Biting Bad_ A Chicagoland Vampires Novel(89)

Luc whistled. “That was fast. Congratulations on finding a place. Do you think it will suit you?”

“In the immediate term, yes. We still want to get back to the warehouse, but it’s going to be weeks, possibly months, before the roof is finished and the repairs are done. This will give us a bit of breathing room, a bit of normalcy, in the meantime.”

“Moving puts Scott and his people in a vulnerable position,” Ethan said. “A lot of people coming and going, a lot of chaos. They’re going to be busy with moving and making arrangements, so we’re going to provide some assistance at the new location.”

Ethan looked at me. “Merit, you’ll take point. Coordinate with Jonah on the arrangements.”

It couldn’t have been easy for Ethan to hand me over to Jonah on Valentine’s Day, but he managed to do it without sneaky comment. I had to respect that.

“Of course,” I said, glancing at Jonah, and wondering if he didn’t also have RG support in mind during the move.

“We aren’t anticipating specific trouble,” Scott said. “But we prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.”

“That’s practically our motto,” Luc said, glancing at me. “Earbuds so you and Jonah can stay in touch?”

The earbuds were some of Luc’s favorite toys, minuscule devices with microphones and transmitters, so we could communicate without bulky electronics or signaling our connections to our enemies.

“Sure,” I said. “That would be great.” I’d also take a full-length insulated coat and thermal underwear while I was at it, because it was probably freezing outside. But work was work, and there was no sense in complaining about it.

“We’ll be here if you need us,” Luc said, pulling the earbuds from a cabinet and handing them over.

I smiled and tucked mine into my jacket pocket. “Thanks. When are we leaving?”

“I thought you and I could head out first,” Jonah said. “Take a look at the grounds and decide where to place folks. The Grey House guards will keep an eye on the rest of the vampires leaving here, and we’ll keep an eye on them going in.”

I nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”

“In that case,” Jonah said, clapping his hands together, “I think we’re ready.”

—

It made sense for us to drive separately; Jonah would be bunking in the House’s new digs for the evening, while I’d head back home and again into the Master’s suite.

Moneypenny still sat in the garage, dots of salt and grime on her exterior, but no less beautiful for it.

I’d just opened the door and put my sword into the passenger seat when the basement door opened behind me. Ethan walked inside, his gaze on the car.

“She needs cleaning,” he said.

“Probably, although she’s not going to get any cleaner tonight.” It was useless washing a car in Chicago in the winter until the snow was gone and the forecast was clear.

Ethan made a vague sound. “You’ll be careful.”

“Always. And Jonah’s no slouch.”

“I know,” he said. “And the irony of his spending the evening with you on Valentine’s Day isn’t lost on me.”

“I didn’t think it would be,” I said with a wink. “You’re very smart, for a vampire.”

“You’re very mouthy for a Novitiate.”

“Your Novitiate,” I said.

Ethan opened the door for me and gestured inside. “Go take care of Grey House, Sentinel.”

I nodded. “Maybe, if you’re very good, I’ll bring back dinner.”

Ethan smiled wickedly and pressed a hard kiss to my lips. “I’m rarely good, Merit. But I’m often spectacular.”

He winked and shut the door, and disappeared back into the House.

It took a moment before I had the mental faculties to drive the car.

—

The housing might have been arranged on short notice, but the new temporary digs of the Grey House vampires were pretty nice.

They were in a building named the King George, and the décor involved lots of inlaid “G”s in the marble floors and gilded mirrors that lined the first-floor lobby.

I waited there a few minutes for Jonah, checking out the giant urns of tropical plants and the very expensive artwork. Whatever their other troubles, Grey House must have solid finances in order to afford a place this nice.

Jonah finally walked in, the breeze blowing his hair around like a model at a photo shoot, two paper cups in hand. He nodded at the security guard at the desk, then handed a cup to me.

“Martin,” he said, gesturing toward the guard. “Rogue vampire.”

I waved to Martin with my cup. “I guess he’s on the night shift.”