Midnight Marked (Chicagoland Vampires, #12)(57)

“You all right?” he asked, looking us over.

“We are,” Ethan said. “Thank you for bringing the car, and for coming earlier. Especially considering . . .” Ethan didn’t have to mention the item in consideration—the fact that we were currently fighting with Jeff’s alpha.

Jeff nodded. “Pack’s still a democracy. I didn’t know about the Circle; obviously, I’d have mentioned it.” He sounded mildly perturbed about the fact that he hadn’t known. Understandable, since he’d been among the group of us who’d had to track it down.

“And I’m not saying I agree or disagree with Gabe,” he added, lest we think he was completely on our side. He looked pointedly at Ethan. “Being a leader means making decisions that, in hindsight, look regrettable.”

A smile was not appropriate, so I bit it back. Jeff was usually too agreeable for his alpha side to pop out, but it would be wrong to forget he was still, literally and figuratively, a tiger.

“It’s worth saying again that we appreciate your help. And perhaps I should get Merit back to the car before she decides to leave with you.”

“It’s a close call,” I agreed.

Jeff nodded, handed Ethan the keys.

“Do you need a ride?” Ethan asked.

Jeff glanced back at the car. “Even if I did, there’s no room in the car for me. But no. Fallon’s waiting.” He gestured to a motorcycle parked a few stalls away. A petite figure in black leather and a matching helmet revved the bike with a flick of her wrist.

Jeff smiled, magic and love blooming in the air.

“I’ll be in touch tomorrow about the alchemy,” he said, shifting his attention back to me. “I’ve been talking to Paige.”

It was another shot, and a completely fair one. Reed had distracted us, which was probably part of his plan.

“I’m also working on the safe-deposit box key. I’m about sixty percent through the first search of bank records but haven’t found anything yet.”

“Thank you,” I said. “I plan to offer my help to Paige as soon as I get back to the House.” And out of the dress and heels. What novelty there’d been had completely worn off.

“Where’s Catcher tonight?” I asked. “It’s unlike him to miss a chance to bitch at us.”

Jeff nearly smiled, which was good enough for me. “He’s following up with the Order again. Still trying to confirm they don’t have any information about our alchemist. He made the trip to Milwaukee in person.” He checked his watch. “Probably on his way back.”

“Not the wisest move to induce a pissed-off sorcerer to travel to see you,” Ethan said.

“No,” Jeff said. “It wasn’t. But then, you usually have better sense, too.”

I snorted. “I think he sank your battleship.”

“Maybe Reed is making everyone crazy,” Ethan said.

“Speaking of which,” I said, gesturing to the station, “did you know there are River nymphs in there?”

Jeff nodded. “We’re letting them cool off. They won’t press charges against each other, so they’ll be released when they calm down.”

“Already in process,” I said. “They were gossiping about us when we left.”

“Just doing our part,” Ethan said. “Thank you again, Jeff. I’ll try to get Merit back to Cadogan House without further trouble. And perhaps we could meet at dusk to discuss what we’ve all learned so far?”

Jeff nodded. “I’ll tell Chuck, Catcher.” He squeezed my hand before walking toward the bike, then climbed on the bike behind Fallon and put on the helmet she offered him. More engine revving, and they drove away.

“I believe I pissed off your knight in shining armor,” Ethan said.

“Probably so,” I said, and gathered up voluminous silk to slide into the passenger seat. The anger I’d pushed down began to bubble up again. “He’s protective of me, and I got arrested, so . . .”

“Would you like me to say you told me so?”

“That won’t change anything.”

“No,” Ethan said, closing the door. “It won’t.”

It was the first time we’d been alone together since we arrived at the Garden, and my first opportunity to vent. “You put my father and my grandfather in a hell of a position, and you put us right into Reed’s hands. We made our reputation worse—and we’re damn lucky there weren’t paparazzi outside the station waiting to reveal our arrest to the world.”

“He got under my skin.”

“And that’s no excuse. You have centuries more experience. You know better. You are better.” Tears stung my eyes. “That was absolutely humiliating.”

“He thinks he’s invincible.” His voice was measured, still edged with fury. “He thinks he’s untouchable. None of that will change if we go along to get along. If we wait for someone else to do the dirty work. Nothing will change until someone calls him out.” He looked at me. “If we don’t do it, who will?”

“I don’t disagree with you. But he’s powerful, well protected, and very savvy.” I looked at Ethan. “He plays games with people, Ethan. He did it with Celina. He did it with the vampire pretending to be Balthasar. That’s who he is. He’s a narcissist, an opportunist, and a criminal entrepreneur. But maybe most of all, he’s a psychopath. He likes to torture people, take advantage of their vulnerabilities. Their insecurities. We have to be smarter than that. We can’t just play into his hands.”