Rajmund Read Free Page A

lingering kiss.
    "We could stay in and have wild monkey sex all night instead. It's cold and raining up there."
    "He glanced at his watch. “Three hours, my Cyn, and then I will permit you to ply me with sex until morning."
    She gave him a wicked look. “You've got a deal."
    He took his jacket from the closet and shrugged it over his shoulders, standing still while she smoothed his tie and straightened his lapels. “I do love you, you know,” she said.
    "And I you, lubimaya ."
    Raphael sat at the conference table, watching as Duncan ushered the last of their human guests out of the room. He could feel the surf pounding against the cliff below, vibrating the floor beneath his feet. It was one of the reasons he'd chosen this location to build his home. He loved the ocean, the primal energy, the smell and feel of it, the silver shimmer of the moon on the black water.
    "My lord.” Duncan closed the door and crossed the room, taking the chair to Raphael's right. “It went well, I thought."
    "It did, Duncan. As much as I dislike dealing with humans, this investment is promising.” He pushed his chair back and crossed his legs at the knee. “Tell me, is Rajmund still requesting a meeting?"
    Duncan showed his puzzlement at the change of subject. “He is, my lord."
    "Cynthia wants to visit Manhattan."
    Duncan frowned. “It's very cold there this time of year."
    Raphael met his lieutenant's eyes and smiled. “My reaction, as well. Unfortunately, Cyn is convinced her friend Sarah is in need . . . of a friend, I suppose one would say."
    "I see."
    "Make the arrangements, please, Duncan. Check with Cyn on the date and use our people for everything, including Sarah's travel. She is Cyn's friend, not mine. I know very little about her."
    "I understand, my lord. What of Krystof?"
    "I will contact Krystof, but we both know who the true Master of Manhattan is."
    "Shall I call Rajmund, then?"
    Raphael nodded. “You know what we want, Duncan."
    "My lord.” Duncan bowed slightly and left the room.
    Raphael stood slowly, stretching to his full height. He hadn't planned a visit to New York so soon, but it might work out for the best. Krystof was declining. That much was obvious. And there was only one vampire among the aging lord's children who had the power to take and hold the territory. It was time for a new order among the Vampire Council of North America, and what better place to start than with an alliance between the two coasts?
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    Chapter Four
    New York, New York—Manhattan
    Sarah sat in the big, black SUV and watched the city zoom by outside the tinted windows, feeling like a bit player in some movie with the Secret Service hustling the president around a shadowy foreign capital. She kept waiting for the bad guys to jump out in front of them with guns blazing. Although, come to think of it, she was pretty sure the Secret Service could have taken a few tips from these vampire guys.
    There were three SUVs, two of them, one in front and one behind, jammed full of big, no-nonsense vamps. She rode in the middle vehicle with Cyn and Raphael, and Raphael's lieutenant, Duncan. In the front seat were two of the security types, including the mountain Cyn called Juro. He was apparently in charge of the whole thing. All the security vamps were wearing these totally gorgeous charcoal-colored wool suits, which had to be custom-made given the sheer physical size of some of them. And how weird was that? The latest in vampire security attire . . . charcoal wool. Even the lone female among them was wearing one . . . and looked like she could break Sarah in two, which she probably could. Duncan was wearing the same thing, albeit with a different shirt and tie. And, of course, Raphael's outfit probably cost more than three month's worth of Sarah's salary as an assistant professor.
    She eyed the vampire lord where he sat on the middle seat in front of her, one arm around Cyn, their heads together as they murmured