Chapter 12

Cursing at the phone under her breath, she scowled and tried again. Stupid game. I don’t know why I keep playing it.

“Maybe I’m wrong, but it looks like you’re out here alone.”

Lifting her eyes from the screen, Remi looked over to see Darien leaning at the door with a cup of coffee in his hand. “I’m five feet from the building, it’s daytime, and the door is open.” She looked him up and down slowly. Darien always looked rumpled when he first got up, but today he just looked ragged. “Long night?”

He sighed and blew on his black coffee. “We decided to have a man meeting last night.” He shrugged. “Try to get a handle on what’s happening.”

“Do those meetings always involve large quantities of alcohol?”

He winced against the light as he stepped outside. “Not always.”

“Kyran looked like he was on his last legs when he crawled in an hour ago.”

Darien chuckled. “He’s slumped over in the supply room with his head on a box right now.”

Tucking her phone into her pocket, she shook her head. “If he didn’t try to keep up with you supernatural boys, he wouldn’t be wishing for death right now.” He gave her a sheepish grin. “I was a little surprised you all included him in your meeting.”

Darien cautiously sipped his coffee. “I almost like him.”

Crossing her arms over her chest, she tried to read his face. “Almost?’

“Yeah, he’s all right for a normal. I just don’t like how he stalks you with his eyes.”

She gave him a wide-eyed look. “No, he doesn’t.”

Shaking his head, he stared at her. “You never notice,” he said quietly, more to himself. “One of these days, I’m going to record it so you can see how every male takes notice when you pass them.”

Feeling uncomfortable, she kicked at the dirt with her boot. “It’s because I’m not petite.” She shrugged. “Why they look at me.” As far as she was concerned, she was tall and skinny with no appealing curves like all those other types of females.

Darien chuckled. “Remi, you’re petite.” His eyes moved down over her. “Just not short.” He opened his mouth like he was going to say more and then stopped and took another drink.

Shrugging again and wanting to change the subject, she looked around them. “So, other than several hundred dollars of alcohol poisoning, did you guys come up with anything?’

He rubbed a hand over his brow. “No. We went back as far as you first coming here, and there’s no one that has cause to target Serenity.”

“I thought the same.”

“How’s the audit going?” He smirked. “The accountant isn’t at all what I pictured.”

Remi nodded. “I know. I expected clean-cut and geeky.”

“Well, he’s none of that.” Shaking his head, he took a small sip.

She thought about the accountant sitting in her break room. He was middle-aged, very much overweight, and sweaty. Remi had only been able to sit in there for a few minutes as he made little grunting noises as he worked. It was worse when he spoke. He gasped randomly during sentences, pausing each one at least three times. When he first started, everything seemed fairly routine, she knew about audits, but then he started asking questions that didn’t have much to do with checking the numbers. “There’s something not right about this audit, Dare.”

His brows rose in question.

“He’s asking some things that don’t have a lot to do with the books.”

With a subtle move, his whole posture changed to alert. “Like what?”

“He’s verifying everything, even if they don’t have anything to do with balance sheets. He’s questioning the high electricity bills, asking about employee addresses and files, which have nothing to do with inventory and costs.”

Darien’s jaw clenched a few times. “Give Vienna a call and get her take. She knows more about this sort of thing than either one of us.” He stepped closer. “Be careful. Don’t answer anything you’re not comfortable with.” His voice was lower so no one could overhear them. “He’s definitely sniffing around for something.”

A large green box truck pulled up, ending the conversation. It was Jose with their produce delivery.

“Just in the nick of time, Berk ranted about lettuce for fifteen minutes this morning.”

Darien grinned and took another drink. “Berk was hungover this morning.” She turned and looked at him. “He joined our meeting last night.”

Shaking her head, she grinned at Jose as he climbed out of the cab. “My staff is out of control.”

Darien laughed and set his cup on the bumper of the truck as Jose opened the door. Remi took the offered clipboard and began to check off the cases as Jose handed them down to Darien.

