Quinn (Vampires in America: The Vampire Wars Book 12) by D. B. Reynolds (12)

Chapter Eleven

Dublin, Ireland

QUINN WOKE IN THE security of his new private suite in the Ballsbridge house. It was nice to finally have a safe place to spend the day, but all he could think was that it would be even nicer if a certain hot redhead was waking up next to him. He quashed that thought before it was fully formed. Sure, he was attracted to Eve. What man wouldn’t be? She was gorgeous and sexy and as fiery as hell . . . and if any other man laid a hand on her, he’d kill him.

His eyes flashed open. Christ, where had that come from? He couldn’t get involved with Eve or any other woman. He had a challenge to win and a territory to run. Hundreds of vampire lives depended on him. He didn’t have time to worry about a woman, other than as a source for blood. And if spectacular sex went with it, all the better.

He sat up, and his senses automatically spread through the rest of the house, touching every living person—human or vampire. He sensed Garrick and Adorjan rising to wakefulness, as more of the others began to stir with every minute that passed. By now, his vampires were all well-rested and well-fed, a strong fighting force that would be tested over the next few nights.

It was while he was showering that he sensed another presence on the estate. One who couldn’t match a vampire’s strength, but who was powerful all the same.

“Damn it, Eve,” he muttered, toweling himself off quickly. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“DAMN IT, EVE, WHAT the fuck are you doing here?” she muttered to herself as she watching the closed gate through her binoculars, waiting for the almighty Quinn to grant her entrance. The human guards who’d been there when she’d first parked down the street were being replaced by vampires. The two groups were consulting, giving a shift report, she supposed, as if this was some ordinary corporate headquarters instead of a vampire’s lair. It shouldn’t have surprised her. Quinn was a bossy guy. He probably did run his vampire empire, or whatever they called it, like a corporation. She’d like to see that board meeting. Did they serve warm blood in flasks, instead of water? Did vampires drink water? They drank booze, so why not?

Forcing her thoughts away from such trivial considerations, she continued her surveillance. She was there to talk to Quinn, to settle, once and for all, what this thing was between them. And, also, she admitted grudgingly, to finish their discussion about her vampire killing. Whatever else happened between them, she knew she couldn’t go on as she had. Now that she’d gotten to know—and, er, fucked—Quinn, and after meeting his cousin, and even Adorjan, she couldn’t justify killing every vampire she met on a dark street. Yeah, sure, Adorjan was a scary motherfucker, but that didn’t mean he deserved to die. There were plenty of scary humans, too. Some of whom were even involved in the kind of crimes that had gotten her brother killed.

And that was the other truth she’d had to face. Her beloved brother, the most important person in her life, had been involved in a criminal conspiracy dirty enough that it had gotten him killed. It destroyed a little piece of her soul to admit that. The same man who’d soothed her skinned knees and cheered her football games, who’d screened her dates and yelled louder than anyone at her graduation, had been a criminal. She didn’t know why he’d done it, or even what he’d done to make his criminal bosses angry enough to murder him. But Quinn was right. Alan hadn’t been an innocent mowed down by evil vampires. He’d put himself at risk and paid the price. But had he considered the price she’d pay if he died? Not the vampire hunting—that was on her. But what about the empty spot in her life that no one else would ever fill?

She sighed and rubbed her eyes, telling herself she was tired, not crying. When her eyes blinked open, she saw that the gate finally had been rolled back. Not all the way, but just enough to—

A knock of her window startled her into a high-pitched shriek. She glared at the man standing outside her car door, looking in. Not a man, she realized, catching the glint of red in his eyes, but a vampire. Of course. She buzzed the window down just enough to hear him.

“What?” she demanded. “This is a perfectly legal parking spot, and—”

“Lord Quinn has invited you to join him.”

That’s what he said, but what he clearly meant was that Quinn had ordered him to drag her inside kicking and screaming, if he had to.

“Fine,” she said and buzzed the window back up. She’d hoped to force the vamp to jump back in order to keep his nose from being squished, but the damn window didn’t move fast enough. He gave her a smug look, which she ignored. She’d intended to go in and see Quinn anyway, so what difference did it make how she got there? She was curious to know how they’d spotted her. She was well down the block, under a tree, with no lights anywhere.

Shoving the expensive binocs inside her pack, she hefted it onto her shoulder and climbed out of the car, closing and locking it behind her. The locks wouldn’t stand against vampire strength, but they might deter crooks of the human variety.

“Lead the way,” she told the vamp, but he shook his head.

“I don’t think so.” Something about the way he said it made her think he knew how she’d spent the last few years and wasn’t willing to give her his back. On the one hand, yay her! for having a big bad vamp afraid of her. On the other hand . . . shit, maybe she’d killed one of his friends. Maybe even someone he loved.

This whole “vampires are people, too” thing sucked.

The vampire guided her all the way into the house, then up the wide stairway with its exquisite crystal chandelier. The first floor—what Americans, and probably Quinn, called the second floor—was a long hallway, with subtle sconce lighting that hadn’t been there the other night. Or maybe it simply hadn’t been turned on. With the extra light, she could see details. The dark wooden wainscoting consisted of panels that were lovingly detailed, probably antique, and the raw silk wallpaper above them would have cost more than all her belongings combined. It was all terribly beautiful, and it all fit with what she knew of powerful vampires. They had money. Sorley’s house wasn’t as tasteful as this, but it was stuffed with priceless antiques, and the house itself was in one of Dublin’s most exclusive neighborhoods. If she’d once doubted Quinn’s determination to rule Ireland—not his singled-mindedness, but the practicality of such a goal—she didn’t anymore. Not after seeing how he was settling into this house. And not after witnessing his ruthlessness the other night, or the way the vampires around him treated him like royalty.

She looked up to find Garrick standing outside the open door to Quinn’s office, giving her a death stare. She might have won over Quinn, but his cousin still hated her. She smiled brightly, but his expression didn’t change.

“I’ve got this,” he told the vampire who’d brought her this far.

She turned to watch as the vamp didn’t say a word, simply spun on his heel and headed back downstairs.

“Lord Quinn is waiting for you,” Garrick said, drawing her attention.

She noted the formal address, figured it had some meaning for him, but didn’t know how she was supposed to react. She gave him another bright smile and said, “Thanks,” then walked past him into Quinn’s office, head held high.

“Close the door, Eve.” Quinn’s voice from behind her sparked a shock of remembered lust, her breasts seeming to swell as an ache settled between her thighs.

She had to draw a careful breath before she turned to meet his bright blue gaze, knowing he’d see the desire in her eyes if she wasn’t careful. It would be a mistake to let him have that much control. He was already arrogant enough. He gave her a knowing look, and Eve swore inwardly.

Standing near the discreet bar tucked against one wall, he lifted a beautiful crystal decanter filled with dark gold liquid and poured himself a drink. The dark, peaty scent of Irish whiskey filled the room as he held up the decanter. “Drink?”

She shook her head. She’d never been much of a whiskey drinker, for all that it smelled divine. A half-pint of ale was more her speed, and she rarely finished even that. “Did I interrupt something?” she asked, fighting to keep the snark out of her question. “Your cousin didn’t seem happy to see me.”

“Well, you’ve been killing vampires, lass, and he doesn’t want me dead.”

Eve couldn’t stop the jerk of surprise that had her eyes going wide and her mouth opening in shock. “I’d never hurt you,” she breathed.

Quinn gave her a bemused smile and settled behind his desk, studying her.

She knew it was stupid, but her feelings were hurt. She hadn’t expected a soliloquy of everlasting love, but a hello kiss would have been nice. After all, they’d practically attacked each other last night, as if they couldn’t get enough. He’d even taken her blood! And now, he was treating her like an annoying neighbor.

Fine. Who cared?

Too restless to remain still under that careful gaze, she wandered over to the window, which mostly looked out over the side yard, with its winding path and carefully manicured shrubbery. If she looked left, she could just see the detached garages, which hummed with activity. Lots of coming and going, though she didn’t know what for.

“Why are you here, Eve?” Quinn asked.

She swung around and tilted her head curiously. “How did you know I was here in the first place?”

He shrugged. “I always know where you are.”

“What does that mean?”

He gave her a vague look. “I’m a powerful vampire. I keep track of the people who matter to me.”

She experienced a moment of pure, feminine satisfaction at that admission. She “mattered” to him. But then she frowned. Damn him. What did that mean?

“I have a question,” she said abruptly.

There was that bemused smile again, as if he found her entertaining.

“Is this real?” she blurted out. She’d never wanted anyone the way she wanted him. No matter how cool he pretended to be, he’d been just as hot for her as she’d been for him. And that had never happened to her before. So she needed to know. “Are you doing something to me? To us? Making me want you the way I do?”

The elegant crystal tumbler thumped to the desk, and she thought for sure the glass would shatter under the crushing grip of his hand. “Fuck, Eve,” he snapped. “I thought we were past this.” He threw the glass at the empty fireplace, breaking it anyway.

The office door popped open almost instantly. Garrick took a half-step into the room, his gaze sweeping over her, before landing on Quinn.

“It was just a glass,” Quinn said quietly, glancing at his cousin. “Thanks, Garrick.”

Garrick gave Eve a careful look, said, “My lord,” and ducked back out again, closing the door.

