Diary of a Succubus by James Patterson & Derek Nikitas

Author:James Patterson & Derek Nikitas [Patterson, James & Nikitas, Derek]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B01BU1IUVS
Publisher: BookShots
Published: 2017-04-04T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

“We’re going after Mellado tonight,” I told Vincent. We were at Madeo, the classic Italian joint just down from Cedars-Sinai in West Hollywood.

His only reaction was to take a sip of his wine, a 2010 Bourgogne Pinot Noir. I just about melted at the calm he exuded, the self-assurance.

“Listen, you’re the most intriguing woman I’ve ever met,” he said. “You saved my life, saved my mind, and you’ve got guts…”

“Keep talking,” I said, nudging him. Frankly, I was basking in this momentary relief. Vincent had shown up on schedule, safe and alive and rested. He’d also shaved, and alas, now I wondered what his smooth cheek would feel like against mine.

“…but I’m not sure you realize what you’re facing here.”

“Aw, you ruined the mood, Romeo.” I ate a forkful of my antipasti, the crespelle al salmone. I chose only the best, in the event that this would be our Last Supper.

We were huddled close at our little table. Madeo was an intimate place, belowground, lights dimmed, with dark wood beams crossing just overhead. At a restaurant this crowded we had to sit tight, especially when our conversation was more private than a national security secret.

“We need to strike before Mellado finds out about me,” I argued. Mellado was already at least one step ahead. He’d called Asmodeus back from New York, almost certainly to deal with the incidents I caused at Sapa Inca.

I hadn’t mentioned Asmodeus or New York to Vincent. I’d told him nothing about what happened in that room with the dead starlet Isabel and the old man. Not yet.

Ours was a game of murky, half-revealed truths. Neither one of us would give too much away to a relative stranger, even if we’d established some halting trust.

I let Vincent think he understood the scope of the threat. He knew nothing about Deus Inversus and the influence they held over dummy corporations, shadow governments, military regimes. Generations of my sisters lost to their brutal genocide.

The waiter came with freshly deboned branzino alla griglia for me and the lobster spaghetti for Vincent. After Vincent requested a small mountain of shaved Parmesan, we were left alone again.

“He’ll be back at Sapa Inca tonight,” I said. “He wants to send a message to the man who neutralized his men. Seven men, as of a few hours ago. He’ll refuse to be intimidated. That’s his weakness.”

“You know all this how?” Vincent asked.

“My afternoon chauffeur told me. They’re loyal as dogs once you strip their will. No offense.”

“Don’t even tell me,” he said.

Vincent was wise not to ask about Renz and whatever I might’ve done with him. Most men couldn’t hold my interest for long.

“Here’s the interesting part,” I said with a grimace. “Mellado thinks the assassin was you.”

The spaghetti unwound from his fork. “Really?” he said.

“But that’s good news,” I insisted. “It means I’m still your secret weapon. Tonight, you waltz in with me on your arm, you’ll throw Mellado off his beat, guaranteed.”

“Or take a bullet on the spot.”

“He’s too proud for that,” I said.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.