“I’m sorry,” he repeated, and left.

  6

  One month later, Randy MacGregor smiled as Bones approached. “Hey, Cris. You made it!”

  Cris was the name Bones had given Randy since he didn’t want his own name bandied about in the wrong circles. Danny had learned the hard way that, sometimes, vampires were listening when you spoke even if you weren’t talking to one of them.

  Bones snorted as he took the seat opposite Randy at the bar’s high-top table. “Come now, I don’t cancel every time.”

  “Fifty-fifty,” Randy said, but he was still smiling.

  Randy’s affable nature was why Bones had struck up a friendship with the human after their initial chance encounter. Well, that and how Randy knew nothing about Cat, Bones’s search, or any other painful topics. To Randy, Bones was merely a friendly vampire, and that was enough for him due to his admitted fascination with “the unusual.”

  For Bones, drinks and a chin wag with someone utterly unconnected to his real life was…relaxing. Besides, Randy reminded Bones of a younger version of his mate, Ted, with how both were computer prodigies. The only difference was that Randy made his living legally as a software programmer and designer, and Ted’s hacker skills were a bit less legal. Now, Bones and Randy were neighbors, too, of a sort. Randy lived in Richmond, and Bones had moved to Richmond last month. Cat was somewhere in Virginia. If he had to go door to door, he’d find her.

  Not that Bones would need such drastic measures. Cat’s secret boss was no longer so secret. The sod might have scrubbed the internet of any information about him, but no one’s trail could be completely erased. That’s why Bones sent dozens of members of his line to libraries all across Ohio and Virginia. For weeks, they’d scrolled through old newspapers on microfilm looking for anything they could find on Max. Yesterday, those efforts paid off. Max’s human identity was found, and it was tied to the same man who’d snatched Cat up over four years ago.

  “I propose a toast,” Bones said when Randy slid a glass of whisky across the table. Randy had ordered one for him even though he hadn’t been sure Bones would show up since chasing down leads had led him to cancel more than a few times.

  Randy’s brows went up, but he said, “Sure. Who are we toasting to?”

  Bones raised his glass. “To Don Williams.”

  The founder and head of a covert branch of “Homeland Security” that hunted the rogue undead using a captured half-vampire as their lead fighter. The notion was so ludicrous that no one would believe it even if word did leak, but it wouldn’t. Don’s operation was bankrolled by one of the military’s many dark money slush funds, and those had no public accountability.

  “Don Williams,” Randy said before touching his glass to Bones’s. Then, Randy flashed a wide grin. “Since we’re toasting, I have one, too. This one’s for Denise.”

  Bones clinked glasses with a knowing smile. “Denise is the owner of the perfume you’re now covered with, I presume?”

  Randy laughed. “I forgot how you can smell things like that. Yeah. She’s amazing. We met two weeks ago, and last night, I…never mind. You’ll say I’m crazy like everyone else did.”

  “Will I?” Bones said, his raised brows adding, try me.

  Randy took off his glasses and cleaned them even though there hadn’t been a spot on the lenses.

  “I know it’s too fast,” he said, as if heading off arguments Bones hadn’t made yet. “Two weeks is barely time to get to know someone, let alone commit to them, there’s no reason to rush, we’re both young, we have our whole lives ahead of us, blah, blah, blah.” His gaze turned defiant. “I don’t care. Last night, I asked Denise to marry me, and she said yes.”

  The smallest smile touched Bones’s mouth. How well he remembered feeling the same wild, reckless joy that simmered beneath Randy’s defiant expression.

  “Congratulations,” Bones said, clinking his glass to Randy’s.

  Randy stared at him. “I can’t tell if you’re mocking me or being serious.”

  “Quite serious,” Bones said, clinking his glass again.

  Randy still gave him a suspicious look, even if he couldn’t stop the smile spreading across his lips.

  “Then you’re literally the only person to congratulate us so far. Both our families are appalled because of the short time frame, not to mention how I’m Catholic and Denise is Jewish, but I guess nothing shocks someone like you, huh?”

