Elemental Assassin 02 - Web of Lies

Phillips sat behind a wide, massive desk that David—only much more fuckable. The vamp was one would have made even Xavier look svelte in comparison. of those who used sex to power up, along with blood, A variety of pink and white papers lay scattered on the and she’d spent years, decades even, learning how to work surface in front of her, along with what looked like an what she’d been given to her full advantage. old-fashioned ledger book. A computer drowsed at her Roslyn came around the desk, and Finn pressed a elbow, while a red light blinked on her phone. It was chaste kiss to her cheek, once again playing the part of heart-shaped, with what looked like an arrow forming the Southern gentleman. The vampire drew back, and her the headset. The phone matched the runelike shape of dark eyes landed on me.
    the clock on the back wall.
    “And you brought Gin along with you,” she said in a Finn held his hands out wide. A charming smile neutral tone.
    stretched across his face. “Roslyn, darling, so good of you
    “Hello, Roslyn,” I replied. “Lovely to see you too.”
    to see me on such short notice.”
    Roslyn’s smile turned into more of a grimace. She An answering smile curved Roslyn’s lips, showing her hadn’t forgotten our last meeting at Fletcher Lane’s fuperfect, pearl-white fangs. “You too, Finn.”
    neral. The one where I’d told the vampire I knew that The vampire got up from behind her desk. To say that she’d talked about Fletcher, Finn, and me, about what Roslyn Phillips was an attractive woman would be like we did. That her well-intentioned whispers had led Alexis Estep_Web of Lies_1P EP.indd 264-265
    12/17/09 9:32 PM
    266 JENNIFER ESTEP
    Web of Lies 267
    James to Fletcher and the Pork Pit and had gotten the old her. The less Roslyn knew, the better. But after our last man killed.
    conversation, I had no doubts the vampire would keep
    “What do you need?” she asked in a quiet tone, still her mouth shut this time. She knew what I’d do to her if staring at me.
    she didn’t.
    Need, not want . Roslyn Phillips seemed to be taking
    “I need to get close to someone.”
    our conversation to heart. I’d agreed not to kill the vamp Roslyn frowned with understanding. “Who?”
    or tell Finn what she’d done—and told her point-blank
    “Tobias Dawson.”
    she would have to give me and Finn anything we needed The vampire blanched with disgust, but she didn’t ask for as long as I saw fit. Since I wasn’t a forgiving person, why I was interested in the dwarf. Hooking in Souththat was going to be a good long while. Starting right town for a few decades was a great way to dampen your now.
    curiosity. on the mean Southtown streets, you did things
    “Ah, Roslyn, you wound me,” Finn said. “What makes without asking the reasons or thinking too much about you think we need anything? Perhaps I just wanted to them afterward. Besides, Roslyn knew the why didn’t restop by and bask in your beauty.”
    ally matter, since the only reason I ever got close to anyThe vampire snorted. “Cut the bullshit, Finn. If you’d one like Dawson was to kill him.
    come by yourself, I might have pretended to buy that Roslyn crossed her arms over her chest. Her foot tired old line. But you brought Gin with you. I doubt turned sideways and tapped on the thick carpet. After she’s interested in my beauty.”
    a few moments of quiet introspection, comprehension
    “Sorry, Roslyn,” I said. “I don’t swing that way.”
    flickered in her dark eyes. “You want to go in as one of The vampire shrugged and turned her dark eyes to my girls. That’s why you’re here.”
    Finn. “So I ask the question again—what do you need?”
    I nodded.
    Finn opened his mouth, probably to sweet-talk Roslyn Roslyn stared at me, and I let the coldness leech into some more, but I cut in. We didn’t have a lot of time to my gray eyes. I respected the vampire for what she’d acwaste. We needed to get what we came for from Roslyn complished, for being smart and savvy enough to work and get on with things.
    her way up from a street hooker to a wealthy business“I need to get into Mab Monroe’s party tonight,” I woman. And I especially admired Roslyn’s fierce devosaid. tion to her sister and young niece, her determination to Roslyn’s eyes widened for half a second before she provide a better life for them. But that didn’t mean I was masked her surprise. “You want to get into Mab’s party?
    going to let the vampire