Page 28 of Curse of the Wolf
“The muscle?” Ivan asked with amusement, eyeing me again—specifically my five-foot-three inches and one-hundred-ten pounds, I had no doubt.
“Our businessman, Ed, has seen her carry one-piece toilets up flights of stairs,” Rory said. “He remarked on it some time ago.”
I didn’t know if that was his way of backing up my assertion or letting me know he’d been aware for a while that I had paranormal attributes.
“Carryingtoilets?” a woman whispered, catching the conversation as she and a friend passed. They wore enough gold and diamonds to make Mr. T sigh with envy. “Is she the plumber?”
“I don’t know, but someone should tell her that mock turtlenecks are deserving of mockery.”
They giggled as they continued on. I rolled my eyes. I’d come to a party of high-school cliques, not a real estate networking event. So far, I’d hardly heard anyone speaking of available properties, tired landlords, and capitalization rates.
“Could I consult with you on something, Ms. Valens, was it?” Ivan asked.
“One moment.” Izzy gave me an edged smile and pulled her brother aside. No doubt to fill him in more deeply on my lupine nature—and what all that entailed.
“Don’t listen to them.” Jasmine appeared, stepping close enough to poke me in the arm, a new mocktail in her hand, this one colored Jello-green. “Turtlenecks are back in style this winter. Those girls aren’t as trendy as they think they are.”
Rory arched his eyebrows. Jasmine offered me a discreet thumbs-up. I didn’t know if it was to encourage me to feel better about my fashion choices or because she approved of the high-powered people I wasnetworkingwith. Too bad Izzy was about to get me kicked out.
“Evening, ma’am,” Rory said to Jasmine.
I realized they probably hadn’t met before.
“Mr. Sylvan, this is my niece, Jasmine Marino.” Taking a cue from the earlier conversation, I didn’t mention that she hoped to score a job. “She works in real estate financing.”
“Here looking for clients?” Rory asked.
“I don’t have my own lending business yet. I mostly help out my mom. And Luna.” Jasmine smirked at me.
“She needs financing assistance?”
“She needs allkindsof assistance.” Jasmine straightened my hem and flipped hair off my shoulder.
“I can imagine. I—” Rory noticed something across the room.
Bolin looked like he was in the middle of being grilled by Izzy’s daughter. The girl had pulled over a chair to stand on so she was as tall as he. She was waving her arms and questioning him about who knew what. Meanwhile, Bolin was gesturing toward his father, trying to get his attention. When their gazes met, Bolin nodded and widened his eyes significantly toward Jasmine.
“Ah, you arethatJasmine,” Rory said.
“What?” Jasmine stopped fixing my trendy outfit and lowered her arm.
“I can see the allure.” Rory inclined his head politely toward her.
“The what?” Jasmine looked at me instead of Bolin, who was now trying to wave his father away from her, probably afraid Rory would do something to lower his chances of winning her favor.
Before Rory could answer, the siblings returned.
Izzy was scowling, but Ivan said, “Ms. Valens. I am more intrigued than ever to get your professional opinion on something.”
“As a property manager?” Rory asked.
“As a security professional,” Ivan said.
“What is it?” I asked before Rory could point out that I wasn’t aprofessionalin that area.
“Come this way, please.”
Rory remained, likely deciding the invitation wasn’t for him, but Jasmine trailed me as Ivan led us toward a closed door.