  Bones leaned forward. “No, nothing does, but if there’s one thing my long life has taught me, it’s that not everything is about length of time. So, mate, don’t bother about how long you’ve known this girl if you love her. Time has no dominion over love.” His tone thickened as memories raked him. “Love is the one thing that transcends time.”

  Randy blinked rapidly before he looked away, as if Bones hadn’t already caught the new sheen to Randy’s eyes. Yes, sometimes it meant the world to a person simply to not have someone stomp on your feelings just because they disagreed with them.

  Then, Randy put his glasses back on and got off his bar stool. “Brace yourself, big guy. You’re getting a hug.”

  Bones got down and returned the embrace, saying “Congratulations” again because Randy obviously needed to hear it.

  When Randy pulled away, he had a shy but pleased smile. “I know we haven’t known each other that long, either, but since you’re probably the only person who won’t stand up and wave their arms when the justice of the peace asks if anyone objects to this union…want to come to the wedding next month?”

  Bones clapped Randy on the shoulder. “Love to.”

  Randy beamed, and then a crafty expression crossed his features. “Good, because my two cousins are refusing to come, I only have one brother, and my best friend is filling the other groomsman spot, but Denise has three bridesmaids, and she wanted the same number of groomsmen, so…got a tux, too?”

  Bones laughed. “I do indeed, and I’d be honored to be one of your groomsmen.”

  Randy hugged him again before taking his seat and signaling for the bartender. “Then, Cris, this round is definitely on me.”

  7

  Bones was too busy to think about Randy’s upcoming nuptials until four days before the wedding, when he was once again meeting him for drinks. This time, Randy was the one running late, probably because he’d spent the day moving his belongings into Denise’s house. Bones had offered to help, but Randy said that his fiancé had enough people to assist.

  “Need another whisky, my love?” the blonde bartender cooed, leaning across the bar until her low-cut top dipped even lower.

  “Not now,” Bones said, looking at her eyes instead of the bounty she offered. “I will take a Blue Moon, though.”

  Randy’s latest beverage preference. Bones would have a drink waiting for him for a change.

  “I just love your accent,” the bartender said with an exaggerated shiver. “Makes everything you say so yummy.”

  Her flattery was wasted on him. He already tipped well, and she was getting nothing else despite her telling him when she got off work and how lonely she’d been lately.

  Bones’s mobile rang with an unfamiliar number. Not unusual. His people changed their phones frequently, and he had several of them working on finding Don’s secret base of operations. He might now know who the man was, but he hadn’t located him. Yet.

  “Have to take this,” Bones said in polite dismissal, ignoring the lingering smile the bartender gave him. “Hallo?”

  “Crispin.” Charles’s uppercrust tone managed to convey a mountain’s weight of disappointment into the single word. His aristocratic ancestors would be so proud. “Now, at least, I know you’re still alive. Pity I had to trick you by ringing you from a different number to acquire that knowledge.”

  “Don’t be dramatic,” Bones said. “It’s only been a few months since we’ve last spoken.”

  “A year,” Charles instantly replied.

  Bones sighed. Probably true. “Apologies, but silence better serves our friendship than fighting, which was where this conversation is doubtless headed. Besides, I’m sure Annette gave you a full report about me after you sent her to me in April.”

  Charles didn’t bother denying it. All he said was, “I’m in the States now. Just arrived three days ago.”

  “Enjoy your visit,” Bones said coolly.

  Charles made an exasperated sound. “Are you really intending not to see me?”

  He wasn’t playing this game. “If you persist in chiding me like a child for my choices, no, I don’t intend to see you.”

  A huff. “I hardly think expressing my legitimate concerns-”

  “And there it is,” Bones cut him off. “Goodbye, mate.”

  “Crispin, you are being unreasonable-”

  Bones’s temper snapped. “My search has only cost me four years when you changed your fiancé’s murderers into vampires so you could torture them for the last century and a half!”

  His voice was louder than it should have been. The bartender’s head whipped around. Blast it, now he’d have to mesmerize her into forgetting that she’d heard that.

