Follow Me When the Sun Goes Down (18 page)

“It wasn’t like that,” he said, but there was no strength behind his words. 

“We were happy, weren’t we?” I asked.  Suddenly I needed to know.  “Before everything fell apart.”

“I thought so,” he admitted, looking down at his shoes.  Was he afraid I might compel him to feel more than he did?

“And you don’t now?”

“Anja, don’t…”

“Don’t what?  Miss what we had?  You can delude yourself into thinking it wasn’t real all you want, but it was very real for me.”  But maybe we’d never been on the same page after all, if it was so easy to tear it all to shreds. 

“Are you happy now?” he asked, his eyes still on the ground.

“Yes, for the most part,” I answered easily enough.  Some things hadn’t worked out for me on the personal front, but the sun didn’t set and rise on whether or not I had a man in my life.  “Laugh all you want, but I’m good at this, at helping people.”

His head came up swiftly.  “I never laughed at you.”

“But you weren’t heavy on the support either.”

“It’s not that I didn’t think you could do it.  I just didn’t want you to get in over your head.  I told you before I never liked all this politics garbage.”

“It’s not so bad,” I shrugged.  “And I like helping people.  I’d tell you about it but… it’s probably for the best if you have plausible deniability.”

“Thanks for that.”  His smile was fleeting, the twitch of his brows immediately shifting to something more sober. 

“Are you happy?” I asked, the silence stretching between us as he either couldn’t or wouldn’t answer.  “Does she make you happy?”

“It’s not like that,” he insisted, the moment I brought her into it.  “Angel and I aren’t…  It’s not like you think.”

“Hey, it’s none of my business, right?  Just like it shouldn’t matter to you who I flirt with or who I let drink my blood.”

“Who have you been letting drink from you?” he demanded, and I couldn’t help
my tiny smile over the display.

“You’re not supposed to care, remember?”

His lips curved as he acknowledged my amusement, and for one second it was like I had my old Bishop back.  Especially by the way he looked down at me, his eyes softening.  “And if I do?”

Tucker growled, his ears swiveling in the direction of the mansion.  In the next instant, he bounded off toward the house with another low rumble.  I’d almost forgotten he was there in the first place, privy to all our secrets.

Bishop’s head came up, concentrating until he picked up on what the wolf had.  “There’s someone out there,” he murmured.

“It’s okay, I’ll protect you.” I patted his shoulder, stepping in front of him to face the path.

“Funny,” he muttered, grabbing a handful of my sweater and pulling me back behind him.  “If it’s trouble you run for the house, understand?”

“Don’t worry, I got this,” I grinned, almost spoiling for another attack on the heels of my success in taking him down.  Only it wasn’t a pack of bandits hell
-bent on attack, it was Rob who emerged from behind the bend in the maze. 

“Everything alright here?” he asked cautiously, his eyes going from me to Bishop and back again.

“Yes, of course.  Except you missed it when I made Bishop eat dirt.”

“Is that a fact?” Rob’s brows came up.

“Dropped me like a stone,” Bishop admitted with a rueful grin.

“Good,” Rob muttered.  “Felix is asking for you,” he said, holding his arm out to me. 

“Oh, I should probably get back anyway, I’ve been out here for a while.”  I went to Rob’s side, turning back to look at Bishop before I left.  “Thanks for the talk, Bishop.  I’m sorry if I hurt you.”  I meant the kick to the jewels, but I supposed it worked as a blanket sorry too. 

“I’ll live,” he shrugged, offering me a slight smile.  “I’m glad we talked too.” 

Rob’s hand fell to my waist, and I felt the pressure to move on.  “Well, later.”  We threaded through the maze in silence, Tucker following along behind.  “You’re not mad I went out with just Tucker are you?” I asked after I was sure we’d left Bishop behind.

“No.”

“Because I didn’t wander away alone, I had protection with me, and I even texted you where I was going.”

“I know.”

“And Bishop was there too.”

“That he was.”

“You should have seen me take him down, it was glorious,” I crowed.  “I do feel sort of bad about hurting him though.  Hopefully he’ll be able to shake it off.” 