Quinn waited a moment, then stood and leaned over his desk to say tightly, “No, I’m not doing anything to you. No one’s doing anything.” He gave her a look that was hot with more than just anger. “I want you. But I’m not going to live with this constant suspicious bullshit. You either deal with what I am, once and for all, or go find some nice Irish lad, have lots of boring sex, and pop out a bunch of babies.”

It was Eve’s turn to be pissed. Hell, she had a right to be pissed. He wanted her? Well, then, why the fuck hadn’t he acted like it when she’d walked in? And what the fuck was up with the, “I’ll be in touch,” line when he’d left her this morning? That wasn’t something you said to a person who mattered.

She stormed around his desk, ready to get in his face, only to find him giving her that damn bemused look again. She tightened her hand into a fist and swung at his smug face, but he caught her hand with ease.

“No hitting,” he said, laughing.

She ground her teeth so hard, she could hear the noise. “For the record,” she growled. “I don’t want some nice Irish lad, and I sure as hell don’t want a swollen belly.”

He raised one eyebrow. “What do you want?” he purred.

She glared at him, then sighed in resignation. “For some reason, you fucking American bastard, what I want is you.”

Quinn reached out, wrapped his hand around the back of her neck, and pulled her in until she bumped against his chest. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?” he murmured, his whisper a warm brush of air against her ear.

Eve felt her temper rising again, since he’d been the one being an arse about things, but he didn’t give her a chance. Twisting his fingers in her hair, he tugged her head back, met her eyes, and said, “Good evening, Eve.” And then he kissed her, melting away her anger and destroying any thoughts she’d had of resisting.

“Damn you,” she whispered, when they came up for air. His arms tightened and he kissed her again, deeper this time, his big hands sliding down her back to cup her ass and press her against his erection. Eve moaned softly, pushing her breasts against his chest and shivering with perverse pleasure when her tongue caressed his fangs.

Lifting her easily, Quinn swiveled to place her on his desk, then stepped between her thighs and pushed her legs wide, until the thick bulge of his erection was nestled against her sex. Hips flexing, he rubbed over her swollen clit until she found herself grinding against him, her arms twisted around his neck to keep him from moving away. She leaned back to tug his shirt out of his slacks, and he took advantage, slipping two fingers into her blouse and popping the buttons one by one until he bared her bra, and then twisted the front catch open on that, too. The bra fell away to either side, spilling her breasts into his waiting hands. Leaning forward, he drew the tip of one into his mouth, stroking her nipple with his tongue, sucking it to a stiff peak before biting just enough that she could feel it, and then grazing his fangs over the soft flesh until he drew the smallest trickle of blood.

Eve groaned as the stinging pain traveled like an electric shock, shooting down through her abdomen and groin until it plucked at her clit, until she’d have sworn she could feel the stroke of his tongue on the throbbing nub. Quinn licked away the small bit of blood from her breast, his tongue sliding over and back to twirl around her nipple, as he reached beneath her skirt and slid his hands into her panties to cup her bare ass. Eve shuddered with pleasure when he moved his teasing mouth to the other breast, tasting and biting in turn, taking his slow time while she grew more and more frantic with desire.

Sliding a hand between their bodies, she gripped the hard bulge of his erection through the fabric of his jeans. It was Quinn’s turn to groan as she slid his zipper down and reached into the opening to wrap her fingers around his thickness. His penis was all hot velvety skin and steely hardness. She closed her eyes, loving the feel of him, wanting him deep inside her. She scooted closer to the edge of the desk and would have slid herself right onto his cock, but he went suddenly still, his arms tightening around her protectively a moment before a knock sounded on the office door.

“We’ve got trouble, my lord.”

Quinn cursed silently at his cousin’s voice. There was very little privacy in a house full of vampires. Garrick knew what Quinn was up to with Eve and wouldn’t haven’t interrupted him if it wasn’t serious.

For one minute, he considered fucking her anyway. She was ready for him, her pussy hot and soaking wet where she’d been grinding it against his cock, her arousal like the sweetest perfume. It was nearly as enticing as the rush of her blood, its delicious scent so close beneath the satin beauty of her pale skin. Her breasts were full and lush, narrow trails of blood betraying the mark of his fangs, her nipples as hard and ripe as berries, and just as succulent. She was still rocking against him, whispering his name like a plea over and over again . . .

Quinn shut his eyes and stepped back, pulling the two sides of her blouse over her beautiful breasts. “Rain check, sweetheart.”

Eve blushed in hot embarrassment and began hurriedly putting herself back together, slapping away his hands when he ran the backs of his fingers over her breasts while pretending to help her fasten the bra. “Is it always this busy?” she asked quietly, her fingers shaking as she slipped the tiny buttons into their holes.

“No,” he muttered. “Only when I’m trying to seize a country.”

She chuckled, then looked up to meet his eyes and realized he was serious. “Oh. Right.”

He reached for the lowest button on her blouse, his fingers ridiculously large for the narrow button holes.

“I’ll do it,” she said brushing his hands away. “You take care of your own self.” She nodded at his raging hard-on.

Fuck, Quinn thought viciously. Or not. That was the problem, wasn’t it? Stepping away from her seductive heat, he zipped his jeans and shook his hips, trying to get his unruly cock to loosen enough that it didn’t look like an animal trying to break free. Which was what it felt like right about now.

He eyed Eve, while she tried to get everything covered, and decided he didn’t want anyone else to see her like that. She was his, in all her enticing, frustrating, irritating as hell, sexiness.

“Stay here,” he ordered and walked over to the door, opening it enough that he could slip into the hall without making it look like he was hiding anything. His cousin knew better, but Garrick did no more than cock a cynical eyebrow.

“What’s happened?” Quinn asked.

“Got a call from that human gang leader at the port—Neville. He says there’s a bunch of Sorley’s people down there making trouble. He wants to know what you’re going to do about it.”

“Shit. Sorley has a mole somewhere, probably in Neville’s gang. He knows about our deal and doesn’t like it, so he’s decided to fuck it up.” Quinn looked to the side, thinking. “All right. Who knows about this?”

“No one. I took the call and came directly to you.”

“Good. I want this kept quiet. A small group—you, me, and maybe three more. Only people we can trust absolutely, vampires from our original team. We leave in ten minutes.”

“Yes, my lord.” Garrick strode away without another word, taking the stairs quickly, but without any evidence of urgency. Anyone seeing him would see nothing out of the ordinary.

Quinn watched him go, then opened the door behind him and slipped back into his office.

“I have to go,” he said, walking to the wall behind his desk and pressing a hidden panel. A door popped open to reveal a collection of weapons—guns and knives mostly, but there were a few grenades, and even a small crossbow. He’d bought the latter on a whim and had never had a chance to use it. Even the guns were only for backup purposes. He wouldn’t have much credibility as a vampire lord if he had to rely on human weapons instead of his own power.

“Whoa!” Eve’s reaction to the arsenal was one of undisguised admiration. “Nice. If you had all this, why’d you have to steal my rifle?”

Quinn shot her a frustrated look over his shoulder as he selected a Colt 1911 and donned a leather shoulder holster to carry it. “I didn’t steal your rifle. I saved you from being hunted down by a bunch of furious vampires.”

“Please. Like I’ve never evaded your kind before.” She strolled over and began picking up and putting down the weapons, one at a time. “So where’re we going tonight?”

“We? You’re staying right here where you won’t get into trouble. I’m going to take care of some business.”

“The kind of business that ends up with dead vampires? I’m in.”

“The hell you are.”

“News flash, my lord. I don’t need your permission. I’ll go wherever the fuck I want.”

He grabbed her around the waist and slammed her up against his chest. “This isn’t a joke, Eve. I want you here, where I know you’re safe.”

She placed a hand on his chest and gave him a sweet smile. “I haven’t been safe since my brother was murdered five years ago,” she explained. She shoved away hard, surprising him into letting her go. “I won’t stay here. You’re going to the docks—”

“How do you know—”

“Well, goodness, Quinn, I have ears, don’t I?”

“You eavesdropped?”

“Of course, I did.” Her eyes lit up when she saw the crossbow. “That’s a beauty. I’ll just borrow this against that rifle you stole.”

Quinn grabbed her wrist, as if he’d stop her, then said, “You go with me, and you do what I say.”

She snorted. “If I take my own car, I can do what I want.”

“Eve,” he said, more exasperated than he’d ever been. Everything was a battle with her, even sex. Which admittedly was incredibly hot. But this. “Why are you being so difficult?”

She shrugged. “I’m not the problem, lover. You are. You’re so all fired up to control everything and everyone that you’re ignoring how useful I could be in a fight.”

“I’m not using you as fucking bait,” he snarled, thinking of her previous hunting techniques.

“You sure as hell aren’t. But I make a damn good sneak. I can go places you can’t.”

Quinn didn’t need anyone to sneak around for him. His power let him scan his enemies and take them out far more effectively. But it was obvious that Eve wasn’t going to remain behind. If she was with him, there was at least a chance he could keep her alive. Plus, at least then she wouldn’t fuck up his own plans.

“You’re going with me. Take or leave it. And, Eve?” He met her gaze directly, letting his power rise until he could see its silver-blue glow reflected in her dark eyes. “I’m not like those other vampires you seduced into falling on your knife. If I wanted you to stay here, you’d damn well be doing it.”

Her eyes were solemn when she looked back at him, her face set in defiance. But underneath all that determination, her heartbeat was jumping, and her scent was flavored with fear. Even so, her tone was full of snark when she said, “Message received, my lord. Now can we gear up and get out of here, before the bad guys all go home?”

