ointed gentlemen hoping to be hers for the evening.
“And to what do I owe the pleasure of your company tonight? You must be hungry.” She smiles, adding a wink for good measure. “I can find one for you unless you have your eyes set on something in particular?” She waves a perfectly manicured hand at the room.
“I do need something, but first, I need to talk. I have a situation.”
She leans over the bar, getting comfortable, ready to listen. “That sounds dramatic, Roman. Let’s hear it.”
“You know that I’m trying to buy that old casino, right?”
She nods. “Yes, you never did tell me why you want that old dump.”
“That’s not important. What’s important is that the gaming commission won’t do business with vampires. And, I can’t get my gaming license without it, which means I can’t buy the casino without it.”
Rolling her eyes, she groans. “These humans. I swear to you, Roman. I miss the days where we took what we wanted. I’d rather hide in the shadows and have what I want than pander to these mere mortals. Who do they think they are?”
“If we were hiding in the shadows still, would you have this club? Would you be feeding on one… or will it be all three of those men tonight?” I raise an eyebrow at her. She’s well known for her appetite - in blood, and in men.
“Hmph. Always the voice of reason, Roman. So what do you intend to do about this situation of yours? You’re obviously not planning to give up, I see. What do you have in mind? I can smell the gears turning.”
“Well, there’s this woman…”
She interrupts me with a laugh. “Ha! Of course, there is.”
“It’s not like that. I mean… no, it’s not like that at all.”
“Okay, so tell me what it is like exactly.” Her lips curl as she sarcastically awaits my explanation.
“The gaming commissioner’s daughter. I think she can help me. But she’s never been around us before. In fact, I’m fairly certain that I’m the first vampire she’s ever even had a conversation with.”
“Was she wearing a cross, Roman?” Selene stands upright again, crossing her arms.
“Well yes, but…”
“But what… you know the rules. You can’t compel her. And far be it from me to tout the rules, but they are what they are.” In the early days, Selene wasn’t one to play by the rules much, but over the years, she has enjoyed the perks of walking among the humans as much as the rest of us. Her love of free feeding without all the messy hunting and her love of beautiful things like shopping and fancy shoes has toned down the huntress in her substantially.
Frustrated, I sigh. “I’m not planning to compel her exactly. I thought I might actually win her over.”
“Win her over? You’re planning to what… court her?”
I rub my chin thoughtfully; I like the sound of that. Courting. Like in the old days. Perhaps it’s what Miss Fiona Weston needs, to be courted. “Yes. Court her. That’s exactly what I’ll do.”
“How bad do you want this casino, Roman? You’re treading in some dangerous water crossing the gaming board by what, bedding his daughter? Is that really the route you want to go?” She knows me well enough to know there’s more to the story. She’s waiting for me to tell her what it is.
“I want the casino. It’s important. I have plans for it, and for the money it will generate.”
“And?” she prods.
“And what?” I reply, pretending we’re not going down this road.
“Let me guess. She’s beautiful?”
“Well sure, she’s pretty.”
“Cut to the chase, Roman. I have things to do. I love you, but you should just tell me what the hell is really going on besides you trying to buy a casino you don’t even need.” Her hand moves firmly to her hip as her tone turns stern.
“Okay, okay,” I concede. “Selene, there’s something about her. I’m drawn to her, even though I rather loathe her life. She has this superficial, artificial lifestyle, but I can sense there’s so much more.”
“More than how delicious it would be to get her to take off the cross she wears?”