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Jared filled theh rundown of an incredibly boring session In a nutshell, Pirozzi wanted to expand his very successful est, and only other, shareholder, he needed the big guy’s approval Yawn

But she ed also to remain, if not friendly, then at least polite to Jared And not to cheer out loud when theher too well not to understand what she was thinking She gave him wide, who-me? eyes that fooled no one, least of all Raphael, then watched as he stood to bid Pirozzi farewell, accepting the other vaht bow of obeisance There were some vampires in Raphael’s circle, those closer to hi, or even, in Lucas’s case, exchange hugs But then, that was Lucas He was a very huggy guy for a vampire In any event, Pirozzi was not of the inner circle and definitely not a friend He was simply one of the many vampires who called Raphael master Raphael ruled his people absolutely, but fairly, and they accorded hi vaone, Raphael took Cyn’s hand and pulled her to her feet, draping a possessive arm over her shoulders as he walked her out of the conference room and down the hall to his office

"Work?" she asked

"An hour’s worth You can go downstairs if you want"

"No, I’ll stay with you I’ve got so up to do, too"

Raphael settled behind his desk, while Cyn sat on the couch with her laptop She still did private investigations, but most of her clients were vaations were done remotely She hadn’t sworn off field work; she liked the adrenaline rush too much But just as Raphael had promised to keep her in the loop, she’d promised hiotten her killed So lately, the only time she’d been in the field ith Raphael, and her on-line research skills were getting better with every job

"When is that thing in Chicago?" she asked She’d received a new e-mail job request, but the time frame was short

"The first week in December," Raphael said absently, then looked over at her

"Dece to freeze our asses off"

He shrugged "Probably, but the Midwest needs a new lord, and we can’t delay any longer"

"Do you have to be there?"

"It’s tradition The presence of the Council lords helps keep violence to ain South Dakota first, however"

Cyn scowled "South Dakota That’s kind of like stopping in Fairbanks to warm up before the Arctic"

Raphael shot her an aainstKathryn"

"Kathryn?" Cyn grinned happily "Can Ehed But the first thing she did was dash an e-ood news The name wasn’t ideal--too nautical by half--but that’s what Sarah had suggested they call themselves for now, since "spouses" didn’t work and Colin’s participation ruled out anything gender specific Their first official get-together was supposed to be at the upcoet the full scoop on their newesther suspiciously

"I don’t think I want to knohat you just did"

"Aw," she cooed, getting up and walking over to slide onto his lap "You’re a tough guy You can take it"

"Kathryn is with the FBI, you know She’s very law abiding, according to Lucas"

"I know," she said, giving hi in the Minneapolis office"

"I know," she repeated in the sa voice

He eyed her narrowly "Cyn"