“It’s for meetings, Al. You happy?”

“Meetings? Is that really all you are going to give me?”

“Listen, I’d tell you more but then I’d have to kill you, and I already scared you enough for tonight.”

“Levi!”

“Okay, okay. What do you want to know?”

“Everything. What is this? How do the Pterons fit in? Were you joking when you said there were actually vampires? What else is there—?”

“Whoa. Slow down there, babe. I can’t answer them all at once.”

“Well, you have to start somewhere.”

“Does it have to be here? I can think of a few more comfortable places to discuss this.”

“If this is another attempt to get into my room, forget it.”

“Fine. This is the meeting room for The Society. The Pterons oversee it, but the council includes members from several different shifter groups. Lower lying groups like the vampires don’t have seats.”

“Vampires are low lying?”

“They suck blood from people, how much more of a bottom dweller can you imagine?”

“True. But I don’t know... they seem more glamorous in books and movies.”

“Yes, because books and movies always get things right.” He shook his head.

“Fine. So why are the Pterons in charge?”

“We’re the most powerful. Our hybrid form helps, as does our strength.”

“So is your strength one of those abilities you promised to tell me about later?”

“Yes. Not that it should surprise you.” He folded his arms across his chest, accentuating just how muscular he really was.

“No, I guess it isn’t surprising.” It was hard not to be impressed by his incredible physique. Even without knowing his secret, he appeared superhuman.

“If that about answers your questions, what do you say we get out of here?”

“This isn’t over, but I’ll take what I can get for tonight.”

Levi walked me back to the elevator. He stayed behind, telling me he had a few things to do. I accepted his answers; glad I hadn’t found anything more sinister. I reminded myself that this was just a summer fling—no reason to worry too much.

Chapter Eleven

Levi waited for me by the front entrance of the hotel the next morning. He grinned, and in the light of day I couldn’t believe he had scared me the night before. I followed him outside to find his car. His black BMW matched him perfectly. It was such an obvious fit that I headed toward the passenger side door before he even told me it was his.

“How’d you know it was mine?”

“You said you were parked down here, and it seemed more you than an old Civic or a pickup.”

He smiled and I could tell he was thinking. “I like how you don’t hold back, Al. You just say it like it is.”

“So you are really sticking to the Al thing, huh?”

“It fits.”

“Whatever.”

Taking the day off was a little too easy, and I felt bad about how quickly Natalie agreed when Levi asked. When I double-checked with her in the morning, she insisted I take the whole day and not worry about coming in that afternoon. I argued at first, but I could tell she wasn’t going to budge. I had decided to stop worrying about it by the time I slipped into Levi’s car, dressed as he suggested in jeans and sneakers.

“Are you ready to tell me where we’re going?

“Patience, patience.”

I yawned, tired from a fitful night of sleep. No matter how much I liked surprises, I couldn’t deny the slight apprehension permeating my otherwise good mood.

Levi pulled up in front of a construction site. “Seriously? Do I seem like the type to like construction work?”

“No, but I think you’ll like this.” He smiled.

“Okay...” I stepped out of the car wondering where he was going with it.

A man in a hardhat greeted us as we walked closer to the house. “Levi, you made it.”

“Hi, Phil. Of course. I brought another set of hands with me.”

“I can see that.”

“Allie, this is Phil. Phil, Allie.”

“Nice to meet you,” I said politely, taking his outstretched hand.

“The pleasure is all mine. We are always looking for new volunteers.”

“Volunteers?” As the question slipped out, I looked around me, noticing for the first time that most of the people weren’t your typical construction types.

“Yes. We’ve been doing rebuilding work since the storm, but it seems there is always more work to be done.”

“I’m sure.” Aware of the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina everything clicked. Levi had taken me to a rebuilding project.

“Do you know how to use a hammer?” Levi asked.

“I can’t say I’ve ever used one, but I’m game to try.”

***

Hours later with a tool belt slung around my hips and a hammer in my hands, I had successfully nailed together more boards than I could count. Sweaty and physically exhausted in a good way, I accepted the bottle of water Levi offered.

“Having fun?”

“Yeah, I actually am. It seems I have a hidden talent for hammering nails, huh?”

“It seems so.” He laughed lightly, taking a swig from his own bottle. “We can head out if you want. I think Hailey wanted to steal you later.”

“Steal me?”

“Absolutely, today was all mine, remember?”

“Do you do this a lot?” I asked.

“Usually once or twice a month. I did more right after Katrina, but I never really stopped.”

“I’m glad you brought me.”

“See, I’m not all bad.”

“No, only 90%,” I teased as we went to give back the tools.

“Ouch, this only buys me 10%?”

“What can I say, I have expensive taste.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

***

Hailey was waiting for me in the lobby when Levi dropped me off. She followed me up to my room and flipped through some magazines while I showered and changed. “Did you have fun today?”

“Surprisingly, yes. I never would have thought construction would be my thing but it was fun, aside from the fact that my forearms are killing me. Honestly, I’m just shocked Levi does it.”

“You know I’m not exactly a Levi cheerleader, but he’s really not that bad, and no matter what you can say about him, he loves this city.”