Industrial Magic
Page 135
Uh-huh. Once more, pleasein translation.
He leaned down to my ear. Id likeno, I would love for you to be my partner, Paige. In my work, in my life, everything. I know you have your own aspirations, and if you dont wish to share my life quite so completely, I understand. But if you do, you are more than welcome to play as large a role in my investigations as you want.
I smiled up at him. You may regret saying that.
No, I dont think I will. Is that a yes?
Its a we need to discuss this more, but Im definitely interested.
He grinned then, a grin so broad Benicio did a double take from across the room.
Lucas noticed his fathers reaction and laughed softly. He probably thinks I just proposed.
I tried to glance over at Benicio, but another couple blocked my view.
Wed better hurry over and set him straight, I said. Before he has a coronary.
No, he looks quite pleased, Lucas said. I believe hell be disappointed when he learns I didnt propose. Hell have to wait for that. I know better than to push my luck. Ill give it some time before I take that plunge. His grin broadened. At least a week.
I laughed, but before I could respond, he checked his watch.
Speaking of time, were late for our rendezvous with the others. We should go
Ill go. Your dads not letting you out of his sight tonight. Dont worry, Ill be careful.
Then Ill track down a couple glasses of champagne for your return.
We disengaged and I slipped from the dance floor.
I found Jaime alone in our agreed meeting place, a nook between the kitchen and the bathroom hall.
Sorry Im late, I said. The others get tired of waiting?
More worried than impatient, she said. Elena didnt like us all hanging out here where we cant see whats going on, so I nominated myself for the job. Not like I can do much else. If I try following them around, I just get in the way. Ive had stalkers, but never quite developed a talent for it myself, and all four of them are pros.
Hunters.
She shivered. Yeah, well, I try not to think about that. Werewolves, uh, they only hunt animals, right? The four-legged variety?
Pack wolves, yes. Other werewolvesyou take your chances.
Uh-huh. Well, theres nothing to report. No sign of Edward. No Natasha, either. I think Ive seen the last of her. Which leads me to something else. Im really not doing any good here, Paige. If you think Im helping, Ill stay, but if not
If you want to leave, thatsfine.
No, no. Well, yes, I want to leave, but for a reason. Im thinking I might be more help if I keep looking into thisritual, call some more people, see whether I missed something. I could go back to the hotel room with Jeremy and Savannah, make my calls, and help them man the control center.
Manning the control center, hmm? I said with a grin. Sure, that sounds like a plan. Go for it.
I didnt mean that, she said, reddening. Seriously, I think Id be more use checking out this lead, dont you? Okay, the control center probably doesnt need extra manning. Maybe I should make the calls from our hotel instead
No, go stay with Jeremy. Thats safer all around, and you can bounce ideas off him. He might not know much about necromantic ritual, but hes a smart guy and hes very easy to talk to.
He is, isnt he? I mean, for a werewolf, and an Alpha werewolf at that, youd expect the guy to be all high-and-mighty, brawn-over-brains, but hes not, and he just seems like such a She buried her hands in her face with a moan. Oh, God, Im too old for this shit. She peeked up at me. Lack of sleep. Its lack of sleepand emotional trauma. Ive been traumatized by this vamp-spook, and Im not thinking straight.
Exactly.
Right. So, Ill just go over there and start making my calls. If Jeremy can help, thats great, but otherwise, Ill just do my thing, and he can keep Savannah company. Hes great with Savannah, isnt he? I mean, other guys would tell her to go off and play a video game or watch TV, but he pays attention to her and She inhaled and exhaled. Okay. Fine now. Leaving now. If you need me, Im heading straight to the hotel. She paused. Well, after I swing by my hotel room for a quick showerI think I spritzed myself with your hairspray earlier and Im all sticky. So Ill shower, change my clothes, and then head to their hotel.
Got it, I said, biting my cheek to keep from smiling.
First, Ill find Elena and tell her Im taking off. She seems nice. We havent really talked, but she seems nice. Down-to-earth.
She is.
With that, Jaime left, and I headed back to the party. I found Lucas near the buffet tables, holding the promised champagne flutes.
Your dad hasnt shanghaied you yet? I said.
Hes heading in this direction, but keeps being way-laid by other guests. In light of my new strategy for paternal relations, I am not using the situation as an opportunity to initiate a game of hide-and-seek, but standing firm and allowing him to make his way here, however long that may take.
