“Are you sure we’re at the right place?” She turned her head to gaze at Jake. But her partner was busy studying the crowd that had gathered quickly on the sidewalk. Their angry yells and shouts were drawing attention. Several humans were jostling with vampires, right out in plain sight.
Jake grabbed her arm and marched her toward the entrance of the building, but she slipped out of his hold, the searing poker-like pain jolting her.
“Sparkles, come on. This mob doesn’t look friendly. We’ve stood here for twenty minutes, and yes, this is the place…you damn well know it. Drayton sent us because Roman has intel on the Padre. Now let’s get moving.”
The automatic sliding doors opened, and she reluctantly followed him inside the concrete and granite forty-three-story building, staring in wonder. Quickly reeling in her tongue, Isabella forced down her reaction to being inside Roman’s building, but couldn’t fail to be impressed by the grandeur of the place. The classic cream, crystal, and golden opulent interior only increased her anxiety at being here. Water sprayed from the center fountain with a statue of an urchin holding a bucket to catch the water that trickled into it. The foyer was an indulgent display of wealth. The glass dome ceiling gave a view of the rest of the building, which sprouted up like a beanstalk, disappearing into the clouds.
Isabella accepted the fact that she and Roman had always been leagues apart. But she had never considered the fact that the vampire had chosen beneath him. Glaring at the two stocky security guards who were vampires and stood at ease with their hands relaxed at their sides, she could not help but feel inferior as she stood here in his domain.
“Mr. De’ Luca is aware of your arrival and is waiting for you. But first, if you could both remove your firearms, they need to be left here. Then you can step through the scanner. It’s standard procedure for everyone who enters the building.”
“That may be, but is it really necessary to keep our weapons?” Jake asked.
“There are no exceptions to Mr. De’ Luca’s rule. You may collect your guns when you leave,” said the impassive vampire.
Isabella slid her gaze to Jake as she removed her handgun. They were both armed; it came with the job. She placed her weapon into the small plastic container the vampire offered her, and she strolled through the scanner. The vampire didn’t touch her, for which she was glad, because if he so much as lay a finger on her shoulder, she would bite it off. Roman knew they were here; she studied the overhead cameras, which followed her every step, and glared into it, sticking her tongue out. He could have easily waived this security check, but no—he treated them as if they were no different than strangers. If she wanted to kill Roman, she sure as hell wouldn’t do it in public.
Once through, they were taken straight up to the penthouse. When the elevator doors slid back, they stepped out into a much smaller reception area. The walls were a heavy mahogany wood paneling, against the cream granite floor. In front was a matching dark wooden station with a sleek black granite counter. A tall cut-glass vase with bright-red roses stood on display. Standing there, expressionless, was the highly polished bitch whose lipstick matched the roses and had adorned Roman’s arms at Steel’s funeral.
Isabella stopped. She could not take another step. The need to leave overrode the reasons they were there. Jake nudged her back and spoke at her side. The hot tingle at her lower back pricked.
“Let me handle this,” Jake said.
Isabella eyed the blonde at the front desk and backed away, grateful that she didn’t need to confront the smug woman. She slumped into the leather sling back chair in the waiting area, wishing she was anywhere but here as she adjusted her leather jacket, staring at her muddy army boots. Another reminder of how different from Roman she was.
Jake addressed the woman at reception, but Roman’s sharp voice interrupted the conversation, causing her to clench her hands into tight fists.
“Theresa…I explained they were to come right through. If you can’t comply with the simplest of orders, I’ll have you replaced. Do you understand? Come through. We don’t have time to waste.”
The female nodded but glared at Isabella as she shuffled papers on the desk. Hearing the venom in the vampire’s voice shook her, and she was glad the anger was not aimed at her. As she faced Roman, his cool demeanor didn’t slip. His gaze, as always, raked over her and she noted how his eyes widened when he caught her scent. She could have sworn a hiss escaped his mouth, but he slipped back inside his office.
Jake tilted his head and they followed Roman into his office, closing the door behind them. Walking behind Jake, Isabella could take in her surroundings without the vampire observing her. The enormous and yet understated luxurious office overlooked the grandeur of Central Park and despite a conversation swirling around, she found herself right up against the floor-to-ceiling glass wall, gazing at the view. It was breathtaking.
“Isabella, do you like what you see?” Roman asked.
Hearing her name upon his lips in that deep whiskey voice stirred her inside but she refused to allow him to see how he still affected her.
“It’s just an oversized park in the middle of
