Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Bella strode out of the jetway and into the busy New Orleans airport with Jacques at her side. She didn’t stop to scan the crowd but continued toward the exit, her messenger-style bag slung over her shoulder, a small duffel at her side, and the pounding of her military-style boots muffled on the carpeted floor. Jacques waited a beat then followed behind with a single duffel, staying within a couple paces of her.
She didn’t expect anything to happen at the airport with so many people around, but it was a standard protocol the two of them used. When they walked one in front of the other, they had more visibility to scan the crowd for trouble. In this case, vampires who might be waiting to follow them.
Sergi had called ahead and arranged for a rental car to be waiting for them at curbside under one of her aliases. Friends in all the right places. She thanked the shifter, who handed her the keys then bumped fists with her before running to a waiting car. Once they were gone, she dropped her bags in the back seat while Jacques did the same before sliding behind the wheel.
“It’s been some time since I’ve been here,” Jacques said as he pulled into the stream of cars exiting the airport.
Bella pulled out her tablet and brought up a map. “Follow the exit for I-10 East. It will take us straight to the Quarter.” She kept the tablet open and pulled down the visor, thankful for the makeup mirror, which she positioned to watch the cars behind them.
“What time did Sergi set up the meet with Romero?”
“Nine this evening.” Jacques glanced at his watch. “We have time to check the library.”
She tapped her fingers on the tablet. Lafitte had been advised of their arrival, so he shouldn’t be sending any cars to trail them. Sergi gave her the green light to visit the Renaud Library and look for the De f?rste dage as long as they weren’t being followed. Time to bait the hook.
“Circle the neighborhood a few times. Let’s get comfortable with the streets and see if we shake any tails. Then I’d like to get checked in.”
He nodded, and they drove in companionable silence. They had been partnered for so long, the Family teased them as if they were an old married human couple. While the sentiment was accurate, their relationship wasn’t intimate—at least not at the level one would suspect. In reality, they were more like two siblings who shared every detail with each other.
After thirty minutes of driving around the Quarter and nearby neighborhoods, Jacques pulled into the hotel parking structure, ignoring the valet so they’d have quick access to the car if needed. Once checked in, Bella stared at the Mississippi River from their twelfth-floor suite, letting Jacques handle logistics.
“I informed Sergi we arrived and weren’t followed. He says the library is still your call. No word from Lucas.”
When she didn’t say anything, Jacques stepped behind her and rubbed her shoulders. “He’s fine. If they’ve been running into trouble at each stop, they’re probably lying low until the trail is cold.”
She bent her head to the left and then right as Jacques continued to work his magic at relieving her stress. Lucas was a well-trained soldier, and Ginger had improved quickly with Sergi’s training. However, while Ginger had been put into precarious situations in the past, Bella wasn’t convinced of the human’s stamina as the attacks increased.
“I won’t be able to sit in this room for another eight hours. Let’s check the library and see what dust we kick up.”
He slapped her back. “That’s the spirit, ma chère.”
“Ugh. You’re not going to start speaking French everywhere, are you?” She picked up her messenger bag and strode to the door.
He followed behind, chuckling. “Only to those who understand it. How often do I get to speak it otherwise?”
“Only every time you find Devon alone while he’s drinking cognac. Even Cressa knows to leave the two of you to jabber away.”
She smiled as she headed for the elevator, knowing he was grinning ear to ear. He enjoyed annoying her, and if nothing else, it took her mind off Lucas.
“What do you think?” Jacques asked.
Bella scanned the half-full parking lot at Renaud’s Library. “I think we’re in luck that it’s busy.”
“I agree. I don’t see anyone in the vehicles. Do you?”
“No. If they have anyone watching, they might be inside. That’s where they were when Lucas and Ginger were followed in San Francisco.”
“Then perhaps we avoid the tea room.”
Bella snorted as she exited the rental. She took another scan of the area, this time focusing on the trees and the VIP parking lot where several other cars and two limos were parked. “Maybe they’re having a conference or a special luncheon.”
“Even better. It will make it easier to see if we’re followed.”
She couldn’t disagree, and they took a leisurely stroll up the steps. Jacques handled the receptionist while she monitored the activity on the first floor. A group of vampires stood down a side hall where a table had been set up in front of one of the conference rooms. That confirmed one special function in addition to three small gatherings in the tea room, all of them in full conversation. Nothing that warranted alarm bells.
Jacques stepped next to her and handed her a map. He pointed to the back cover where special events were listed. “The conference is a lecture on tracing one’s ancestral roots. There’s another one scheduled at three p.m. for changes in vampire law over the centuries.”
She chuckled. “We should have brought Anna.”
Jacques smiled and directed her toward the stairs.
“I didn’t know you were familiar with the libraries.”
He shrugged. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been in one. My birth Family was always interested in learning more about our ancestors. I spent a great deal of time running through the stacks.”
“I’m surprised you and Lucas haven’t visited one together.”
“Just because I spent many hours in one doesn’t mean I found it interesting. Except for the books that spoke of battles, of course.”
“Of course.”
They took the stairs down to the third floor and went straight to the card catalog. Bella let Jacques flip through the cards while she watched his back. She’d noted several guests on the second floor, but other than themselves and one custodian she’d spotted down one of the rows, the third floor appeared empty.
