CHAPTER 8
It was almost six o'clock when Lara and LaToya ascended the steps to Roman Draganesti's townhouse on the Upper East Side.
"Fancy place." LaToya scanned the neighborhood from the front porch. "Nice and quiet."
"Did you notice how heavily shuttered all the windows are?" Lara had hoped for a peek inside one of the windows, but the place was closed up tight.
She pressed the doorbell. The chimes echoed inside as if they were reverberating around an empty cavern. There was something not quite right here, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Maybe it was just an overactive imagination coupled with her current sense of gloom.
The subway ride and short walk hadn't done much to calm her nerves. A niggling fear had settled in her gut and a sick heaviness in her heart. She recognized the symptoms, having endured this pain once before. Disillusionment. Betrayal.
She had fought so hard after the car accident to rebuild her life and put the pageant days behind her. She'd met Ronny at LSU. She'd thought he understood her need for a new and meaningful life, had trusted him and believed him to truly love her. Until he had bragged to his friends and anyone else who would listen that he'd popped the cherry of a beauty queen. She'd been nothing more than a fancy title so he could mark a notch on his trophy case.
Dammit. She had thought Jack could be trusted. She'd thought he was different, that he admired her for her intelligence and strength of character. She'd thought he might be the one.
"We're being watched," LaToya whispered.
Lara looked up at the surveillance camera. The red light had come on. "Jack works for a company that specializes in security."
"I wonder what they're keeping secure," LaToya muttered.
A crackling sound emanated from an intercom next to the door. "May I help you?" a male voice asked.
Lara pushed the call button. "NYPD. We have a few questions."
"Yeah, open up!" LaToya shouted.
There was a pause. Lara's stomach knotted. Please let Jack have an alibi for Saturday night.
The door opened slowly, revealing a tall young man. The words MacKay S & I were embroidered on the left side of his navy Polo shirt. His khaki pants were belted low on his lean hips. His dark hair was pulled back into a short ponytail. A gold stud gleamed in his ear. He was almost as gorgeous as Jack.
"I am Carlos," he said with a slight accent. "How may I help you?"
"Can we come in?" LaToya asked.
His mouth quirked. "Do you have a warrant?"
"We have a few questions, if you don't mind." Lara gave him a friendly smile. "Is Jack here? Giacomo di Venezia, otherwise known as Jack."
Carlos tilted his head, studying her. "Are you the cop who crashed Ian's wedding? I heard about you."
Lara felt heat creeping up her neck to her cheeks. "I'm Officer Boucher, and I'm here on a professional matter. Jack is a... person of interest."
Carlos's eyes gleamed. "I bet he is."
"This is my associate, Officer Lafayette." Lara motioned to LaToya. "Is Jack here? We need to talk to him."
"He's not available at this time." Carlos's amused gaze swept down to her feet and back up. "Robby said you were pretty, but that's a huge understatement. He must be angry that Jack caught you first."
Lara stiffened. "I haven't been caught by anyone."
Carlos smiled. "I believe the net has been cast."
"Will you cut the bullshit and get Jack?" LaToya demanded.
"Miss Lafayette." Carlos's eyes glimmered as he considered LaToya. "Aren't you a little wildcat?"
Her brown eyes narrowed. "Sucker, I've got claws you don't want to see."
Carlos chuckled. "I'll tell Jack you stopped by. He has your number?"
"We need to see him now," Lara insisted. "I realize he sleeps during the day, but would you please wake him?"
"Easier said than done," Carlos muttered. "I'm afraid he's not really here. Not in the metaphysical sense."
LaToya jutted out a hip and planted a hand on it. "Where is he then? In the freaking metaphysical sense?"
"I've often wondered that myself." Carlos frowned. "Where exactly do they go when they're... not here?"
Lara exchanged a look with her roommate. Carlos sounded like he was one taco short of a combination plate. "Are you saying you don't know where Jack is?"
"Not exactly. But if you'll return about eight-thirty, he could see you then."
"We'll do that," LaToya said.
"Excellent." Carlos smiled. "It's been a pleasure to meet you, ladies. Ciao." The door closed.
Lara heard the sound of deadbolts being shot into place. "That was interesting."
"I'll say." LaToya descended the steps to the sidewalk. "Between Ian, Jack, and Carlos, I can't decide which one is the hunkiest."
Jack, definitely. Lara checked her watch. "Let's grab some supper."
They walked toward Central Park, then turned south. As they passed by the Plaza, Lara remembered that the hotel had a business center inside. She and LaToya shared a pizza at a deli on Sixth Avenue, then returned to the Plaza, where the staff was happy to cooperate with New York's finest. They sat side by side in front of computers in the business center.