“Sorry I’m a little late today,” Jose added as he handed over the last case. “We have a new packer, and he’s slow.”

Signing the invoice, she tore off her copy and handed him the clipboard when he climbed out. “It’s no problem, Jose. Everyone has to learn.”

With a smile, he nodded. “I’ll see you at the end of the week.”

“Thanks.” She watched him pull away and glanced at Darien. “I didn’t even realize he was late.”

Handing her his cup, he leaned down and opened one of the cases. “Better get Berk his lettuce.” He stopped and cursed under his breath. “Go revive the dying detective and tell him to get his ass out here. Now.”

Frowning, she went over to him and looked down into the box. There was red all over the lettuce, and a single page sat on top. The words next time were written in red. “Is that blood?”

Darien leaned down and inhaled. He nodded and then gave her an ice-cold look. “Get inside and get Nelsen out here.”

Nodding, she turned and stumbled into the backroom, rounding the corner to the supply room on numb legs. Shoving the door open, she flicked on the light. A low moan came from the corner. Kyran was slumped forward, resting his head on his arms on top of a stack of boxes. “Kyran.” He raised his head slowly and looked at her with bloodshot eyes. She wanted to tell him to never mind, but the alternative would be to call Randell. Damn. “We need you out back. A note was left inside a case of our lettuce.” She dragged in a deep breath. “It’s written in blood.”

Kyran stood up and then teetered for a moment. Using the boxes to steady himself, he took a deep breath and winced. “Did you touch it?” He closed his eyes, and she watched his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed.

“No. Darien opened the box and then sent me to get you.”

“Good.” Opening his eyes, he ran his fingers through his hair, brushing it back from his face. “Stay inside.” He took slow steps in her direction as if he was trying to build up the momentum to keep going.

“Nadine makes a pretty effective hangover cure if you want to try it.”

He stopped and looked down at her, and placed a shaky hand on her arm. “I would try anything at this point. Thank you.” Exhaling slowly, he took a few more steps. “I don’t know what the hell was in those python shooters, but I’m never touching them again.” He kept walking, “or tequila.”

Remi cringed. She knew a python was a concoction Attis and Pascal had come up with. The fact that Kyran was even out of his bed today would win him the respect of all the men on staff. Taking a deep breath, she went to find Nadine. They needed him to think coherently right now.

Carrying the herbal brew, she stepped out the back door. Darien was opening the other cases and checking them before carrying them inside. Kyran was pacing and talking on the phone.

“No, Peterson, I don’t need to send it to the lab to know it’s blood.” He groaned. “I’m pretty sure Darien could smell blood at twenty paces.” He glanced at the paper in his hand, and she recognized it as the invoice from Jose. “Yes, I’ll have the lab guys come and pick it up.” He nodded. “Let me know.” Hanging up, he jammed it into his pocket and looked at her. “Is that my fix?”

Holding out the cup, she nodded. “It doesn’t work on paras, so it should help you feel better.”

Coming over, he took the cup and sniffed it. “I was afraid it was going to smell like this.”

“It will help.” She hugged her arms around her waist. “What did Dell say?” She looked at the case of lettuce sitting open.

“He’s going to head over to the produce company and find out who packed the order.”

“Jose said it was a new packer.”

He took a sip and then made a face. “Unfortunately, I’m pretty sure that means whoever did it will be long gone.”

Remi nodded.

“Didn’t I tell you to stay inside?” Darien stepped between them and looked down at her, his brows furrowed.

Surprised, she touched his arm. “I’m standing here with Kyran. I think I’m safe.”

Darien looked down at her hand, his expression softening. Turning slowly, he gave Kyran and blank look.

Kyran grimaced. “Yeah, I don’t think I’d be much use to you right now, Remi.”

Darien grinned. “You’re standing. That says more than you know.” He turned to grab the last box of food. “First time the boys fed me pythons, I didn’t move for two days.”

“Oh, well,” Kyran took another small sip and shook his head as he swallowed, “then I feel much better knowing that.” He smirked at her. “Go inside; leave me to my quiet death.”