He studied her a moment longer, then glanced at her spike-heeled boots, shook his head, and said, “Do you have more practical shoes?”

She gave him a smug look. “In my car.”

THEY TOOK THE TWO Range Rovers. Quinn rode in the second vehicle with Adorjan driving, Garrick in the passenger seat up front, and Eve sitting next to him. The three other vampires—all people he’d brought from the U.S., since he couldn’t be sure who Sorley’s spy was, were in the first vehicle.

“Do you have a plan?” Garrick asked, his manner slightly stiff. He hadn’t been happy with Eve’s inclusion. Quinn couldn’t blame him, but he wasn’t going to let his cousin tell him which woman he fucked, or even if he armed her to the teeth and brought her into battle. Eve was right. She wasn’t some fainting maiden. She’d been in enough fights that she could be useful, and she could also take care of herself, to a certain extent. What she couldn’t do for herself, he’d damn well do for her.

“My plan,” he answered Garrick, “is that we walk in, size up the situation, and then kill the bad guys.”

Next to him, Eve covered her mouth to conceal her snort of laughter. She wasn’t stupid. She knew Garrick didn’t like her, and he wouldn’t appreciate her laughter.

“Great,” Garrick said insincerely. “Do you mind if I call Neville and see if he has any useful info before we go charging in?” His question was almost as snarky as Eve’s had been, and Quinn wondered, not for the first time, if there was something about him that attracted snarky people. He grinned, thankful his cousin wasn’t paying enough attention to notice.

“Go ahead,” he said. “Call.”

Garrick finished his call to Neville as they rolled through the main port gate with no problem, despite their lack of credentials. “Persuading” gate guards and police officers, among others, was a basic talent that many vampires possessed, especially those charged with driving vampire lords around.

“What’s the word?” Quinn asked, eyeing the towering containers. They all looked the same to him, but Adorjan seemed to know where he was going. It would be incredibly easy to set up an ambush in here. Maybe not for him, but certainly for human targets, like Eve’s brother, or the members of Neville’s gang who’d been trapped that night.

“Neville has a dozen or so men on the dock, but some of them are down. He’s not sure how many.”

“He’s not there?”

“No.”

Quinn shook his head in disgust. Say what you would about vampires, but they damn well led from the front, not the cozy safety of their cottage. “Does he have any detailed intel on Sorley’s vamps?”

“Nothing new, except for the number. Five or six, he says.”

That sounded about right to Quinn. He’d have sent the same number, if he’d decided to kill a few humans and throw a wrench into the gang’s smuggling operations. They should have been more than enough, except that Sorley hadn’t counted on Quinn.

Adorjan abruptly swerved around a short stack of containers and skidded to a halt. The second SUV drew to a stop next to them, being careful to leave room for the vehicle doors to open. Quinn threw an arm across Eve’s legs, stopping her from opening her door. “Keep your earpiece on,” he said, referring to the Bluetooth bud he’d given her that matched the ones his team wore. “And remember what I told you. You do what I say, or I’ll take you down myself.”

She gave him a narrow look. “Yes sir, my lord, sir.”

He gave her a smacking kiss on the lips. “You’re finally learning.” He watched her climb out of the SUV and disappear between two stacks of containers, then he opened his own door and slid out.

By the time he joined his vampires on the dock, any trace of amusement was gone, leaving only deadly purpose. He glanced around, using all of his senses to evaluate the location. The port was a noisy place, even this late at night. The deep-throated whine of heavy cranes and the clang of metal containers never seemed to let up, and the air was cold as hell and wet with more than the usual ocean mist. Quinn thought about Eve’s bare legs and how icy the metal containers would be, and he wished he’d told her to do more than change her shoes. At which point, he reminded himself that she was a grown woman who was fully capable of choosing her own wardrobe, and that he had better things to think about.

“Five vampires and . . .” He cocked his head. Humans could be difficult to pick up, especially if they were injured. “Neville’s dozen are still alive, but some are hurt badly enough that they’re probably out of commission.” He glanced at his vampires. “Shall we, gentlemen?”

They started forward with deceptive casualness, strolling around the intervening shipping containers as if they were touring the docks and just happened to come upon the confrontation between Sorley’s vamps and the human gang members.

“Keep walking, boyo, this is out of your league,” one of the vamps sneered, when Quinn’s first vampire rounded the last stack of two containers. He caught sight of Quinn, and the sneer disappeared, replaced by rage. “What the fuck? Does Sorley know you’re here?”

“I don’t report to Sorley,” Quinn said mildly. He eyed the three fallen humans, one of whom would die if he didn’t get help soon. Quinn hoped Neville had a good doctor on his payroll. “Adorjan, call Neville. Tell him to come get his people out of here.”

One of the standing humans stared at him suspiciously. “Who are you?”

Quinn didn’t answer, only waited while Adorjan made a brief call. He gave Quinn a discreet nod and slipped his phone into his pocket, just as the human’s mobile began to vibrate in silent mode, making a buzzing noise that was easily detectible to a vampire. Quinn nodded at the man to answer. The human did so, his suspicious stare never leaving Quinn, who personally thought the man should be a tad more grateful. Quinn had probably just saved his life.

He gave the human a full-toothed grin, fangs gleaming, and the man finally seemed to understand. This shit was about to get bloody. If the humans stayed, the only thing they could do was die.

He watched silently as Neville’s people gathered up their wounded and surrendered the field, then he turned to Sorley’s vampires, giving them a look with just as much fang, but a lot less grin. “It’s just us now.”

“Yeah,” their seeming leader scoffed. “There’s just one problem. We belong here. You don’t.”

Quinn regarded him quizzically. “No, actually, I’m the one who belongs. Sorley sent me out here the other night to deal with a problem. I dealt with it. That makes all of this mine.”

“That’s not how it works, asshole. I don’t know who the fuck you are, but—”

“Quinn,” he said. “Quinn Kavanagh, but there’s no need to be formal. And you are . . .”

“I’m the last face you’re ever going to see—”

“Oh, please, we’re resorting to movie clichés now? Are we vampires or bit actors?”

“What the fuck you talking to him for?” one of the other vamps snarled at their leader. “Come on, Barrie. Let’s smoke these fuckers and get on with it.”

Quinn’s gaze swung back to Barrie with a lazy grin. The impatient vamp might not understand, but Barrie did. Quinn was still camouflaging most of his power, but Barrie must have known about Quinn’s mission to meet with Neville for Sorley, as well as the outcome. It followed, then, that he knew he’d been sent here tonight to fuck up Quinn’s plans for a private alliance with Neville. He’d probably even expected a confrontation with some of Quinn’s people. But he clearly hadn’t expected Quinn himself to show up.

“You know who I am,” Quinn said quietly, trying to push Barrie’s decision along. “You know what will happen here.”

Unfortunately, Quinn knew what was going to happen, too. Barrie wouldn’t back down. He couldn’t back down without losing face, and it appeared he was one of those vamps who’d rather go down bloody, than walk away from the fight.

“I don’t give a fuck who you are,” Barrie growled now, so very predictably. “This is Sorley’s territory, and his word is law. Not yours.”

Quinn shook his head and tsked. “Not for much longer, Barrie.” He released his power with a rush, exhilaration sweeping over him with near-orgasmic pleasure. God damn that felt good. “I’ll take Barrie,” he told his people calmly.

EVE SLIPPED AWAY between the metal containers, grabbing the first ladder she came to and climbing upward. The metal was cold and wet, sometimes rusted, rough against the bare skin of her legs. It scraped her thigh as she took the final high step to the top, and she reminded herself to wear leggings next time she decided to join in on one of Quinn’s adventures in vampire land. She knew the only reason he’d brought her was to keep her from going off on her own. Lord knew he didn’t need her to help him fight. She had seen what he could do, one on one. Even more, she’d seen what he could do without so much as lifting a fist. He’d sent her up here as a lookout of sorts, watching for enemies trying to sneak up from behind. She doubted he needed that, either, but she kept an eye out anyway, wanting to believe she was helping.

The sound of voices drew her farther away from the vehicles. Walking as softly as she could, she snuck across the tall containers, jumping over a three-foot gap at one point, coming to a freezing halt when she landed for fear the vampire audience below had heard. But it seemed the interminable racket from the port covered up whatever noise she’d made. And besides, the vampires down there seemed much more interested in each other than anything she was doing.

She drew the little crossbow—her new favorite weapon—and crept closer to the edge, sacrificing the skin on her knees to lie flat and spy on the proceedings.

Quinn was down there. She heard him before she saw him, his deep growl sending shivers up her spine, reminding her body of sensual pleasures that had no place in this setting. She scooted the last few inches, bringing the players into view. There was Quinn, looking all badass and sexy, with his people spread out behind him. And facing him was—

Eve sucked in a harsh breath. She knew the vampire facing off with Quinn. She’d spent months looking for him, days following his every move. His name was fucking Barrie Meaney, and he’d been one of the vamps who had killed her brother. She stared. She’d waited so long for this moment, and now that it was here . . . a loud drumming filled her ears and her muscles seemed locked in place. She tried to breathe and realized the sound in her head was the racing of her heart, pounding against her ribs. She heard Quinn saying something in her ear and blinked in confusion before remembering the tiny earpiece he’d given her.

“ . . . take Barrie.”