He leaned down to my ear. Id likeno, I would love for you to be my partner, Paige. In my work, in my life, everything. I know you have your own aspirations, and if you dont wish to share my life quite so completely, I understand. But if you do, you are more than welcome to play as large a role in my investigations as you want.
I smiled up at him. You may regret saying that.
No, I dont think I will. Is that a yes?
Its a we need to discuss this more, but Im definitely interested.
He grinned then, a grin so broad Benicio did a double take from across the room.
Lucas noticed his fathers reaction and laughed softly. He probably thinks I just proposed.
I tried to glance over at Benicio, but another couple blocked my view.
Wed better hurry over and set him straight, I said. Before he has a coronary.
No, he looks quite pleased, Lucas said. I believe hell be disappointed when he learns I didnt propose. Hell have to wait for that. I know better than to push my luck. Ill give it some time before I take that plunge. His grin broadened. At least a week.
I laughed, but before I could respond, he checked his watch.
Speaking of time, were late for our rendezvous with the others. We should go
Ill go. Your dads not letting you out of his sight tonight. Dont worry, Ill be careful.
Then Ill track down a couple glasses of champagne for your return.
We disengaged and I slipped from the dance floor.
I found Jaime alone in our agreed meeting place, a nook between the kitchen and the bathroom hall.
Sorry Im late, I said. The others get tired of waiting?
More worried than impatient, she said. Elena didnt like us all hanging out here where we cant see whats going on, so I nominated myself for the job. Not like I can do much else. If I try following them around, I just get in the way. Ive had stalkers, but never quite developed a talent for it myself, and all four of them are pros.
Hunters.
She shivered. Yeah, well, I try not to think about that. Werewolves, uh, they only hunt animals, right? The four-legged variety?
Pack wolves, yes. Other werewolvesyou take your chances.
Uh-huh. Well, theres nothing to report. No sign of Edward. No Natasha, either. I think Ive seen the last of her. Which leads me to something else. Im really not doing any good here, Paige. If you think Im helping, Ill stay, but if not
If you want to leave, thatsfine.
No, no. Well, yes, I want to leave, but for a reason. Im thinking I might be more help if I keep looking into thisritual, call some more people, see whether I missed something. I could go back to the hotel room with Jeremy and Savannah, make my calls, and help them man the control center.
Manning the control center, hmm? I said with a grin. Sure, that sounds like a plan. Go for it.
I didnt mean that, she said, reddening. Seriously, I think Id be more use checking out this lead, dont you? Okay, the control center probably doesnt need extra manning. Maybe I should make the calls from our hotel instead
No, go stay with Jeremy. Thats safer all around, and you can bounce ideas off him. He might not know much about necromantic ritual, but hes a smart guy and hes very easy to talk to.
He is, isnt he? I mean, for a werewolf, and an Alpha werewolf at that, youd expect the guy to be all high-and-mighty, brawn-over-brains, but hes not, and he just seems like such a She buried her hands in her face with a moan. Oh, God, Im too old for this shit. She peeked up at me. Lack of sleep. Its lack of sleepand emotional trauma. Ive been traumatized by this vamp-spook, and Im not thinking straight.
Exactly.
Right. So, Ill just go over there and start making my calls. If Jeremy can help, thats great, but otherwise, Ill just do my thing, and he can keep Savannah company. Hes great with Savannah, isnt he? I mean, other guys would tell her to go off and play a video game or watch TV, but he pays attention to her and She inhaled and exhaled. Okay. Fine now. Leaving now. If you need me, Im heading straight to the hotel. She paused. Well, after I swing by my hotel room for a quick showerI think I spritzed myself with your hairspray earlier and Im all sticky. So Ill shower, change my clothes, and then head to their hotel.
Got it, I said, biting my cheek to keep from smiling.
First, Ill find Elena and tell her Im taking off. She seems nice. We havent really talked, but she seems nice. Down-to-earth.
She is.
With that, Jaime left, and I headed back to the party. I found Lucas near the buffet tables, holding the promised champagne flutes.
Your dad hasnt shanghaied you yet? I said.
Hes heading in this direction, but keeps being way-laid by other guests. In light of my new strategy for paternal relations, I am not using the situation as an opportunity to initiate a game of hide-and-seek, but standing firm and allowing him to make his way here, however long that may take.
