“We’ve tried making profiles before.” This announcement came from Santiago. “The guy won’t bite—”
“He bit me.” On the Web and in the flesh. “And I can get him to take another bite. Just give me some time.”
“I don’t like this plan,” Sam said very clearly.
Yeah, but what was new with that? If there was any chance of danger to her, Sam would never be on board with her idea.
But he wasn’t the one making the call on this. Miranda held Cain’s gaze and waited.
After a moment, he gave a slow nod. “You’ll have your time, Miranda.”
“What?” Santiago barked. “But we’ve had plants on—”
“Miranda’s the real thing, Santiago. If we don’t track him in the feeding rooms, and he goes back online to find prey, he’ll find her.” A pause. “And we’ll be waiting for him.”
Sam snorted. “Like you were last time? ’Cause that worked out so well.”
Cain turned his stare on him. “He won’t get away from me again.” A vow.
Miranda believed him.
“If you’re going to Miami,” Santiago said, “you’d better hurry and get your asses on the road.”
The feeding room was waiting.
Cain moved until he stood at her side. “Are you sure you’re up for this?”
Hell, no. Her lips parted. “Yes.” It felt like she’d been living most of her life on the sidelines, watching others live and take chances.
Now it was her turn.
Cain lifted his hand. “Then let’s go, baby, and I’ll show you a whole new world.”
Of blood and death.
She placed her palm in his, lifted her chin, and pretended that her knees weren’t shaking as they left the station and headed for hell.
Seven
Just after eleven p.m., Miranda walked past the doors of one of the biggest feeding rooms in Florida. Her head was held high, her walk was confident, a little cocky even, her skin pale, and her skirt a bit too short for Cain’s peace of mind.
The guards stationed at the doors didn’t hesitate. They waved her right inside, as they’d been doing with all the attractive human women he’d seen in the last hour.
Time for him to make his move.
Cain sauntered across the street. Headed for the door. The place wasn’t located in the trendy, tourist area of Miami. It was hidden on the broken backstreets, in a building that looked like it could be torn down by the city at any moment.
The male guards stiffened when he approached. Their scents marked them as humans, and if he played his cards right, the guys wouldn’t realize he didn’t belong in their little death trap until it was too late.
He flashed fangs, just the edge of his teeth, and never slowed his steps. Closer inspection would show the differences between his shifted teeth and those of a vampire.
But he wasn’t going to give the humans time for that inspection.
He grabbed the handle of the door and stalked inside.
The security at the place was shit. Most feeding rooms had a hell of a lot better protection to keep the “undesirables” out.
Undesirables like him.
Miranda was at the bar. Already, several vamps were glancing her way. His gaze focused solely on her, and he cut a quick path through the crowd of humans and vampires.
The humans were there because they liked the thrill of walking with death.
The vamps were there because they either wanted to screw the humans or to drain them.
Miranda’s back was to him. He reached out, grabbed her shoulder, and spun her around.
Her breath jerked out and her eyes widened. “What are you—”
“Dance with me.” Cain didn’t give her time to refuse. Holding her wrist tightly, he pulled her behind him and onto the small dance floor. He could feel the gazes on him now, the awareness. A vamp’s sense of smell was much more acute than a human’s, and all the vampires there would know that he was different.
He’d once heard that shifters smelled like animals. Maybe they did.
Either way, the vamps would detect that smell and know he was different, and because he’d claimed Miranda’s sweet body earlier that day, some of the older vamps might even be able to catch his scent on her.
“Uh, Cain?” Her nails dug into his shoulders. “This isn’t exactly part of the plan.”
Damn, but the woman felt good in his arms. “Plan changed a bit.” He lowered his head, nuzzled her neck. He loved the way she smelled there, at that sweet spot where her pulse raced. The vampires were watching so closely, their stares weighed on him.
But at least now they’d understand why his scent was on Miranda. They’d attribute it to the dance.