"I'll check out the Draganesti dude." LaToya typed on her keyboard.
Lara Googled Giacomo di Venezia, but all the links referred to Giacomo Casanova, the famous womanizer. That wasn't any help, although it did elicit a memory. When Lara had questioned Jack at the church, he'd mentioned his father had seduced hundreds of women, and that his mother had been the last conquest. What a strange coincidence.
Was Jack like his father? Did he make a sport of seducing women? Somehow, Lara had felt that his attraction to her was genuine. But wasn't that how these cads operated? They made all the women they seduced think they were special. And Lara had been fooled before.
It would really hurt to find out he was a womanizing pig. Unfortunately, it could be even worse. He might be a criminal.
No! She refused to believe Jack had anything to do with the missing girl. Lara didn't know him that well, but she couldn't believe he would ever abuse a woman. He'd saved her life. He was a protector of women, not an abuser.
"Well, Roman Draganesti sounds like a genius," LaToya said. "He figured out how to clone blood. According to this article, his synthetic blood is responsible for saving thousands of lives every year."
"Synthetic blood?" Lara thought back. "I was given some of that when I was in the hospital."
"Then this Roman dude saved you, too," LaToya continued. "He manufactures the stuff at Romatech Industries. He's got several factories around the country, but the biggest one is in White Plains, New York."
"That's close to us." Lara did a search on Romatech and located a news article that described a bombing at the facility last December. A car had exploded in the parking lot, but no one had been seriously injured. This was just the last of several attempts to bomb the place. "It looks like Romatech has some serious enemies."
"Maybe they're doing some kind of funky research that's upsetting people," LaToya suggested. "You know, stem-cell research or genetic engineering."
"They obviously need good security." Lara wondered if this was the security work Jack was doing. "I might check this place out." Thank God she was off work for a few more days.
"I'm supposed to work tomorrow, but I could call in sick and go with you," LaToya offered.
"I'll be fine. Don't worry." Lara checked her watch. "It's a little after eight. Let's go talk to Jack."
"Is something wrong?" Jack had just teleported into the kitchen at the townhouse. He'd been in the fifth-floor office, drinking his breakfast and catching up on e-mail when Carlos called on the intercom to request his presence downstairs.
"You bet something's wrong." Phineas sat at the kitchen table, wearing the official khaki pants and navy Polo shirt of MacKay Security and Investigation. "Carlos has gone crazy. I think he's been sniffing some catnip."
Carlos shook his head as he opened the refrigerator. He retrieved a bottle of water and twisted off the top. "Some cops came by while you two were.... napping."
"And Carlos invited them back!" Phineas thumped a fist on the kitchen table, shaking his half-empty glass of blood. "They'll be here in fifteen minutes."
Jack frowned. "What do the police want?"
"Me, probably." Phineas gulped down the last of his breakfast, then slammed the glass on the table. "I-I have an outstanding warrant."
"Sheesh, Phineas." Carlos grimaced. "You should have warned me. How can I protect you if I don't know?"
As their daytime guard, it was Carlos Panterra's job to keep them safe during their death-sleep. Jack had been impressed so far by the Brazilian's vigilance. Like many of the mortal day guards who worked for MacKay Security and Investigation, Carlos had special skills. And a special secret. He kept quiet about the Vamps, and they kept quiet about his shapeshifting ability.
Phineas's shoulders slumped. "I didn't want Angus to know. He believed in me enough to give me a job. I really like being one of the good guys."
"Don't worry. Angus is very happy with you," Jack assured him, then turned to Carlos. "Were the police looking for Phineas?"
"No, they didn't even mention him. He should be safe." Carlos sipped some water.
Phineas exhaled in relief. "Then I'm outta here."
"That's a shame." Carlos sat beside him at the table. "They were very pretty ladies."
Jack's heart speeded up. "The police were women?" Was Lara looking for him?
"Pretty ladies?" Phineas smoothed back his short hair. "This sounds like a job for the Love Doctor."
"Was Lara here?" Jack strode toward the table. "I mean Officer Boucher?"
"Yes. She was looking for you. And Officer Lafayette was with her." Carlos smiled at Phineas. "She's a lovely black woman."
"Hot damn!" Phineas's face lit up, then crumbled. "Why would a pretty young thing join the po-po?"
"They're clever, too," Carlos continued. "Somehow they figured out where Jack's living."
"That's the po-po for you, man. They'll track your ass down!" Phineas took his empty glass and blood bottle to the sink and rinsed them out.