Remi turned. She’d have to send someone to buy more lettuce.

Remi was so distracted waiting to hear from Randell or the lab about the bloody note she forgot about the accountant until he came into her office.

“Miss Foster?”

She dropped the receipts on her desk and turned her chair. She couldn’t for the life of her remember the man’s name, so she just offered her most cordial smile. “Yes.”

“I just wanted to let you,” he made a quiet gasping noise, “know.” Another gasp. “Everything I have checked seems to be,” one more gasp, “in order. Your evening supervisor, Vienna, was most” —and gasp— “helpful clearing up some questions.” He made a wheezing sound and grinned. At least she was pretty sure it was a grin; either that or he had gas. He was sweating a lot more. “I have started my report and will be.” Quick gasp. “Back tomorrow to finish up.”

“Oh.” Oh, she had to see what Vienna had done to him. “That’s wonderful,” she paused, hoping the name would come to her. It didn’t. “I’m glad Vie was able to assist you.”

He nodded and seemed like he was prancing on the spot. “I’ll be going now.”

Standing up, she looked down at him and nodded. “Let me walk you out.”

As they passed through the café, Remi turned to watch Vienna as she stood at the end of the counter sipping a drink through a straw. To her questioning glance, she shrugged, not telling Remi one way or the other if she had done something. Closing the door behind him, she turned, zeroing in on Vie as she walked quickly in her direction. “Did you do something to Mister…” She waved a hand. “Whatever his name is?”

Vie gave her an exaggerated innocent smile. “I spoke to him.”

“And?”

Vienna shrugged and walked into the kitchen. Remi followed her. “I didn’t do anything to him, but I wanted to.”

Remi stopped and studied her. Vienna cracked a smile and looked at the corner of the kitchen. Turning, she saw Attis sitting on the edge of the counter. She narrowed her eyes at him, and then he began to chuckle and raised his hand.

“I may have suggested a few things to him.” He lifted his hands in a helpless gesture. “He was a dick to Vie. I technically saved his life.”

Vienna snorted a laugh. “Oh, you saved his life,” she growled.

Taking a deep breath, Remi looked from one to the other. “I don’t approve” —she looked at Attis— “but I thank you.” She turned on Vienna. “And thank you for going to Attis instead of giving in to the urge.” She shook her head. “Just don’t tell Darien.”

“Don’t tell Darien what?”

Closing her eyes, she opened them and looked at Attis, who now had a big grin on his face. Turning around, she looked at Darien leaning against the door. He raised his eyebrows at her. “Vienna had a few problems with the accountant.”

Darien immediately looked concerned.

Vie raised both her hands. “I didn’t do anything.”

Attis sighed and stood up. “I did.” He went over to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of blood. “And you’re welcome for dragging my cold ass out of bed way too early to come help.” Opening it, it put it in the microwave.

“What did you do?” Darien asked, looking a little more at ease but still tense.

Attis shrugged and pulled the bottle out of the microwave. “I made the suggestion that he loved how Remi’s books looked and that he was completely happy with things here.”

“Won’t he know you did that?” Remi asked, still not sure of the way Attis’s skills worked.

Lowering the bottle away from his mouth, he smirked at her, “Do I look like a fledgling?” He took a small sip. “He doesn’t even know he had the pleasure of meeting me.” He raised an eyebrow and gave Remi a fanged grin.

She looked over at Darien. His expression mirrored her thoughts: she wasn’t sure if this was a good thing. She gave him a hopeful look. “He said he was finishing up his report tomorrow and that everything was in order.”

Darien looked from Attis to Vienna and then finally back to her. “As long as it doesn’t come back to bite us on the ass.” He sent Attis a hard look. “And you don’t get into the habit of doing that again, I guess we’re good.”

Attis raised his hand. “I have been the paragon of virtuous intentions for more than a year now.”

Shaking his head, Darien glanced back at Remi. “I think we’re good.” Patting Vienna on the shoulder, he smiled at her. “You did right, using Attis instead of handling things on your own.”

