Chloe looked at a picture of Dawn Labyrinth blown up to life-size and projected on the wall, examining the signature in the bottom right corner. It was grainy, but the signature was visible.

“That’s it,” she said. “I’m sure of it.”

Tenzin stood beside her. “How sure?”

“The way he loops his L on Emil, it’s distinctive. I’ve studied his other paintings and his signature didn’t vary much. The S is a little different too. It’s the same signature or a very good fake.”

They both turned when the distinctive sound of a champagne bottle popped behind them.

Ben was grinning. “We did it.”

Gavin wasn’t smiling. “We’re not positive.”

“This painting”—he walked to the wall, champagne in hand—“was missing. For over seventy years, it’s been a mystery. And we found it.”

Chloe couldn’t help the smile. “I mean, I can’t be positive, but I’m fairly sure.”

Emilie leapt to her feet and ran over to hug Chloe. “This is amazing!”

Gavin still wasn’t smiling. Tenzin wasn’t either.

Emilie looked around. “Why all the grim faces? Ben’s right. You did it! You found Midnight Labyrinth.”

“We may have found it, Miss Mandel,” Gavin said, “but we haven’t retrieved it yet.”

“All in good time.” Ben walked to the table where Gavin had laid out the plans he’d retrieved from Rothman House. “You said these had been altered?”

“Yes.” Gavin was sketching over the plans in pencil. “This hallway here is intact, but many of the interior rooms have been expanded or combined. And this whole passageway…”

Gavin continued noting differences in the layout to Ben and Tenzin. Emilie hung on Ben’s shoulder, avidly taking in every detail while Chloe watched from the couch. She was fairly sure that she wouldn’t have any part of the actual theft of the painting, for which she was exceedingly grateful. This whole “job” made her nervous as hell.

Was it theft?

She knew the painting had been stolen from Emilie’s family to begin with. She knew whoever owned it had likely obtained it by sketchy methods, whether it was on the black market or the grey market or the vampire market or whatever.

But…

Chloe was the type of person who’d felt guilty parking in a delivery zone when she lived in LA. She still looked twice if she jaywalked, and she’d nearly cried the one time she’d walked out of a store with a dress over her arm that set off an alarm. She’d forgotten she’d been holding it when her phone rang. The store manager had been the one comforting her while Chloe imagined her mother at the police station, bailing her out for shoplifting.

She got straight As and belonged to the honor society. She volunteered at the Boys & Girls Club in LA, teaching dance to little kids.

She did not go on covert intelligence-gathering missions at parties.

She did not make out with vampires she barely knew.

And she did not conspire to steal valuable pieces of art.

But you’re not really stealing it, dove.

And why did she suddenly have Gavin Wallace’s voice in her brain?

Chloe watched him in profile, wishing she could forget how it had felt when he held her. He was thrilling in a way that should scare her. He just… didn’t. He didn’t scare her, which made Chloe feel naive. She knew there was a lot about this strange and alluring creature she wasn’t seeing. She saw the shadows in Ben’s eyes. She knew that living in the world he occupied was dangerous in ways she didn’t even realize.

But…

Gavin’s eyes cut to her as if he could read her thoughts. He didn’t smile. He didn’t make a joke. He caught her gaze and held it. In the space of seconds, the vampire stripped her bare. He wanted her. She wanted him.

What are you going to do about that, Chloe?

She didn’t know. She didn’t know anything anymore. She closed her eyes, cutting herself off from their world. Her anxiety, which had been gradually lessening in the weeks since leaving Tom, spiked. She had a vision of herself as a bird, flitting through life in her plain brown feathers while birds of prey circled overhead.

Gavin, Ben, Tenzin and Emilie continued plotting, making plans as if the rules meant nothing.

Because they don’t. Not to them.

Chloe rose and walked to the control console near the kitchen. She scrolled through the music choices on the screen and picked a methodical piano piece by Debussy. It was the kind of measured melody that let her mind fall into a rhythm, the same way she warmed up her body by routine. Minute by minute, she relaxed. She didn’t notice that the voices on the other end of the room went quiet. She didn’t hear Gavin approach her but could feel his presence at her back when he did.