Jack sat at the table as he thought back. He'd been careful not to tell Lara where he lived or worked. The car! That's why Lara's roommate had been waiting on the street. "They must have run the plates on Roman's car."
Carlos nodded. "They're smart."
"Relentless." Phineas jammed his empty glass and bottle in the dishwasher. "You'd better not talk to them, man. They'll drag you down to the precinct, where they have those interrogation rooms with one-way glass, and when you don't show up in the mirror, your ass will be cooked."
"I'll be careful." Jack glanced at the clock above the sink. They would be here in eight minutes. "Phineas, go on to work without me. Tell Connor I'll be there shortly."
"Okay, but I can tell you he's not going to like this." Phineas frowned as his body wavered and disappeared.
Jack sighed. Connor had strongly suggested he avoid seeing Lara again. Jack had tried to forget her, but it was impossible. Someone at Romatech would walk by wearing a blue shirt that reminded him of the color of her eyes. Or he would hear someone laugh and find himself longing to hear the sound of Lara's laughter. Whenever he showered, he recalled the feel of her hands on his skin.
And when he lay down to fall into his death-sleep, he imagined the sun rising, a fiery ball of gold and red. He could never see it again, but he could see Lara's hair, the way it gleamed red and gold, the way soft strands curled close to her brow. It felt like silken fire in his hands.
He wanted to see her again. Santo cielo, he wanted her.
"I hope you don't mind that I invited them back," Carlos said. "I thought it would be best to appease their curiosity. We don't want them coming here with a search warrant during the day."
Jack winced. "That would be a disaster." They would find dead bodies.
"You're awake now, so everything should appear normal."
"Are there any coffins in the basement?" Jack asked.
"No. Dougal took his with him when he was reassigned. Ian gave his coffin away to charity. He'd outgrown it."
Jack smiled. "And I doubt his new wife wanted to share one with him."
Carlos laughed. "No, Toni wouldn't go for that."
Jack glanced at the clock. Five minutes to go. "I'd better get ready." He teleported to his bedroom on the fourth floor. With vampire speed, he showered, brushed his teeth, and pulled on a clean pair of jeans and a maroon T-shirt. He was dragging a comb through his damp hair when he heard the doorbell chime below. Lara,
He glanced at the blank wall above the bathroom vanity. Even if a mirror were there, he wouldn't reflect in it. He rubbed the stubble on his jaw. He hadn't had time to shave. Hopefully, he would look all right to Lara.
He was gorgeous. A blur of motion had caught Lara's attention, and then Jack was suddenly there on the second floor landing of the grand staircase. She blinked. Had he been moving at super speed? He was standing still now and looking at her.
He smiled, and her heart squeezed in her chest. No way could this man be a kidnapper. All he'd have to do is crook his finger, and a woman would come running.
"Officer Boucher?"
A tap on her shoulder made Lara jump. "Yes?"
Carlos grinned. "I asked if you and your partner would like a tour of the premises."
"Oh." Lara winced inwardly. She hadn't heard Carlos the first time. She'd been too busy ogling Jack. When she and LaToya had arrived a minute ago, Carlos had ushered them into the spacious foyer. She'd noted the gleaming marble floor and grand curved staircase, and then Jack had appeared. Now he was slowly descending the stairs, his gaze still focused on her.
"I'll take the tour," LaToya announced. "Lara can talk to Jack."
Lara sidled close to her roommate. "Are you sure you want to... separate?"
"Don't worry, Officer Boucher," Carlos said. "Your friend will be safe with me."
LaToya snorted and crossed her arms. "You should be worried if you're safe with me."
Carlos's eyes gleamed. "So how do you want to do this? Shall we start at the top and work our way down?"
LaToya arched a brow. "Sounds good to me."
"Officer Lafayette." Jack bowed slightly as he reached the bottom of the stairs. "A pleasure to see you again. I hope your ex is no longer causing you trouble. I believe his name was Bob?"
"He's fine," LaToya grumbled. "But your ass could be in trouble." She stomped up the stairs with Carlos.
Jack turned to Lara, his eyebrows raised. "I'm in trouble?"
No, she was in trouble. Her skin was tingling, and he hadn't even touched her. "Is there someplace we can talk?"
"This way." He motioned to a room on the left.
She strolled into a living room. Three maroon couches surrounded three sides of a large square coffee table. The fourth side faced a widescreen television.
"Would you like something to drink?" Jack asked.
