Downside Rain: Downside book one by Linda Welch Read Free Book Online Page B

Someone picks up after
two rings.
    “Tybalt
here, Alain.”
    “Tybalt,
send someone to have a word with Glorius Welks. His floor manager is still
abusing employees.”
    “We
had a word with him last month.”
    “Have
another. Reiterate that when workers cannot perform their duties capably it
ultimately results in lost production, which I find upsetting. Remind him he
was advised to dismiss Bluta, and as he cannot run his business efficiently,
this once I will do it for him and he will pay me for the privilege. I think
five-thousand drach is reasonable. Take Bluta outside the city limits, talk to
him about relocating, and break something. Not his legs, he will need those.”
    “Right
you are. Consider it done.”
    Alain
smiles, though it does not reach his eyes, as he settles the phone in the
cradle.
    Carelessness,
minor accidents, plus workers calling in sick; all result in a drop in
production and most of the incidents are in the finishing department. Ninety
percent of the finishers are women with slim agile fingers for delicate detail
work. He did investigate but every occurrence appears to be legitimate. No one will
speak up, they fear losing their jobs. Intimidated employees make mistakes
which eat into his profits.
    The
information from Rain is worth the money he paid. She deserved the bonus and he
enjoyed handing it to her personally.
    His
smile morphs into something kinder. Ah, Rain. He shouldn’t have given in to the
impulse to discomfit her. He wants her to take him seriously. But her
expression was priceless! Alain chuckles.
    He
has had many women in his long life. Some touched him deeply, but they
eventually left him. Most could be clones, all beautiful and desirable, they
melt at his touch. But they try too hard. As though his nature overwhelms
theirs, they are too pliant, too willing to do anything for him. They have
little personality.
    Rain
is fiery, willful and intractable, although her stubbornnessdoesn’t
work in his favor. She can be abrupt, impatient, rude and crude; hard as steel
one moment, compassionate the next. Rain is real, and exquisite to boot. She is
delectable.
    She
has captivated him since day one. Over time, fascination became something
stronger which sank claws into his heart. He doesn’t think he has ever felt
quite like this.
    A
sharp rap on the door and Clide crashes into the office before Alain can bid
him enter. “We have a problem, boss. The Greché came to Gettaholt and took
Verity Upside.”
    The
Greché have as much right to be Downside as Alain’s Peralta vampires and his
secretary Verity is free to go where she wishes, although he cannot imagine why
she would want anything to do with the Upside vampire family. “Took? Perhaps
you’d better take a breath and explain.”
    It’s
a joke, because vampires seldom breathe, but Clide is in no mood to laugh. He
paces back and forth in front of the desk. “Gervaise Greché and a buddy came
Downside last night and went partying. They were seen leaving The Medallion
with Verity. A couple of people said she looked loopy but the bartender told me
she didn’t drink much. They took her Upside.”
    “Against
her will? You’re sure?”
    “I
know it. They carried her through The Station, and the Station Master went with
them.”
    Alain’s
nerves hum like swarming bees. The Station Master should have at the minimum
questioned why a Downside citizen was carted, unconscious, Upside. The man must
work for the Greché.
    “How
do you know this?”
    “We
got lucky. A guard took a bathroom break and came out as the Greché entered The
Station. Verity was unconscious, bound, and over Gervaise’s shoulder, yet he greeted
the Station Master like an old comrade and all three looked pretty happy. So the
guard ducked back in the bathroom.”
    “He
didn’t try to stop them,” Alain states.
    “We
should give the guy a break. He doesn’t know what’s going on and the man is his
boss. He puts his foot in it, he’s out of a job. He figures