Page 7 of Sweeter than Honey

I give Renata a horrified look. The worse thing I can imagine would be this vampire taking over the Respite hotel chain. I never liked Tudor much, but at least he stepped back to allow his daughters to run his empire. The six months that he’s been gone haven’t been the easiest, of course, but not having his ever-present shadow around has been a noticeable relief.

But Renata doesn’t notice my expression. She’s locked eyes with Xavian. Then her gaze softens. My chest tightens. Is she going to concede?

She stands up, then leans over the table. Her voice drops to a low growl, almost impossible for my human ears to perceive.

“Listen well, Xavian Night. This ismyhotel chain. Not Tudor’s. Not your’s. Tudor is locked away in a witch prison, and you’re sitting inmyboardroom. If I say the word, my Night Guard will throw you in a locked coffin. If you’re lucky, I’ll stake you instead of leaving you to a torturous eternity trapped in a box in my basement.”

Xavian’s nostril flare, fury exuding from him like steam, although he stays perfectly still.

Renata leans closer, her gaze never breaking. “My sisters and I can protect ourselves, and our legacy. We don’t need you or your false protection.”

She straightens, and turns to me.

“Let’s go, Lily. This meeting is over.”

My heart humming, I snap my laptop closed and follow her quickly to the door. I can sense Xavian’s eyes peruse my body again, and blood rushes to my cheeks.

Then, in a superhuman flash of motion, Renata is across the room,bent over the other vampire. In one hand, she holds a fistful of his shirt. In the other, she holds a long golden dagger, the point of its blade snug against his chest. Xavian’s guard also has a stake in one hand, wooden and etched with an “X.” His fangs are bared, but he doesn’t dare get too close. With one quick motion, Renata could end Xavian Night, who’s eyes have widened in surprise and anger.

She whispers. “And if youeverlook at my assistant that way again, I’ll lock you in a silver-lined coffin and let you rot.”

The point of the dagger pierces his chest just slightly, a droplet of crimson blood staining his shirt.

Xavian hisses through his sharpened canines. “You’ve won this round, Renata. But this isn’t the end. This is only thebeginning.”

Chapter 3: The paradox of service

Lily

“My apologies on Xavian’s behalf, Lily,” says Renata, smoothing her already-perfect hair as we walk back to the office. Then she taps her smartwatch and speaks into it. “Damien, bring two of your guard to the office floor and escort Xavian Night off the premises, please. Make sure he’s gone and then check in with me.”

I can hear Damien’s snort from the watch’s speaker. Damien Cross is the head of the hotel’s Night Guard, the group of vampires and other magical people that act as security for the hotel from sunset to sunrise. “That slimy bastard. You shouldn’t even have met with him, Renata.”

“I know,” Renata sighs. “But Celine insisted. She seems to think we can talk some sense into those assholes.”

“They’ve been operating this way for centuries,” Damien responds. “They’re not going to change now. Not until someone stakes them.”

“I would love to have that pleasure,” Renata replies with a smirk. “But it would cause too much of a mess to clean up. And I have enough of those.”

“Don’t we all,” Damien says. “I’ll be right up, Renata.”

“Good.”

Renata taps her watch to hang up the call, just as we get to her office. I take my seat at my desk and she moves toward the door.

“Lily,” she says. “If you need to take an early break, I would understand.”

“I’m all right,” I reply. I still feel a little shaken up, but I put a smile on my face to ease her concern.

She doesn’t look convinced, but she accepts my response. “Whatever you say.”

Before she goes back into her office, I surprise myself. “Um, Ms. Espina?”

“Yes?” she asks, looking back at me with a tilt of her head.

I fiddle awkwardly with a button on my cardigan, not sure how to phrase this. “Thank you. For defending me.”

She waves her hand. “It’s nothing, Lily. You shouldn’t have to deal with such men, especially not in a professional environment. You’re my employee, and it’s my job to ensure you’re safe while you’re working for me.”