What? Eve couldn’t make sense of the message, but she didn’t care. Heat flooded her muscles, ice filled her heart, and her thoughts were suddenly cool and calculated. She’d trained for this day. She’d spent five long years waiting for it. She raised the crossbow and fired.

QUINN HAD NO sooner given the order than the low whisper of a crossbow string sounded, and a thick bolt struck Barrie in the chest. The vamp staggered, but didn’t go down right away. He was too old and too strong. Quinn growled his anger over the comm. He knew exactly who’d fired that bolt, just as he knew it wouldn’t be enough. He sent a lance of power slicing into the vampire’s chest, melting the aluminum bolt and destroying Barrie’s heart, finishing what Eve had started. He’d demand an explanation for that later, but it would have to wait.

For the moment, Barrie’s abrupt dusting had shocked Sorley’s vamps into stillness, but that wouldn’t last. Quinn was of a mind to let his people fight it out. He had confidence in their abilities and knew they’d win, and the occasional battle served as a necessary relief valve when it came to vampires. Especially those strong enough to serve in a lord’s trusted inner circle. But he’d no sooner made that decision than he became aware of the humans working all around them on the docks, and of the many human minds suddenly turning their way.

“Too many eyes on us, lads,” he murmured over their Bluetooth comms. “Everyone back off a bit. You, too, Eve.” He heard a feminine splutter of outrage over the line, but sent a needle sharp shot of power at her position on top of a double stack of containers to his right. He sensed as much as heard her shrieked curse, but she’d deserved more than a tiny electrical jolt for shooting Barrie the way she had, for acting without notice and violating his orders. Quinn had reacted quickly enough to mitigate the fallout, but under other circumstances, with a more powerful vampire, for example, it could have spelled disaster.

He didn’t have time right now to lecture Eve, however. His vampires were pulling back as ordered, already heading for their vehicles. They knew what was coming, but Barrie’s followers didn’t seem to realize it. They were still watching the retreat with expressions of triumph when Quinn reached out with a sweep of destructive power and reduced all four of them to dust in an instant.

“Let’s go.” Only Garrick and Adorjan remained, waiting for him. The others were already in their vehicle and on their way to the port gate. He was about to start searching for Eve, when she raced up to the Range Rover and jumped into the backseat, slamming the door. Quinn slid in from his side and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her into a rough embrace as their vehicle caught up with the first, and the two of them zoomed through the jungle of containers and away from the port, slowing only long enough to zap the security cameras as they passed through the gate.

No one said a word until they’d left South Dublin and were on their way home. The rain had grown heavier, becoming a silvery curtain of concealment as they headed for the Ballsbridge house.

Quinn kissed the top of Eve’s head. He was still pissed as hell, and they were definitely going to have a talk before the night was over. But for now, he was glad she and the others were safe and sound. Because it wasn’t going to last. Quinn didn’t fool himself into thinking he could get away with killing one of Sorley’s enforcers without the vampire lord knowing who’d done it.

He hadn’t planned on killing Barrie. Hell, he hadn’t even known whom he’d be confronting on the dock that night. But once the conflict unfolded, there’d been no question of how it would end. It had been Eve’s crossbow that had started the killing, but he’d never intended for Barrie or any of his people to leave the port alive.

Quinn’s original plan might have involved more time, but it wasn’t going to work out that way. He’d probably been a fool ever to think otherwise. Sorley would already be gathering his forces, preparing for the challenge he knew was coming. It would be days yet, before they faced each other. But the final battle for Ireland had begun.

For tonight, however, he and his people were safe, and he had a warm woman he intended to spend the rest of the night making love to. Assuming she’d still be in his bed after he finished reading her the riot act for firing that damn crossbow, he amended. Or maybe the riot act could wait until tomorrow night.

“YOU’RE WITH ME,” Quinn told Eve, when they arrived at his place. He hooked his hand around her arm and walked her all the way through the house and out the back, heading for what looked like a completely separate wing. He was being pushy about it, and she was sure he was pissed because she’d shot that bastard Barrie. But she’d do the same thing all over again, given the chance, and once Quinn stopped dragging her around and listened, she was sure she could make him understand.

At the time, her brain had been so jumbled, so filled with noise, that only one thought had managed to make itself heard. Kill Barrie Meaney. She could no more have pulled her shot in that moment than turned the bow on herself. It simply didn’t compute.

But now, looking back, she saw details. Like when she’d first seen the gang of humans facing off against Sorley’s vampires, trapped between them and Quinn. She’d been sure the humans were done for, because she’d fully expected Quinn to side with his own kind. But Quinn had protected the humans, instead of killing them, especially the ones who’d been injured. He’d stood guard over their retreat and had been turning to confront Barrie when . . . She winced at the memory, knowing she’d rushed things when she’d killed the bastard, but she wasn’t sorry. She just wished the other killer, Cillian, had been there, too.

She hoped Quinn would understand. Needed him to understand how important this was to her. But underneath all of that emotion was something else—the thrill of victory. The excitement, the sense of vengeance fulfilled after all this time, of knowing one of her brother’s killers was dead, was thrumming in her veins like the best drug imaginable. She wanted to scream to the world, to shout at the heavens. She wanted to fuck. All she could think about was stripping off Quinn’s clothes and jumping onto his cock. She grimaced. Okay, that sounded painful. She’d slide slowly, deliciously onto his cock instead. She shivered in anticipation, riding her adrenaline high, as they reached the entrance to the separate house wing.

Quinn tugged her up a short set of stairs, keyed in the door code too fast for her to catch, then pulled her inside and shut the door. She looked around, curious despite her impatience. The décor was much the same as the main part of the house—moneyed elegance—but it was obvious that this wing had been built decades later. The door jambs were all straight, the floor was even, and there wasn’t that indefinable scent of age that pervaded even the best-maintained old homes. She knew, because every place she’d ever lived had been at least a hundred years old. From the small house she’d grown up in, and where her mam still lived, to her Dublin flat during university, and now the tiny place she called home in Howth. The main part of Quinn’s house had that same feel, despite the money that had been spent to modernize it. But this place was newer. She could practically smell the new lumber, the fresh paint. Although, that might just be because Quinn and company had painted recently.

“Does this connect to the main house?” she asked, looking around and running her fingers over the too-smooth plaster walls. They were in a wide hallway, with three widely-spaced doors to the right, and two to the left.

He didn’t answer her question. “These are personal quarters. The rest of the house is for business.”

“You have a business?” she asked, half joking.

His response was perfectly serious. “I’ll soon be running a good part of Ireland, Eve. So, yes, I have a business. This way.” He gestured down the wide hall to the left, frustrating her curiosity.

She glimpsed a very modern bathroom through the first door. More evidence that this wing was newer. Quinn didn’t offer her the facilities, didn’t even slow, but simply propelled her to the door at the end of the hall. It opened without a key, which she found curious. Shouldn’t personal quarters be locked?

She had time to see that the room was a huge bedroom, saw the gleam of a gorgeous mahogany bed, and then Quinn was on her, one arm around her waist, the other hand twisted in her hair, dragging her head back to look up at him. “What’s it to be, darling Eve? Shall we talk, or. . . .” His eyes were shot through with shards of light, his mouth a sinful temptation as he bent to kiss her.

Eve didn’t even try to resist. He was an addiction, and she wanted more. Straining upward against his grip on her hair, she put her mouth to his and kissed him, her lips pressed hard against his, her tongue sweeping in to invite more. He pretended to hold back, letting her do all the work, despite the erection she could feel rubbing against her belly with every move she made. Her teeth closed over his lower lip and bit down hard.

He cursed and yanked back, but not fast enough. Blood flooded into her mouth, but she wasn’t worried. Vampirism wasn’t contagious. She knew that much. Creating a new vampire involved the complete exchange of blood.

But that wasn’t the only effect of a vampire’s blood.

QUINN SAW THE moment his blood hit Eve’s nervous system, the moment her brain reacted to its presence with an endorphin rush that piled onto her adrenaline high and shot her straight into an orgasmic bliss so intense, she collapsed in his arms, crying out in helpless pleasure. He scooped her up before she could hit the floor and laid her on the bed. He’d intended to have her there anyway, but not like this. Every encounter they’d had so far had involved tearing off each other’s clothes, and fucking hard and fast. He’d planned a slow seduction for tonight, his mouth on every inch of her delicious body, and her mouth on his cock . . . after which he’d spank her cute ass for shooting Barrie, and then fuck her again.

But then she’d bitten him and the die was cast. He couldn’t resist the sight and feel of her climaxing in his arms. Her body writhed against his, her breasts rubbing against his chest, her nipples so hard, he could feel them despite the layers of clothing. Wanting more—her breast in his mouth, her nipple against his tongue—he shoved up her sweater and pulled down the sheer cup of her bra. Her breast burst free and he took it, sucking half the warm globe into his mouth, his tongue rasping over her nipple, while he freed the other breast and kneaded it with his fingers, until he switched breasts and gave the other one the same treatment. Pulling back, he bracketed her slim torso in his hands and admired his handiwork—her full breasts shining wet in the golden light of the overhead, her nipples swollen and flushed with blood. He leaned forward again and took a delicious nipple between his teeth this time, hearing her cries, her fingernails scraping his scalp, as he bit down and tugged lightly. And then he did what he’d been dying to do all evening, ever since they’d been interrupted by Garrick and had to rush into battle.