“I’m sure he’ll rally.”

“Is something wrong?”  He was being awfully short, even for him. 

“No.”

Something was bothering him alright, but I couldn’t for the life of me guess what.  “Did you get anything out of Jean Pierre’s security team?”

“Not really.”

“I guess that was a bust then.  Maybe I should get Felix to schedule a meeting between the two of us and ask him about it point blank?”

“You could.”

I stopped walking, waiting for him to face me.  “But should I?”

“My opinion don’t enter into it,” he said coldly.  “It’s your decision in the end.”

I swear, if I live to be a thousand years old, I’ll never understand men. 

Felix was waiting for me back at the suite, Bridget sitting next to him, polishing off a hot fudge sundae.  “There she is,” he smiled, rising to his feet, and I waved him back down.

“Hey guys.  Did you get those meetings set up?”

“Yes, but not until the night after tomorrow.  Also, I got a request from Macallister to meet with us later tonight, but not until after four, so you’ve got plenty of time to kill.”

I shot Rob a look – why had he been so insistent that Felix wanted to talk to me?  It sounded like he had everything in hand.  “Good.  What else is on the agenda for tonight?”

“Not much.”

Bridget set her spoon aside with a clatter.  “Does that mean we can blow this place off and go have some fun for a change?”

“Sure thing, babydoll,” Felix grinned.  “That is, unless you need me for anything, boss?”

“Actually, I’m in the mood for a
spot of fun myself.  How about we all head into town and go to that bar we went to before?  Pandora’s Cross?” I suggested, knowing it was one of Rob’s favorite hangouts.  “I promise I won’t challenge anyone on the dance floor and spur a murder this time.”  Not that Jasper hadn’t deserved it. 

“Can we do that?” Bridget perked up.  “That place was the bee
’s knees.”

The bee
’s knees?  I looked closer at my friend; her relationship with Felix was changing her more than her choice in clothing. 

“Absolutely.  I wouldn’t mind cutting a rug or two.  I’m in,” Felix stated decisively.

“What do you say, Rob?” I gave him my most winsome smile.  “Feel like going out for a night away from all this political stuff?”

“If you like,” he replied, still more subdued than I would have thought by the prospect.  We’d had a good time there on our last visit
, and he’d seen so many of his friends there.  Why did he sound so unenthusiastic? 

“If you’d rather sit this one out I could take Gunnar instead, but I’d like it if you came with us.”  I tried again.

“No, Gunnar and I will both be coming if you’re leaving the grounds.  Tucker too.”

“Okay,” I replied, keeping the sigh to myself.  “Give us twenty minutes to make ourselves beautiful.  Will you guys be ready by then?”

“Ready and waiting,” Felix smiled, but his eyes were on Bridget.

“Come on, Bridge, let’s get ready to go.”

She had more clothes in the appropriate style for the forties club than I did, and I ended up borrowing a navy blue dress with white piping.  Bridget wore a fire engine red dress with lips to match.  I rolled her hair into fat waves, but didn’t have time to do more than pin my bangs back, leaving the rest of my hair loose around my shoulders.  Even so, I felt pretty and feminine in my seamed stockings.  After all, what girl doesn’t enjoy dressing up to go out dancing?

Felix looked happy as a clam in another one of his pin striped suits, this one cut to a more retro style with his fedora perched at a rakish angle.  Gunnar added a black homburg to his usual suit, but it somehow made him look a little gangster.  Even Tucker had changed into a brown suit, that was unfortunately cut
too big for him, but I appreciated the effort.  Only Rob hadn’t made any change to his attire, but he still looked good in his suit, as usual.

Pandora’s Cross was a Big Band themed bar, complete with live music and a dance floor.  Vampires, all dressed for the occasion, were pressed together and swaying to
Don’t Be That Way
by Benny Goodman
when we arrived.  Almost immediately we were accosted, but in a good way.

“Twice in the span of a year, I might have to start holdin’ yer old table for ya,” Charley Boone, the owner
, greeted Rob with a grin.

