“Fah. I have been oh-so patient, but for what?” Levet spread his arms. “Heartache.”
Santiago took an impatient step forward. He’d been forced to let the ridiculous creature trail along, but he drew the line at discussing the gargoyle’s love life. “You told Gabriel you had some vital information that couldn’t wait,” he said in sharp tones.
Expecting the usual raspberry or a rude finger gesture, Santiago found himself frowning when the gargoyle instead gave a somber nod of his head.
“Oui.”
Okay. This couldn’t be good.
“What is it?”
“Shay contacted me.” Levet tapped a claw to his temple, indicating his ability to speak mind to mind with the Chicago clan chief’s mate. “She said that Viper was unable to reach you.”
With a muffled curse, Santiago reached into the pocket of his jeans to pull out his cell phone, not at all surprised to discover the battery had been drained.
Sex with Nefri was not only the most explosive pleasure he’d ever experienced, but it tended to create havoc with electronics. Oh, and created the most dazzling displays of color.
“Dios,” he muttered, aggravated by his dangerous lapse. He should have checked his phone the minute he climbed out of bed. “What’s happened?”
“There was a disturbance at your club.”
He frowned. That was why Viper was trying to contact him? It didn’t make sense. “There’s always a disturbance at the club. Tonya can handle it.”
“Actually . . .” Levet’s wings drooped, a disturbing expression of sympathy on his ugly face.
Santiago shoved the phone back into his pocket, his muscles rigid with a sudden tension. “What?”
“She’s been kidnapped.”
He heard Nefri’s soft exclamation of shock, but his focus never wavered from the small demon. “Tell me.”
“One of your waiters called Viper and said that a vampire simply appeared out of thin air in the middle of your club.”
He hissed. Only two vampires could appear out of thin air. And he’d been in the constant presence of one of them.
Which left . . .
“Gaius,” he growled. “Mierda.”
Levet nodded. “Oui. He appeared and grabbed Tonya. Then”—he gave a helpless lift of his hands—“poof. They were both gone.”
Just for a second his savage burst of fury threatened to cloud his mind. Tonya in the hands of that demented freak? Perhaps even now chained to a wall while he tormented her?
The cement walls shuddered and the fluorescent lights shattered before Nefri laid a restraining hand on his shoulder.
“Santiago,” she murmured softly.
Leashing his powers with an effort, he met her sympathetic gaze. “Why?” he rasped.
She continued to rub his arm in a soothing motion. Trying to tame the rabid beast?
“Why Tonya?” she asked.
“Sí.” His fury remained, but Nefri’s touch gave him the calm necessary to consider the situation with a much needed clarity. Tonya needed a swift rescue, not her employer ranting and raving. “It makes no sense. Why would he take such a risk to snatch an imp from my club?”
Nefri nodded, easily following his logic. If Gaius was going to risk being captured, why choose Tonya?
“Does she have any special talents?” Nefri asked.
Santiago shrugged. “She’s related to Troy, the pain-in-the-ass Prince of Imps, so she’s capable of creating hexes powerful enough to ensnare even demons and, of course, she can create portals along with the usual imp talents.”
Levet waddled forward. “Does she know secrets?” He pointed a claw at Santiago. “Have you been—what do they say—cooking the books?”
Santiago glowered at the small demon. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Levet blinked. “We were guessing why she was kidnapped, were we not?”
“No, she doesn’t have any secrets,” Santiago snapped. “At least none she shared with me. She’s an organized, highly effective assistant who has the beauty of a siren and the soul of an accountant.”
“You trust her?” Nefri carefully inquired.
“Absolutely,” he growled without hesitation, well aware of what she was implying. “Tonya would never betray me. I would stake my life on it.” He gave a restless shrug. “Besides, if she was working with Gaius why would he reveal their connection now? There’s no benef it.”
She nodded, but her expression remained troubled. “How long have you known one another?”
“Several decades.”
“And you’re”—she searched for the word she wanted—“close?”
He sent her a startled glance. “What are you asking?”
“I’m not behaving as a jealous lover, Santiago,” she gently assured him.
“Then what does it matter how long I’ve known Tonya? I trust her—” His words came to an abrupt halt as he met Nefri’s steady gaze. Dios. There was one reason someone would go to the effort of kidnapping Tonya. “He’s using her to send a message to me,” he said in rough tones.
“That would be my guess.”
“Now the question is—”
Nefri grimaced. “What’s the message?”
Chapter 24