"Oh!" Her eyes widened on Chris. "I'm sorry. I forgot to ask."
"Ask what?" Bastien queried, afraid he already knew.
"Chris can't go back to his apartment until it's repaired, and he has nowhere to stay. You have Mrs. Houlihan to look after him and… well, I was hoping he could stay here. If you didn't mind," she added.
"Of course he doesn't mind." Lucern moved forward to take his fiancée's hand and lead her back to the elevator as he said, "Bastien can always be counted on in a pinch. He'll take care of everything on this end, and he'll even send the things we'll need once we're there."
Bastien frowned, oddly displeased by those words despite their truth. He was the one everyone always turned to. They did all count on him. And, in this instance, he would certainly send the "things" they would need in California. Namely, blood. But while he usually had no problem being the one everyone counted on, for some reason Lucern's assuming that as usual he would take care of things, was rather annoying.
"We'll call when we get to California," Lucern assured him, pressing a button on the elevator panel.
Bastien stared as the metal elevator doors slid closed, then turned slowly to survey his guests. Terri was standing beside him, looking a little lost. He didn't blame her. She had taken the last of her vacation time and flown all the way here from England to help with her cousin's wedding, but Kate wasn't going to be around.
Chris was shifting uncomfortably on the couch, looking as if he'd rather be uninjured and on a plane to California. Who wouldn't?
And Vincent was standing by the editor, glancing from him to Terri as if trying to decide who would make the tastier snack. Bastien wasn't surprised when his gaze settled on Terri.
"Bastien, I could use a bite," his cousin announced as if on cue. "It was a long flight."
"You will eat out, thank you," Bastien said firmly.
"Okay," Vinny agreed easily—too easily, Bastien thought. And he wasn't surprised when his cousin turned to Terri and asked, "You wouldn't happen to be hungry, would you? Care to step out for a bite?"
"Actually—"
"Mrs. Houlihan will make you something," Bastien interrupted quickly, moving closer to Terri in a protective manner. He'd be damned if his cousin was going to sink his teeth into her. She was—well, she wasn't on the menu.
"Do you think she could make something for me, too?" Chris Keyes asked tentatively from the sofa. "I could do with something to eat as well."
"She'll make something for both of you," Bastien agreed, then glanced at his cousin. "You'll have to find your own food."
"Oh, surely Mrs. Houlihan could make enough for him to join us," Terri said.
"Vincent has a… digestive condition. He needs a very particular diet, and I'm afraid I haven't anything here he can have." Bastien spoke carefully, knowing his cousin would get the message. Everyone in this household was under his protection and off-limits. Well, Terri and Mrs Houlihan definitely were. Bastien didn't know Chris and didn't much care if Vincent bit him, except that, were he to do so, one of the women might witness the act. No, Vincent would have to prowl the streets for his food. It shouldn't be that difficult a task.
"I'll go see if Mrs. Houlihan has recovered sufficiently to see to a meal. In the meantime, Vincent, behave." Bastien started to exit the room, then thought better of it and turned back. He was glad he had, for he noted Vincent had moved closer to Terri, his eyes on her lovely neck. "Terri, perhaps I should show you to your room on the way. You can get settled while the meal is being prepared."
Sardonic amusement flashed across Vincent's face, but he remained silent.
"Oh, that would be nice." Terri picked up her carry-on and moved toward her suitcase, but Bastien beat her to it.
"This way," he said, and led her to the guest rooms. He gave her the one Lissianna usually used. It was the more feminine of the chambers, and it also happened to be right next to the master bedroom, which he was now occupying. Close enough for him to keep a protective eye on her, he assured himself as he led her inside and glanced around the rose-and-blue-hued room.
"Mrs. Houlihan keeps all the rooms ready in case family or friends drop in, so you should be all set," he said as he set her suitcase down at the foot of the bed. "But if there is anything you need, don't hesitate to ask."
"Thank you, it's lovely." Terri set her carry-on down on the bed and unzipped it, commenting, "It's a shame about Kate's friend having the toilet fall on him. What a freak accident. And this is the worst time for it."