Turned (22 page)

Unlikely, she thought sadly.

“Who did it?” she asked.

“Can’t you guess?”

“The Rogues you told me about.”

He nodded. “We’re looking for evidence of why, of exactly who’s involved and what they’re involved in. When we have that information, we’ll shut them down.”

“And protect the FBI in the process,” she added.

No one replied, but they didn’t have to. As a former gang member, Ana knew all about blowback. If one person in a gang messed up, it reflected on the gang as a whole. And once it was lost, street cred wasn’t something easily earned back.

She remembered when she’d first talked to Carly and had speculated that the FBI didn’t want another Waco on their hands. It was obviously a lot more serious than that. Imagine how much credibility the FBI would lose if it came out that they had been playing with vampires they couldn’t control. So yes, this was about the FBI wanting to cover its ass. But for Ty it was about something far more personal. He wanted revenge. For himself and for his sister. She’d bet her life on it.

Feeling her own chest swelling with emotion, she forced herself to keep asking questions. “And Carly?”

“Peter and I worked in the Turning Program together,” Carly responded. “That’s how he knew to contact me after he and Ty managed to escape.”

“Do you and the FBI know how to kill vampires?”

Her question immediately caused a tense silence to fill the room. She suddenly felt the need to apologize, as if she’d somehow insulted Ty and Peter, but that wasn’t the case at all. If vampires couldn’t be killed, then the FBI’s chances of hunting down the Rogues were less than zero. More to the point, how were ordinary humans like her supposed to protect themselves from … 
them?

“We’re compiling information about the vampires, but no, we don’t know how to kill vampires, born or turned. Not yet,” Carly admitted. “We don’t even know how the Rogues turn humans. Ty and Peter had already been turned by the time they regained consciousness. And when the Rogues were working for the FBI, they always insisted the actual turning process be performed in private.”

“Is that the type of intel you’re hoping to get from Salvation’s Crossing?” Ana asked. “And if so, what makes you think anyone inside has it?”

“If we somehow got that information, it would be a miracle, but it’s not one we’re counting on. We want inside Salvation’s Crossing for a specific purpose. We believe Salvation’s Crossing is in league with Rogues who are selling illegal immigrants as blood slaves.”

Ana frowned. “Does that include Ramona Montes and her daughter, Becky?”

“According to our intel, they’re on site, serving some specific purpose.”

“And exactly where does Miguel fit into all this? Are you trying to tell me that he—or for that matter, my
sister—
know
these Rogues and what they’re doing?” She glanced at Ty, wanting to see his expression, but her stomach dropped when he refused to look at her.

“It’s more than that,” Carly said. “We believe that Miguel is running the blood slave program for a group of Rogues. And that he’s doing it with your sister’s help.”

“My …” Ana shook her head and horror filled her voice at what they were implying. It couldn’t be true. It was impossible. More impossible than vampires being real. “You’re wrong. You have to be. Gloria would never do something so vile.”

“We’re not wrong,” Ty said, forcing her attention back to him when that was the last thing she wanted. “I know she’s your sister and you love her, Ana, but—”

“
Pero nada!
Gloria would never do that. Never!”

“People change.”

“Yeah, no kidding,” she snorted. “But you’re wrong.
Acerca de Gloria y acerca de Miguel
.”

“I’m certainly not wrong about Miguel. And your friend Bobbie agrees with me.”

He couldn’t have shocked her more than if … than if … well, than if he’d sprouted wings and turned into a bat. A bloodsucking vampire bat. “Bobbie? Bobbie Hernandez? From my coffee shop?”

“That’s right.”

“But he’s just a kid.”

“They grow up fast in your neighborhood. He wants to be a vampire. And he’s been keeping tabs on you for Miguel.”

“What? You’re crazy!”

“Am I? Because I grant you, I was a little skeptical when Peter raised his theory, too. Until I started looking into it. Do you remember the name Greg Flick?”

“Greg—Greg Flick. He was a prison guard.”

“You accused him of getting too handsy with you, remember?”

“Yeah, so what?”

“Do you know what happened to him?”

“I never saw him again. I assumed he was fired. Or transferred.”

