Distance-wise, the drive to House Pacifica HQ was a short one, but our offices existed in entirely different worlds. Mine was in Gastown, a gentrified cobblestoned neighborhood with trendy cafés, pricey lofts, and hipster boutiques on the edge of one of Canada’s poorest areas.
House Pacifica sat on a prime piece of real estate in downtown Vancouver, surrounded by office towers branded with corporate logos. Shaped like a seven-story “S” on its side, it changed color depending on the light, the time of day, and possibly Levi’s moods. On this early evening in April, it was bathed in a rosy glow, but I’d also seen it in an inscrutable jet black and a hard bluish-silver. Had I been in charge, its color palette would have been far more limited.
From past conversations with Arkady, I’d learned that Miles’ office wasn’t on the seventh floor along with the other executives, but the sixth, where all security was housed.
Compared to the banks of monitors and the hum of activity in the security hub, his office at the back was a cool oasis of calm, painted in soothing blues with a lot of greenery in hanging pots, and a small water feature burbling away in one corner. The only way I’d have been more surprised by it was if I’d caught Miles in yoga pants doing sun salutations.
“Considering the amount of travel you do to Hedon is nil, you can spare some coins,” I said.
Mrs. Hudson tugged on her leash so I unclipped it from her collar.
“I made an exception last time because of the urgency of those smudges and the missing kids,” Miles said. “But if you want coins to get you in and out, follow protocol and buddy up.”
“That’s not a good idea.” I tossed the deranged cow squeaky toy into the corner and Mrs. Hudson ran for it as fast as her chubby little legs allowed. “None of your security people have ever been there before, which means they’ll be subjected to the Queen looking deep into their heart. Then she’ll head trip them with it, and who knows what condition they’ll be in at that point?”
“They’re trained professionals. They’ll handle it.” He raised a hand to cut off my protest. “You wanted to work exclusively for the House with a team and our resources at your disposal. Well, you got them, so you don’t get to race off on your own when security protocol dictates otherwise.”
“This is ridiculous. It’s a simple visit to question some people in a bar.” Miles wasn’t officially part of Team Jezebel, so if he didn’t know about Mayan, then the case fell under client/P.I. confidentiality and wasn’t mine to spill. “I’ve traveled to Hedon by myself multiple times.”
The puppy dropped the slobbery toy on my shoe. Turning my grimace into a smile so her feelings didn’t get hurt, I petted her for her cleverness.
“Yeah, and the last time you almost ended up as a living statue in the Queen’s garden. This is non-negotiable, Cohen.” He crossed his arms.
“Fine. Where’s Arkady?” I flung the cow away again and wiped my fingers on my jeans.
“How would I know? I’m not his babysitter,” Miles snapped.
“You’re his boss and it’s work hours.” Gasping theatrically, I covered my mouth with my hand. “Did you two do something unprofessional?”
“Choi has a big mouth.”
“Arkady didn’t say anything. The two of you weren’t exactly subtle at Tatiana’s.”
Miles flushed. “He’s not here. He’s following up on whether anyone tried to infuse magic into the abducted teens.”
“Wow. Good to know you have enough self-awareness not to be a giant hypocrite and tell me your personal life is none of my business. Given how invested you are in mine.”
“Don’t push me.”
“Is that a dare?”
Miles leaned back in his chair, his legs crossed, and his hands steepled together. “It’s a reminder that your way in to Hedon is through me. So, settle the fuck down.”
Our gazes clashed.
I had a war to win. Miles was a minor skirmish at best. “Well, I can’t take Priya and I won’t bring a stranger, regardless of how well you think they’ll handle it. That leaves you.”
“There’s another option. I’ll go with Ash.”
Miles and I swiveled towards the door. Levi lounged there, one hip propped against the now-closed door.
His navy suit was sharp looking and well-tailored. He’d complemented it with a matching tie with whimsical tiny white polka dots. Levi’s work style was generally more conservative. That tie looked like something a girlfriend would pick out for him, humming cheerfully as she helped knot it around his neck. She’d straighten it, and Levi would bend down with that small delighted smile that was as surprising and brilliant as a solar flare, pressing a kiss to my—
“No way.” I shook my head emphatically. “I mean, to going. To Hedon.”
“Second that,” Miles said.
Levi gave us a wolfish smile. “Isn’t it great that I outrank you both?”
Mrs. Hudson squeaked her toy at him, earning a quick scratch. I whistled and snapped my fingers, but she ignored me, enthusiastically dry humping the cow. Huh. Mrs. Hudson preferred cowgirl. Or was it always doggie in her case?
Miles stood up and stalked toward Levi. “You’re not going there for your first time with only this one as back-up.”
“Much as you don’t need to be such a dick about it,” I said, “I concur. Why would you possibly want to go there? It’s not Vegas. Trust me, what happens in Hedon does not stay there. Also, you’re too close to this case and I don’t want you getting in the way.”
The puppy lost interest in the toy and took a drink from Miles’ water feature.
Miles snapped his fingers. “Dog. Down.”
I muttered sorry and grabbed the pug, setting her in my lap.
Without the buzz of chatter from outside, the room was left in a charged silence.
Levi dropped into an empty chair, his legs crossed. How he managed to do that
