Read Online Electric Storm by Stacey Brutger - Free Book Online Page B

him.
    “You want to hire me.”
    “My son is missing.” He gestured to one of his guards by lifting two fingers. The man carefully placed a folder on her desk and resumed his position. She gave him points for not flinching as the energy in the room swirled around her.
    A missing person complicated matters considerably considering the other case she was working on with the police and Dominic. She didn’t believe in coincidences.
    She made no move to touch the folder. She’d done her research on this master vampire and his iron fist. There were questions she needed answered first. “May I ask how you became aware of my unique services?”
    A small smile crooked his lips, revealing a hint of fangs. “You were highly recommended as someone who knows how to get things done and when to keep her mouth shut.”
    “Of course.” The fear that he came there to pry into her past eased, and she reluctantly pulled the folder closer, flipping it open. “What information do you have for me that’s not in the file?”
    “Jason’s been missing for two months.”
    “And you suspect kidnapping?”
    He tipped his head slightly. “No. Someone murdered him. I want you to find out whom and tell me.”
    Raven tapped her pencil on the desk, the rhythm breaking into the little haze the vampire exuded like a fragrance, a haze that could easily wrap around a person and put them under their control.
    “Mr. Lester.” Her lips tightened. She wasn’t amused.
    The haze instantly disappeared, and he dipped his head. “My apologies.”
    “Think nothing of it.” The creature was too old not to be precisely aware of his every action, the calculating old goat. He was testing her.
    “I would think you’d have more contacts to find answers than I would. Why come to me? And why do you believe he’s dead?”
    The stillness of his face finally broke, small lines and wrinkles melted away revealing the cold, intimidating man beneath. “All vampires have a connection to the ones they created, their protégés. Ours was severed three weeks ago.”
    “But you said he’s been missing for two months?”
    “Yes.” Heat filled his eyes, his pupils dilated as anger wrestled for control.
    The vampire spice in the air became so thick with his rage she nearly sneezed.
    “It wasn’t done by one of mine. I checked personally.” No doubt those he suspected were no longer available for questioning. “I need your resources to research other...venues.” Lester’s open-ended accusations, delivered in a bland voice, left no doubt whom he suspected.
     “We don’t stoop to your level.” Jackson shot forward, his yellow eyes hard and intimidating. “This stinks of some underhanded vampire trick.”
    Lester rose, only feet separating them. “And I wouldn’t put it past a breed to be ignorant enough to start a war by murdering my son. Miss Raven, I suggest you leash your pet or I will.”
    Raven stood slowly, uncertain where she lost control of the meeting. “Mr. Lester, I’m sorry for the loss of your son. I apologize for my companions and ask that you stay.”
    Only when he seated himself did the current building in the air gradually dissipate, though it didn’t disappear completely. She could feel the pull under her skin like an addiction, urging her to take all their energy and drink it down. The need had snuck up on her, caught her unawares. It shouldn’t have if she wanted her gift to remain hidden. The last thing she needed was for the wolves and vampires to view her as a threat.
    Both sides slowly pulled back from the edge, but she could tell it was only for her benefit. If given a choice, they’d rip each other to shreds.
    “Thank you. Mr. Lester, please gather a list of people you’ve...contacted, and I’ll research this matter further.”
    “You’ll take the job.” It wasn’t a question.
    Raven hesitated, thinking about the animosity between the two races. If she said no, it would only be a matter of time before a confrontation