“He was neither. He was killed. One week after you filed your complaint, he was shot during a home invasion. The intruder, however, was never caught.”

“So what? That doesn’t prove anything.”

“After you were released from prison, you rented an apartment in Florida. You had some trouble with the landlord, didn’t you?”

Ana swallowed hard. She reached out to steady herself. Shakily sat down. Then shook her head. “How do you know all this?” she whispered.

“Didn’t you, Ana?”

“Yes, I did.”

“What happened?”

“He claimed I hadn’t paid him rent for two months when I had. He tried to shake me down for more and when I refused to pay, he kicked me out. I—I had to sleep on the streets until I earned enough to get back on my feet.”

“How long was that?”

“Couple weeks.”

“During that time, your landlord was mugged and killed. You want me to continue?”

“Yes,” she said defiantly.

“Okay. How about this? After we wrestled in your coffee shop, I was shot by a cop. An Officer Southcott. Name sound familiar?”

“Oh, God. He came to my house. Told me about Téa.”

“Téa, who died. Téa, who gave us information about you that she wasn’t supposed to give. We think Officer
Southcott paid her a visit, right before he was eliminated himself.”

“He’s dead? But why? How?”

“We think he went behind his boss’s back by visiting you. Everyone who has ever hurt or betrayed you has paid for it, Ana. If I wasn’t a vampire, I’d be dead, too. And I think the man responsible is Miguel. Hell, he probably played a role in getting your prison sentence shortened. Even made sure you got your business loan, despite the fact that you’re an ex-con. I tried checking into it, but the bank gave me the runaround. That in itself was enough to tell me someone had intervened on your behalf. Why not Miguel? He loved you. He still does.”

“Then why hasn’t he come to see me? Why play all these games?”

“Because he made a mistake. One that as a result ensures you’ll never be with him. Not the way he wants.”

“What mistake?”

“He became your sister’s lover.”

The world had gone crazy.

It was all becoming too much for Ana to deal with.

She was vaguely aware that everyone in the room had left. Everyone but Ty.

She looked at the intercom on the table.

“It’s off,” he said. “It’s just the two of us.”

“You say that like it should reassure me,” she said.

He smiled but said nothing, letting her assimilate what he’d told her. Letting her take the lead.

She shook her head. “What you’re saying—I’m sorry, but I don’t believe you. I know you think it’s true, but you’re wrong. I know them.”

“Then prove me wrong.”

She threw up her hands. “How?”

“Help me get to Miguel. If we don’t find anything to back up our intel, I’ll admit defeat.”

“And you’ll leave him and Gloria alone. And me as well.”

The heat in his gaze intensified. “If that’s what you really want. Yes.”

She looked at him. Thank God that even if he couldn’t lie, she could. They were two different people. Two different
species
. She couldn’t trust him. Not when he was so determined to take down what little family she had left. “That’s what I want.”

Ty nodded. “The fund-raiser is in a few days. It all hinges on that. We fly to California this Friday. You want to be left alone? Finish up your training. Help us get what information we can on Miguel. Then convince Miguel we’re legit and get us into Salvation’s Crossing.”

CHAPTER
TWENTY

Ana thought she had been handling the news about Ty
and Peter being vampires remarkably well, but apparently Ty had other surprises in store for her.

“You want me to what?” Ana asked.

She and Ty had just finished sparring on the mats. She was sweaty and tired and cranky, edgy from having Ty’s hands all over her and imagining what he could do with those fangs of his that would hurt only in the best ways possible. Then he’d told her what he wanted and she had to fight the sudden urge to pin him down on the floor again and knee him where it would hurt most.

Ty’s gaze didn’t waver. “I want you to accompany me to a bar where Primos Sangre members hang out.”

Ana couldn’t help it. Her throat went dry, making it difficult for her to speak. In truth, she hadn’t had as much trouble speaking yesterday, when she’d learned vampires were real. What Ty was asking of her now was tantamount to making her confront every miserable mistake she’d ever made. And she wasn’t sure she could do it.

“Members …” When her words came out as a croak, she cleared her throat and tried again. “Members that have joined the gang since I left, or members that were part of the gang when I was?”

