Page 33 of Born Wicked
“A prominent man is missing,” Teresa says, and if looks had a physical manifestation, Sylvano would be a frozen block of ice. “It is my job to make sure he is safe and sound.”
“Then follow the evidence,” Sylvano says. He straightens, turns, and opens the door. “Until you have evidence that my clients had anything to do with Dr. Vincent and his temper tantrum, I request you leave them be.”
All too anxious to get out of there, I don’t wait for Teresa to argue further. I scramble from my chair and follow Sylvano out the door, immediately followed by Roman.
CHAPTERTEN
“That was a mistake,showing her that video,” Sylvano says in a low voice as we walk through the building. “As far as I know, it’s the only actual evidence related to the case she’s seen.”
“I’m not just going to let that woman keep pointing fingers at Juliet when that bastard is the one who did everything wrong,” Roman says between clenched teeth.
“Just be careful,” Sylvano says as we all step outside, pulling our sunglasses on. It’s an unusually bright day considering it’s January. “That woman thinks you and Juliet were having an affair, and she may now think you took Sebastian out so the two of you could be together.”
“Damnit, Roman,” I say in annoyance. “I could have handled it. You didn’t have to drag yourself into this.”
He shakes his head at me. “Facts are facts, Juliet. She can follow the evidence. We know what actually happened.”
“I hate this,” I say, shaking my head. “It’s bad enough what Sebastian did to me, the fallout I’m dealing with. But you didn’t do anything but try to help me. I’m sorry this is creating so much trouble for you.”
Roman grabs my shoulder. There’s something hesitant about it, but once it’s there, he squeezes confidently. “It’ll be fine, Juliet. Everything is going to get sorted out.” All the anger and danger he was radiating just moments ago is softening by the moment.
“I just keep making your life more complicated, don’t I?” I say. It was meant to come out sarcastic. Instead, it leaves my lips regretful and deadly serious.
“I think you know my life has been nothing but complicated,” Roman says, sincerity in his voice. “You don’t get to take all the credit.”
And it brings a little laugh from my lips, and then a sigh. “Okay, well, I guess we just cross our fingers and hope this goes away?”
“Until she comes back with something hard, evidenced, I will keep her away,” Sylvano promises. “Until the dust settles, I suggest the two of you try to stay out of trouble.”
Not another word, the well-dressed, extremely old vampire turns and walks away.
My phone vibrates, and I pull it out to find a text from Holly.Bloodwork is clear! Thought you’d want to know right away!
“Finally,” I breathe out. “The last traces of the toxins are out of our test subjects’ blood.”
“And none too soon,” Roman says, looking around him at the busy streets. “I’m starving.”
As soon as he says the words, a fire ignites in my throat, racing all the way down into my stomach. “Now that you bring it up…”
My eyes are scanning the crowd. They’re looking down alleyways. I prefer to feed live at the club, since all the humans who enter participate in feedings willingly. But it’s way, way too early in the morning for that.
Roman’s hand wraps around my wrist, and he pulls me down the road, nodding his head in that direction.
I don’t see what he sees. But I don’t question him, not even for a second.
I know it the second I see it, though.
Back in this alleyway, tucked out of sight, I hear the sound of three voices. Without hesitation, Roman steps forward.
It’s a drug deal. No doubt about it.
We step forward just as cash is exchanged. A slightly rough-looking man takes the money, his eyes wide as he sees us. Two younger men, probably in their younger twenties, well-dressed for a day of business, take a few steps back when they see us.
“Leave,” Roman growls at the drug dealer, his voice a feral growl.
He must sense the danger approaching. He immediately turns and high-tails it out of there.
Neither Roman, nor I wait half a second longer.