“Got it.” Jacques stepped past her and turned right down the second aisle. He slowed a third of the way down, tapping his forefinger against each shelf and then each book until he stopped. He pulled down a book from the second shelf and, shaking his head, opened it to show her the fabric-lined cavity with a single note.
“Don’t tell me,” Bella sneered. “It’s out for restoration.”
“Yep.” He closed the fake book and reshelved it.
“That pretty much closes the book on whether we have a conspiracy.”
“It’s hard to read it any other way. This is the main Renaud Library in the States. The only question is whether the entire Family is involved or a specific faction.”
“Let’s see if we catch a tail back to the hotel. We need to update Sergi.”
After Bella enjoyed a late lunch with Jacques on the suite’s balcony, they played gin rummy. Jacques always carried a deck of cards. He had once shared that it began when he was a chauffeur in his last House. He spent most of his time sitting around and found a deck of cards easy to carry while providing sufficient entertainment.
She assumed the cards were only part of the story, and it explained why he preferred to drive on their assignments. If they went out together during their time off, he let her drive. She thought it curious, but after working with him for so long, she’d come to understand what it was really all about. He still considered himself a chauffeur and not the invaluable team member he’d become.
He believed the only reason he was allowed to participate in Devon’s cadre meetings was because of her. If Devon didn’t think he belonged because he brought no value, it wouldn’t matter that Jacques was partnered with cadre, he wouldn’t have gotten into Devon’s office. And the kicker was—Bella had no idea what to do about it.
When it was time, Jacques drove them to a tea house along Lake Pontchartrain. They were directed to a table for two in one of the back rooms with tall windows that overlooked the water. Along the opposite side of the room, Bella noted the vampire who sat on one side of the table while a couple sat across from him. With three bodyguards surrounding him, it was obvious Romero was holding court.
Jacques ordered an appetizer and a bottle of wine then gazed at the lake while Bella studied Romero.
“From what Lucas told me once, Romero spends his days caring for the Family businesses, but at night, he runs his side job of granting favors.” Bella wasn’t sure what Lucas saw in this vampire to remain in contact with him, even if he’d been in service to his House. “From what I understand, the small favors are to help the average vampire who has issues the Council wouldn’t be interested in reviewing. I don’t know if I believe it.”
Jacques held his answer until after the server decanted and poured the wine.
“Lucas has a great deal of respect for Romero,” Jacques said. “On one hand, he could be telling you what he believes because he’s seen and heard it himself. Or, if you want to play the other side, his respect for the vampire is blinding him to reality.”
She took a sip of wine then rolled her eyes, irritated she picked up the habit from Ginger. “I can’t tell you how helpful that was.”
He grinned. “Anytime. I have many opinions to share.”
She snorted. “Let’s not go there.”
They nibbled on their appetizers and were finishing their last sips of wine when one of Romero’s bodyguards flagged them over.
Jacques assisted Bella into her chair, and when he sat, he turned toward her, letting Romero know she was the one in charge.
Romero didn’t miss a beat and waved at his bodyguard, who poured a brandy for them, giving Bella a gentle smile that reminded her of what a handsome man he was. No doubt an excellent negotiator and possibly a manipulator as well.
“This is a beautiful location.” Bella returned his smile.
“A better venue than before. When Lucas was in the Family, I held court at a restaurant off the Quarter. Unfortunately, my clients weren’t fond of the crowds.” He gave an indifferent shrug. “One does what they must, and I find I enjoy the tea house. And the safe environment soothes my clients.” His brow rose. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I understand you’re from House Trelane?”
“That’s right,” Bella answered.
“I would have expected Lucas.”
“That’s why we’re here.”
“I see.” Renaud’s pleasant smile disappeared, and he waved away his guards. Once they’d moved to a back wall, he asked. “Is he alright?”
“We hope so. He was searching for a particular book at the Renaud libraries. His interest seems to have drawn too much attention. The wrong kind. It’s been three days since he’s checked in.”
Romero’s brows furrowed, and he blindly stared at the table. “Do you know what book he was searching for?”
She glanced at Jacques, who shrugged. Great. This was on her whether to divulge the information. Devon said they were at war, and the book was a critical part of his plan. When Devon returned from his trip to Spain, he would call on his allies. It was a risk divulging the name of the book, and Jacques’s words played in her head. Was Lucas unbiased enough to see his friend for who he was? It surprised her how quickly the answer came without any hesitation. She trusted Lucas with her life, as she did with Jacques and each of the cadre.
“ De f?rste dage. ”
Romero remained still as a frozen lake, but the beast showed itself with an instant flash of yellow. She hit paydirt, but would Romero play along or play dumb?
He called his bodyguards back. “I have three more appointments. I’d prefer to discuss your request in a more private location. Is your hotel room suitable?”
It was Bella’s turn to be surprised, and she did her best to hold it in. “Of course.” She gave him the name of the hotel and their suite number.
“Would one a.m. be too late?”
She gave him a wicked grin. “Is it ever for a vampire?” When he returned her smile with a lusty one of his own, she stood. “Until then.” She bowed her head in deference to Romero’s status and strode out of the restaurant, Jacques following two steps behind.
Once they were a couple of blocks away, Jacques said, “It appears your gamble paid off.”
“We’ll soon see.”
“You don’t have high hopes for it?”
“I’m hoping he has useful information to share rather than use the time for his own fishing expedition.”