Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 49961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
She smiled at the handsome vampire and agreed. “Okay. Let me open the door, and you all can get to work.”
Chapter
Sixteen
The following weekend, Marcus noted five young men emerge from the far alley. They separated and approached the line to get inside in a staggered pattern. Once there, each interacted with those around on a superficial level—only answering questions with single-word responses before turning away. None wore the glowing moon wrist emblem, so they hadn’t attended previously.
We have some spies, Marcus announced to the clan. He studied the young men and chose the easiest to pick out of a crowd. Let them all in or choose the tall one to track inside?”
Good idea. Let that one in. We’ll find out what they’re up to but keep an eye on him. I’d like to think the guy who believes he rules this area now understands we are not under his control. But I’m confident Costa hasn’t learned a lesson, Alaric decreed.
He needs to see the blood spattered on his shirt to understand his mortality? Titus chimed in.
That can be arranged, Marcus promised.
Observing through cameras and from overhead positions, Marcus monitored closely as the newcomer proceeded through the ritual and received the glowing moon entry symbol on his wrist. As the scout advanced into the club, he stationed himself against a wall where he could spot everyone who entered. Marcus was impressed. Facing his challengers had always been Marcus’s strategy as well. Protect your back, keep focused on your enemy, and wait for the rest of your group.
An hour later, the spy figured out he was on his own. Studying the large area, he stared at different segments, and Marcus grasped he committed them to memory. As a newcomer, he could get away with snapping some pictures, but he couldn’t methodically document everything without getting his phone taken.
Unfortunately for the big boss, his enemies in Nightfall included scantily dressed young women. To the man’s credit, he withstood temptation for several songs. But he caved when a young woman approached with an extra drink in her hand. As she flirted her heart out, the target’s gaze fastened on her fingers as she ran them along the edge of her dress, which barely contained her large breasts. He automatically raised the glass to his lips.
Titus’s voice sounded in his mind. I thought Margarita might beguile him.
Marcus looked to the bar and spotted the skilled bartender holding court with a harem of women. Titus lifted his chin in silent acknowledgement to Marcus before refocusing on his orders and, of course, the ladies.
How strong is that drink? Marcus asked.
It would start a wet log on fire.
Marcus laughed to himself. Titus had never forgiven him for pouring good scotch on a stack of wood to fuel a warming blaze two hundred years ago. You’ve got to let that go.
Find me my mate and I’ll never mention it again.
Marcus automatically looked for Carina. She was out on the dance floor where he’d last seen her, making new friends and having a blast. When he checked again, their visitor had left his position against the wall. Marcus spotted him trailing behind the enticing Margarita as she beckoned him to the dance floor. Their spy tossed back the last of his drink and set it down on a table as he followed her into the jumble of gyrating bodies.
The tall man glanced around when he wasn’t face-to-face with the new woman in his life. Marcus appreciated his ability to multitask or at least do the smallest amount of scouting possible. He kept his eye on the spy throughout the evening in case this new infatuation was a ploy to hide his true priority.
At closing time, the young man conveniently took half an hour to say goodbye to his new love before heading for his vehicle. By that point, the building was empty except for the cleaning crew and several key staff members. Carina had settled into Darius’s office with him as they reconciled the evening’s accounts. Darius would protect her while he casually built a rationale for Carina to come work with him. Nightfall’s finance guy had confidence the numbers would woo her into switching jobs.
Marcus headed for the stairs automatically, shunning the elevator. Titus and Bram met him in the underground parking lot. They piled in and set off.
The black Mercedes Maybach glided smoothly through the late-evening darkness. The luxury vehicle smoothly navigated in the city traffic, drawing the attention of a few drivers. Marcus guessed they were car buffs who recognized the value of the rare, elite sedan as they passed.
Marcus had selected this vehicle carefully from the fleet of cars belonging to the clan. Its deeply tinted windows gave no hint of the occupants while providing plenty of room for himself, Bram, and Titus to move as needed. He maintained a healthy distance from the Cadillac Escalade they were trailing. Their spy had retrieved his car from a lot a block over.