Chapter 12:

"Ladies," Adam Sirio exclaimed as he stood from behind his desk, greeting the two women as they entered his office. "I'm so glad you both were able to join us this evening." The vampire was sharply dressed in a storm grey suit; his salt and pepper colored hair was neatly slicked back with only a few rogue pieces spiking up, making him look distinguished and slightly older than his years. His icy blue eyes darted back and forth between Ivy and Dani, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he gave his guests a welcoming smile.

Ivy glanced over at the corner of the office where Evelyn Grey sat perched on the arm of a chair and gave the vampire a nod before turning back to Adam. "Thanks for having us," Ivy gave Sirio a polite grin.

Dani stepped forward, hand extended to Sirio. "Hello Adam. It's good to see you again." Remembering Ivy's words on the stairs, she only made brief eye contact with her brother's partner before slightly bowing her head. Sirio's brow furrowed for an instant, his pale blue eyes seeking out Dani's as he held her hand in his.

"Danielle," he said as he raised her hand and placed his lips lightly against her skin, "it's always a pleasure." He slowly released her hand as his attention went over to the corner of his office, gesturing for Evelyn to come forward.

"Detective Tamwood, this is the head of my security, Evelyn Grey. We were just finishing up some business of our own before you joined us." Sirio gave Evelyn a pointed stare as she languorously moved from the chair to stand closer to him. Based on the tone of his voice and the weight of his stare, Ivy guessed it was not pleasant business they were discussing.

Wearing her high heels, Evelyn Grey still stood a few inches shorter than Ivy. "Detective." Evelyn returned Ivy's earlier nod with one of her own. The vampire was even more striking in person than in the pictures. Ivy had never seen skin so pale as Evelyn's, like ivory and alabaster. Her hair was long and wavy, the color of polished ebony, shining even in the dimmed light of the office. Evelyn's azure eyes turned from Ivy's to focus on Danielle. Extending her hand, her ruby colored lips, full and sensuous, curved up to give the blond a welcoming smile. "It's so nice to finally meet you Danielle. I'm only sorry it's under these circumstances."

For a moment, Dani did nothing, once again seemingly lost in the stare of the pale, beautiful vampire that stood before her. Blinking a couple of times, she recovered, grasping Evelyn's hand in her own and shyly returning her smile. "It's nice to finally meet you too. Jack told me so much about you…"

Evelyn and Adam exchanged a quick glance as she released Dani's hand. At the mention of Jack's name, Evelyn's smile began to falter around the edges. Evelyn took a step closer to Dani. "Did he now?" Her voice took on a haughty tone. "All good things I hope." Slowly she raised a well manicured finger to softly run along Dani's jaw line. "You look so much like Jack…," Evelyn said as a glimmer of melancholy darkened her eyes. Lowering her lashes, Dani gave Evelyn a cheerless grin as she allowed her brother's girlfriend to gently caress her cheek. Leaning closer still, she delicately breathed in the scent of Danielle's skin. "God, you even smell like your brother."

"Enough!" Sirio's voice reverberated through the small office, making Evelyn recoil and Dani flinch. "You are being impolite, Evelyn. These women are my guests, and you are holding up our business." He loosened up his tie and stripped it off. "I'm done with you for now. Go out and check the floor. Make sure everyone is playing nice," he said, dismissing her as he opened the top button of his shirt.

The chastised vamp's eyes glared at Sirio, a rosy blush creeping up to color her cheeks. She spun on her heel and strode across the room, slamming the door behind her as she exited the office.

Sirio pulled out his chair and sat behind his desk, gesturing for Ivy and Dani to be seated as well. "That was very awkward," Sirio said dryly. "I apologize for my employee's manners, Danielle. Sometimes Evelyn forgets her place."

"That's alright," Dani said with a demure grin. "There's no harm done, really."

Sirio sat back in his chair and crossed his legs. "Well, I'm sure you are wondering why I asked you to come and meet with me. I don't want to waste your night out with boring business matters, I assure you. You'll be out there enjoying the party in no time." He folded his hands in his lap and turned to Ivy. "Would you care to join Ms. Grey, Detective? Or will this be off the record?"

Ivy glanced at Dani who was looking back at her with wide eyes. Knowing her apprehension of being alone with Adam Sirio, Ivy turned back to the vampire. "The only thing on the record will be our conversation when you are through with Ms. Baptiste," she spread her hands in a submissive gesture. "I am just here for moral support."

Narrowing his eyes at Ivy, Sirio gave a bob of his head. "Dually noted." Turning his attention back to Dani, he leaned forward in his chair. Resting his forearms on the desk, Adam folded his hands together and took a deep breath. "Let me start by saying your brother is a genius. Thanks to him and his ideas, our club is the success that you see today."

"This place is Jack's pride and joy," Dani said as she settled back in her seat. "This is all he thinks about. But he can't take all the credit." Dani smiled politely at Adam. "I am sure that you had just as big a part in the Hydra's success as Jack."

"You are far too gracious." Sirio said, tipping his hand. "I'm merely a venture capitalist, Danielle; the man with the money. I am nothing without people like your brother. He told me he would make this the most popular night club in the city, and he wasn't joking. I can't remember when I got this much return on an investment."

"But, thanks to all our success," Sirio continued, "we seem to have drawn the attention of the I.R.S. We have been notified of a pending audit, and without Jack, we are having some difficulty gathering all the necessary financial information needed."

"What does that have to do with me Adam?" Dani asked. "How can I help?"

"I don't mean to involve you in this mess. I merely asked you here to see if you have found anything out of the ordinary at Jack's apartment? We are missing some of our ledgers, you see, and I was hoping that perhaps your brother brought them home with him. Jack kept meticulous records of everything and I am sure this is simply an oversight."

Dani paused before she answered, seeming to run through a mental inventory of her brother's place. "No, I don't recall seeing anything like that in his apartment. I'm sure Jack wouldn't leave something that important just laying around."

"No, I'm sure he wouldn't," Sirio said, rubbing the feint shadow of stubble on his chin between his thumb and forefinger. "Well, if you wouldn't mind taking another look around for me? It would be greatly appreciated."

"Sure," Dani said, "I'll let you know right away if I find anything." Adam gave Dani a close lipped grin as he seemed to evaluate her with his stare.

"Well," he said at last, "that's all I had to ask of you. I've bored you long enough." Adam pressed the intercom button on his phone and spoke into the speaker. "Yvonne, please have Ms. Grey sent back up to the office. Ms. Baptiste is ready for her tour of the VIP lounge." Clicking off the speaker he looked back up at Dani, smiling to show the sharp tips of his fangs. "Evelyn will introduce you around to some of our guests and make sure you enjoy yourself while you wait for the lovely Detective."

"That sounds great," Dani said as the door opened and Evelyn reappeared. Music from the club ascended the stairs and was quickly cut off as the door closed behind her. Dani looked at Ivy as she stood, running her hands down the front of her thighs, smoothing out the material. Ivy gave her a swift smile, trying to assure her all would be fine. Dani smiled back, accepting with a silently grateful expression.

"Evelyn, please keep our special guest safe and make sure she gets whatever she wants, on the house. Hopefully we can wrap things up here shortly so Detective Tamwood can enjoy the spoils of the Hydra as well." Sirio looked at Ivy and Dani with a lecherous grin. "It would be a shame to let a dress like that go to waste."

Evelyn smiled politely as she held the door open for Dani. Turning to look over the shoulder, she shot Adam a look. "I'll make sure she is perfectly safe."

"You do that," he said, raising an eyebrow back at the dark haired, pensive vamp.