“Hello, Charley.”  Rob accepted his hand, stepping back to acknowledge the rest of us.  “I brought a few with me again, I hope you’ve room enough for us all.”  The club was pretty packed, but Charley scoffed at the suggestion that he might turn us away.

“Don’t be daft, of course I’ve room for you all.  Hello, Miss Gudrun, nice to see you again.” He sketched a half bow.

I was surprised to see he’d remembered my name, but Rob quickly corrected him.  “That’s Your Grace to you, Charley.  You’re looking at the new Elder of the West.”

“Beggin’ yer pardon, Your Grace,” he said, his eyes bulging wider.  “You honor my humble establishment.”

“It’s Anja,” I smiled, laying a gloved hand on his arm.  “And I’d prefer to keep the Elder stuff on the down low if you catch my drift?” I shot a look to both Rob and him.

“Whatever you say, ma’am.”  Charley’s smile returned.  “Let me show you to my best table.” 

There was a flutter of activity, as his
‘best table’ was already occupied. I would have asked him not to bother, but they were already halfway through the change by the time I got there.  Once more, our arrival was marked not by people noticing me or my entourage, but by shouts of recognition to Rob from several in the club.  Though Rob’s smile was subdued as he was greeted by old friends, at least he offered more than two word responses like he did with me.  Still, it was obvious something was bothering him when I compared his mood to the last time we’d come there. 

Felix ordered a round of champagne,
and immediately took Bridget for a spin on the dance floor as
Moonlight Serenade
started to play.  Tucker and Gunnar took a seat at the table, scooting to the far side, leaving plenty of room for Rob and me to sit comfortably.  Several more people stopped by the table to say hi to Rob and I heard him promise to catch up later when he wasn’t working. 

“You can go chat with your friends if you want to,” I offered once we were left alone again.

“It’s fine.”

It obviously wasn’t fine and I started to worry something might really be wrong.  “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing.”

“Why don’t I believe that?”

“Beats me.”

Really?
  I wanted to ask.  Instead I took a sip of champagne.  “You had a much better time the last time we were here.”

“I’m working.”

“You were working that night too,” I pointed out dryly. 

“It didn’t feel as much like work.”

“Don’t be like that, Rob.  Come on, let’s dance.”

“Is that an order, miss?”  Rob tipped back his beer, ignoring the champagne poured for him. 

“Ugh, forget it.”  Whatever was bugging him would keep until he was ready to talk about it.  “Come on, Gunnar, let’s go dance.”

“I don’t dance,” he insisted
with eyes wide, but he let me pull him to his feet all the same. 

“Sure you do, anybody can dance.  It’s easy, I’ll show you.”  The band
played something nice and slow,
Pennies From Heaven
, and Gunnar lumbered back and forth, having trouble catching the rhythm at first.  With encouragement, he eventually loosened up somewhat.  I’m not saying he didn’t step on my feet a few times, but I think he started to enjoy himself.  I even got Tucker up there once, though he was too shy to touch me with more than two fingers. 

Every time I glanced over at Rob
, he was watching me like a hawk.  Did he expect me to get attacked right there in the middle of the dance floor?  Or was there something else?  I got an idea to try and shake things up a bit. 

Leaving Gunnar to trail behind me, I sought out the owner of the club to ask a favor.  “Hey, Charley.  Could I speak to you for a minute?” I smiled, glancing back to see Rob sitting straighter in his chair.  Trying to figure out what I was doing, no doubt.

Charlie’s brow immediately puckered with worry.  “Is there anything amiss?”

“No, not at all,” I assured him quickly.  “But I
wondered if you could do me a huge favor?”

“Name it.”  He smiled expansively.

“I’ve been enjoying your band all night, they’re fantastic.  Would you mind awfully if I sang a number with them?” 

“Not at all, Your Grace,” he beamed, his forehead
smoothing out.  “We’d be pleased as punch to have ya.”

“Please, call me Anja.”

“Would ya like me to introduce ya proper?” 

“Oh, no, not to the crowd or anything.  Maybe to the band so they don’t think I’m a crazy person stepping up on stage with them.”

“They’d never think that, ma’am,” he assured me quickly. 

