Page 67 of Vampire so Virtuous

“Thank you.” Antoine accepted them, turning toward the door. “Don’t feel you need to wait up.”

“You tell me every time, sir.”

The drive to The Berkshire took thirty minutes. The club was favored by the mayor for its exclusivity and proximity to City Hall. It also lay within Gabriel’s territory—another intrusion. But this time, there was no reason not to notify him. He’d likely hear of it anyway.

Settling into the car, Antoine scrolled through his contacts, wondering if Gabriel had changed his number. How long had it been since they last spoke? Years.

The phone rang a few times before connecting, Gabriel’s southern accent filling the car.

“Antoine? To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Evening Gabriel. A formal courtesy: the mayor has invited me to theclub tonight.”

“Oh?” A hint of interest. “Nothing like short notice.”

“My fault,” Antoine admitted. “He invited me yesterday, but time got away from me.”

“Ah.” A pause. “The club, huh? Not your usual scene.”

“Accepting seemed politic.”

“Politics?” Gabriel said. “Definitely not your scene.”

“I’ve been known to dabble.”

“There is a dress code, you know.”

“Thanks. Funny. I do own some smart clothes.”

“Well, I appreciate you making me aware. Enter, uphold our traditions, and keep my domain tranquil.” Gabriel’s lazy drawl made everything sound inconsequential—even vampire customs as vital as this one.

“Your trust is met with solemn commitment.” Antoine returned the formal phrase with feeling; Minh was causing problems, he could do without antagonizing Gabriel too.

“I’ll see you in a few minutes, then.”

Antoine blinked. “You’re at the club tonight?”

“There’s a poker game.”

That made sense; Gabriel’s uncanny emotional abilities gave him an edge in cards. “You don’t need the money. Why still play?”

“It’s something to do.”

Well, there was that. “Then I’ll see you shortly. Though I may as well cut you a check now and save myself the time.”There. That sounded friendly enough, didn’t it?

“It’ll be good to see you, Antoine. It’s been too long.”

“Likewise.”

The call dropped. Antoine sat in the silence of the car, pondering the risks. Would Gabriel detect his increased power? If so, would he inform the Curia, or view it as none of his concern?

Antoine would have to keep his distance. How, he wasn’t quite sure.

The club had valet parking, and as Antoine handed over his keys, he wondered how much more chaotic his life would be by the time the evening was over and he got them back.

The Berkshire was an exclusive, members-only club that discouraged both new enquiries and non-members. Still, civility reigned as Antoine was directed through the various rooms. It wasn’t his first visit, and he was well-known here—or, more accurately, his wealth was.

The club catered to Boston’s elite, and the power within its wallstranscended electoral results. Generous donations to causes, both noble and not, earned Antoine several nods as he passed. There was a moral ambiguity to spreading his wealth among people like these, but Antoine justified it by the careful selection of favors he so rarely called in.