Let Them Speak (Vampire Assassin League #13) Read Free Page B

gawkers.”
    The man turned his face back to her, lowered his chin a fraction, and somehow gained a lot more light on his face. Stan not only shut up, he visibly sagged, before catching any reaction on the opposite gatepost. Part of her noticed that. The other was solidly enthralled. And she didn’t even know a good description for that word until right now.
    Oh dang . Mister Perfect had little lines in his forehead. She’d never seen such a look. She was in danger of swooning. Big time. A tingling sensation hit her nose even as she panted for air. She watched him lift the little business card in his hand and scan it.
    “You agree with all this, Miss Sydney Ross …LLC?”
    “Please . It’s just Sydney.”
    He smiled . The world shifted. He grew in stature and definition somehow. Or maybe it was just the lights. Everything flared up for the briefest of moments before sinking back to a poorly lit section of New Orleans in the middle of the night.
    “Very well . Sydney. Are you in agreement that a vampire would reside in an abode such as that?”  
    He gestured to the building backing her with an arm that contained every bit of the disdain already in his voice . Sydney didn’t dare move her eyes. Or her hand from where it still clung to the fountain edge. Or even her feet.
    “Well . Maybe…not exactly that one. But one like it. I mean…after we get done with restoration and modifications. You know. We’d inspect it first – for soundness of construction. Foundation status. Wall stability. Then we’d clean. Put in new floors and stairs if we have to. Paint. Wallpaper. New floor coverings. Furniture. Lighting effects. That’s why we need building permits. And lease agreements that are favorable toward restoration efforts.”
    Now, why the hell was she a chatty doll all-of-a-sudden ? Part of her noticed her crew looking at her with the same raised brow look she’d worn earlier. Not Stan. He was still leaning against the post, looking at his feet or something else on the ground. The other part of her was abuzz with…something. It resembled the sensation she’d felt one summer out in the lake in a canoe with her cousin, Ron, during a lightning storm because their parents had told them not to do it. Hair raising. Electrifying. Slightly scary. Totally titillating. Heady.
    But worse.
    This sensation was addictive.
    “You know…you could always find out where a real vampire would reside in the first place. And save yourself all that trouble.”
    Chuckles followed his statement . Probably due to the absurdity of it. Sydney didn’t join in. Maybe it was the look on his face. Or perhaps it was the absolute magnetism of the guy. Man!   If she could get him any kind of part, the series would rocket off the chart. She didn’t have to guess at it. Something made it inevitable. Inescapable. This man radiated vibes that contained pure sex appeal. He even managed to look like he’d just come from an interrupted tryst with a lover. Or a score of them. That would certainly explain the half-dressed view. The female demographic on viewership would go right off the charts. If he could act, he’d even be a good replacement for their lead.
    Franklin could take a flying leap off the nearest cliff .
    Hell . She’d assist him.
    She cleared her throat . It helped somehow. “Well…I don’t happen to know how to find a real vampire. And the realtor wasn’t forthcoming about her knowledge, either. Speaking of….”
    As if it was a cue from stage right, headlights entered the street from that direction, highlighting Mister Perfect even more as it approached. Stopped. Everyone held a collective breath at seeing such an expensive, really old model limo. It was painted in a pearlescent tone that reflected what light the street lamps were willing to part with out there. The engine turned off, and then a petite, perfectly groomed woman stepped out. Her dyed black hair was pulled into a bun atop her head. She wore a dress with a