The other person in the room stopped talking in mid-sentence. His eyes grew wide. “What? Where’s Sean?”
Gregori parked his suitcase next to the sagging couch of burnt-orange velvet, then set Sean’s cell phone on the scarred coffee table. He extended a hand toward the other guy. Garrett Manning was a member of Sean’s Stake-Out team, and he’d participated undercover in a reality show that Gregori had hosted a few years back at the Digital Vampire Network.
“We’ve met before, remember? I’m Gregori Holstein.”
“Uh, yeah. I’m Garrett.” He backed away, refusing to shake hands, his expression growing more confused. “Weren’t you supposed to bring Sean with you?”
“Damn.” Gregori slapped his leg. “I knew I was forgetting something.”
Garrett winced. “Sean’s going to be really pissed.”
“What else is new?” Gregori pulled out his Droid and called Angus, who immediately put him on the speakerphone. “I’m at the safe house. Looks like Garrett is alone here. Is that true, Garrett? Are you alone?”
“Well . . . yeah, but—” Garrett gasped as four men materialized in the room. “What the—”
“This is Robby and Phil.” Gregori gestured toward the two Vamps and the shifters they’d brought with them. “I believe you’ve met Phineas before. And this is Howard. They’ll be in charge of security from now on.”
Garrett flinched. “But that’s my job! This is a CIA operation. You can’t just take over like that.”
“Dude.” Phineas gave him a pointed look. “Are you going to argue with a werewolf and a were-bear?”
Garrett gulped as he eyed Phil and Howard. Gregori bit his lip to keep from laughing. The shifters had both affected their steely-eyed, vicious looks.
Phineas rested an arm on Garrett’s shoulder. “Let me give you some advice, bro. Keep the kitchen well stocked. You do not want to share your house with a hungry bear.”
“I—I didn’t realize shifters were real,” Garrett whispered.
“Yeah, well, we’re gonna trust you to keep quiet about that, bro.” Phineas patted him on the back. “Or we’ll have to wipe your memory clean for a year or so.”
Garrett turned pale. “I can keep a secret.”
“Good lad.” Robby smiled at him. “I’m going back now to report to Angus. Good luck to ye all.” He disappeared.
“Got any donuts?” Howard lumbered toward the kitchen.
Garrett jumped out of his way. “There’s a box on the counter. Eat all you want.”
Gregori motioned toward the fridge. “Did you stock up on blood?”
“Yeah.” Garrett gave him a wary look. “Are you going to get Sean now?”
“Soon.” Gregori glanced at the large bay window. “Is there a safe place for Phineas and me to sleep?”
“Yeah, the basement. Sean told me to board up the windows and put two beds down there.” Garrett frowned at Phineas. “Did he know there would be two of you?”
“Dude, there’s gonna be three Vamps,” Phineas said. “Gregori, me, and Sean.”
Garrett’s mouth dropped open. “What?”
Gregori attempted to keep a straight face. “Hate to break it to you, dude, but your boss is a Vamp.”
“No.” Garrett shook his head. “You’re just messing with me. Sean hates vampires.”
“Then he’d better get a therapist to deal with his self-loathing.” Gregori glanced at his watch. “Time to go.” He teleported back to the side entrance at Romatech, swiped his card, and strode inside.
“You bastard!” Sean shouted as he charged down the hall, dragging his suitcase behind him. “I’m reporting you to your superiors.” He stopped in front of the MacKay security office and lifted a fist to pound on the door.
It opened and Angus filled the doorway.
Sean froze with his fist an inch from Angus’s chest.
Angus arched a brow. “Is there a problem?”
“Yes!” Sean gestured wildly toward Gregori. “That asshole left without me! He’s impossible to work with. You should fire him!”
“Now why would I do that?” Angus’s eyes twinkled with humor. “I believe he followed my orders perfectly.”
“What the— I’m in charge here!” Sean jabbed a finger in Gregori’s direction. “That idiot was supposed to take me!”
“Chillax, Whelan,” Gregori said. “It wouldn’t have been safe to take you and all our luggage at the same time.”
“And he had other matters to take care of first,” Angus added. “My men are now providing security for the safe house.”