His fangs slid out from his gums, and his hunger surged. Opening his mouth over the swell of her breast, he bit her again, harder this time, as he ever so slowly pulled away, letting his fangs scrape along her flesh, tasting the thin line of blood he left behind. Eve moaned and pressed the back of his head, asking for more. Quinn lapped up the droplets of blood and looked up, reading the desire in her dark eyes, as she thrust out her chest, angling her other breast into his mouth.

He growled and slid his fangs into her flesh, triggering the euphoric in his bite, savoring her screams when she was thrown into another climax hard on the first. Dropping his hand between their bodies, his fingers slid under her skirt, over the silky skin of her thigh, until he felt the wet heat of her pussy through her panties. He tore the thin fabric impatiently, ripping it away from her hip to shove two of his fingers inside her at once. She was already so slick with arousal that she took his intrusion easily, her sheath still trembling with orgasm as it stretched to accommodate him. He began pumping his fingers in and out, while she tore at his shirt, yanking it over his head, until he had to slide his hand out of her sweet body in order to get the rest of it off.

Eve took advantage of his distraction, rubbing his erection through the fabric of his jeans, sliding down the zipper and freeing him from the painfully tight confinement. Shoving him hard over, she switched their positions and tried to straddle him, but he was stronger and had other plans. Rolling her beneath him, her skirt around her waist, her sweater pushed up with her breasts bare over the cups of her bra, he shoved his hips between her thighs and slammed his cock into her pussy as deeply as he could go. One long, hard stroke and she was his, her sheath trembling around him, her legs gripping his hips as she lifted hungrily to meet his thrusts.

“Fuck,” he swore, taking her in a demanding embrace, crushing her lips beneath his, his tongue claiming every inch of her mouth. She met the demands of his kiss, just as she did his cock, vying for a control that he wouldn’t surrender, until her twisting tongue scraped his fang, and he groaned. Her blood was the sweetest confection, so unexpected from the fierce fighter she showed to the world. He sucked on that bit of blood, and his hunger roared. He wanted more. He could scent the warm seduction of her blood so close beneath her pale skin, could feel her veins plump and begging.

“Eve,” he breathed. His lips skimmed the curve of her jaw, dipping briefly to the elegant sweep of her clavicle, licking the slick saltiness of her skin, before kissing his way up to her neck and the swollen line of her jugular. He was hungry. He’d used a lot of power over the last few days, and while he’d had a taste of Eve’s blood from the vein, he hadn’t fed. “Eve,” he said again, her name coming out on a growl as his control fractured.

“Quinn,” she whispered, turning her head to one side and baring her neck in invitation. “It’s okay.”

It was everything he could do not to rip into her neck and feed. But he was a vampire lord. Discipline and control defined him. He waited until her arousal soared again, until she was once more on the verge of climax, with her pounding heart matching the thrust of her urgent rocking against him. And then, with his cock sliding in and out of the warm, wet cleft between her thighs and her whispers a constant, soft plea in his ear, he sliced through her skin, felt the slight pop as his fangs sank into her vein, and then groaned in pleasure as her blood poured down his throat.

Eve gave a low, moaning scream, her back arching against him, as the surge of chemicals hit her blood stream. Fangs still buried in her neck, Quinn clutched her to his chest, one hand on the back of her head and the other low on her hips, crushing her already sensitive clit against his groin every time he drove into her, going harder and deeper, until he felt her hot, slick channel clamp down, rippling along his length as she screamed his name. His own release surged, spilling into her body in a rush of heat, as he lifted his head and snarled, bloody fangs glistening. Only one word filled his head. Mine.

THE RAIN WAS STILL coming down hard when Eve woke to Quinn’s voice telling her to sleep. Her bleary smile became a frown when she realized he was kissing her good-bye, tucking the blanket around her and climbing out of bed. She sat up, clutching the sheet over her naked breasts. “Where are you going? Did something happen?”

He turned back, his eyes alight with that eerie shattered ice glow as they skimmed over the sheet she was gripping so tightly. He didn’t move, simply smiled, slow and seductive. Eve’s body remembered that smile, remembered what came after. Her nipples hardened and warmth pooled between her thighs, which were already sticky with arousal.

Damn, she thought, not for the first time. No wonder women throw themselves at these guys. Hard on that thought was the image of women throwing themselves at Quinn. She didn’t like that one at all.

“Sunrise is near,” he murmured, right against her ear, having somehow crossed the room to sit next to her, while she’d been having murderous thoughts about other women.

She turned to study him, only inches away. Her body was urging her to grab him. To tumble him back to the bed and slide him into her body one more time. His words registered belatedly. She stared at the heavy drapes over the only window, then turned back to him with a frown. “What does that mean?”

His head tilted, and he gave her a puzzled look. “Are you awake, sweetheart?”

She scowled. “Of course. What does that have to do with—”

“I’m a vampire, and the sun is about to rise. I’m going to sleep, whether I want to or not.”

“Okay,” she said, still not understanding. “So, get back in bed!”

“My daytime sleep is taken elsewhere. Stay as long as you want. The daylight guards know you’re here, and they’ll help, if you need anything.” His eyes went blank for an instant, as if his thoughts were far away. When his eyes focused again, he said only, “Time is short. I’ll see you tonight.”

And, just like that, he was gone. No kiss good-bye, no explanation of why he had to sleep somewhere else when he had a dark room with a perfectly good bed right there, and with her in it. Bastard. He still didn’t trust her. Her lips twisted. She supposed she could understand why, but at some point, he was going to have to put the past behind them. Or walk away. Her heart ached at the thought. She didn’t want him to walk away. Didn’t want him to be able to. She already knew she couldn’t do it. How the hell had she gone from a hardened vampire killer to falling in love with one of them instead? And not just any one of them, but a vampire lord. The future ruler of all Ireland’s vampires, if he was to be believed. He sure as hell believed it, which meant she did, too. She’d never met a more determined man than Quinn Kavanagh, vampire or human.

She sighed. So what to do now? She’d already slept a few hours after being fucked into unconsciousness by a certain vampire. She could stay in this room for a while, this very nice room with an intensely masculine vibe—heavy mahogany furniture that gleamed with deep red highlights, a central chandelier that was a fucking piece of art and sure as hell hadn’t been picked up at the local IKEA. The drapes were a heavy, deep-burnished gold, the bed linens a shade darker than that.

But as nice as the room was, she didn’t feel like hanging around all day doing nothing. She didn’t even have her laptop with her, which meant she couldn’t get any work done. And she’d spent enough hours spying on Quinn’s estate that she knew the place closed down tight during the day. There was no activity at all, except for the daylight guards and their conscientious routines. She was going to be bored out of her damn mind.

“All right, Eve,” she said, speaking out loud because everything was just so quiet. It was never this quiet at her flat. “Get your ass out of this bed, and get going. Right,” she added, as if answering herself. She threw the covers back and padded over to the most luxurious bathroom she’d ever seen. She’d seen the guest bath at Sorley’s mansion, which had a more prestigious address than Quinn’s. It had been nice enough, but the style had been old and fussy. Full of elaborate gold fixtures and mirror frames, with heavy, flocked wallpaper. It had all cost a fortune, she was sure, but it had none of the clean lines and welcoming luxury of Quinn’s. His was the kind of bath that made you want to fill the tub and soak for an hour. Maybe light some candles and drink a glass of wine while doing it.

Of course, all that would be better if she had Quinn in the bathtub with her. Stupid vampire.

She settled for a hot shower and clean hair. She didn’t have her hair dryer and couldn’t find one anywhere in the bedroom or bath, so she braided her wet hair away from her face instead. It would still be wet by the time she got home to Howth, and maybe she’d dry it then. Or maybe she wouldn’t bother. From the looks of things, she’d be spending more time facing down enemy vampires than enjoying romantic dinners over candlelight. At least, for the next few days.

When she went to get dressed, she realized her panties were gone, courtesy of Quinn’s impatience, and her skirt was short. Nothing she could do about that. On the other hand, her car was still parked down the block, so at least she didn’t have to worry about some pervert staring up her skirt while she sat on the train. Wearing her Nike trainers, which simply didn’t belong with the skirt, she made her way down the wood-floored hallway, noticing that all the other doors were closed, and the entire wing was perfectly silent. Did vampires sleep behind those other doors? A wicked voice inside her head told her to peek in and see, but she squashed that idea with little effort. Even if it was true, it struck her as beyond rude, more like a taboo or an intolerable perversion, to spy on vampires while they were helpless in sleep.

She opened the outside door to a wet, winter’s morning. The rain had let up only a few minutes ago, but the grey sky and heavy clouds told her it could start again at any moment. Taking that as a sign she should get her ass in gear, she tightened her jacket and walked quickly towards the front gate.

It took a few minutes. Quinn’s house was big, and she’d had to go all the way around. The main part of the house, which Quinn had referred to as a business office, was locked up tight, so she couldn’t cut through. There was a lovely path along the side yard, but it was meant for sunnier days meandering around. Still, she didn’t have much choice, and she walked along the path until she finally reached the front. One of Quinn’s guards was waiting for her when she emerged from the side yard.

“Ms. Connelly.”

She smiled, feeling awkward. There was only one reason for her to be slipping out with the sunrise, and that was because she’d been fucking one of the vamps the night before. The guard knew her name and probably which vampire she’d spent the night with, too. What was it the Americans called this? The walk of shame. Except she didn’t have anything to be ashamed about. She was young, single, and free, and she could fuck anyone she wanted, for as long as she wanted.