  Charles sucked in an audible breath, and he didn’t need to breathe. Regret pierced Bones. Charles might be acting like an ass, but he still shouldn’t have brought up Giselda’s murder.

  “I’m sorry,” Bones said. “That was uncalled for. It’s also why silence is better between us now. I’m too raw and you’re too convinced that you’re right, so we only end up wounding each other. When things change, I’ll welcome seeing you again.”

  A pause, and then Charles said in a quiet tone, “What if they don’t change? What if you never find her, Crispin?”

  “I will,” Bones said, catching sight of Randy as he entered the bar. “Now, I have to go. My friend just arrived.”

  “Glad to hear you still have those,” Charles said when a familiar honey-and-cream scent suddenly seared Bones’s senses. Good Christ, that was Cat’s scent! Thick, heady, and coming right toward him.

  “Hey, Cris,” Randy said, bringing that scent even closer.

  Bloody fucking hell, Randy was covered in it!

  Bones flew to him, not caring that Randy backed up in shock. Then, Bones grabbed him and inhaled, taking in even more of the intoxicating aroma coming from Randy’s clothes.

  “Where is she?” Bones demanded.

  “Where’s who?” Randy sputtered. “And, wow, that hurts!”

  He’d forgotten to check his strength. Bones released Randy, and he dropped a foot and stumbled back.

  Bones caught him, slamming ice over his seething emotions. Either Randy knew far more about Cat than he was letting on, or he was as clueless as his expression indicated. Either way, Bones had to tread carefully. Randy couldn’t be mesmerized.

  He laughed even though he was screaming inside. “Sorry, mate. Got here early and drank more than my fair share of whisky, I’m afraid. Even made me think I smelled an old friend on you, but now, I realize that I was wrong.”

  “Oh.” Randy appeared mollified, but he winced as he rubbed his arms. “I didn’t know that you, uh, could get drunk.”

  He couldn’t on anything that a human bar served, but Randy’s ignorance of vampires was to Bones’s advantage now.

  Bones threw a hundred-dollar bill on the countertop and affected a sheepish expression. “Yeah, enough whisky will do even my kind dirty. In fact, why don’t we go to your place instead of staying here? Don’t think I should drink more.”

  “Sure,” Randy said without hesitation. “Denise is getting dinner with a friend after her fitting, so we’ll have the house to ourselves. I know a great place that delivers, too.”

  “Smashing,” Bones said before adding, “Who’s this friend?”

  “Cristine,” Randy replied. “She’s Denise’s maid of honor. She helped move my stuff into the house today, and wow, is she strong! Guess she’d need to be, with her job.”

  “What job is that?” Bones said while thinking Cristine. Local to Richmond. Best mates with Denise. Bloody hell, he’d have Cat’s address tonight with such a bounty of facts!

  “FBI,” Randy replied. “Cool, right?”

  “Very,” Bones managed, unable to keep the hoarseness from his voice. This had to be Cat! Every piece fit.

  “Best if you drive,” Bones said, leading Randy toward the door. “Just have to grab something from my ride first.”

  “Sure,” Randy said, oblivious.

  Pity that Bones had to dose him, but Randy needed to quickly fall asleep and forget this conversation. A pinch of the chemicals Bones had in his glove box should accomplish both.

  “Ready?” Randy said after Bones met him at Randy’s car.

  “More than,” Bones replied. Just not for the take-out food and male bonding that Randy thought was about to happen.

  Soon, Kitten. Very soon.

  8

  Four hours later, Bones hid behind an electricity pole in one of Richmond’s many residential neighborhoods. At one in the morning, the streets were so empty and quiet that he could hear snores from people sleeping in the nearby homes.

  That’s how he heard the car blocks before it turned onto this street. The black Volvo SUV slowed as it approached the cul-de-sac, and then parked in front of a blue house with white trim. Moments later, a woman hopped out. Her back was to him, but Bones didn’t need to see her face to know his search was over. Moonlight danced across Cat’s bare arms as if envious of her skin’s faint luminescence, and her silhouette showed off her lithe limbs and ripe curves as if taunting him.

