Sexiest Vampire Alive(60)
Abigail leaned forward. “What happened?”
“He was attacked in the parking lot. We found out later it was Casimir, the leader of the Malcontents. He overpowered Gregori and ripped open his neck. Drank his full and left him to die.”
Abigail swallowed hard. Poor Gregori.
“We didn’t have all the security cameras back then. A guard finally found him when he was making his rounds.” Radinka wiped a tear from her face. “I’d already lost my husband. I couldn’t bear to lose my son, too. I begged Roman to transform him. And he did.”
Abigail took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She couldn’t blame Radinka. She’d be desperate, too, to save a loved one. “It must have come as a great shock to Gregori.”
“Yes, I believe it did.” Radinka dabbed at her eyes with her napkin. “But he tried not to show it. He’s tried so hard to fit in. Roman offered him a job here, and he’s worked awfully hard. He’s vice president of marketing now, you know.”
Abigail smiled. Radinka was clearly proud of him. “How old was he when was transformed?”
“Twenty-nine.” Radinka ate some risotto. “But that was back in 1993. It’s high time he stopped playing around with those silly Vamp women. He needs to settle down with a nice mortal girl. I won’t live forever, you know, and I want some time with my grandchildren.”
“I’m sure you do.” Abigail tasted the risotto. It really was excellent. She glanced over at Charles, who had cleaned his plate. “There’s more food in the kitchen,” she called to him. “And some wine. Could you bring it out?”
He frowned, looking Radinka over, then hurried off to the kitchen.
Radinka snorted. “Does he really think I’m going to hurt you? My own future daughter-in-law?”
Abigail’s mouth dropped open. “I—I think you may have misunderstood my relationship with your son. We’re not dating.”
Radinka shrugged. “All in good time.” She pointed a fork at Abigail. “But I’m not getting any younger, so don’t wait too long.”
“But I—”
“At least two grandchildren,” Radinka continued.
Abigail stuffed her clenched fists into her raincoat pockets, then felt something bump against her knuckles. She peered into her pocket and found a ball. Where on earth did this come from? She pulled it out to look at it.
Radinka chuckled. “Did Gregori give you one of his stress balls?”
Abigail gave it a squeeze. Did he? When?
Chapter Sixteen
Gregori found Roman in his office, enjoying a Bleer with Angus. “I—” He dragged a hand through his hair.
“Out with it, lad. I’m no’ getting any younger.” Angus lounged back in his chair and took a long sip from his bottle.
Roman set his bottle on his desk. “Would you like me to talk to Miss Tucker now?”
“In a little while.” Gregori yanked the knot of his tie loose. “I-I’ve done something awful.”
The two men stared at him for a while.
“How awful?” Roman asked finally.
Angus sat up. “Did ye bed the lass?”
“No!” Gregori huffed with indignation. “What would give you that idea?”
The two men stared at him again.
He shifted his weight. “I realize I have a bit of a reputation, but I don’t—”
“We’re no’ blind, lad,” Angus muttered. “We can tell ye’re attracted to her.”
“You can?” When they continued to stare at him, he swallowed hard. “All right, it’s true.”
“You slept with her?” Roman asked.
“No! I find her attractive.” He grimaced. “I erased her memory. About fifteen minutes’ worth. The Secret Service guy, too.”
Roman and Angus exchanged a worried look.
“Do they suspect?” Angus asked.
“I don’t think so.” Gregori groaned inwardly as he ran a hand through his hair. “If she ever finds out, she’s going to be so pissed.”
“With good reason.” Roman frowned at him.
“I know it’s bad, but I didn’t see any other way out. We were in Laszlo’s lab, and he accidentally let it slip that we heal automatically in our death-sleep.”
Roman winced, and Angus muttered a curse.
“I tried to cover it up, but she’s really smart, you know. And the next thing I knew she was asking for tissue and blood samples, and I explained why I couldn’t, but she wouldn’t back down. She even threatened to have her dad break the agreement with us if I didn’t give her some blood.”
Roman shook his head. “We can’t let them know that our blood heals.”