Free Baited Blood by Sue Ann Jaffarian Page B

more like brothers than lovers.
    Madison sat on the large sectional sofa. Samuel stood by the sliders that led to the patio. When Ann and Colin came in, they both took seats on the sectional with Madison, though Ann sat on the far side from her. Colin seated himself between the two women and crossed one long leg over the other. He shot a quick glance at Madison, accompanied by a partial wink. Ann saw it and cleared her throat with displeasure.
    Ann Hayes had paid Madison little to no mind at the Dedhams’. Now she studied Madison so closely, Madison could feel perspiration beading on her forehead.
    “What’s she doing here?” Ann smoothed the front of her impeccable pantsuit like a monarch preparing for an audience.
    Colin made the introduction. “This is Madison Rose, Ann. She works for the council.”
    “I thought she was the Dedhams’ maid.” Ann grinned at Madison. “My mistake.”
    “Madison is a very valuable asset to both the council and me,” added Samuel. He targeted Ann with one of his fierce scowls.
    Ann looked Madison over, head to foot, a slow smile stealing across her face like a big cat on the hunt. “I just bet she is, Mr. La Croix.”
    Afraid earlier to look directly at Ann Hayes, Madison, upon hearing the comment, turned her head and locked her eyes onto Ann’s cold blue ones with heat and dislike. The femme fatale vampire stared back a few moments, then increased her smile. “You’d think a human so used to working with vampires wouldn’t wet herself so quickly.”
    Madison wanted to jump the vampiress and beat her hard on behalf of Dodie, as well as herself. Sensing her anger, Colin reached out a hand and touched her arm. It was then Madison realized him putting himself between her and Ann was no accident. It had been planned to keep the peace and to keep Madison from doing something foolish.
    Byron filled the awkwardness that followed by asking if anyone wanted refreshments. “Ricky had some fresh Polynesian blood ordered in from Scarlet’s for Keleta.” Byron shook his head and smiled. “He’s positively spoiling the boy.” Everyone politely declined.
    It wasn’t long before they heard a car pull into the driveway and then into the attached garage.
    “That’s them now.” Byron got up, his face relaxed with relief. “They should be coming in through the side door.”
    Everyone turned to watch the door that led from the garage into the kitchen. From the sofa, they had a clear view. Samuel left his post by the patio doors and moved into a better position.
    Keleta was first through the door. He bounded in like a frisky puppy, laughing and chattering in English over his shoulder at Ricky. He was so different from when Samuel and Madison had last seen him. When he saw the room of people, he stopped short, but it was just a moment’s hesitation, a blink of shyness that dissolved when he spotted Samuel. A wide smile crossed the young man’s smooth, dark face as he called to Samuel in a language Madison didn’t understand. Keleta went to Samuel, his hand held out in greeting. The two men shook, and Samuel clapped Keleta on the shoulder as a father would a son.
    “Keleta, I’ve brought some people to meet you.” Samuel turned Keleta’s attention to the three on the sofa. “You’ve met Madison.” Keleta gave Madison a quick nod. “On the other side is Ann Hayes, a friend visiting from out of town. And this fellow,” Samuel indicated Colin, “is Colin Reddy, one of our council members.”
    Following Samuel’s orders, Madison hadn’t taken her eyes off of Keleta from the moment he stepped through the door. She studied his every facial expression, looking for telltale signs that he recognized Ann. She found none. When introduced to Ann, Keleta was polite, almost shy, but he took her offered hand and shook it, followed by a shake of Colin’s extended hand.
    It was Ann who deftly and creatively broached the reason they were there. “Keleta, have we ever met? You look so