Gavin slipped an arm around her waist, and Chloe froze.

“Change the music. Give us something we can dance to.”

“I can dance to this.”

Gavin pulled her back against his chest. Chloe’s pulse spiked again. The hitch in his breath told her that Gavin heard it.

“I want to see you dance,” he said.

“I’m doing a show in a few months. I’ll let you know when tickets are available.”

He leaned down and whispered, “Is that all I can have?” Gavin took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

What could he sense that she couldn’t? His senses were stronger, more perceptive. It intrigued Chloe and annoyed her at the same time.

“I don’t know.”

* * *

The music had switched from classical to jazz, a second bottle of champagne had been popped open, and Ben was dancing with Emilie. She was incandescent with happiness. Her mood was infectious.

“I can’t wait to tell my grandmother,” she said. “Can you imagine? She’s going to be so happy.”

“Wait,” he said, trying to rein in his own euphoria. “Just wait for now. Gavin may be a cranky ass, but he’s right. This job will be complicated. Let us work out who’s holding it and how we’re going to retrieve it before you say anything.”

She nodded. “I’m still excited.”

Ben bent and nipped at her ear. “Me too. You have no idea.”

He spun her around, dancing through the loft, all the tables and chairs pushed to the side. She was so damn cute. Like a kid on Christmas morning, and he was the one who’d handed her all the presents. Ben felt a million feet tall. He wondered if Emilie would stay the night. Wondered if he should kick everyone out of the loft or steal her away somewhere more private. He wanted time with her. Time to explore who she was beyond the mystery of the painting and the story.

Gavin was dancing with Chloe and poking at Tenzin, chuckling when Ben opened a third bottle of champagne. The loft was filled with the sound of laughter, Billie Holliday, and shuffling feet. Even Tenzin started smiling.

But then the music switched to a dancing trumpet and Ella Fitzgerald singing about the stars above her. Gavin danced over and grabbed Emilie away from Ben. “My turn.”

She giggled and swirled away from Ben. He finished his half-full glass of champagne and sauntered over to Tenzin, who was sitting on the library table.

“Get over here, Tiny. This is our song.”

She was still wearing the vibrant purple dress with the hidden dagger sheaths. Her eyes were smoky grey and lazy with amusement.

“You’re drunk,” she said.

“Nooooo.” He held out his hand and she hopped off the table. “Just… relaxed.”

His tie was long gone. His cuffs were turned up. When her fingers slid across his wrist, he shivered. When his hand slid to the small of her back, she looked up. Her head angled as she examined him.

“Hello, Benjamin.”

“Hey.” His voice was rough. Damn champagne. “Did I tell you that you look beautiful tonight?”

“Yes.”

“I decided I like the hair.”

The corner of her mouth turned up. “Good for you.”

“Tenzin—”

“You talk too much, Benjamin.” She leaned closer, and Ben’s arm pulled tight. “Just dance.”

Dream a little dream.

Ben held her as they spun around the room, her body light against his. As they danced, his mind floated on a heady mix of champagne, triumph, and memory. He and Tenzin were laughing in a cargo truck driving through the Chinese countryside. They were dancing to scratched records on a steamy summer in Venice. They were sparring with daggers in a castle in Scotland.

He looked down and smiled through the haze of memories and wine. “Hey you.”

She looked up, her storm-grey eyes lit with amusement. “Hey yourself.”

So beautiful…

Ben slowed his steps and let himself feel the gentle curve of Tenzin’s waist under his palm. He let himself imagine how easy it would be to lift her up and bury his face in the pale silk of her skin. Feel her fine, soft hair brush against his lips.

It was past midnight and he knew the wine had gone to his head, but when Tenzin was in his arms, Ben could admit what he couldn’t in the light of day.

She was the darkness he wanted to fall into.

Dream a little dream of me.

He pulled her closer, and his thumb was against her wrist when he felt the single pulse of her heart. Ben looked down.

Tenzin’s eyes had turned wary. “I need to go.”

