Warrior (Relentless #4)(85)
There was a beep on the line followed by Tristan’s sigh. “Speaking of the Council. Back less than twenty-four hours and already they are calling. I have a feeling my phone is going to be busy for the next few months.”
I started walking back to the others. “I’ll let you know if we find anything at the nest.”
“Great. And someone from the task force should be reaching out to you soon. Going forward, you’ll give any information you find to them as well.”
“Sounds good.”
*
“You have a visitor.” Chris walked into the garage where I was cleaning my gear. I wiped down my weapons after every job, but to keep them in the best condition, I polished the blades daily with a light coating of oil.
I ran a cloth over my blade. “Who is it?”
“She’s from the task force. She’s here for an update.”
“Geoffrey has everything she needs.”
“But I’d much rather talk to you,” said a warm English voice.
My head came up and I stared at the blonde warrior standing in the doorway behind Chris. A smile spread across my face, and I laid aside my sword so I could stand.
“Viv! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming to Vegas?”
“I only found out myself last night.” She entered the garage and walked over to hug me.
My Mori cringed away from her, surprising me by its reaction to someone I’d known my entire life. Then I realized Viv was the first female I’d touched since I met Sara.
I gave her a quick hug and stepped back, earning a puzzled look from her.
“So you’re on the task force?” I asked as we walked back into the house.
She sank gracefully onto the couch. “Tristan called yesterday and asked me to be part of it. I’m surprised he didn’t tell you.”
“He probably thought it would be nice if you surprised me instead.”
“A good surprise, I hope.”
I smiled. “You know I love seeing you. I assume you’re here on business.”
She laughed. “I always mix business with pleasure, you know that. Have you eaten? I’m starving.”
“Not yet.”
“Good. Let’s go out. There are a ton of great restaurants in this city.” Her blue eyes sparkled. “Or we could go to my hotel and order room service. I’m staying at the Palms and the accommodations there are wonderful.”
The thought of being with anyone besides Sara caused an unpleasant sensation in my gut and made my Mori growl.
I shook my head. “How about Japanese instead? I know a great place you’ll like.”
“Japanese would be perfect.”
Her smile faltered a little, and I realized my tone had been a bit cool. I immediately regretted it. Vivian was one of my closest friends, and she deserved better.
I extended my arm to her, and she took it, letting me pull her to her feet.
“I’m sorry, Viv. I’ve been in a foul mood for a few days.”
Chris let out a bark of laughter as he passed us, heading for the stairs. “A few days. Sure.”
I ignored him. “I’d love to have dinner with you.”
Her warm smile returned. “Only if you tell me what’s causing your bad mood.”
“I will.” There was very little the two of us hadn’t been able to talk about over the years. We would never be intimate again, but our friendship was important to me, and I valued her advice and her opinions.
“Good. Let’s go then, because I’m famished.”
We went outside, and I chuckled when I saw the red Aston Martin sitting in the driveway. Vivian had a weakness for fast cars, and she didn’t believe in being inconspicuous.
She insisted on driving, and she was grinning when we pulled up to the valet parking at the restaurant. “God, I love this car.”
The valet’s eyes gleamed when she handed him her key along with a hundred. “Take good care of her for me.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
“You treat your cars better than you treat your men,” I teased as we walked into the restaurant.
Her rich laugh drew the attention of people nearby. “She’s not mine yet, but I think I’m in love.”
At my request, the hostess seated us in one of the restaurant’s small private dining rooms. A waitress came, and we ordered enough sushi to sink a boat, along with two bottles of their best sake.
The girl looked from me to Vivian. She was no doubt trying to figure out where someone as slender as my companion was going to put all that food. I hid my smile. Mohiri females’ appetites rivaled the males’, and Vivian loved sushi.
The waitress left, returning a few minutes later with our wine. Vivian filled our cups, and we toasted our friendship before we drank, a custom she’d started the first time we drank together back in our training days.
We talked about the task force while we waited for our food. Vivian was staying in Vegas for two days before she met up with Mateo and the rest of the team in Portland. The Master was interested in Sara and Madeline, so Mateo wanted to start the search where Sara grew up.
“I’m curious,” Vivian said after the waitress brought a large tray of food and left us to our meal. “Why aren’t you leading the task force instead of Mateo? Don’t get me wrong. Mateo is in a league of his own, but this is Tristan’s granddaughter. I should think you would have insisted on going after the Master based on that fact alone.”