“Natalie, we have to go now.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Baojia was still feeling a sense of unease as he drove away from the Kirbys’ comfortable, secure home. Matt was almost as paranoid as he was about safety, and the human had just become a father. The house had the best security money could buy, complete with surveillance, motion and heat sensors, and an armed guard that Mrs. Kirby probably didn’t know about. It was obvious Matt took no chances with his family. There were only a few places more secure in the city of Los Angeles, and those had systems Baojia had designed himself.

No, it wasn’t Natalie’s safety that had him uneasy. It was the distance in her eyes. It set his teeth on edge. Her silence in the car had annoyed him. Her eagerness to leave his presence at her friend’s house had annoyed him. And the fact that he was so irritated about her mood annoyed him.

“I’m brooding more than the Italian,” he muttered, steering the car toward Long Beach. He hadn’t called or announced his presence in LA. He knew from talking with Rory the night before everything fell apart in Mexico that Ernesto was staying in the house in Long Beach. When Baojia showed up, he’d just have to talk to him. He saw the guard’s eyes widen when his car pulled up.

“Good evening, sir. Is Mr. Al—”

“Open the gate, Jim. He’s not expecting me, but I need to talk to him.”

He stared the human guard down. It only lasted a few minutes. Sad. That was far too easy. The man would have to be replaced. As he parked the car and walked into the house, he noticed all sorts of areas that needed improving.

“Outside perimeter is weak,” he said quietly. “Not enough lighting or guards.”

He brushed past the humans at the door. “Too many humans; not enough vampires.” What the hell was Rory doing?

Baojia knew the minute the real security caught him. Thank God someone was actually working. He was halfway to the library before a real impediment emerged.

“Baojia.” His second-in-command, Nicholas, held up a hand. “Please wait.”

“Ridiculous.” Baojia snorted. “If I was trying to break in and harm him—”

“You’re preaching to the choir on that one,” his former assistant murmured. “But you know there’s not much I can do.”

“I’m glad you’re here, at least. Let him know it’s me and I have to talk to him.”

“You know he won’t be pleased.”

“Of course I do. Which should tell you how serious this is.”

Nick nodded for two younger vampires to come stand on either side of him. “I’ll go announce you.”

“Fine.”

“Please don’t kill the boys if I take too long. They’re new, and I’m still training them.”

He rolled his eyes. “Just go, Nick.”

The younger vampire disappeared toward the library and Nick’s two foot soldiers stared at him in silent awe. At one point, he leaned toward the library, just to see them jump. He was still wearing the twin blades he had taken to Mexico. Nick had forgotten to check him for weapons, which was foolish. He’d have to speak to him about that. A few minutes later, he heard steps coming down the hall and a familiar energy reached out.

“Paula.”

“Hermanito.” She made a quick motion and the two guards departed. “What are you doing here?”

“I have to see him. Is he in the library?”

“What happened at the casino last night? Jared called me in a panic. There was a young woman killed?”

“That’s what I need to speak with him about.”

She looked flustered, which didn’t seem right. “Well, why didn’t you call Rory? If you’d gone through him—”

“Paula, I need to speak to my sire.” His words became clipped. “Is he in the library? I’ll deal with his temper.”

Nick’s voice broke in. “Baojia?”

“Yes?”

“He’s waiting.”

Baojia frowned as Paula stepped away from him. She did not follow him, but turned and walked in the direction of her office. He smothered the fleeting hope he’d felt for a moment when he’d seen her face. He hadn’t been face-to-face with his sire in almost three years. Baojia had hoped for months the invitation would come. Had hoped he would be forgiven and welcomed back. But he knew whatever eventual homecoming happened, his father would not forgive this impertinence. Baojia had been sent away; it was up to Ernesto to set the terms of his return. By appearing like this, he might never be welcomed back as an honored son.

He took a calming breath. His sire’s reputation and safety were more important than Baojia’s own position. He walked toward his fate with resolve.

When Nick opened the door, Baojia saw him. The rush of affection was natural, the blood in his veins recognized the immortal who had given him life. But layered upon that were years of devotion and respect. “Father?”

Ernesto did not look up from his seat behind his desk.

“Father, I ask your forgiv—”

“Why do you come to my home when you have not been called?”

The sting was immediate and ripping. He swallowed the hard lump in his throat. “I must tell you—”

“There was a human murdered and her body dumped near the Salton City casino. Your brother has already informed me. What did you do with the body? The human authorities should have been contacted. This is not a concern of mine.”