Eddie shrugged. “Maybe. But why switch camps? The more people you involve in something like that, the more likely it is that someone is going to talk.” He looked to his partner for agreement.

Thomas nodded. “I’ll have a word with him and see what I can get out of him. Do we have anything on him we can use as leverage?”

Cain rubbed his hand over his face. “I wish I knew. Talk to John and see what he knows about the guy. But only tell him what he needs to know.”

“You don’t trust him anymore, do you?” Thomas said.

“I have my doubts about him, though I can’t fathom why he would first save me and then betray me. It doesn’t make sense. When are you and Eddie going into the Quarter to follow up on his woman?”

Thomas looked at his watch. “Sun’s up in a couple of hours. Not much point now. We’ll go tomorrow night. In the meantime, I’ll check out Robert.”

“Agreed,” Cain said and turned back to Haven. “Get the staff to organize a blackout van for sunset tomorrow. I want you to send Blake to the airport.”

Haven put his hands at his hips. “Come on, you can’t just send him home now. Didn’t you just say we needed every man we can get? It’s not fair to the kid. He meant well.”

Cain sighed. “Don’t get your dander up. I’m not sending him home. He’s just gonna play chauffeur. At least that’s something he’s not likely to screw up.”

Haven chuckled. “You know he hates being relegated to errant boy.”

“I do. Let that be his punishment.”

His friend laughed out loud. “You’re way too soft on him.”

Cain couldn’t help but smile. “I just don’t want Quinn to kick my butt when I’m too rough with his precious grandson.” Besides, he didn’t dislike Blake. He just wished the kid exhibited more common sense and less bravado.

31

Cain sidestepped the two vampires who were carrying a large potted plant across the hallway, while a female member of the house staff with a stack of table linens in her hands walked behind them.

“What’s going on here?”

The woman turned her head and bowed briefly. “We’re preparing the ballroom for your welcome home reception, Your Majesty.”

Well, it appeared he had a ballroom, not that he’d had any time or inclination to inspect said room so far.

“Carry on,” he dismissed her and marched to the entrance door, when he saw John come out of one of the doors on the other side. Cain motioned him to approach.

“Good evening, Cain,” John greeted him politely.

“Evening, John. I see the festivities are coming along nicely.” Though Cain wasn’t interested in talking about the stupid party, it suited him fine as a lead-in to another subject.

“Yes, it’s going to be quite an event.”

“Looks like it.” Cain paused for a moment. “Listen, I wanted to let you know that now that I’ve changed my mind about the leader of the king’s guard not being allowed to be in a relationship, I figured it would be appropriate if you brought your woman—Nicolette’s her name, right—to the party. I’m planning to announce some policy changes, and having you there with Nicolette would underscore my sincerity.”

John stared at him, clearly stunned for a moment. “Well, uh, I don’t—”

Cain put his hand on his forearm. “Don’t say no. Bring her. I’d like to meet her. I won’t take no for an answer.”

“Of course, in that case. I’ll make sure she attends. And thank you for the invitation.” He nodded. “Excuse me, I have to go over the shift changes with the guards.”

“Thanks, John. And, uh, thank you for not giving me a hard time about having moved Thomas and Eddie into your rooms.”

“I expected it. I know you trust your men from Scanguards more than anybody here. Maybe in time . . .” He didn’t finish his sentence.

“Yes, maybe in time.” Then Cain watched the leader of his king’s guard turn and disappear down the corridor.

He hoped that Thomas and Eddie would find out that everything with John and Nicolette checked out, so Cain could lay his worries about the leader of the king’s guard to rest.

With a sigh, he opened the entrance door and looked down the long driveway, while the warm night air made his shirt cling to his body. A dark limousine was approaching, kicking up dust from driving too fast on the gravel road. When it finally came to a stop by making a dramatic turn to the side, gravel was whirled up by the back tires and landed on the steps to the house.