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This is my dime.”
    “Oh, right. Well, get on with it girl. I’m as decent as I’m going to get in this lifetime.”
    Selene wanted to punch the arrogant bastard, but that would have to wait until they were face to face. “Where are you?”
    “In me gaff .”
    “No shit, you gowl .” Selene knew enough Irish to be offensive, which always seemed to be foreplay for some guys. Ian could have easily said he was at home, but slipping back into his Irish meant he’d been drinking.
    “Aww, you’re a feek after me own heart. Careful, Selene, I’ll win you over yet.”
    “Doubtful, Ian, now let’s get on with it. Where are you?”
    “I’m in the Low valley.”
    Low valley was vampire slang for a place at a higher altitude where it was damn near impossible for an average human to find. The lighter atmosphere made breathing difficult and a house situated between mountain peaks often led to darker days no matter the time of year.
    “What low valley, Ian?”
    “I’m over in Donner.”
    The irony wasn’t lost on Selene. Donner was in the Sierra foothills on the way to Tahoe, named after the people who reportedly saved themselves by eating their fellow travelers. Disgusting .
    “Seriously?”
    “What?”
    “Are you trying to be a smart-ass?”
    “You’d be amazed how many people, especially ours, who avoid the place like the plague. They think it’s running with ghosts and beasties. So it keeps me safe and the girls love that they can scream their heads off when I fuck ‘em. Besides, it’s cold and high enough that I don’t have neighbors.”
    “But it’s so damn cold.”
    “Yeah, isn’t it great.”
    Selene preferred the warmth of the coast, the fog giving just enough protection to those who didn’t want all that sunshine. She’d lived all over the world and avoided destinations that took her anywhere close to the equator. Central American was out, so was the African continent. Besides , she thought, all that sand was just too… It didn’t matter, she’d made her choice, and unless something came up to change that, she was content where she was, for now.
    “Selene?”
    “Yeah, I’m here.”
    “So, I guess I’ll come to you then.”
    “The Dungeon. It’ll take you what, four maybe five hours?”
    “If I fly.” Ian’s implication was clear. “I’ve got a damn appointment I can’t get out of Selene. Besides, can you give me a couple of days to get the funds? I don’t have green on me.”
    “How many days, Ian?”
    “I need to go down into the city for my appointment and then I need to get the check. So a couple is all I’ll need?”
    “Do whatever. If you’re not here by…” Selene pulled her sleeve back and continued, “six on Thursday, don’t bother.”
    “I’ll be there.”
    “Since you’re going to the bank bring cash, no checks, or international drafts.” Selene didn’t need the money, but if someone paid, they rarely backed out and she hated when someone got cold feet.
    “The usual?”
    “It’s gonna cost you more since it’s De Marcus.”
    “But—”
    “No, but. If you want this bastard dead, you need to pay. I have a full dance card and you’re asking me to add you.”
    “Fine, what’ll it be?”
    Negotiating was one of Selene’s pet peeves. She waited for Ian to quote a price and then with a fudge factor of five they finally agreed to an amount Selene knew was absurdly gross. Ian could afford it. The fact that he didn’t flinch when she countered made her wish she had bounced higher.
    Hanging up she suddenly needed a stiff drink and a diversion. One she could easily get, the other would have to wait until a more opportune time presented her with a willing participant.
     

 
    Chapter Nine
     
    Francesca sat on her sofa with her feet tucked underneath her. Her mind and body felt like it had run a marathon tonight. Between the loud music, the alcohol and the exchanges that had played out on stage she still couldn’t wrap her mind around what she’d seen