4 Amaris: The Dinner

Romano may be a rogue, but the werewolf is a punctual, sharp dresser if nothing else.

At exactly seven, an ostentatious sports car pulls up at Oliviano's entrance —windows so dark, the only thing a peeper would see is their own reflection. Then he steps out in a suit that probably costs more than what I'm getting paid for this gig. Wearing shoes that scream 'real crocodile' even from my hiding place on the roof across the street from the restaurant.

He, on the other hand, screams 'new money'. I mean, nobody buys the top items of a douchebag's shopping list unless they've just recently come into some cash. Old Money tends to be more sophisticated.

He rounds the car to the passenger door, grinning smugly at the valets as he does so. Then he opens the door and offers his hand to his companion.

A porcelain white hand accepts his and he helps her out.

His companion, the redhead, is stunning in an emerald green, form-hugging dress with an off-shoulder neckline. She's svelte and petite, if not for her six-inch heels she wouldn't reach Romano's shoulders. Her flaming hair is fixed into an up-do that accentuates her long neck.

"Oliviano's," she smiles at Romano, her tone teasing but seductive, "I feel underdressed."

Romano chuckles, then places his arm around her waist and starts leading her inside. Tossing his keys to one of the valets. "Nothing better happen to my car." He tells them, then disappears into the restaurant.

I keep watch. Observing as the valet takes the car into the walled private parking beside the building. He comes out a couple minutes later and rejoins his coworker at the entrance.

I'm about to contact Sabrina, when she beats me to the punch.

"He's not as tall as I thought he'd be," her voice appears in my head like a passing thought. A by-product of the communication spell she cast. "And not as good-looking. Not to mention his sandy hair looks dyed. I thought a rogue alpha would look... I don't know... like a sexy mafia boss. He looks like a knock-off. I'm disappointed."

I had noticed that, too, didn't think it worth mentioning, though. Of course Sabrina would.

"Well, we're not taking him out on a date." I respond telepathically, as well.

"If we're being severely underpaid to send him into an eternal nap, I would have at least liked for him to be a smoke show." She complains. "His little girlfriend seems to be really into him, though. I think she might be a witch."

I'd started climbing onto the roof's ledge to hop off. But her words make me pause. "I didn't clock it. You sure?"

Supernaturals can usually sense others of their own kind. But I'm not getting any readings from the redhead. So if she's a witch, she's cloaking herself.

"Umm, not really. She just... has a thing about her. I might just be projecting. Are you checking out his car?"

I throw myself off the roof and land soundlessly in the dark alley beside it. Of course I can see perfectly. Even with my sunglasses still firmly on my face. That's one of the advantages to my cat eyes, darkness suits me better.

"About to," I respond. "You have the only vantage point now. Let me know if there's movement on either side."

"Alright."

I make eye contact with her cat as I slink across the street. She's perched on the restaurant's second floor balcony, so completely still one could mistake her for a statue. Her blonde tail swishes and I can see her lips almost curve in a feline smile.

"Stop moving, someone will spot you." I chastise with a grin of my own before disappearing from her sight line.

"I wish someone would spot me. If I could get one of these rich people to take a shining to me, I'd be set for life. No more hunting just living a life of luxury and leisure."

"Witches aren't supposed to settle down, remember?" I'm briefly reminded of my mother as I round the parking lot wall so I'm on the side where there isn't any wondering eyes nor cameras pointed. Then just as quickly any thoughts pertaining to her are gone and I'm scaling the wall before hopping over. Landing without so much as a squeak right beside Romano's car.

"Who said anything about settling down? I'm looking for a sugar daddy or mommy who just wants a snack on the side. Not a whole damn meal."

I snort at her comment. "You couldn't leave the hunt, Sabs. You like pulling triggers too much."

"For the right price I'd leave even you behind, Mar." She's joking of course. Sure, witches are mercenary but even we know the true value of having friends.

"Me, too, Sabs." I retort and I hear her laugh. Then I crouch next to the passenger door and try the door. It's obviously locked.

"What's the probability that an unlocking charm will actually open the door?" I ask Sabrina.

"Any smart supernatural hell even a human, would know to get protection against that." Comes her swift reply.

"I'm gonna try it anyway." I put my hand on the handle, then mutter 'abre' under my breath. To my astonishment it unlocks.

Another bell starts ringing in the back of my head but I ignore it as I open the door and open the glove compartment.

"They're parking another car." Sabrina warns.

I slip into the car and gently close the door. The windows are dark enough that they won't see any movement inside. The valet parks another sports car beside Romano's as I rummage through his glove compartment. I find the registration easily enough, then I snap my fingers and write the address on my notebook before putting everything back as it was before and stepping out of the car.

"Alright Sabs. We have an address." I say as I climb over the wall again and land on the other side.

"Do you think it's current?"

"It has to be. He apparently bought his car just last week."

"Alright. Do we have to keep watch still?"

"No, let's go scope out the place before planning our attack. Meet me at the bistro."

ººº

The bistro is packed when Sabrina and I show up at the same time. She's back in human form and wearing a sparkly clubbing dress and stilettos like she has plans she didn't tell me about.

"Are you going somewhere?" I ask with a cocked brow as we take our usual spots at the bar.

She shrugs. "Well, I figured scoping is a one-person job."

"Right, well, I figured I could get a bigger cut."

"I was kidding, of course." She quickly responds and with a flourish, she's back in a catsuit and boots. "Two jack and cokes, Harriet." She puts up two fingers and the bartender immediately starts on them. Sabrina is a good tipper and Harriet knows it. Seconds later, the drinks appear before us and Sabrina starts on hers before giving me an expectant look.

"Alright, well, the address is in the south side, in Bellwood."

"That's the swanky neighborhood, right? They have a lot of security there. And I mean magical and non. Not to mention it's gated, I'm not sure how we'll be able to get through."

She's right. Bellwood is the neighborhood everyone aspires to live in. The yards are always even and green and the mansions are huge to the point of being ridiculous. Plus, it's one of the few neighborhoods with mixed population.

"We could use an invisibility spell," I suggest. "Get through the front gate that way and just sneak the rest of the way."

Sabrina shakes her head. "Actually, I think a good old push-up bra might do the job."