She recognized Franks’ voice. His presence had to be very unexpected, but she covered it well. As could be expected considering her history, she was an excellent actress. “I called the front desk about the shower this morning. Is this really the best time to fix it?”

“My apologies, ma’am . . .”

“Don’t let him see me,” the man whispered. There was no way he could know that Franks could still hear him. He hurried and pulled his pants up. “I can’t afford another scandal.”

“Your wife would hate that. You’d better go, Your Honor,” she whispered back. Steering him toward the door, she opened it, smacked him on the butt, then pushed him into the hall.

“I’ll call you tomor—”

She closed the door in the Supreme Court Justice’s face. “Really, Franks, was that necessary?”

He came out of the bathroom. “Hello, Lanoth.”

“For you, big fella, it’s just Lana.” She turned a lamp on. Humans would consider her to be breathtaking, but that was just to help with her soul-taking. It wasn’t like you could pin down the age of a succubus, because they simply appeared as whatever age their selected prey found most desirable. The judge must have like them in their mid twenties . . . and buxom. Tonight she was a tall, big-breasted blonde. Her dress was undone and dangling from one shoulder, but she didn’t bother to adjust it. Succubi weren’t known for their modesty. Lana gave him a sultry smile, then hurried and licked her teeth to make sure they weren’t still sharp. “What is this, some sort of surprise inspection? It’s not like I was going to eat him . . . literally.”

“Were you going to take his soul?”

“That shriveled thing? What would I do with a soul like that anyway? Politicians’ souls are so devalued that I couldn’t buy a decent pair of heels with what I could get for that one.” She was indignant. “If this is some sort of shakedown, we’re consenting adults.”

Like most humans would consent if they knew they were with a minor demon . . . except he had met plenty of human males who were dumb enough to willingly hook up with a succubus. Humans could be remarkably shortsighted like that. Franks didn’t need to say anything. He just raised an eyebrow.

“Semantics.” Lana waved one hand dismissively. “I earned my PUFF exemption years ago. I’m allowed to date. I’ve kept my part of the deal.”

Franks snorted.

“Okay, I was going to steal some of his life, but not enough that anyone would notice. Just a little. So he croaks a couple years faster than he normally would have. You know I’m worth it,” Lana purred.

“Uh huh . . .” Franks walked over to the wall and lifted a picture frame, revealing a hidden camera. He’d already swept the hotel suite. “There’s two more in the bedroom.”