two more members of the casino staff stepped forward to open the glass doors. Gabriel seized the opportunity to whisk Lucy into the glittering casino.