  Bones gripped the wooden pole concealing him. He’d thought nothing could compare to what he felt when he snuck inside her house and her scent enveloped him from every angle, but this…

  Cat’s head suddenly whipped around.

  Bones ducked behind the pole. His aura was locked down, and he hadn’t made a sound. What had attracted her attention, then?

  A glimpse revealed Cat stretching her hands as if trying to grasp something unseen in the air. Bones stiffened. She might be feeling traces of his aura from when he’d first come to her house. He hadn’t locked it down then because she hadn’t been there. Had he left too much of it behind?

  At least she wouldn’t be able to scent him. Her nose was the only part of Cat that hadn’t been supernaturally enhanced. She also shouldn’t be able to see him since he was two blocks away. Just in case she somehow felt his gaze, he looked away.

  No sounds for several minutes. Each second grated across Bones’s nerves. Finally, he heard faint footfalls, and they weren’t coming closer. He risked a glance and saw that Cat was now headed inside her house. Moments later, the front door shut, and he heard her say “Hey, Helsing,” to her kitty.

  That kitty was the only other occupant of the house. Furthermore, the only pictures Cat had were of her mum, Denise, and Helsing. If she had someone special in her life, he hadn’t reached photo-displaying status.

  But she also lacked cameras in or around her property, and he’d worn a full ski mask anticipating those. His scanner also hadn’t picked up any recording devices in or around her house, so if Cat was still being monitored by her boss, then Don was doing it by bloody satellite.

  Annette’s words rang in Bones’s mind. Even before you left her that watch, if she truly wanted to contact you, she could have…her silence is her message. It states her preferences quite clearly…

  So it would seem. But if Cat no longer cared, why had she kept the car? That black Volvo had been his Christmas present to her several years ago. And why had she spared Ian? And why, out of every name in the world, had she chosen that alias?

  Bones had searched for Cat under countless variations of her name, her mum’s name, her grandparents’ names, their parents’ names, and so on since people usually picked some iteration of their family’s names for an alias. Not Cat, as he’d found out a few hours ago. She’d been living under the name Cristine Russell-and Russell was the surname name that Bones had been born with almost two hundred and fifty years ago.

  Even though he longed to fly through Cat’s window and get his answers from her in person, he wouldn’t be that rash. Cat would only see him when he was sure that Don wouldn’t be able to whisk her off into the smoke once more.

  Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

  Besides, he had another member of the Crawfield family to renew his acquaintance with first.

  Sunlight streamed through the bay windows as Bones entered the house on the other side of town. The statuesque brunette inside didn’t see him. Her back was to Bones as she considered two dresses. One was a washed-out beige frock with a high-necked collar and stiff lines, and the other was a shoulder-baring, Greco-style purple dress with a slit past the knee.

  “Oh, the purple one, definitely,” Bones said.

  Justina Crawfield whirled. For a second, her blue gaze only registered shock, not recognition. To be fair, the last time she’d seen him, his hair had been short and platinum blond, and now it was his natural brown shade and brushed past his collar.

  “Hallo, Justina,” Bones drawled. “Miss me?”

  At once, rage mottled her features. “You!” she shouted, and swung at him with both fists.

  Bones grabbed her wrists before her blows landed.

  “None of that, now, and no biting,” he added when she instantly tried to gnaw his fingers away from her arm. “Really, who’s the human and who’s the vampire here?”

  “Animal!” she screamed.

  “Quiet,” Bones replied, unleashing the power in his gaze.

  Justina’s mouth snapped shut. Then, her eyes bulged when she tried to speak and couldn’t.

  “Should’ve done that years ago,” Bones muttered.

  She kicked him. Bones considered letting her continue since she was only hurting herself, but that would be petty.

  “Stop that,” he ordered. “Now, sit down, and only speak when I ask you something.”

  Justina sat on the edge of her bed. Her scent was so acrid from rage that she smelled more like a burned-down building than a woman. Bones would pity her, if she hadn’t nearly ruined Cat’s life while also doing a damn fine job of ruining his.