“Both. But obviously, we’re hoping for more of the
latter. That way, you can capitalize on old acquaintances to get what we need.”

“Which is what?”

“You know that we’re going to the fund-raiser to try and convince Miguel that we’re lovers.”

She nodded.

“He’s dodged my attempts to meet with him but he trusts you. He’ll trust your prior relationship and the fact you want to see him again, separate from anything having to do with me. If you really wanted to see him again, what would you do? Wait for the fund-raiser or track him down yourself?”

“So you want me to go to this bar and pretend to be looking for Miguel? And you think people are just going to lead me to him?”

“Not at all. But if one of them saw you and talked to you, knew how close you and Miguel had been and that you were looking for him, maybe they’d tell him.”

“There’s one problem with what you’re saying. I know it’s hard to believe now, but I haven’t always been so … likable. Not everyone in Primos Sangre would want to do me any favors. In fact, they’d just as soon hurt me than help me.”

“This wouldn’t be about anyone wanting to do you a favor. It would be about someone wanting to do
Miguel
a favor. And you’re not going to be alone, Ana. I’ll be right there with you. Do you really think I’d let anything happen to you?”

As she stared into his eyes, she knew he’d do whatever he needed to do to protect her. He’d use his vampire powers, and if he had to, she knew he’d even risk his life for hers. The knowledge that he’d go to such lengths had been there all along. It had been what had enabled her to come to Belladonna in the first place. It had been what allowed her mind to open up and let Ty into her dreams.

She couldn’t deny it. She’d come to Belladonna for Gloria, but she’d also come because of Ty. If she hadn’t trusted him so instinctively and so thoroughly, she’d have left Seattle and disappeared completely. And none of that had changed now that she knew what he was. In fact, his vampire nature made him all the more intriguing to her. Alleged vampire nature, she thought.
Alleged
. What a way to put it. Was she turning into a lawyer? Some people would say that was worse than a vampire.

She just hadn’t seen any compelling evidence of Ty’s vampiric nature. Yes, he had fangs. And super speed. But neither overshadowed what Ty was. A good man. Vampires were supposed to be ruled by their lust for blood, but Ty seemed to keep that well hidden. Just like his lust for her.

She mentally winced. Okay, Ana. Like that doesn’t sound too bitter. Remember, you keep your desire for Ty hidden, too. It’s still there. So is his. Tightly controlled.

Why couldn’t they have been just a man and a woman who were allowed to act on their feelings for one another? Why did cults and vampires and estranged sisters and the FBI and a hundred other issues have to get in the way of what might have been something special between them?

Ana knew why.

Because that was her life. It always had been. Fate had denied her anything she’d ever truly wanted. And deep inside, she had a feeling that was going to continue to be the case.

She sighed. “When do we do this?”

“How soon can you get dressed?”

An hour later, Ana glanced around the darkened bar. Ty hadn’t brought her to a complete dive, but he hadn’t brought her to some swanky nightclub, either. She took
in the bar patrons, noting the mix of young, preppy businessmen, probably out for a drink to take the edge off of work, and the few college kids from the local university.

A couple of older men sat at the bar, their backs hunched, their arms circled on the polished wood in front of them, clearly defining their personal space. Locals. Regulars. Not a place she’d expect to see Primos Sangre members. Maybe Ty’s intel was wrong. Maybe—

She spotted a familiar face at the bar and stiffened.

It was a man named Louis. He was obviously older than the last time she’d seen him. The ragged wife-beater tank top that had shown off his sleeve tattoos was gone. This Louis looked respectable, with his hair neatly trimmed, a short-sleeve Tommy Bahama shirt, dark jeans, and boots.

He hadn’t been a good friend of Miguel’s, but he’d been a senior member of the gang nonetheless. She couldn’t say she’d liked him, but she hadn’t been afraid of him. He’d been polite to her, probably because he’d known she had Miguel’s protection. If anyone would have information about her old friend, Louis would.

Ty was sitting to her right at a small table. Making certain he could see her, she sidled up to the bar and wedged her way toward Louis. The instant Louis saw her, his eyes widened. “Eliana Garcia?”

She smiled tentatively, as if unsure of the welcome she’d receive. “It’s just Ana now. Louis?”