Murphy had him. Andrew Garvey had gone from confused, to irritated, to angry, to frustrated, and now he was at defeated.
Garvey knew the vampire had laid down the law among those in the know that he would be watching more closely. The drug problem had gone out of control, and one drug in particular had devastated his city only two years before. A drug there was no cure for yet. A drug that killed both humans and vampires.
Elixir.
It was supposed to be a cure-all, for mortal and immortal alike. Healing power for humans and a cure for bloodlust all at once.
It wasn’t.
“I want to keep my friends in business, Andrew. And I can’t do that if they’re not open with me.”
Garvey leaned forward. “I want to make this right.”
Gotcha.
Murphy took another deep breath as Brigid had a suspicious coughing fit in the corner of the room.
“I know you do, lad.”
“How do I make this right?”
“The Blue Delta contract—”
“Is yours.” The human nodded. “Absolutely. I’ll withdraw my bid tomorrow.”
“Now, now.” Murphy held up a hand. “You already have time and money invested in that. I’m not interested in putting you out of business. I need good people around. Dependable ones.”
Garvey nodded enthusiastically. “Absolutely.”
“You’ve a family, don’t you, Andrew?”
“Yes, sir.” He saw the man grow pale.
Christ, maybe he did need to lay off a bit. He wasn’t going after the human’s little wife and babies.
Murphy let a smile touch his lips. “I consider my employees my family.”
“I know you do, sir.” Garvey relaxed a bit.
“I take care of the people who take care of me. And I know you’re just as interested—being a family man—in making the city as safe as it can be.”
“I am, Murphy.”
Murphy let the silence fall between them as he stared at Garvey. He could hear the man’s pulse pick up.
It was difficult—very difficult—to not see the man as prey when his heart beat like that. The scent of his fear filled the room. The tang of adrenaline. Murphy glanced back at Brigid to see the younger vampire staring at the back of Garvey’s neck with heated eyes.
“Tóg go bog é,” he said in a voice only she would hear. Take it easy.
Brigid was younger and still struggled with control. He could feel the room heat up from her amnis. While Murphy’s elemental affinity was water, Brigid’s was fire.
Unstable. Highly dangerous. And excellent for his reputation. It was worth putting up with her temper if it meant having a fire vampire on his payroll.
“No more unquestioned cargo,” Murphy said quietly. “It’s not a friendly thing to do.”
“Sure thing, Murphy.”
“And I know you’ll be taking a hit,” he added. “I’ll keep that in mind. I have some contracts I could use a sub for. Local jobs.”
The human’s face had morphed from scared to grateful. “You’d do that?”
“I told you, Andrew. I take care of my friends.”
“Some of these lads—”
“I can send Tom or one of my people around more,” Murphy said. “Make sure everyone knows where things stand with you and me. Make sure no one causes trouble. If that would suit you, of course. It’s your business, Andrew.”
Garvey nodded. “I’d be grateful.”
And I’ll be grateful for that fat envelope I know you’ll have ready.
Murphy picked up the fake file and shuffled a few more papers.
The last in the stack read, Don’t make me poison your tea, Patrick. It won’t kill you, but it will give you an awful stomachache you will deserve one hundred percent.
He let the smile curve the corner of his mouth. Oh, Angie. What a treasure.
Murphy closed the file and stood. “I don’t want to keep you any later. Thank you for coming by, Andrew. I know it’s after dinner hour with your family.”
“It’s no problem, Murphy.” Garvey stood with him and held out a hand. “Glad we were able to get this cleared up.”
Murphy smiled, letting the warmth of it flood the room. He pushed the feeling of security and contentment up the human’s arm, knowing that Andrew Garvey would lay his head down in bed tonight knowing that Patrick Murphy was damn near his best friend.
“I know you’ll do well with that Blue Delta contract,” he said. “Come to me if you have any questions, yes?”
“I will.”
“And no more unquestioned loads, yes?” His face grew serious again with just a touch of concern. “We need to know what’s coming into our city, don’t we? For everyone’s safety.”
“Yes, sir.”
Murphy clasped his other hand around Garvey’s and gave it a friendly squeeze. “Good man.”
HE tasted the whiskey Brigid poured in two glasses between them.
“You know,” she said, “Before I started working for you, I used to think you were serious. And polite.”
“I am serious.” He lifted one eyebrow. “And Angie taught me manners, so any complaints you’ll have to take up with her.”
“You, Patrick Murphy, are a fantastic con.”
He added more than a dash of water and sipped again, letting the potent taste of the liquor linger on his tongue. Vampire senses were far keener than human, hence the disproportionate amount of water.