Read Online Blood Diamond by R. J. Blain - Free Book Online

couldn’t think of a reason not to tell her, so I sighed and replied, “My wife died five years ago. She didn’t like alcohol.”
    Biting her lip as though afraid she’d committed a great offense, the Fenerec watched me. “The wine reminded you of her. I’m sorry. I picked a cheap bottle because I didn’t know if you’d like it.”
    “You didn’t do anything wrong,” I reassured her, taking a drink to soothe my rattled nerves. The small amount of alcohol and my lack of lunch was already going to my head. I set the glass aside and nibbled at my hamburger. “Before I met Suzanne, wine on a date was the norm for me. Candlelit dinners, the works. I haven’t been interested in dating someone. The ladies I’ve met since her death have been forced on me thanks to pitying friends, and they deserve better than that.”
    So did Evelyn, but I was too much of a coward to say it.
    Her smile was sad as she lifted her glass in a toast. “To your wife then. She was one exceptionally lucky woman.”
    The toast took me by surprise. Unable to think of a single thing to say, I tapped my glass to hers. The crystal chimed.
    Wine was a funny thing. I never could tell what made a wine expensive or good. They all tasted similar to me. While there were undertones unique to each bottle, it was always the sweet bitterness I noticed.
    “You’re like a Fenerec, aren’t you? Most humans and witches don’t understand what it is to give a life oath. But you do.” Evelyn sounded so pleased that I looked up from my glass. A smile softened her eyes. “I like that.”
    “Once we’re in Canada, Miss Evelyn, I recommend that you stay as far from me as possible. I’ll lead the Inquisition straight to you. But you’re right, I suppose. I haven’t considered anyone new.”
    I hadn’t, at least, until she had blasted her way into my life. I finished off my glass of wine and set it aside.
    Evelyn refilled my glass, pushing it back to me. She topped hers off as well, making a displeased noise at the ravaged state of the bottle. “I’ll be the one to decide that. We need to get to Canada first. And anyway, maybe that’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
    The intensity of her gaze and the way she straightened purposefully in her chair sent shivers running through me. I drew several deep breaths to calm myself. Focusing on business would let me regain control over myself, so I said, “We’re booked on a cruise leaving tomorrow morning. We’ll lay low. My contact will provide ID and get us to Prince Edward Island. Once we’ve set sail, I’ll arrange for a flight west.” I stood, retrieving my phone from the nightstand, opening a text to Zachary as I returned to my seat. “There’s some information I need from you, if you don’t mind.”
    “Information?”
    I thrust my phone at her. “We’re going on a cruise. Formal attire is required. Could you please text your measurements to this number?”
    Evelyn arched her eyebrow at me, and I felt my face burn. A soft smile curved her lips as she reached out and took the phone. Shaking her head and laughing, she went to work, pausing now and then to glance at me over the top of my cell. The ping of an incoming text warned me of trouble, but I couldn’t bring myself to snatch the device back. Her impish grin returned as she sent a message back.
    “Once we’re in Canada and you’re safe with a pack, I’ll have your motorcycle freighted to you. It’ll need to be scrubbed with new serials and registration, which takes a bit of time. I’ll have your bike paid off anonymously so your credit rating isn’t damaged.”
    “I paid for it in cash,” she replied without looking up from my cell. After sending several more messages, she slipped my phone into her pocket. “He’ll have more questions soon.”
    “Wonderful,” I muttered under my breath. The last thing I wanted was Zachary conspiring with Evelyn. I didn’t need anyone to tell me the pair would likely cause me a great deal of