Rob still watched me avidly, but his shoulders relaxed once he saw me follow Charley up on the stage.  We waited for them to finish their current song before he introduced me briefly and we shared a few whispered words as I
explained what I wanted.  They seemed keen to have a singer for a change, and the next thing I knew, I was out in front of the crowd, everyone looking up at me expectantly. 

The music swelled as the band began playing one of my favorites,
It Had to be You
.  Not like the Harry Connick Jr. version, but slow and real torchy.  I looked out across the club, finding Rob’s eyes on me as I sang, and the words pretty much summed up everything.  How I was feeling toward him, how nobody else made me feel the way he did, and how nobody else would do.  Bishop might toss out the hint every now and again that he still cared, but it didn’t matter.  I wanted someone to love me for who I was, not who they wanted me to be. 

I was vaguely aware that the crowd stopped staring once I got going and started to dance, but all my attention was focused on the man in the room who’d crept into my heart.  His face gave nothing away as I sang, no sign that he approved or was even aware that my words pertained to him in particular.  But I knew he was a tightly controlled man,
and I knew they had to get to him on some level. 

As the song drew to a close, the band traded grins over the enthusiastic applause, and the leader gave me a hopeful smile.  “Another?”

“No, thank you,” I begged off.  I wanted to get back to the table, hoping the song did the trick and penetrated through Rob’s bad mood.  “I think I need a drink.  But maybe some other time.”

Felix and Bridget met me at the table before I could get to Rob, and Felix kissed my cheek with gusto.  “Honey, we have got to get you a booking for them golden pipes.  Say the word and I’ll get right on it.”

“No thanks, I have enough on my plate with the Elder thing.”

“Are you sure?  We’ve got a lot going on right now with the Gathering and all, but most of the time it runs pretty smooth.  It doesn’t need to be a full time gig
– Tommy used to take plenty of time for his own interests.”  

Maybe once I would have jumped at such an offer, especially since it didn’t fill me with dread to take the stage now, but that wasn’t the life for me anymore.  “Not that I don’t trust you to do a bang up job, but I want to take a closer interest in things than Tommy did.” 

“You got it, boss.  But like I said, you ever want to make a splash in the music scene, say the word.  I know a lot of people.”  With that, he squired Bridget back onto the dance floor as something lively came on.

“Did you like it?” I asked Rob, as I took my seat again between him and Gunnar.

“Very much,” he replied softly, looking away.

“How about that dance now?”

“No, thank you, miss.” 

So that
’d be a no on the thawing factor.  “Alright,” I replied, trying not to sound too disappointed.  There were plenty of others willing to take me for a spin on the dance floor, but after Rob’s rejection, I wasn’t much in the mood for it.  The rest of the night left me feeling somewhat subdued, though I still enjoyed the atmosphere.  I even got talked into one more song, choosing
He Needs Me
by Nina Simone.  This time Rob didn’t look at me once through the whole song, even though I knew he was a fan. 

After that, I knew it was time to go home.  Well, back to the mansion.  It was getting late anyway and I had that meeting with Macallister to prep for.  Right before we got into the house, I tried a last ditch effort to talk to Rob for a minute, holding him back by the car when the others went inside. 

“Won’t you tell me what’s bothering you?  I don’t like things being so strained between us.”

“This isn’t the time or place to get into it,” he said shortly, eyes on the guards by the front door. 

“Fine then.”  I hustled him past the security checkpoint and dragged him into my usual parlor.  “What is it?”

Rob adjusted the cuffs of his shirt rather than meeting my gaze.  “You should be more careful how you treat me in public, that’s all.”

“What are you talking about?  I’m always nice to you whether we’re in public or private.” 

“That’s what I mean, you’re too familiar with me.  People will begin to talk, especially when you single me out like you did tonight.”

Is that what he was mad about?  It wasn’t like I planted a kiss on him in the middle of the club.  “Wait… you were already having a hissy before we even got to the club.  What else is bothering you?”

“Nothing that matters.”

“It matters to me.  What is it?  Did I do something?”  How was I supposed to not do it anymore if he didn’t tell me what it was?