“Tuck, change of plans,” I said the moment he walked through my door. “I need your help.”
Tucker shuffled his feet uncomfortably. “I don’t like the sound of this …,” he said.
I wasn’t entirely sure I should trust him so soon, but I didn’t have much choice. “I want to try and find a portal.”
Tucker sighed. “I guess I knew this was comin’,” he said. “But, Beth, they’re near impossible to find. Only a few highrankin’ demons know where they are.”
“I’m an angel, Tuck,” I pressed. “I might have a built-in detector or something that could help us. You never know.”
“Gotta admire your confidence,” Tucker said and paused before adding, “but just so you know, I’ve been out lookin’ for portals a thousand times and I never found jack.”
“We might get lucky this time,” I said with a smile.
“I’d like to help you.” Tucker squirmed. “But if we get caught it ain’t you they’re gonna string up on the rack.”
“So we won’t get caught.”
“It ain’t that simple.”
“Yeah, it is,” I pressed. “And if we get busted I’ll say it was all my idea, I forced you into it.”
Tucker sighed. “I s’pose it could be worth a shot.”
“Great. Now, where do these high-ranking demons hang out?”
“I know I’m gonna get my butt kicked listenin’ to you,” Tuck said. “But all right, let’s do it. Only how are we gonna sneak out? Every inch of this hotel’s patroled and they’re watchin’ you like a hawk.”
“I have an idea.” I flopped belly down on my bed and reached for the service phone on the bedside table. I’d never had occasion to use it before so the voice on the other end sounded mildly surprised.
“Good evening, ma’am,” said the woman at reception. “How may I assist you?”
“Could you put me through to Mr. Thorn’s room?” I asked politely. “I need to speak with him.”
I heard a brief rustling of papers. “I’m afraid Mr. Thorn is in a meeting,” the woman said tonelessly. “He’s requested not to be disturbed.”
“Could you tell him it’s Bethany Church calling,” I said.
“Please hold.”
Her tone changed dramatically once she returned. This time she addressed me like a VIP. “My apologies, Miss Church,” she said in a breathless, fawning voice. “I’ll connect you straightaway.”
The phone rang twice before I heard Jake’s silky voice purring into the receiver. “Hello, sweetheart. Miss me already?”
“Maybe,” I said playfully. “But that’s not the reason for my call. I’d like to ask your permission for something.” Jake wasn’t the only one who could turn on the charm.
“Is this a joke, Beth? Since when have you asked my permission for anything? Last time I checked you had quite a will of your own.”
I tried to make my voice sound sweet and imploring. “I just figure there’s enough bad blood between us,” I said. “I don’t want to make things any worse.”
“Uh-huh.” Jake sounded skeptical. “What do you need?”
“I was wondering if I could maybe visit the clubs,” I said in my most unassuming tone. “You know, hang out with the club rats and get to know the place.”
“You want to go clubbing?” Jake was taken aback. I knew I’d caught him completely off guard.
“Well, not really,” I said. “I just feel like I haven’t been out of this hotel room for so long. I think I need to do something before I go stir-crazy.”
Jake was quiet while he weighed up my proposal. “Fine. But you can’t go alone,” he said eventually. “And I’m in the middle of something important right now. Can I pick you up in a few hours?”
“Actually,” I said, “Tucker offered to tag along.”
“Tucker?” Jake laughed outright. “He won’t be much use to you on the dance floor.”
“I know,” I said. “But he can play chaperone.” I lowered my voice, suddenly filling it with disarming familiarity. “I just want to know if you think I’ll be … you know … safe with him? I don’t know him all that well, it’s not like we’re friends or anything.” I shot Tuck a repentant look. “Do you think he’ll look after me? He won’t hurt me or anything?”
Jake gave a low, threatening chuckle. “You’ll be perfectly safe with Tucker. He won’t let anything happen to you because he knows if he did, I’d skin him alive.”
“Okay,” I said, trying to disguise my disgust. “If you trust him then so do I.”
A new thought crossed Jake’s mind. “I trust you’re not planning to do anything stupid?”
“If I was, would I ask for permission first?” I let out a long sigh of what I hoped sounded like disappointment. “Look, don’t worry about it, I’ll stay in. I don’t even feel like going anymore.”
“No, you should go,” Jake urged, anxious not to dampen my mood. “You need to get to know this place if you’re ever going to call it home. I’ll let security know you’re going out.”
“Thanks. I won’t be back late.”
“That’s probably best. You don’t know who you might run into.”
“I’ll be fine,” I said breezily. “Everyone knows I’m yours by now.”
“It’s nice to finally hear you say that.”
“There’s not much point denying it.”
“I’m glad you’re coming around. I knew you would in time.” His voice was low and he sounded so genuinely pleased. It was scary the way he’d built up our relationship in his head — he was completely delusional. I almost wished I could help him, but I knew it was too late for that.
“I’m not promising anything, Jake,” I clarified. “Just going out for a while.”
“I understand. You have fun.”
“I’ll try. Oh, and by the way, I’d like somewhere a little more upscale than last time. Any suggestions?”
“Bethany, you never cease to amaze me … go to Hex. I’ll send word that you’re coming.”
I put the receiver down and flashed Tucker a satisfied smile. I couldn’t have been more pleased with my performance had I just climbed Everest.
“He bought it?” Tucker looked amazed.
“Hook, line, and sinker.”
“I’ve gotta hand it you, you’re a better liar than I gave you credit for,” he said.
“I was good, wasn’t I?” I jumped off the bed and headed straight for the door, eager to get out the stuffy hotel room.
“Uh … Beth.” Tucker stopped me and appraised my outfit.
“You’re not gettin’ into any club dressed like that.”
I looked down at my floral dress and sighed. Tuck was right. I needed to look the part. I rummaged through the other items in my wardrobe. There was nothing that even came close to what I needed.
I was beginning to get frustrated when someone rapped curtly at the door. When Tucker opened it, there stood Asia holding a garment bag in one hand and a designer cosmetics kit in the other. She stepped into the room flashing a savage grin and made no secret of the fact that she was there under duress. She was wearing a leather minidress with a lace-up bodice and red thigh-high boots. Her skin was like milky coffee and she had coated it with something that made it iridescent under the lights.
“Jake sent me,” she said in her husky voice. “He thought you might need some help getting ready. Looks like he was right.” She threw the garment bag over the nearest chair. “This should be your size. Try it on, then we’ll deal with the rest.” She looked me over as though I were beyond help. Before I could say anything Asia had followed me into my bathroom. Turning away from her, I hurriedly pulled on the black-and-white bandage dress she handed me and slid my feet into the crystal-studded pumps with bows on the heel. I frowned as Asia resentfully lined up compacts and giant brushes on the marble counter. I knew she wouldn’t be wasting her time on me unless Jake had expressly asked her.