“That’s horrible.”

Baojia shrugged. “It was reality. But I became very depressed. I considered going back to China, but my parents wrote me and told me that I should stay. They needed me to continue sending money for them, and there were no jobs in the village that paid what I was making. I was… angry. I felt very alone. And there were very few women here—no Chinese women, anyway—who would want to marry a laborer like me. So I had no hope of a family or children. I was an income to them. That was all.”

Her heart ached for him. He had wanted a normal life. Wanted a family and a future. But instead…

“They didn’t deserve you.”

“I’m sure they didn’t see it that way. They were doing what they needed to survive. I can’t blame them for that.”

She could. No one should be taken for granted the way he had been. But she dropped it and asked, “Why did you become a vampire?”

“Ernesto had ships. He did trade in China. And he wanted me to be his guard.” Baojia shrugged. “So, he offered to make sure my parents and brother and sister had safe passage to San Francisco and the start of a new life if I would become his child. It was a trade. I didn’t have to say yes.”

Natalie had her own doubts about that, but she let Baojia speak.

“I agreed. He paid for my family’s passage and gave them the money I had saved, and I became his vampire. He was certain I would be very powerful because of my speed and skill as a human. He was correct.”

“And your human family?” She reached out and stroked his face. He leaned into her touch, closing his eyes in pleasure.

“They still live in San Francisco. There are many of them now.” He opened proud eyes. “They have been very successful.”

“Do they know about you?”

He shook his head. “No. I have monitored them through the years, but not closely. It would not be wise.”

“You sacrificed a lot for them.”

“Yes.” He narrowed his eyes. “But don’t make me a martyr. It was difficult at first, but I like being a vampire. I like the power, Natalie. Even if there are costs. And I like being feared by my enemies. Being feared means those I protect are safer. I would not want to be anything else.

She shivered at his words but didn’t look away. “I know.”

“Do you?” He moved over her, locking his eyes with hers as his fangs grew long. His knee spread her legs and he settled against her, letting his amnis tease over her skin until she thought she could burst from a single touch. Baojia had barely moved, and she was already panting. “I am not a good man. I have not been one for a very long time.”

“I don’t agree.”

“You’re still getting to know me.”

Her chin lifted and she reached up to bite his chin as he growled low in his throat. “I know enough.”

“Are you sure?”

There was desire in his eyes, but even more, there was challenge, and for the second time in as many nights, Natalie said yes.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Baojia woke with the instinctual knowledge that she was not near him. Her scent lingered, but it was faint. She had been gone for hours. He sat up and quickly and pulled on his weapons. Knives strapped to worn holsters at his thighs. A thin knife went into the waistband of the pants he pulled on, along with another at his ankle. His dress shirt was black, loose enough for movement, and tailored specifically for his body. He grimaced when he buttoned it. He’d have to find a new tailor in… wherever he ended up going. Giovanni’s offer of an introduction to Katya in San Francisco teased the back of his brain.

The thought of returning to Northern California appealed to him. He preferred the cooler, misty weather along the northern coast, as well as the quieter feel of the population. Southern California had been his home for over 120 years, but it had never quite fit.

She had a father in Northern California; they didn’t speak. He needed to find out why.

He picked up a pencil and punched in the code he’d programmed the night before, then took the note he’d left for Natalie with the numbers. He’d have to burn it before dawn and program another. Part of him wished he could take her to his own place downtown, with its familiar surroundings and ironclad security, but he knew it wasn’t possible. He’d have to arrange for his things to be brought from San Diego and stored somewhere until he knew where to go. He’d already called his personal banker to confirm that his domestic and offshore accounts were secure and had not been tampered with. He didn’t think Ernesto would try anything, but then his sire hadn’t been behaving normally, had he?

So many details…

As if on cue, Caspar appeared at the end of the corridor.

“Ah, Baojia. How are you this evening?”

He nodded at the older gentleman. “I am well. Thank you, Caspar. And how are you and Isadora? I’ve been meaning to ask, has she had any further problems with her heart? I know it was an issue last year.”

Caspar smiled graciously. “The new medication seems to have solved the blood pressure problem. Thank you for asking. And if I may…”

He frowned. “Yes?”

“May I be of any assistance to you? I don’t know all the details, but I am aware that you’ll be making some changes. I have a full roster of trusted human contacts who might be able to facilitate some of the more… practical details.”

It was as if an angel had appeared in front of him with graying hair and a Savile Row suit. “Caspar, I cannot tell you how helpful that would be. I have a home in Coronado I need to empty and another downtown. The downtown house will be more problematic. And I’ll need to arrange for storage.”