“My car’s down the block,” she explained.

“I know. Would you like some breakfast first?”

Eve’s stomach growled at the mention of food. Come to think of it, she hadn’t eaten dinner last night, because she’d been with Quinn. The downside of dating a vampire? You couldn’t count on regular meals together. “You have breakfast here?” she asked him.

He nodded. “For the daylight crew. Come on, I’ll show you.” He started walking back the way she’d just come. “My name’s Bell, by the way. Joshua Bell.”

“I’m Eve, but you probably know that.”

He nodded and turned up a short walk to a side door on the house. “Lord Quinn put your name on the visitors’ list.”

Eve eyed him shrewdly. “And I bet you ran me.”

“Of course, I did,” he said unapologetically. “The safety of everyone on this estate, including Lord Quinn, is my responsibility.”

“What’d you discover?”

He led her into a very modern kitchen and yanked open one door of the biggest refrigerator she’d ever seen. “Everything’s fresh. Eggs, fruit, fruit juice. There might be yogurt, though we don’t get much call for that. There’s frozen stuff down below, mostly breakfast and snack types. We have a cook who comes in to prepare fresh lunch and dinner. My guys have big appetites.” He closed the refrigerator and opened a double cupboard next to it. “Baked goods. Pastries, breads, and bagels. There might be some scones left. Coffee machine and electric kettle.” He pointed to those devices on the countertop. “Coffee pods and tea in the cupboard just above it.” He finished with a flourish and a grin. “And that’s it.”

Eve was a little overwhelmed, so she said the first thing that came to mind. “You didn’t answer my question. What’d you discover when you ran me?”

He regarded her steadily. “You received better than good grades all through school. You were admitted to Trinity College, graduated with honors, and were accepted into their graduate program, when”—he paused and met her eyes—“your brother’s death ended all that. You dropped out and began doing private research on the side, writing thesis papers and dissertations for other people, instead of finishing your own. All of which produces just enough income to support yourself and your aging mother.”

Eve looked away, uncomfortable with such a flat distillation of her life, even though it was accurate, as far as it went. She was hardly going to insist he include her nighttime hunting habit. “Anything else?”

“Nothing of note,” he said, although she had a feeling he wasn’t being completely honest with her. And why would he be? For all his friendliness, his loyalty was to Quinn, not her. “Any questions?” he said, waving a hand to indicate he was talking about breakfast.

She considered. “I do have a question.”

He gave her an inquiring look.

“You know a lot about guns, right?”

He seemed to relax, as if he’d expected something a lot more difficult from her. “That’s putting it mildly.”

“Good. I have this gun.” She started to pull it from her purse, but thought better of it. “I’m taking it out now, okay?”

He nodded, but she saw that his eyes followed every move of her hand as she pulled the Sig out of her purse and placed it on the counter.

He picked it up, popped the mag and set it aside, then racked the slide and removed the chambered round. “Sig P938,” he said, laying it on the counter. “6 round mag, plus one in the chamber if you’re smart, given the small magazine. You have a question?”

She blinked. He’d handled the gun with the same competence as Quinn. She didn’t want to look like an idiot, not knowing more about her own gun, but on the other hand, she really wanted an answer. “Okay, I bought this for self-defense a while back. I was feeling jumpy after Alan was murdered. I didn’t know why they’d gone after him, and . . .” She saw the sympathy on his face, and looked away, feeling guilty about lying. She cleared her throat nervously. “Anyway, everyone says”—she was careful not to admit she had any personal experience on the subject—“that the ammo I’m using isn’t any good against a vampire. But I’ve heard there’s something else out there—”

“Wait,” he said, holding a hand up to stop her. “You want my advice on how to kill vampires?”

She frowned. “Not every vampire, obviously. But I was with Quinn last night when he faced off against some of Sorley’s vamps, and it seems like that’s likely to happen again in the near future. It would nice if I could do more than stand around wringing my hands.”

He eyed her carefully. “Can you shoot?”

She nodded. “I have over 100 hours on the range. I know that’s not much,” she hurried to add. “But I go whenever I can, and . . . and I’m good,” she finished defiantly.

“It’s enough. I’ll tell you what. I’ve got some work to do first, but if you meet me here in, say, four hours, I’ll take you to the range myself, and check you out. If you’re as good as you say, I’ll get you the ammo you need.”

She gave him a huge smile. “Thanks! Um. Here? Like, the kitchen, or—?”

“In the front, near the garage. We’ll go to the range, then grab lunch on the way back, and you can explain some of this Irish food to me.”

“Great! I need to run home first and change. But I’ll be back in time.” She grabbed a fruit pastie, took a big bite, then wrapped the rest in a napkin, and headed for the door. If she left now, she’d have plenty of time to get to Howth, shower and change, and pack a few things, just in case she spent another night with Quinn. No more short skirts without panties for her.

“You sure that’s all you want to eat?” Bell asked, following her outside.

She swallowed and said, “Gotta save room for lunch.”

“All right, come on, then. I’ll walk you to your car.”

“Oh, that’s not necessary,” she dismissed. “This is Ballsbridge not Balleyback. Besides, it’s sunrise. All the bad guys are asleep in their beds by now.”

He smiled. “All the same,” he said calmly. “I’ll see you there safely.”

Eve rolled her eyes where he couldn’t see it. Quinn had clearly left marching orders where she was concerned. She wasn’t going to waste her breath.

Bell walked her the short distance. Taking her keys, he unlocked the car and inspected it inside and out, before stepping back, and handing the keys to her. “Drive safely now.”

“I will. And I’ll see you later.”

EVE WAS HALFWAY home to Howth when her cell phone rang, startling her. She checked her dashboard clock and saw it read 10:05 am. Hanging around with vampires was screwing with her sense of time, but sunrise was between 8:30 – 9:00 this time of year, so that had to be right. She’d somehow thought it was later. She couldn’t imagine who would be calling her this early. Most of her clients were graduate students and didn’t crawl out of bed before noon.

Grabbing her phone, she risked life and limb long enough to check the display. She winced. It was her mother. Probably calling to complain about Eve not having come by in days. She’d be full of tales of prescriptions gone unfilled—they weren’t—and bare food shelves—they weren’t either. Brigid Connelly walked to the store every damn day, mostly for the gossip, and the pharmacy was right next door. But she wouldn’t stop calling until Eve answered.

She accepted the call. “Good morning, Mam. You’re up bright and early.”

“I can barely sleep anymore with these hip pains.”

Eve knew better than to respond to that.

“Where are you?” her mother demanded.

“Dublin,” she lied. “I’ve been doing some research for a client.”

“Another cheater, you mean.”

“Yeah, well, those cheaters provide me a nice income. I should get back to it.”

“When are you returning to Howth?”

Eve grimaced. “I’m not quite sure. If there’s something you—”

“There’s something we need to discuss. Tonight will do.”

“Mam, I’m not sure—”

“Alan was always so good to me, so attentive. If he were still alive—”

Eve cut her off. She’d heard it all before, how Alan had been the perfect son—which he had been—and now he was dead, which was somehow all Eve’s fault, and Brigid was left with only her ungrateful daughter to care for her.

“I’ll be there tonight. I’m not sure what time.”

“It’s no matter. I’ve nowhere else to be.”

Christ, she was really laying it on thick this morning. One of the local biddies must have scored points on the gossip scoreboard. A daughter who’d married well, or a son who’d struck it rich, or, the gold medal of gossip, that same son asking his mother to come live with him, so he could take care of her.

“See you then,” Eve muttered. “I’ve got to go.” She tossed the phone down. For a day that had started in Quinn’s bed, this one was sure going downhill fast.

QUINN LEANED AGAINST the open doorway, watching as Eve walked back and forth in the back garden, sometimes talking to herself in a way that sounded like an argument. The garden was lit, courtesy of the small pathway which led along the side of the house and then meandered over a manicured lawn, before ending in a rose garden. The lawn was where Eve paced, debating with herself. According to Joshua Bell, she’d been gone for a few hours this morning, but had returned in time for Bell to take her to the range and make sure she knew how to shoot that gun she was carrying around. Bell had also confided that Eve was after some ammo with enough punch to kill a vampire and had asked if Quinn wanted her to have it. The thought of Eve in possession of vampire-killer rounds was rather terrifying. On the other hand, if she was going to follow him into fights among vampires, as she had last night, it would be better if she could at least defend herself. So he’d told Bell to go ahead.

Since she’d gotten what she wanted from Bell, Quinn was trying to puzzle out what might have brought on the pacing and arguing. His security people told him she’d spent much of the hour before sunset, sitting quietly, seeming to enjoy what was forecast to be only a brief break in the wet weather. The pacing and arguing had only commenced once the sun had set, which was a giant hint that it had something to do with him.

“You could have waited in here,” he said, the words a low murmur that his power sent whispering directly in Eve’s ear.

She spun, expecting him to be right behind her, then spun again when she didn’t find him there. Her gaze lifted to search the yard, eventually seeing him where he stood backlit in the doorway to the residential wing where he, Garrick, and Adorjan had their personal quarters. He smiled at the irritated look on her face, a look she’d smoothed over by the time she’d marched across the lawn and stood looking up at him. He reached down, wrapped an arm around her waist, and drew her up the three steps to the house entrance, pulling her flush against his chest.

“Good evening, Eve,” he crooned and gave her an intentionally seductive kiss. He wanted her to remember what they’d had the night before, when she’d been trembling in his arms after multiple orgasms, and still pleading for more.