And not to the sex.
“I’m gonna kiss you,” he told her, lowering his hands to her hips and bringing her flush against the arousal he always seemed to have when she was near. A band played near the far back of the building, a drumming beat that matched the fire in his blood.
Her eyes were so damn blue. And her honeysuckle scent was calling to him like a beacon in the room that reeked of blood.
“This isn’t the way to get the vamps to open up and talk to me.”
His head lowered toward hers. He could already taste her. “No, but I want your mouth.” So bad he was starting to ache. “And in about thirty seconds, when you slap me as hard as you can, you’ll have the undivided attention of every vamp in the room.”
Her eyes widened right before he took her lips. His tongue thrust deep. Slid over hers. The light flavor of her filled his mouth. Oh, yes, this was exactly what he wanted. Her nipples stabbed against his chest, pebble-hard and tight, and the creamy scent from her sex rose to tease his nostrils as—
Miranda jerked her mouth away from his. Shoved her arms between them and broke free of his hold. Then the lady did just as he’d directed. She drew back her hand and hit him.
He heard the gasp from those who’d been watching. Tension hummed in the air. Some knew what he was. Shifter. He’d caught the whispers moments before.
The vamps would be hungry for his reaction. Would he strike back? Turn tail and run?
Neither. Cain lifted his chin, smiled at her, and said, “Baby, if you thought screwing with an animal was bad, you don’t know what’s waiting for you.” His voice was pitched to carry across the crowd.
She shook her head and threw herself into the little drama they’d created. “I know what’s waiting.” Her hand swept around the room. “And it’s gonna be a damn sight better than what I had.”
His eyes narrowed at that. Okay, so his little human was a good actress. He’d held back on warning her about this little scene because he hadn’t wanted her to waste time worrying about what would happen. Or trying to analyze and plot out her performance.
In his undercover situations in the past, he’d found that a fast, gut response always came across as more genuine.
He hadn’t realized that Miranda would shine so in the spotlight.
“Now, if you don’t mind,” she said, and her voice could have dripped icicles, “I’d like for you to get the hell out of my way.”
His gaze held hers. Hunger beat at him because the woman was just so beautiful standing there, head thrown back, face taunting and angry.
Oh, yeah, damn good actress.
As he took a deliberately grudging step out of her way, he realized their little show had taught him a lesson he hadn’t expected.
He didn’t want Miranda to look at him with anger.
And he sure as hell didn’t want to ever have to step aside so that she could go to another.
Shifters weren’t designed to give up their mates. Not without one hell of a fight.
He snarled and slunk away into the shadows as the beat of the music flared harder.
By the time she got back to the bar, two vampires were waiting for her. Miranda’s heart rate sped up at the sight of the men. Both were blond, pale, and wearing smiles that made her blood ice.
&nbs
p; “You were right to leave him,” the one on the left said, letting his gaze sweep over her body. He licked his lips, thin lips that, paired with his angular face and hollowed cheeks, gave him a harsh, almost cruel appearance. “Their kind doesn’t know how to treat human women.”
Like vampires did? ’Cause having her blood sucked out of her was just exactly what she’d imagined for her dream date.
“Have a seat.” The second guy indicated the bar stool between them. “I promise, we won’t bite—yet.” His face was a bit softer than the other vamp’s, but his eyes were already in that creepy black mode. Hunting mode, that’s what Cain had called it. He’d said their eye color darkened to black when they were about to fight or feed. Or fuck.
Since she was supposed to be into the scary shit instead of disgusted, Miranda smiled at the men and strolled forward. She eased onto the bar stool and let her skirt drift up an inch or two.
They were undead, but they were still men.
The hunger that lit their faces told her they were men who could still be stirred by a woman.
“I was actually supposed to meet a friend here tonight,” she murmured, tapping her index finger to her lips. Slowly, she swung around on the bar stool until she faced the crowd. Her gaze shifted around the room, as if she were searching for someone—
And found Cain’s bright stare locked on her.
