“What exactly was his information?”

It was Jared who answered. “Much like Marge, he doesn’t recall the woman or even remember how he came to work for her, but he once met with her assistants without her. Their appearance match the silhouettes in Marge’s mind of the woman’s ‘lackeys’.”

“Does he know their names?”

“Unfortunately, no,” mumbled Sam. “But the conversation he had with them was interesting. They referred to the woman as their Maker. That means she has a nest of some size, so we’re not dealing with a few rogue Pagoris working alone. Also, the blokes were smartly dressed and rode in a Mercedes. These vampires aren’t like my old Sire, struggling to have money, power, and influence. They already have it. People like that can’t keep a very low profile.”

Jared stuffed his hands in the pockets of his knee-length leather jacket. “When Will asked them why she wasn’t present for a meeting, they responded with: ‘she’s visiting her Sire in Manhattan’.”

“All of that will definitely help the researchers narrow down their search,” I mused, but I wasn’t as appreciative as I should have been. A part of me had selfishly hoped Will had been lying and would be quickly sent home.

“You’re disappointed,” observed Jared.

“Gina’s going to make things hard for Ava.”

Sam snorted. “She’ll try. There isn’t a person on this island who won’t jump to Ava’s defence, if necessary. Not that Ava needs anyone to defend her in any way. I’m willing to bet she can handle that petty little bitch quite well.”

“I agree. I’d just prefer it if she didn’t have to.” I turned to leave, only to have Sam speak again.

“One more thing. I agreed for Will and his two chosen vampires to come here. But I didn’t promise that they’d live.”

Jared smiled. “She leaves a loophole in every promise.”

I nodded. “I’ll remember that.”

Sure that Ava would have returned from her shopping spree by now, I made my way to her apartment. She was chatting on her cell phone when she opened the door. Her welcoming smile hit me right in the groin. I couldn’t resist planting a brief kiss on her very tempting mouth. As a gesture of invitation, she moved aside to let me pass, mouthing ‘Cristiano’.

I hated that asshole. Mostly because he’d warned me away from Ava; even went as far as to conjure a knife and hold it to my throat. So I’d effortlessly wrestled it out of his hand and flung it aside before ordering the useless bag of shit to stay out of my fucking business.

As Ava babbled about the brothel-situation to Cristiano, who had apparently seen Sam and Jared’s announcement on V-Tube, I walked into the living area. I would have taken a seat on the sofa if it wasn’t for the fact that there was no space. “That’s a lot of bags.”

“What? Um, yeah, that was Salem you heard. Why is he in my apartment?” She began worrying her bottom lip, looking panicked. “Um. Well…that’s kind of a long story.”

I heard Cristiano then: “Tell me you’re not seeing that psycho! Didn’t I warn you to stay clear of him?”

She bristled. “I’m not sure I like your tone.”

“Jesus, Ava, are you fucking clueless?”

I snatched the cell from her. “Hello Cristiano,” I drawled. My voice sounded dangerous even to me, which was most likely why Ava made a try for the phone. I dodged her move, shaking my head. That didn’t stop her from lunging for it again.

“You’d better have a damn good platonic reason why you’re in my sister’s apartment.”

“Really? I’m devastated that I can’t provide you with one.”

“You fucking psychopathic bastard!”

“There’s no need for that kind of language.”

“I told you not to touch her!”

“And I told you this has nothing to do with you,” I stated firmly, voice hard.

“It has everything to do with me!”

“Wrong. What happens between me and Ava is our business.”

A growl. “End it! She can do better than a born killer!”

“I won’t dispute that she can do better. But I can’t and won’t give you what you want. Ava’s mine.” She was also amusingly hanging from my arm, doing her best to reach for the phone. I transferred it to my other hand, earning myself a smack on the chest.

“You’ll hurt her –”

A spike of anger shot through my system. “That’s one thing I’d never do.” Apparently there was enough conviction in that statement that not even Cristiano would doubt it, because he instantly quieted.

When he spoke again, his voice was calmer. “Put Ava back on the phone.”

“All right. But if I hear you trying to talk her into walking away from me, I’ll end the call.”

“Interfering bastard,” he muttered.

I grunted. “So she often tells me.” I held out the phone, and she grabbed it with a haughty sniff before backing away.

Her voice was quiet and hesitant. “Hello?”

“Are you sure about this, Ava?”

She looked at me for a long moment before answering. “Yes.”

Good, because she wasn’t going anywhere.

“Why couldn’t you have picked someone…sane?”

She smiled. “He has lucid moments, though they’re few and far between. And he’s a warm, cuddly bear at heart.”

I arched a reproachful brow as I advanced on her. She backed up, giggling. “You’ll pay for that, Ava.”

“What did he say?”

Still backing away, she giggled again. “Nothing. Look, I’m going to have to go.”

“Wait, I’m not –”

I struck quickly, snatching the phone and ending the call. “Warm and cuddly? I don’t fucking think so.”

“The land of denial is a toxic place to live.” She squealed as I suddenly slung her over my shoulder and began striding toward the bedroom. A giggle burst out of her as she demanded, “What are you doing?”

“Demonstrating that I may be many things, but cuddly isn’t one of them.” I dumped her on the bed, and she squealed again. I stared at her, lips pursed. “I wonder if I can get you to make that noise when I’m inside you. Let’s find out.”