High Stakes by Helen Harper Page B

Fortunately it’s enough for Connor and he grabs his things and leaves. I wait until he’s gone, then pick up the phone, not even bothering to wait for the receptionist to answer.
    ‘Tell Lord Montserrat that Bo Blackman needs to see him at his earliest convenience,’ I snap and slam down the receiver.
    *
    I’m lying in bed with the duvet over my head, trying to catch some sleep, when I hear him enter. Michael Montserrat is a powerful vampire; usually if he doesn’t want to be heard, he won’t be. He wasn’t counting on Kimchi, though, who barks enthusiastically at his arrival. The poor dog is probably hoping for food. After sending Connor on his way, I was forced to raid the office fridge for some cold cuts to feed Kimchi. I am no longer surprised that the dog is chewing everything in sight.
    I flip back the cover and sit up just as Michael’s muscular frame fills the doorway. I’m fully dressed: there is no way I’m going to have another confrontation in my pyjamas.
    ‘Is everything alright?’ he enquires solicitously.
    A chink of daylight peeks out from under one of the blackout blinds but I really don’t care. I stride over to him, in a fashion not unlike Foxworthy’s. I don’t try to push him against the wall, however; I simply slap him as hard as I can across his cheek. The sound cracks loudly across the small room.
    He’s more surprised than hurt. ‘What the hell was that for?’
    ‘Corinne Matheson.’ I search his face. ‘Why the fuck did you do it, Michael? Why did you go to the press?’
    He doesn’t even try to deny it. He draws himself up, shoulders straightening, and glares. ‘I’m Lord of the Montserrat Family. I don’t have to explain myself to you.’
    Kimchi, sensing the tension, begins to growl from the other room.
    ‘I represent New Order, remember? The agency designed to smooth out problems between the humans and the vampires. The one that you set up.’ I put my hands on my hips. ‘Or do you think you should be immune from anything we do? Because you’re Lord Sodding Montserrat? Mr High and Mighty? Better than anyone else?’
    ‘Bo, what on earth has gotten into you?’ He seems baffled.
    My lip curls. Fury snakes through my body and I realise I’m trembling. ‘You’re a bastard.’
    He stares at me for a long moment then the corner of his mouth crooks upwards. ‘You’re pretty sexy when you’re angry.’
    I snarl and take a step backwards, jabbing a finger at his chest. ‘If you’re treating this as some kind of booty call, then you are so mistaken.’ I can’t believe he’s being so flippant.
    His humour vanishes and he holds up his palms. ‘If I’ve misjudged this situation I apologise but I’ve not done anything wrong.’
    My voice drops to a whisper. ‘You’re not naïve. You’ve been around for long enough to know what’ll happen to Corinne now everyone knows she’s a prostitute.’
    ‘Bo, I’m not responsible for how she chooses to live her life.’
    ‘You didn’t have to tell the world about it though.’
    ‘Yes, I did.’ He nods. ‘You’re right: I knew she’d be vilified. But she was lying. At a time when we need public opinion on our side, she was lying through her teeth and making us out to be villains.’ He takes a step forward. ‘Us, Bo. You’re a vampire too.’
    ‘She had her reasons,’ I spit. ‘Besides, the police had already established it wasn’t a vampire who raped her. They were going to release a statement today.’
    He shrugs. ‘I wasn’t to know that.’
    ‘You could have spoken to me about it first.’
    ‘I don’t need your permission to act.’
    ‘Because you’re Lord Montserrat?’ I sneer.
    ‘Yes,’ he replies. ‘Because I am.’
    I shake my head. ‘Does being Lord Montserrat include having carte blanche to execute whoever gets in your way?’
    Confusion clouds his face. ‘What do you mean?’
    Anger guides my actions. I turn my back and reach down to the bed, flipping over the mattress. The photo of him