She beamed a huge fake grin and flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Well, I can’t be employee of the month if I fry someone’s brain, now can I?”

“We have an employee of the month?” Attis asked.

Vienna shrugged and started laughing as she walked into the back room. Attis looked from Darien to Remi and then started to go after her; he stopped two feet later and glanced at Darien over his shoulder. “I got your text. I checked out that thing in the place, and I’ll see what I can do.” With that, he bolted after Vienna.

Rubbing his hands over his face, Darien dropped them and looked down at her. “Sometimes it’s like we have a house full of kids instead of a business.”

Remi grinned. “Yep. What thing in the place where, and what’s he going to do?”

Darien rubbed his face again; he rested his hip on the wall. “Kyran let me take one of the leaves with the blood to see if one of our in-house trackers could pick up anything.”

She nodded. “Let’s hope so.” Rubbing her hands up and down her arms, she tried to stave off the chill that went over her skin. “I just want things to go back to normal.”

Darien leaned over and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her into the warmth of his body. “We’ll figure it out, sweetheart.”

She leaned into his chest. Just being close to him made her feel safe. His warmth, his touch, his scent, all of it was home and comfort to her. At least as long as he only held her. She’d been trying not to think about it all day, the way she’d acted when he’d taken her up to bed last night. What possessed her to break her own rule, she didn’t know, but she had to try to keep it to business and friends between them. Serenity was too important for her to screw up the relationship with Darien. Darien was too important in her world, period, to take a chance.

“Are you all right?” He whispered into her hair, his warm hand moving up and down her back.

Leaning back, she looked up and him. “Yeah. It’s just been a hell of a week so far.”

He chuckled. “Well, if it makes you feel better, there’s only four more days, and then we start again.”

“Oh, goodie.” She rolled her eyes. He stood there looking at her with those chocolate eyes; the intimacy in them made her knees weaken. She knew this was exactly what she had to avoid but couldn’t have looked away from him if her life depended on it. His hand moved to the back of her head and lightly grasped her hair.

“Either kiss her or get out of the way. You’re blocking the fridge.”

They both jolted like teenagers caught doing something they shouldn’t be. Remi stepped back and looked at Emery standing in the doorway. She hated that he could sneak up on her without warning, all the vampires could, and it irked her. Huffing out a breath, she studied him for a moment. He looked completely ragged. “Everything good?”

He moved past her and pulled out a bottle of blood, and opened it. “Just great, Mom. I woke up early, lucky me, and then I find out someone left you a lovely note in the lettuce.” Shoving the bottle into the microwave, he slammed the door and stood there watching it count down.

Remi glanced at Darien over her shoulder; his brows were drawn. That made her feel better, Emery had his moods, but they usually leaned toward dry sarcasm. “Kyran sent it to the lab, and Randell is following up with the company.”

Emery took a long gulp and looked at her, his lips coated with blood. “Well, that makes me feel bunches better. The humans will keep you safe.” He tipped the bottle at her and then took another drink.

Glaring at the back of his head, she scowled. “Hey, I think you’re forgetting I’m also human.”

Lowering the bottle, he stood with his back to her, staring at the wall for several seconds. Slumping his shoulders, he turned slowly and looked down at her, his blue eyes filled with regret. “Sorry.” Leaning down, he kissed her cheek softly. “I do forget sometimes.” Straightening, he cupped her cheek. “You’re like superwoman, not some weak human.” Shifting past her, he started to back out of the room. “Just ignore me. I’m having a difficult time lately.”

Blinking, she stared at the door he’d gone out. “Has he been like this a lot?” She glanced at Darien, who stood there rubbing the back of his neck.

“Not that I’ve noticed.” Squeezing her shoulder, he turned toward the door. “I’ll keep an eye on him.” Shoving the swinging door, he went out front.

Turning, Remi looked around the kitchen. Sighing, she followed him in search of Nadine. With everything going on, she’d forgotten to ask what the word was on the no-harm spell. Right now, it looked like Serenity could use it.