This Victory accepted the kiss Jarimis pressed to her cheek in greeting as if her due. “You weren’t at the hotel, so I thought I’d find you here. Introduce me to your friend.”
“Peggy is an assistant at the museum who’s been helping me with the jewelry project. Peg, this is my sire Victory.”
Victory didn’t extend a hand in greeting, so Toria kept her own clasped in her lap below the table. It was fascinating, however, how this woman who was not her mother dismissed her upon Jarimis’ explanation that she was a mere underling at the museum. Instead, Victory turned her attention on Jarimis.
“I wanted to track you down rather than leave a message at that decrepit building you call a hotel. I’m leaving town again tonight.”
Jarimis didn’t feign the disappointment on his face, but Toria gave a