She swallowed and kept her expression light and flirtatious.
He was watching out for her, guarding her back.
And looking like he’d seriously enjoy ripping the vampires apart.
“Another friend like the bastard shifter?” asked the blond on the right with a trace of disgust.
“Oh, no.” She turned her gaze to him but then glanced quickly away. Cain had warned her to be careful with the vampires. Apparently, the older ones could use some kind of hypnosis thing called Thrall to control humans and some of the Other. “Paul is a vampire.” Tossing them what she hoped was a secretive smile, she admitted, “Paul Roberts is the one who turned me on to vampires.”
“Then you must have a serious taste for pain, my dear.” The deep voice, accented with an Irish brogue, came from a few feet away. Miranda jerked her gaze over to the stranger. A tall, muscled guy with brown hair and sky-blue eyes stared back at her, arms crossed over his chest. “Paul Roberts is a twisted prick who gets off from torturin’ women. Human women.” A pause. “Now is that really your idea of a good time, Miranda Shaw?”
Oh, hell, he knew her name.
His stare shifted to the vampires. “Leave.”
Two against one, like that was going to work—
They left. Irish smiled at her then, flashing those vamp teeth. He took the stool next to her and brought his legs close to hers, so close she could feel the muscled threat of his body. “The performance was very good, you know. Fooled most of the idiots here.”
As fear began to trickle up her throat, Miranda studied the vampire before her. Handsome. Classically so, really, but with eyes that seemed to be ancient.
And maybe he was.
“Ah, here comes our brave bodyguard, rushing to the rescue.”
She didn’t look, but she knew Cain was on his way.
The vampire smiled at her. “Why are you really here, human? Not for the fucking. And I don’t think you like the idea of yourself as food.”
No, she didn’t. Not one damn bit. She dropped her act and got down to business. “Paul Roberts attacked me a little over a week ago.” The guy in front of her might not particularly give a damn about her attack. Hell, he probably couldn’t care less. Were all vampires sadistic killers?
“Um…” He turned slightly on the stool. Gazed at two women who were dancing nearby.
No, he didn’t look overly concerned.
“He’s killed four other women.” Christie’s still face flashed through her mind. “I want to stop him.”
The vampire turned his attention back to her. “Do you now? Easier said than done, I’d wager.” He reached out and touched her cheek. “Even for a tempting one like you.”
“Get your hands off her, Sullivan.” Cain stood beside them, body tense.
“Ah, relax, shifter. I’m not going to hurt your pretty.” Taking his time, he withdrew his hand.
“What the hell are you doing here, Sullivan? I thought you went back across the damn ocean—”
“I did.” A little shrug. “Got bored.” A brow lifted. “And I thought you had given up the crime fighting? What happened? Did you decide life without the kill just wasn’t worth living?”
Okay. She didn’t like the sound of that. Miranda stood, placing her body between the two men. “He decided to save my life.”
“Um. A life certainly worth saving.”
Yeah, she liked to think so. “We’re trying to stop Paul Roberts. Do you know anything that can help us or not?”
“Not,” Cain snapped. “The vamps stick together, he’s not—”
“What have I ever done,” the one called Sullivan asked, cutting through Cain’s words, “that makes you think I condone the killin’ of innocent women? Vampire, I may be.” A delicate pause. “But unlike other of my brethren, and yours, I might add, I don’t get my jollies from tormentin’ the helpless.”
Cain just stared at him.
Sullivan shook his dark head. “And I don’t drain my prey. A sip here or there.” He shrugged. “But no murders. My conscience is clean on that.”
“So you’ll help us?” Miranda pressed. She didn’t know if she believed the guy. Cain seemed damn antagonistic toward him, so no telling what kind of history was between the two men. Now that Cain had crossed back to her side, they were getting either suspicious or downright hateful looks from the other vampires in the room, and some of the humans who were picking up on the tension were starting to throw them dirty stares, too.