"Some water would be nice." The pizza she'd eaten earlier was making her very thirsty. She sat at one end of the middle couch. She placed her handbag beside her so there would be something between her and Jack.
She noted a desk against the far wall, topped with a computer. To her left, maroon curtains flanked a large bay window that overlooked the street. Metal shutters were closed tight, as if they were worried someone might get a peek inside. But as Lara scanned the room, she couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. Maybe someone was extremely opposed to sunlight.
"Here you go."
Jack's voice caught her off guard. That was fast.
He handed her a glass of ice water, then placed a wooden coaster on the coffee table in front of her. "Shanna will have my head if we leave water marks on the table."
"Shanna? Who's she?"
"Roman's wife. They own this townhouse." Jack settled on the couch beside her.
"Roman Draganesti?" Lara sipped some water.
"Yes." Jack shifted sideways to face her and propped an elbow on the back of the couch. "You did your homework. I'm guessing you ran the plates on Roman's car."
"Yes." Lara drank some more water. "LaToya doesn't actually have an ex-boyfriend named Bob."
The corner of Jack's mouth lifted. "What a surprise."
Damn, he was cute. Lara set her glass on the coaster. "You're not thirsty?"
"No, I'm fine, thank you."
It seemed odd that he never joined her for a drink.
She glanced at the window. "I've never seen such heavy-duty shutters in a residence before. They look industrial strength."
"They cut out the noise from the city."
"That's for sure. It's as quiet as a tomb in here."
He rubbed his whiskered jaw. "You could say that." His gaze shifted to Lara with an intense look. "I missed you."
Her throat tightened. "You could have called."
"I've been trying to resist you."
"Trying? I would say you were entirely successful." Lara slapped herself mentally. She was sounding too needy. She waved a hand in a dismissive gesture. "Not that it matters. I was avoiding you, too."
He regarded her sadly. "That was wise of you."
"Why? Are you involved with someone else?"
"No." He touched her hair. "After meeting you, how could I want anyone else?"
She gulped. Did he really mean that, or was he just a smooth talker? She shoved her hair behind her shoulders and out of his reach. "This is a professional call."
"I see. How can I help you?"
"Where were you last night?"
His eyebrows rose. "Are you working a case?"
"Yes." She lowered her gaze to her clenched hands in her lap. Now she felt like a heel. "A college girl disappeared last night. She may have been kidnapped. And it looks like someone altered her friends' memories."
"And you suspect me?" he asked quietly.
"I don't-" She swallowed hard at the lump constricting her throat. "I don't want to, but you're the only one I know who can manipulate minds like that." She cast a nervous glance his way. "Are there others who can do it?"
"Merda," he muttered, his brow creasing with a scowl.
"Tell me there are others. Tell me you have an alibi."
"Do you really believe I would kidnap a young woman?" He tossed her purse on the coffee table, then scooted closer to her.
She stiffened. "What are you doing?"
"If you think I'm a criminal, you obviously don't know me well enough." He scooped her onto his lap.
"Stop it." She tried to wiggle off his lap, but he held her tight. "You could get in big trouble for hindering an investigation-"
"Lara," he interrupted her, gazing fiercely into her eyes. "I was at work last night."
"At Romatech Industries?"
"Yes. We celebrate Mass there on Saturday night. There was a reception afterward." He gritted his teeth. "About thirty people were there, if you wish to question them."
"I-I'll do that." She couldn't find a place to set her hands other than his chest or shoulders. "You had a church service at work?"
"Yes. Father Andrew comes every Saturday night. Our... enemies know about it. They've attacked before, so I had to be there to provide security."
Enemies? That sounded over the top. But on the other hand, if Jack was at church, he couldn't be involved with Vanessa's disappearance. It looked like her prayers had been answered. "What about the mind manipulation??
His frown deepened. "There are others with the ability."
"Friends?"
"Yes." His eyes hardened, the gold glinting with anger. "And enemies."
Gooseflesh skittered down Lara's arms. Friends and enemies with mind-control power? She shivered, suddenly feeling like she was teetering on a precipice, about to fall.
He touched her cheek. "This is shocking to me."
"Tell me about it." What on earth was she getting into? She tried to make sense of everything, but it was hard to think with him touching her and looking at her so fiercely.
He skimmed his fingers along her jaw. "I'm... stunned by how much it hurts for you to think ill of me."
She swallowed hard. "I didn't want to. It was making me sick. I-I didn't want to believe it."
"Then don't." He raked his hands into her hair.
"I want to trust you, Jack." But it was damned hard when his eyes were taking on a reddish glow.
"You can." He pulled her into his arms and kissed her.