“I may understand you, Ivan. But don’t think we are the same,” he said quietly.

“I would never make that mistake, my friend.”

“Did the cartel know?”

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Carlos had disappeared. Rory was gone. He hadn’t caught a whiff of any tempting waitresses on the way in. Ivan had indeed learned a lesson in caution.

“You were operating right under their nose, but they didn’t even get a cut. Plausible deniability? Or were they truly unaware?”

Ivan’s smile grew wider. “If I was conducting any business without their permission… hypothetically…”

“Of course.”

“Then I’d hardly worry about them listening to rumors, would I? Things could get…” He winced dramatically. “So complicated. No one would want that. Why, then they’d have to find someone else to run this territory and clean up their messes, wouldn’t they? And they’d have to admit that someone was more clever than them.”

“Hypothetically.”

Ivan raised both eyebrows innocently. “Of course.”

“And Juarez?”

Ivan shrugged. “Such an odd situation. Who knows what is happening there? It could be any number of things. So often, people make assumptions. Especially humans.”

So Ivan had used the Juarez murders as a cover. And the human police were still looking for the connection between the two. As far as Baojia was concerned, they could keep looking. He was confident they would find nothing pointing to either Ivan or himself.

Ivan said, “It’s so strange how things work out sometimes, isn’t it?”

“How so?”

“If I were involved with something as hypothetically damaging as murdered women—”

“And human hunts?”

“So you say. And if someone were to clean up all the loose ends for me… Kill everyone involved, for instance. Whoever did that would be doing me a favor.” Ivan’s friendly gaze grew keen. “No one to spread lies. It would leave me… quite blameless. Hypothetically.”

Baojia leaned forward. “Wherever has Carlos run off to?”

Ivan shook his head sadly. “I’m afraid my first might have been involved with some rather unsavory characters. I’ve already reported it to my sire. I do hope he can be found, but I’m not terribly optimistic.”

“Such a shame to lose valuable people.”

“I’m sure your sire thinks the same thing.”

Baojia leveled his gaze at Ivan. “I’m sure my sire will be fine. He is already shoring up his defenses with all the activity happening along the border. Nicolas is taking over my position since I am moving.”

“How very fortunate for Ernesto. He’s a good man.”

Ivan didn’t look pleased, which was exactly what Baojia was hoping for. He’d used Beatrice’s influence over Ernesto to put his chosen successor in a more powerful position. As much as he wanted to cut ties with his sire, he could not, in good conscience, leave the southern border unguarded. He’d trained Nicolas himself.

Warning Ivan off Ernesto’s people was only part of the reason he’d come down for a visit. He was also following up with Father Andrade. The priest, despite their fears, was still healthy and helping the poorest in Ensenada. Carwyn had been worried when the man hadn’t called, but in the end, it appeared a simple wrong number had led to the mix-up.

It was always the most unexpected things.

Ivan took a deep breath. “The last few months have been rather messy, haven’tsy, have they?”

“Nothing we’re not used to.” He scooted forward. He’d found out the truth about Juarez—as far as Ivan was concerned. He’d warned the cartel that Ernesto’s people would be well guarded. And he’d checked on the priest for Carwyn. Baojia was ready to leave.

A hint of temper lit Ivan’s gaze. “Does it bother you to go to work for someone else who will just expect you to clean up their messes?”

Baojia paused. “I work for whom I choose. I do not have your ambition, Ivan.”

Ivan shrugged. “There are some who might see ambition as a virtue. They might appreciate immortals with talent, such as ourselves.”

“Because we’re so much alike?”

The vampire turned a seductive grin on Baojia. “We’re more alike than different. Whether you’ll admit it or not.”

Baojia smiled and stood. “So you say. I need to go now. It was interesting to see you.” Both vampires stood, neither holding out a friendly hand to shake. Baojia began walking away.

“Baojia?” Ivan called.

“Yes?”

“When you get tired of other people’s problems, let me know.”

“We’re not alike, Ivan. Don’t fool yourself.” And I have promised to kill you myself. It won’t be tonight, but I do not break my promises.

Ivan only smiled, as if he could hear the challenge in Baojia’s thoughts. “I’ll see you soon.”

He turned and looked over his shoulder. Ivan was still standing, hands in pockets, face in a mask of polite deference. Perhaps they were more alike than he’d thought before, because Baojia doubted most would recognize the anger and pain that burned beneath Ivan’s piercing stare.

“Yes,” he said quietly. “I’ll see you soon.”

Baojia left. He walked down the stairs and out the door without a single look back. He listened for his car’s distinctive pitch and followed it, tapping on the window so Luis would unlock it. Then he ducked in and relaxed into the seat, letting out a long, relieved breath.