They’d need to get the hell out of there, soon.
But first…
“You won’t find Roberts in any of the rooms in Miami, or any other city.” The vampire seemed absolutely certain of that.
“Why not?” Miranda asked.
A smile that showed a lot of fang. “Because the prey here are willing. They want the bites.” His teeth gleamed. “They want it so bad many of them will do anything to feel the plunge of fangs into their flesh.” Sullivan shook his head at her doubting stare. “It’s not always painful, you know. Some of my women have found great pleasure in my kiss.”
Kiss? Is that what he was calling it?
His gaze held hers. “Perhaps I can show you.”
“Sullivan, you’re begging for a beheading,” Cain warned.
“Sorry. Forgot she was taken.”
But Miranda didn’t think the guy had forgotten anything. He just seemed to enjoy pissing off Cain. She tried to get both men back on track, before Cain’s claws decided to show, saying, “If we won’t find him in a feeding room, just where is Roberts?”
“Looking for prey, I’d imagine. He likes to take those who are unwilling. Humans who don’t know just what he is.” He turned a bit to the side, and his fingers tapped against the bar top. “It’s the fear, I think.”
“What?”
“He likes to see the fear in his victim’s eyes right before he takes the bite. It turns him on. Makes that first taste of blood all the sweeter.”
The vampire sounded way too knowledgeable about Paul’s killing technique. She wasn’t aware that she’d eased back from him until she bumped into Cain’s chest. His arm swept over her shoulders and he held her tight.
“You’re not speaking from experience, are you, Sullivan?” Cain asked.
The vampire shook his head, and some of the intensity faded from his gaze. “I told you, that’s not how I get my nourishment.”
But he sure seemed to know an awful lot about a killer’s motivations.
Takes one to know one.
“My sire was like him,” Sullivan said, still drumming his fingers on the bar. “Sadistic bastard. Best move I ever made was
to incinerate his ass.”
Her eyes widened at the almost casual statement.
“Hope you find Roberts and do the same to him, before more innocents die.” He inclined his head. Rose to his feet. Hesitated. “Word is he likes to find his women online. Fancies himself a Casanova of sorts. Picks the best prey, and they never see him coming until it’s too late.”
The vampire tilted his head to the side as he studied Miranda. Then his gaze met Cain’s. “Is he linked with her?”
She felt Cain stiffen behind her. Linked? She didn’t know exactly what that meant, but she sure as hell didn’t like the sound of it.
“If he is,” Sullivan continued, “he’ll always be able to get to her. Always.”
Miranda bit back the questions that sprang to her lips, knowing now wasn’t the time. But the minute she got Cain out of that place…
“Good hunting, shifter,” Sullivan murmured and cast her a last, hooded glance. Then he disappeared into the crowd and Miranda took her first deep breath since she’d approached the two blonds.
“Cain.” She turned to face him.
“We need to get out of here, fast.” He was already moving, dragging her with him and making a beeline for the door. “The natives are about to get damn restless.”
“What?” She was nearly running to keep up with him and her shoulders bumped into people left and right. “Cain, what’s happening—”
A vampire stepped in front of Cain. One of the blonds. His eyes were black. His teeth were sharp and glinting. “Not leaving already, are you, shifter?”
Hell.
“And certainly not with my new little friend.”
Miranda stepped to Cain’s side. Offered a tight smile. “Changed my mind. Decided I’d like to stick with the animal after all.”
His eyes became slits of black rage. “Too damn bad. I’ve decided I want a taste and—”
Cain moved in a blur. Wrapped his right hand around the vampire’s throat and lifted him off the floor. “I’m not in the mood for this shit,” he snarled and tossed the vamp across the room.
The music stopped. All eyes flew to them. There was a rough scraping as chairs were shoved back. Vampires lurched forward and—
When He Was Bad Page 23