He was satisfied to see that she was flushed and breathless when he finally released her, her heart racing and her arousal scenting the air. She licked her lips. He followed the movement, struck by the sudden desire to suck her plump lower lip between his teeth and bite down. Hard.

“Stop doing that,” she gasped, sounding utterly flustered.

“Doing what?” he whispered against her ear.

“Looking at me like—”

He straightened so he could see her face. “Like what, sweetheart?” He gave her an innocent smile.

“Pfft. Never mind. Can we talk?”

“Aren’t we talking already?”

“Not like this,” she insisted. “Not . . . out here where anyone can listen. And not like”—she waved a hand between them—“this, with you being all sexy and trying to seduce me.”

He grinned. “I’m not trying, Eve.”

“Like that,” she snapped.

His grin became a laugh, but he slid one hand down her arm to clasp her hand and tug her inside and down the hall to his suite.

Once there, he closed the door, then crossed to the sidebar and poured himself two fingers of Irish whiskey, which was beginning to grow on him. He raised the crystal decanter in Eve’s direction, asking if she wanted some. She shook her head. He’d noticed she didn’t drink much. Probably a matter of control, which he could understand well enough. He’d have done the same if he wasn’t a vampire who could drink the whole fucking bottle with no effect.

“Water, if you have it,” she said.

Quinn opened the small refrigerator and withdrew a chilled bottle of water. “Glass?” he asked.

She shook her head again. “The bottle is fine. That way I know what’s in it,” she added defiantly.

He chuckled. “Eve, darling, I don’t need drugs to seduce you.”

She blushed hotly. “It’s not nice to gloat.”

He walked over and handed her the bottle, making a show of twisting the cap so she could hear the plastic tabs breaking. As she took the bottle, he leaned in and kissed her cheek. “I’m sorry,” he said, but layered it with so much seductive power, she shivered.

“No, you’re not,” she muttered and took a long drink of water, as if trying to douse the heat of his presence.

He took a sip of whiskey and sat on the short sofa near the windows. “So, what are we talking about, then?”

Eve walked over and sat on the opposite end. She seemed nervous, avoiding his eyes, which made him intensely curious. He’d never given her any reason to fear him.

“Okay, first . . .” She paused, and gave him a narrow-eyed look, as if expecting him to say something sarcastic. When he didn’t, she grimaced and said, “You were right.”

She made it sound like an accusation. If this was supposed to be an apology, she sucked at it.

“About the vampires, I mean,” she explained. “How most of them are just ordinary people going about their lives, and if my brother had been killed by a man—a human, that is—I wouldn’t have gone out and started shooting random humans.”

He opened his mouth to respond, but she wasn’t finished.

“But I didn’t actually kill random vampires, either. I may have . . . overstated the scope of my hunts when we first met. For all I knew, you were just one more Sorley thug, and I needed to make you believe that I was no easy prey. But I was never out to kill every vampire, Quinn. Only the ones who worked closely with Sorley, the ones bollocks deep in his personal crime syndicate. Those are the ones I went after because I thought they’d lead me to the two I was really after. The ones who murdered Alan.”

Quinn tilted his head, studying her, waiting to see if she was finished. When it seemed she was, he said, “What about McKeever?”

She scowled. “Who?”

“Numbers. The accountant you were about to kill before I stopped you outside Sorley’s that night.”

“Oh, come on,” she said in disbelief. “I was never going to kill him. I just wanted information. He does all of Sorley’s books, you know. He knows everything.”

“Yes, I know. As for the others . . . Eve, just because a vampire, or a man, works for an asshole, that doesn’t mean he’s an asshole, too.”

“Well, I know that. But I told you, I was careful.”

Quinn sighed. They were never going to agree on this. “All right, then, tell me. What does this epiphany of yours mean for the future of my vampires?”

“Your vampires?” she repeated, confused. “I’ve never attacked any of—”

He raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, for God’s sake, I told you, the rifle was a test. If I’d been trying to kill someone, they’d be dead.”

“A test where you used my people for target practice. What if your aim had been off?”

“It wasn’t. Don’t be such a baby.”

The look he gave her was definitely not amused.

“Fine. I won’t do it again.”

“Because I have your rifle,” he said dryly. “But let me get this straight. I’m right about your vengeance hunt against vampires, but it doesn’t matter, because you’ve only ever killed bad guys, and, besides, sometimes you weren’t really trying to kill anyone, anyway. Is that about it? Oh, and I think somewhere in there is an apology. It’s hard to tell.”

She gave him the bored look of a teenager, but then sighed deeply and admitted, “There is one other thing.”

“I can hardly wait.”

“You know that vampire I shot last night? The one with the crossbow?”

Quinn scowled. “Ah, yes, Barrie. The one you shot without my go-ahead and nearly—”

“He’s one of the vampires who killed my brother. I had to kill him. There was no choice.”

“Look, Eve, I get it. But you very nearly fucked up that whole situation. My people could have been hurt, because you couldn’t follow the one, simple order I gave you.”

“You think he was following orders when he kicked my brother’s head in?”

“Yes, actually, I do. Barrie was one of Sorley’s enforcers. You can bet he was doing exactly what Sorley told him to.”

She drank a sullen swig of water, then took her time replacing the plastic cap. “I’m not sorry I killed him.”

Quinn snorted a laugh. “You didn’t kill him. I did. Barrie was far too powerful to be killed by a single bolt to the chest like that. It’s too clean. A strong vampire can recover, especially if that’s his only damage. You’ve killed vampires, I’ll give you that. But you’ve never come up against one with real power. If you’d used that crossbow on someone like Sorley? Like me?” He leaned toward her. “I’d make you eat that bolt for dinner, sweetheart. And then I’d drain you dry and make you love it.” He straightened and said soberly, “And so would Sorley. Don’t doubt that for one minute. He’s the fucking Lord of Ireland, Eve. You don’t get that far by playing nice.”

EVE PUSHED HERSELF as deep into the plush sofa as she could, wanting distance between her and Quinn. He was so angry about this. She’d admitted he was right, what more did he want? And for him to laugh and say she hadn’t been the one who killed that evil fucker, Barrie Meaney? Not to give her even that much, when he had to know what it meant to her? Or maybe he didn’t. Maybe he was so lost up there in his super powerful vampire universe, where all he had to do was lift a finger and his enemies died, that he could no longer understand what it was like for everyone else. Well, fuck him. She didn’t care what he said. She knew she’d killed at least some part of Barrie. Maybe hers hadn’t been the last, fatal blow, but she’d weakened him. She’d been part of the precious team that had killed him, and she was going to kill his buddy Cillian, too. Because her brother’s death demanded vengeance, and she needed to finish it, so she could finally just stop.

She looked up to find Quinn eyeing her far too closely, as if he knew what she was thinking. He didn’t, though. If he had, he’d have been locking her up until this was all over. Or he’d have tried, she thought defiantly.

Across the room, a mobile phone buzzed angrily on a tabletop. Eve patted her pocket, finding her phone there. Quinn stood with an impatient noise and crossed to the sideboard, where he must have set it down while he was preparing his drink.

“Yeah,” he said, answering the call. “Really. All right, put him on.”

QUINN STUDIED EVE while he waited for the call to be switched over. She was hiding something. Her emotions, to begin with. Building walls between them. He wouldn’t permit that. She was his, whether she knew it yet or not. He could be patient, give her time to come around, but he wouldn’t let her deny what was happening between them. Call it chemistry, fate . . . call it what it was, fucking combustible attraction. But what it wasn’t, was something she could ignore. He wouldn’t let her.

A man’s voice on the phone said, “Sir. My name is—”

“What’s the message?” Quinn cut off the plummy sounds of Sorley’s flunky. The vampire claimed to be calling on behalf of the vampire lord and had insisted on speaking to Quinn directly. Quinn didn’t need his name or particulars. All he needed was the message he’d been ordered to convey.

The vamp sputtered a moment or two, then pulled himself together. “Lord Sorley requests your presence this evening. He said only that there are matters to discuss. I am not privy to—”

“Okay,” Quinn interrupted again. “Any particular time?”

“At your convenience, sir.”

“Great. We’ll be there.”

“But, sir, Lord Sorley said only you—”

Quinn disconnected and called Garrick. He was sure Sorley had ordered Quinn to come alone. But Quinn wasn’t suicidal, and he didn’t take orders from Sorley. Garrick answered on the first ring. “My lord?”

“We’ve been summoned. Or rather I have, but I think we both know what this really is.”

“You think he’ll challenge you so soon? I mean formally? He seems more like the sneak attack sort.”

“I agree. He won’t want to give me much of a warning, so there’ll be no formal challenge. The only question is how much willing support he’s mustered among his people. It could be every vamp in the city. Hell, maybe the county. I doubt it goes much beyond that, but he can draw on the whole fucking territory, if he’s willing to kill a few vampires. And I think we both know he’s willing.”

“So, why agree to show up at all? Why not do it on your terms. You’re the challenger, not him.”

“Yeah, but I’m tired of the game. I want this part of it over with, so we can start rebuilding what he’s broken.”

“All right,” Garrick agreed instantly. “What’s the plan?”

The plan was simple enough. There wasn’t one. Without knowing what they’d face at Sorley’s, he had to fall back on tradition and hope it had become tradition for a reason.

When he disconnected, Eve was watching him with a glint in her eyes. “I want to go.”

