For Richer (Vampire Assassin League Book 24) (8 page)

“You’ve reached the VAL. How can I direct your call?”

“Ni...gel?”

“Mikey! Glad to hear from you. Everything okay? You sound strange.”

“Everything is...fine. Only the
puka
has been destroyed.”

“
Puka?
”

“
Chachapoya
stone structure. Means fortress. That’s the site we just obliterated. The one atop Mikhal’s home.”

Akron answered for him. Becky’s tongue was creating all kinds of trouble with concentration. Mikhal lifted a shoulder as if that would assist with the ticklish caress.

“Thank you, Sir. Of course you’d know that.”

“Stick with me long enough, Nigel, and I think you may gain a working knowledge of all sorts of important things. Like world history.”

“Yuck. History. I was fighting going to college for a reason, Sir.”

“I know. Good-bye, Mikhal. And congratulations. Call if you need anything.”

“Yeah. Call us, Mikey. We’ll be right over.”

“End the call, Nigel, and let Mikhal relocate, so he can get back to mating.”

The call ended. Mikhal tossed the cell phone, turned to his mate. And grinned. “You ready?”

She nodded. So, he grabbed for Shadow and Kaiya’s ruff, and jumped upward, disappearing into the night.

~ ~ ~

Nigel took off the headgear. Hung it on the peg. Swiveled in his chair. Looked through the door to Akron’s study. Gave a heavy sigh. “Well, Sir. Looks like we have another happily mated couple. I hope they are happy.”

“Are you being sarcastic, Nigel?”

“No. Just...a little envious. And a lot sad.”

“It is rather sad. I’ve often wondered why some relationships work out, and others don’t. Have you ever pondered that?”

“Not really. I was a bit hung up with a preoccupation on tits and ass, Sir. As you pointed out more than once.”

“I’ll let you in on a little secret. Some people are just not meant to be together.”

Nigel tilted his head to one side. “Oh, I think Mikhal and Rebecca are going to do just fine. Are you okay, Sir?”

“Never better. Have you checked on your grandson’s site lately?”

“Nope.”

“Really?”

“I’ve found out that being a masochist is not my style. He always has a certain blond near him. They take a lot of photos. I’ll check on him next month. Maybe.”

“He’s in our neck of the woods right now.”

“You’ve been checking on him?”

“With good reason, I assure you. He
is
the Beethan heir.”

“Oh. Right.”

“And right now he is in Cabo San Lucas, blowing off steam.”

Nigel went silent. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to tell me she is that close, Sir. I am trying to be noble and honorable here. But sometimes...when I least expect it. Well. Let’s just say, I shouldn’t be near her.”

“Paul Henry is in Cabo San Lucas, Nigel. He appears to have a coterie of women about him. Lots of them. But...oddly enough, I didn’t see a cute little blond woman there. So I decided to check on his relationship status, since everyone posts that for anyone to see anymore.”

“And then there’s the problem of—. What did you just say?”

“Paul Henry is posting that he is single. And he is certainly acting like it. I would say that means...Nigel! The ceiling was not built to take that kind of hit.”

Nigel was grinning as he dropped back to the ground, wood splinters following him.

“Oh, Sir! Oh hell! Oh shit! Oh wow! Oh, Sir!”

“Before you run off half-cocked, I’ve got some instructions and a bit of advice, Nigel, my boy.”

“Anything! Oh! Where is she? Why is this link so slow?”

“Because I just blocked it.”

“What? Why?”

“Because you have the oddest idea of focus whenever we mention Mandy.”

“You know her name?”

“Of course. And I happen to know her exact location. Right now.”

“Oh, Sir! Please? You gotta tell me! Please? I’m begging here!”

“Oh. This is more enjoyable than I envisioned. Now, listen up, Nigel. Listen to everything I am saying before you react. Are we clear?”

“Yeah! Yeah! Got it!”

Nigel was jumping from one foot to the other. It was putting dents in the floor. Akron shook his head.

“Mandy is spending a bit of time with her girlfriends in Venice, Italy. I have Stanislaw ready at the airfield to transport you. MacKettryck’s mansion on the Grand Canal is at your disposal. I took the liberty of updating your wardrobe. You should have everything you need. Now. Here is the advice. Nigel!”

Akron called the name with a volume that made everything in the room shudder. Nigel stopped at the door and looked back. “Sir?”

“Be sure and wear the mask.”

“A mask? What the hell for?”

“Two reasons. Number one. She’s in Venice. There is always a carnival going one. And secondly – you look an awful lot like her ex. I’m not exactly certain what transpired to break their relationship up. It may have been acrimonious. It may not. Your appearance may not work to your advantage. If I were you, I wouldn’t chance it.”

“Oh. Got it.”

“Well, then? What are you waiting for?”

Nigel was gone before he finished. And Akron started shaking his head.

-o0o-

Jackie Ivie lives in the enormous state of Alaska with her husband and three very spoiled pets.  She started her writing career writing hot highland historical romances for Kensington Publishing.  There are now ten “Clans series” books, available in seven languages.  Keeping her head in the clouds most of the time, Jackie now spends her time researching, developing, and writing her paranormal series – the Vampire Assassin League, as well as her other historical line – the Brocade Collection.

Jackie loves hearing from fans, who can contact her at
www.jackieivie.com
or
www.VampireAssassinLeague.com

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FOR RICHER is the 24th installment of the Vampire Assassin League.  Check out all the assassins in the VAL, available singly, in 4-book bundles, a ten-story mega pack and in print as 2-packs.

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