Page 3 of Grayson’s Challenge
“Yes, Happy New Year,” David added. “And I hope you get everything you wish for.”
“Happy New Year. I love you both.”
Monique disconnected the call. She tossed the cell phone on the bed, still seething.
Why was her father trying to trick her into a relationship with Grayson Woodford, the presumptive heir of the Scanguards fortune? It couldn’t be for money or connections, since the Louisiana kingdom was already connected to Scanguards. In January, a new Scanguards branch was going to open in New Orleans, and it would be staffed by select vampires from Louisiana and San Francisco. Who would actually be running the branch hadn’t been announced yet, but Monique was hoping that she was on the shortlist of candidates. This position would enable her to finally get out from under her father’s thumb, and prove to him and everybody else that she was ready to lead.
But clearly, Cain didn’t have enough confidence in her, or why else would he decide that she needed a boyfriend or husband, and in particular one he had chosen?
Getting more annoyed by the minute, Monique opened her closet. Zach and David were right. She needed to let off steam first before she confronted her father and told him what she thought of his plan.
She chose a figure-hugging black cocktail dress that showed off her cleavage but was still understated enough so she wouldn’t look out of place in a bar. She opted for simple diamond stud earrings, leaving her bracelets and necklaces in the jewelry box she’d brought. She didn’t want to attract the wrong man by flashing expensive jewelry. There was no need for make-up. As a hybrid she was blessed with flawless skin.
When she was ready, she slung a small black handbag over her shoulder, and walked downstairs. Arriving at the foot of the stairs, a shrill sound startled her.
Cuckoo, cuckoo.
She looked in the direction of the sound and found a kitschy clock hanging on the wall. She shook her head at it. Some people had no taste. Taking a breath, she crossed the foyer. From the corner of her eye, she saw William, one of the King’s guards sitting on a chair in the living room of the large Victorian. He rose and joined her in the foyer.
“William, have you seen my parents?”
“They left earlier to visit with John and Savannah.”
Monique remembered that her parents had mentioned that they wanted to get together with John, who’d been Cain’s King’s guard many years earlier, and had saved his life when Cain’s brother Abel had tried to usurp Cain and steal his kingdom and his fiancée, Faye.
“Do you want me to drive you to John’s house so you can join them?”
“No, thanks, William. I’m going out to meet friends for a drink.”
“I’ll come with you,” William announced.
“That won’t be necessary. I can take care of myself.”
“But –”
“I said no,” Monique interrupted. “Or would you like me to tell my father that you made sexual advances toward me?”
William glared at her. “That would be a lie.”
He was right. “Do you really want to risk my father believing me rather than you?”
He narrowed his eyes. “Is that what you threaten all your bodyguards with so they let you go out without protection?”
She shrugged. “It works. Why change it?” She sailed past him. “Enjoy your free evening, William.”
He didn’t stop her from leaving. Outside, she hailed a taxi and got in.
“Where to, Miss?”
“The Black Velvet in the Financial District. Do you need an address?”
“No, I know it, Miss. No problem.”
Monique leaned back in her seat, and the taxi drove down the hill toward North Beach and the Financial District.
2
The V lounge at Scanguards HQ was officially closed tonight so it could be decorated for the New Year’s Eve party the next night. Grayson looked down at his clipboard where he’d been ticking off task after task. He’d volunteered to be in charge of the event.