He didn’t respond immediately, but just walked over and sat in the chair facing her, rather than beside her on the sofa.

“I’m serious, Quinn.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I know that something big is going down tonight, and I know it involves Sorley. I want to go.”

He pretended to consider it, but tonight’s challenge was vampire business. Humans had no place there. If Sorley had a mate, she might be there. The same went for any other vampire who trusted his mate to hold her own in what was certain to be a violent battle. But he and Eve sure as hell weren’t mated. He didn’t even know how she felt about him, other than as a good fuck. And there was also the feeling he had that she was holding something back, that she had some other reason for wanting to go to Sorley’s. And until he knew what it was, he couldn’t trust her not to do something like she had the other night with Barrie. That had turned out well enough, because he’d been ready to kill the vamp anyway. But he was reminded that there was a second vampire out there who’d been responsible for killing her brother, a vampire who almost certainly worked for Sorley. If Eve spotted him and pulled a surprise like she had with Barrie, vampires would die. His vampires.

And then there was simply her safety. Because, regardless of how she felt about him, she was his. And he wasn’t going to risk her getting hurt or, even worse, killed. This was a vampire challenge. It would be fought with vampire weapons, which would certainly be fatal for his redheaded lover.

“Sorry, sweetheart,” he said. And he was sorry, but only to disappoint her. “This is vampire business, no humans allowed.”

She studied him intently, searching for the lie in his words. She wouldn’t find it. Quinn had perfected a blank face long before becoming a vampire.

“All right.”

He stilled. He hadn’t known Eve long, but he knew this wasn’t like her. She never gave up without a fight. He made a note to have their vehicles checked for bugs, and to assign one of his vamps to keep an eye on her while he was gone. It would have to be someone powerful enough to control her, but who at least seemed harmless enough not to set off her radar.

“I don’t know how long we’ll be gone, but you can wait for me here,” he said, more as a test, than anything else.

She shrugged. “No. I’m going home tonight. To Howth,” she clarified. “I haven’t been by to see my mother, and she’s gotten after me about it.”

Losing patience, he stood and pulled her to her feet. “Don’t do this, Eve.”

“Do what? I don’t know what—”

He took her mouth in a hard, commanding kiss, his teeth clashing against hers, his tongue winding around hers, demanding a response.

Eve held out for a heartbeat or two, pretending not to care, not to feel anything, but the chemistry between them couldn’t be denied. With a deep groan, she melted into his embrace, her arms tightening around his back.

Quinn fisted a hand in her long hair, tipping her head back as he deepened the kiss, until one of his fangs tore the tender flesh of her lip, and the sweetness of her blood filled his mouth. He squeezed her against his chest, his arm a band around her lower back as he straightened to his full height. Taking her with him, he strode for the bed. He didn’t have time for this. His vampires were waiting, Sorley was waiting. But if he was going to die tonight, then he was going to have one final taste of his Eve.

Her legs were crossed behind his back when they reached the bed, pulling him tight against the heat between her thighs, her kisses as demanding and ravenous as his own. Her ass hit the mattress and her legs loosened as she reached for his belt, nimble fingers making quick work of the heavy buckle. Smooth leather slid easily through the constraining loops, before she slid his zipper down and wrapped her fingers around his cock. Leaning forward, she took him into her mouth and sucked him deep, her cheeks hollowing with the effort.

Quinn groaned, his hand on the back of her head, urging her forward. He wanted his cock buried in her sweet pussy, but her mouth was so damn hot and wet, and it felt so fucking good. Ripping her blouse open, he snapped the band on her bra and bared her breasts, squeezing the succulent flesh, weighing them in his hands as he flicked her nipples into flushed and swollen peaks.

Eve moaned around his cock, the sound a delicate vibration along his shaft that had him shuddering with desire as she took him deeper and deeper. He could feel her throat muscles working, struggling to swallow, the constriction caressing his full hard length. He pumped in short strokes, in and out, fucking her mouth. She looked up at him, raising only her eyes, while her lips remained wrapped around his dick. It was incredibly erotic, and he nearly climaxed at the sight. But he wanted her pussy, wanted to come deep inside her body.

Tightening his hand into a fist around her hair, he pulled her off his cock, her mouth coming free with an audible pop as he dragged her higher up onto the bed. Ripping her jeans and panties down her legs impatiently, he tugged one shoe off so he could yank the constricting fabric over her foot to make room for his hips between her thighs. Eve gasped, but spread her legs wide in invitation, her pussy glistening with arousal, the outer lips swollen and flush with readiness.

Quinn snarled as he slammed his cock into her tight channel, gliding through the creamy wetness of her sheath. He stretched her wide, one hand cupping her ass, tilting her higher and opening her up to him even more. Plunging deep into her sweet body, he began rocking back and forth, the hard pearls of her nipples scraping against his T-shirt clad chest with every movement. Eve was making hungry little noises, swallowing her screams with every thrust, until finally her pussy clamped down on his cock, and she shattered around him, holding him deep inside her as her climax went on and on, her inner muscles flexing and squeezing his length, while her nails scraped bloody furrows into his shoulders.

Quinn fought his own climax as long as he could, loving the feel of her hot, tight body around him, the sight of her lost in orgasm as his cock thrust back and forth. But, finally, it was too much. He drove himself as deep as he could go and climaxed hard, his release pumping into her sex, until he collapsed on top of her, one hand still twisted in her hair, the other cupping her delicious ass to hold her close.

They lay there together, breathing, until finally Eve muttered, “You weigh a ton.”

Quinn laughed and rolled away, pulling her up onto his chest, with one possessive hand still petting her naked butt. They stayed that way until their hearts slowed and their lungs were no longer gasping, and then Eve patted his chest. “I’ve gone and drained you now, before your big meeting.”

“It’s not that big of a meeting,” he lied.

“Still, I don’t want that huge bodyguard of yours blaming me for making you weak in front of Sorley. Do you need blood?”

Quinn smiled at the eager note in her voice. Apparently, his Eve had decided she rather liked being bitten, after all. But he’d already spent more time with her than he should, and the others would be waiting. Why the fuck did Sorley have to pick this night to play his games?

He shook his head in regret. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. But as much as I’d love to sink my fangs into your pretty neck, and as delicious and tempting as your blood is, it’s not necessary. I’m strong enough that I don’t need to drink every night, and you need your blood, too.”

She sighed in regret, then stretched out her entire body, rubbing against him in pure sexual enticement. The witch. She sat up abruptly, her legs straddling his hips, as she fingered the tatters of her shirt. The buttons were gone, but there were no tears. Her bra, on the other hand. . . .

“Will you be late tonight?” She didn’t look at him, pretending to be casual, but he could feel the fine tension in her body as she waited for his answer.

He stroked his hands over her smooth thighs. “It depends on what Sorley wants, but whatever it is, I suspect it will take longer than it needs to. He prides himself on being a pain in my ass.” His hands tightened, holding her in place. “Will you sleep overnight in Howth, or come back here?”

“Here?”

He nodded. “My guards have you on their list, even if I’m not back.”

“Is it good to be on this list?” she asked, grimacing in disgruntlement.

“It’s a very short list of people who are welcome in the compound, smartass.”

She laughed, a sweet, almost childish sound that he hadn’t heard her make before. He smiled.

“Well, just as your night depends on Sorley,” she said, leaning over to prop her elbows on his chest. “Mine depends on my mam, and I suspect I’m in for a lecture.”

“Lecture?”

“About what a bad daughter I am. I’m overdue for a reminder.”

He eyed her solemnly. “You could just stay here, you know. Give her a call instead. I’m sure the lecture would be just as effective.”

She shook her head, then stretched up to kiss him. The kiss started sweet, but went on and on, until it threatened to spark the passion that lived between them. As if she sensed the same danger, she broke away and sat up, breathing heavily. “Thanks,” she said after a moment. “But I have to make a personal appearance this time.”

“I’ll send someone with you, then. Things are too unsettled right now. I don’t want you going there alone.”

She gave him a disbelieving look. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’ve been making this drive alone forever. I’ll be fine.”

“Maybe. But I’m not taking any chances.”

“Quinn, I don’t—”

He cut off her objection with a kiss. “Don’t waste your breath. I’ll make it someone you know. Come on.” He started to sit up, but she stopped him.

“Call me when you finish tonight, okay? So I know you made it out alive.” She said it as a joke, but there was fear in her eyes. For him.

Quinn hauled her close and kissed her again. Deeply, passionately. A long, lingering kiss meant to brand himself onto her heart. “I’ll make it back, Eve. I’m not finished with you yet.”

“Quinn,” she breathed, as her eyes filled with tears. “I’m serious. Sorley’s a sneaky bastard. He’ll do anything to win.”

“So will I, sweetheart. Sorley’s not the only one who can fight dirty.” He sat up then, taking her with him, until they both stood by the side of the bed. He turned her toward the bathroom and smacked her ass. “You get first dibs on the shower. Make it quick.”

She stared at him for a moment, her gaze serious as it met his.

“I’ll be fine, Eve. I promise.”

Nodding, she toed off her jeans and panties from the other leg, bent over to retrieve them from the floor, and then hurried to the bathroom.

As soon as the door closed, and he heard the shower running, he called Garrick. “Is everyone ready?”

“Waiting on you, my lord.”

“Ten minutes, Garrick. And then we’ll go give the vampires of Ireland a new lord.”