Phantom Shadows by Dianne Duvall

Author:Dianne Duvall
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781420118636
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2012-10-02T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

As the meeting concluded, Bastien released Melanie’s hand and rose.

Beside them, Richart vanished as Melanie scooted her chair back and stood.

Tanner circled the table. “Do you want me to accompany you tomorrow night when you meet with the vamp?”

“No. I’d rather you stay here.” Where it was safe. And where he could rub elbows with David and Darnell. Those two could befriend a badger. If they liked Tanner, they would do their damnedest to ensure everyone else did, too.

Just look how they were constantly pushing Bastien on the others.

“Only if you call me before and after your meeting.”

“Of course.”

Tanner clapped him on the shoulder, then headed into the kitchen.

As the other attendees left the table and milled around, some dropping onto the living room sofas and others venturing downstairs, Sheldon sidled up to Bastien. “So.” He cleared his throat and looked around furtively. “I thought I’d hang around here today. See what’s doin’.”

Bastien glanced at Melanie, who shrugged. “And you’re telling me this . . . why?”

He dropped his voice to a whisper. “Richart’s going to spend the day with you-know-who, so I thought you might like to have the house to yourselves.” Dangling a set of keys in front of Bastien, Sheldon looked from Melanie to Bastien and waggled his eyebrows.

Bastien took the keys. “You do realize everyone in this house just heard you.”

Oops written all over his face, Sheldon turned around and jumped when he saw everyone staring at him.

Lisette raised one eyebrow.

“What I meant to say was . . . Richart needs his car back. Gas it up before you drop it off.”

Bastien sighed. “Smooth. Don’t worry, everyone, I’m just going to give Dr. Lipton a ride back to the network.”

All returned to their conversations.

Melanie waved good-bye and followed him out to the car.

Bastien opened the passenger’s door for her, waited for her to get settled, then closed it and strode around to the driver’s side. Neither spoke as he started the engine and left David’s estate behind them.

Minutes passed.

Melanie leaned closer and glanced at the instrument panel, then shifted back to her side.

A few minutes later, she did the same.

“Checking my speed?” he asked, wondering what drew her interest.

She shook her head. “Watching the odometer. We’re about six miles away from David’s, right?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Now we can talk without any of them hearing us. Are you really taking me to the network?”

He had intended to but . . . “Do you want me to take you to the network?”

“No.” Short. Simple. Sweet.

And just what he wanted to hear. “Do you want me to take you home?”

“I don’t know. Sheldon did go to all the trouble of coming up with that grrreat cover story so we could have Richart’s house to ourselves.”

Bastien smiled. “Sorry about that. Sheldon has shown me the benefits of thinking before one speaks.”

She laughed. “And yet I like him.”

“Yeah. I can see why Richart hasn’t killed him yet.”

“If you’d like, we could go to my place. I should warn you, though, that I’m not the tidiest person in the world.

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