She pocketed the phone and led the way across a vacant, marble lobby to a bank of elevators. Once inside, she pressed the button for the penthouse suite.
Gabrielle immediately thought back to the private showing Jamie had done for her photographs. As the elevator stopped on the top floor and the mirrored doors slid open, she had a dreadful feeling that her anonymous buyer was about to make himself known.
The Minion thug who had her by the arms shoved her into the suite. She stumbled forward and, in mere seconds, Gabrielle's dread became fact.
A tall, dark-haired figure in a long black coat and sunglasses stood in front of the wall of glass, Boston's nighttime skyline glowing behind him. He was as big as any one of the warriors, and he projected the same air of confidence. The same cool menace.
"Come in," he said, the boom of his deep voice rolling like a storm. "Gabrielle Maxwell, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you."
Kendra went to his side and pet him adoringly.
"You brought me here for a reason, I assume," Gabrielle said, trying not to mourn the loss of Kendra's humanity or fear the dangerous being who made Kendra what she was.
"I've become quite a fan of your work." He smiled without baring his teeth. Kendra was brushed aside with a rough hand. "You take some interesting photographs, Miss Maxwell. Unfortunately, I need you to stop. It's not good for my business."
She tried to hold the calm, predatory gaze that she knew was peering at her from behind the dark glasses. "What's your business? You know, aside, from being a diseased, bloodsucking leech."
He chuckled. "World domination, of course. Really, is there anything else worth fighting for?"
"I can think of a few things."
A dark brow arched over the rim of his shades. "Oh, Miss Maxwell, if you say love or friendship, I may have to end this pleasant little introduction right now." He steepled his fingers, the rings on them sparkling in the dim light. She didn't like the way he was staring at her, sizing her up. His nostrils flared slightly, and then he leaned forward. "Come closer."
When she didn't move, the big Minion at her back shoved her into motion. She drew up just an arm's length away from the vampire Master.
"You smell delicious," he hissed slowly. "Like a flower, but there is something... else. Someone has fed from you recently. A warrior? Don't bother to deny it, I can smell him on you."
Before she realized it, he grabbed her wrist, yanking her to him. With rough hands, he pushed her head to the side, moving the hair that concealed Lucan's bite and the other, more damning mark, beneath her left ear.
"A Breedmate," he growled, smoothing his fingertips over her skin. "And newly claimed at that. You grow more fascinating by the second, Gabrielle."
She didn't like the intimate way he whispered her name.
"Who bit you, Breedmate? Which one of the warriors did you permit between those long, lovely legs?"
"Go to hell," she said, through gritted teeth.
"Not going to tell me?" He clucked his tongue, slowly shook his head. "That's all right. We can find out soon enough. We can make him come to us."
He drew back from her at last, and motioned for one of the Minion guards. "Bring her to the roof."
Gabrielle fought the grip of her captor, but she was no match for his brute strength. She was forced toward a red exit sign and a door with an information placard affixed to it, marked "Helipad Access."
"Wait! What about me?" Kendra complained from within the suite.
"Oh, yes. Nurse K. Delaney," her dark Master said, as if just now remembering her. "After we leave, I want you to come out to the roof. I know you'll find the view from the ledge to be spectacular. Enjoy it for a moment... then step off."
She blinked at him dully, then bobbed her head, completely under his spell.
"Kendra!" Gabrielle shouted, still desperate to reach her friend. "Kendra, don't do it!"
The one in the black coat and dark shades strode past without a care in the world. "Let's go. I'm finished here."
With the last block of C4 in place at the northern end of the asylum, Lucan navigated his way through a ventilation duct that led to the outside. He removed the loosened grid and hoisted himself out onto the ground. The grass crushed beneath him as he rolled onto it, fresh air crisp in his mouth as he came up on his feet and started to jog toward the perimeter fence.
"Niko, how're we doing?"
"We're good. Tegan's on his way back and Gideon should be right behind you."