Elemental Assassin 01 - Spider's Bite

much more than that. Since the vampire was going to be difficult about things, I decided to remind her exactly how good a friend Finn had been to her.
    “Catherine’s gotten so big since the last time I saw her,” I said in a soft voice. “When you brought her home from the hospital after her surgery.”
    Roslyn’s dark eyes went to the little girl playing in the castle, then snapped up to meet mine. Her gaze hardened, and her fangs poked out through her lips. Warning me to back the fuck off. Donovan Caine gave me a hard look, wondering what the hell I was doing. Finn just sighed.
    “Looks like she’s really enjoying that princess castle Finn gave her as a welcome home gift,” I continued. “Tell me, how’s Lisa, your sister? I haven’t seen her in a while.”
    Vroom-vroom . Vroom-vroom . Catherine pushed her dump truck back and forth on the grass.
    “She’s fine,” Roslyn said in a tight voice. “I keep Catherine during the day while Lisa goes to school. She’s finishing up her business degree at Ashland Community College.”
    I gave her a soft, easy smile, like we were just two gals shooting the breeze. “Nice to hear they’re doing so well—now.”
    Roslyn’s mouth flattened into a thin line as she considered the meaning behind my casual words. Her fingers tapped on the table. After a few seconds, her hand stilled. “Yeah, they’re doing much better—now.”
    The vampire stared at me. “There’s a passageway that runs through the back of the club. Has eyes and ears in all the private rooms. We use it to look out for the girls and make sure they’re being treated right. You could watch Carlyle from there. But he leaves the club in one piece—understand? I can’t have people disappearing from the private rooms.”
    We could always grab Carlyle outside after we saw who he liked to party with. Easier that way anyhow. I nodded my acceptance to her terms. She relaxed the slightest bit.
    “You’re a peach, Roslyn.” Finn leaned over and kissed her cheek. “A real peach.”
    Her face softened, and a genuine smile curved her lips. “You say that to all the girls.”
    “Maybe, but with you, I really mean it.”
    Roslyn patted Finn’s cheek. He caught her hand and pressed a kiss to the inside of her palm. I cleared my throat before they could move on to other things.
    Finn sighed. “Sorry, darling. Duty calls. We’ll be at the club tonight. Perhaps we can meet later in the week after some of my present … difficulties resolve themselves.”
    “Of course. Call me when you get free.”
    And so business was concluded. I got to my feet. Donovan Caine rose as well. Finn sighed again, then did the same.
    “Come on, Finn. I’m sure Roslyn wants to go see how Catherine’s doing.” I smiled at the vampire again. “Give our best to Lisa.”
    Her dark eyes met mine. “I will,” she murmured. “I will.” 

19
    Roslyn showed us out, then went back inside to put Catherine down for a nap. As soon as the vampire locked the door behind us, Donovan Caine turned to me.
    “What the hell was that about? Threatening her niece like that?” His eyes blazed gold with anger. “The little girl was sitting right there.”
    “And was far too involved in her own imaginary world to pay attention to us,” I replied. “It wasn’t a threat. I was merely reminding Roslyn how Finn had taken care of something for her and that she owed him. It was business, nothing else, and Roslyn knew it. That’s why she agreed to let us spy on Carlyle. Now she knows we’re even again.”
    Caine kept his hard gaze on my face. “And if she hadn’t agreed? What would you have done? Pulled one of your knives on the little girl?”
    “Oh boy,” Finn muttered and stepped back.
    I tilted my head and approached the detective until I stood right in front of him. Donovan Caine didn’t move away. More balls than common sense.
    “I might be an assassin, detective, but I’m not a monster. I don’t kill kids—ever. But if you ever dare to insult me like that again, I’ll be more than happy to slit your throat.” I palmed one of my knives, flashed it at him, brought it up to his throat, and tucked it back up my sleeve in one smooth, quick motion.
    His face hardened with fury. “Just like you did Cliff Ingles?”
    “Just like I did Cliff Ingles,” I snapped. “But I’ll give you the courtesy of leaving your balls attached to the rest of your body.”
    We stood there glaring at each other. Part of me wanted to punch