Scarlet Assassin by Isabella Page B

moderation ?
     
    Selene,
     
    It’s a sad day when I am in need of your services. Unfortunately, I am desperate. I await your terms and conditions for employment.
     
    Respectfully,
     
    Ian.
     
    Selene tapped the envelope against the desk. What could Ian want from her? He’d been silent for so long she thought him dead and gone. Though an announcement usually followed the death of her kind, even if it weaved its way through the grapevine. But, money was money and what did she care who employed her as long as they paid?
    She picked up her phone and dialed the number on the letterhead.
    “Hello.” The soft voice on the other end sounded young.
    “May I speak to Ian, please?”
    “A moment, please.”
    Selene thought she could hear blankets rustling in the background and a muffed squeal. Ian was a dog to the n’th degree, so it wasn’t a surprise if he was bedding a new conquest.
    “Ian, here.” Wisps of his Irish brogue still laced his words. It took work to keep an accent alive this long and Selene wondered if he kept it for the ladies.
    “Ian, Selene.”
    Silence and more blankets rustling before Ian said anything else. “Selene. You got my request.”
    “I got a note requesting my services. What can I do for you, Ian?”
    “I’d like to meet in person, Selene. This is a delicate matter.”
    Selene didn’t usually meet with her clients. The nature of her business made her a target for those that might want to kill her .
    “I don’t meet with my clients, Ian. You know that. Besides, I’m assuming you remember the routine. Half up front, the rest upon completion.”
    Selene kept the detail vague when she spoke on the phone. She never knew who might be listening and she didn’t need more problems than she already had. She’d refused more jobs than she’d taken lately. Death was a dirty business—literally and figuratively. Moving away from it and into more lucrative enterprises helped line her pockets now. Besides, she liked the way she slept at night. The constant need to look over her shoulder kept her from becoming involved with anyone, fearful they would become a target just because they’d been seen with her.
    “I know, but I thought you might make an exception this once.”
    “No.”
    More silence. She was starting to get a feeling it might be best to let this job go to someone else. Her gut was often right, but she would let Ian confirm that for her.
    “Okay, I understand. Look, I’ve got a problem that needs a resolution. The coven won’t handle the interloper so I need to handle it.”
    More silence.
    “You still there?” He sounded like he was cupping the phone for privacy.
    “Yep.”
    “Selene, I’m in a bad way here. I need someone to disappear as soon as possible. The bastard’s giving me fits and Van der Plume won’t budge an inch.”
    “Details, Ian.”
    “I’ve got this chancer , De Marcus…” Selene’s ears perked up. “trying to put the pinch on me. Says I owe him.”
    Selene knew she would take this job. Her gut said no, but she wanted De Marcus’ head on a platter. Especially if it meant getting AJ off her back. Selene figured that the word was out that she was after De Marcus. What she didn’t know was how deep the word went. Hell, you’d have to be living under a rock not to know she was after the bastard.
    “I need to ask you some questions before I decide whether or not to take the job.”
    “Aw, come on, Selene. I’m feelin’ the screw here. I need someone to handle to this tool, before he tries anything else.”
    “Look, answer my questions truthfully and this will go faster. Bulldog me and I’ll hang up.”
    “Right, right. Let me put some clothes on.”
    “Why, I can’t see you?”
    “Well aren’t you a lucky girl? You just might swoon if you saw my—”
    “Stop. I’m not interested in your manhood or lack of it.”
    “Aw stop, Selene. You know I’m bigger than an ox.”
    “Could we get to the questions, if you don’t mind, of course.