Free Immortal Dynasty by Lynda Haviland Page B

me.”
    “Why?” He wasn’t going any deeper into this house until he knew what was going on.
    “My dear, it was not a request.” A warm pressure surrounded his throat, invisibly squeezing his airway. There was nothing he could grab to relieve the pressure, so he waited for her to release him. “We have business to discuss.”
    She climbed the staircase without looking back, swaying her hips in a manner to draw maximum attention. Slowly, the pressure around his neck subsided. Rubbing his throat, Darius cautiously followed her up the staircase to the residence level.
    Blood red was the prevailing color in Lilith’s sitting room. Beyond that, the most notable feature was a huge fireplace, large enough for him to stand in.
    “Thank you for coming. Please make yourself comfortable.” She arranged herself across a crimson sofa, accented with brown and gold pillows. She patted an empty space next to hers.
    “As you said, it was not a request.” Darius ignored the invitation and pulled an envelope out of his back pocket. As he tossed it on the coffee table, the photo she’d sent him of his grandfather slid halfway out. Darius hoped his disgust showed plainly on his face. “Your message was quite clear.”
    “Sit. Sit down. Gods, but you really are delicious looking, especially when you’re angry.” She leisurely surveyed every inch of his body. “I would enjoy bending you to my will, but I did promise my son that I would not seduce you…today.”
    Darius was not in a hurry to test Lilith’s resolve to keep that promise. He sat across from her, keeping the coffee table between them. The demon doorman appeared again, but this time he brought a tray of drinks. The demon’s hands trembled, causing the drinks to slosh over the edge of the glasses. After dropping the tray on the table, the gray man nearly sprinted out of the room.
    “Why haven’t we met before, Darius? We both operate in the darker side of antiquities.”
    “I’m not a social butterfly. Where’s my grandfather?”
    “I think most collectors are afraid of you.” She eyed him over the rim of her wine glass. “Of your reputation, which is quite impressive. One of Boston’s finest young pickpockets grows up to become one of the best antiquities trackers in the world.”
    “The Egyptian government is one of our best clients. They would be highly interested in your collection.”
    “They love you. Yet, here in your own country, they don’t trust you. The authorities still question you each time precious art or artifacts are stolen. I know what it’s like to be falsely accused and imprisoned…by your own people.” She tipped a healthy portion of the deep red wine into her mouth. She caught a stray drop with her tongue at the corner of her mouth.
    Darius shifted uncomfortably. “Ms. Troy—”
    “Please relax. Have a beer. It’s your favorite.”
    “How do you know what I drink?” He wasn’t about to taste anything in this house. He couldn’t trust what might have been added.
    “I Googled you.” She drew her finger around the rim of her glass. “You have left a few broken hearts behind. Women blog.” She smiled, as if there was a lot more to tell but wouldn’t.
    “You didn’t bring me here to discuss my social life. Where’s my grandfather, and why did you take him?”
    “Fine. We will get down to business, but I will do the asking, and you will do the answering. Let’s start with…why did you take that statue? What do you know of it?”
    “I ran out of time looking for my grandfather. It wasn’t hard to overhear your conversation or pick up on Therion’s possessiveness of the statue. It’s obviously a unique piece of artwork. Very valuable.”
    “How wicked of you. Vindictive and clever. You get a bargaining chip and revenge all wrapped in one beautiful package. But there is a flaw in your plan.”
    She didn’t know the half of it. Talk about flaws. He didn’t even have a statue at all. He had a stubborn goddess to