Ben blinked. “What? Why?”

She dropped his hand and walked toward the roof garden door. “I have to go. Tell everyone I said goodbye.”

“Why are you—”

“There’s something I need to do, so I won’t be back today.” She stepped across the threshold and away from him.

“Tenzin?” Ben followed, his feet crunching across the gravel, hurrying to keep up with her. “Tenzin!”

As Tenzin walked toward the edge, into the deepest shadows she used to hide her flight, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.

“Wait.”

She didn’t pull her wrist away, but her hand came to his chest, resting there in warning.

Ben opened his mouth. Closed it. He closed his eyes and wished he hadn’t drunk the last three glasses of champagne.

“What is it?” she asked in a clipped voice. “Ben, I need to—”

“Tell me to send them away,” he whispered, his heart in his throat. He was in a dream. It was all a dream, and she danced with him in the moonlight and she wore a dress that made her a warrior queen. There was no one else in the darkness, and he was brave. Ben pulled her hand to his face and pressed his lips to her wrist where he’d felt her heart beat. Uncurled her fingers and leaned his cheek into her palm. He closed his eyes and let the words fall from his lips to her feet. “Tell me to send them away,” he said. “I will. You know I always will.”

The silence enveloped them like a cloak. He kept his eyes closed, unable to meet her eyes.

It was a dream.

Her hand slipped from his grasp.

It was all a dream.

When he opened his eyes, she was gone.

* * *

“Where did Tenzin go?” Chloe walked over to Ben, who’d abandoned the champagne glasses and was sitting at the bar drinking directly from the bottle.

“She had something to do.” He turned and swung her into his arms. “What do you have to do? Gavin? What’s that about? I wouldn’t if I were you. Take my advice, gorgeous. Vampires kind of define emotionally unavailable, you know?”

“Wow.” Chloe’s eyes widened. “I think you’re done, Benny.”

“Nah, I’m good.”

Ben didn’t get drunk very often. Chloe was wondering what had caused him to push past celebration and into whatever mood this was. She saw Gavin’s eyes turn toward them. He’d been entertaining Emilie, who was more than a little toasted herself. He’d been amusing both of them with clever jokes and stories about his bar.

“You’re done.” Chloe grabbed the bottle from Ben. “Don’t argue. You’ll be mad at yourself if you have any more.”

“You are… not my mom.”

“Since you told me once that your mom was a manipulative bitch, I certainly hope not.”

His face fell. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Why don’t I make you some coffee?”

“No.” He wiped a hand over his face. “No, you’re right. I’m done. I need water and sleep. It’s been a long night.”

“I agree.”

Gavin wandered over. Chloe heard snoring in the background.

“That was fast,” she said. “She out?”

Gavin nodded. “Shall I put her in your room, Ben?”

“Yeah,” Ben slurred. “I’ll sleep… futon.”

Chloe frowned. “Wait, then where am I sleeping?” She was comfortably buzzed, but the couch was hard as a rock. Plus she didn’t really want to be the third wheel on whatever morning Ben and Emilie had planned. Chloe groaned. “I need my own place.”

“Come with me.” Gavin put an arm around her waist.

“Gavin, I’m not—”

“Going to have sex with me.” He casually kissed her temple. “Obviously not, dove, but I have multiple guest rooms that are all very secure and lightproof. You can take one of them tonight and let yourself sleep as long as you need to.” He smirked at Ben. “Leave these two to whatever extracurricular activities they like tomorrow.”

Privacy did sound appealing, but…

“I just don’t want you to think—”

“I’ll think nothing,” he said, “except that you need a peaceful and private place to sleep.”

She was wavering. Based on Gavin’s car, clothes, and general demeanor, she suspected his place was probably luxurious as hell.

“I know you’re friends with Ben.”

“But you don’t know me that well.”

Chloe shook her head.

Gavin said, “Do you remember the locks on the doors at Rothman House?”

“Yeah.”

“You’ll have similar locks on your own door. It might be my home, but I would not be able to get into your room unless you invited me.”

Chloe’s cheeks reddened. “I hope you’re not offended. I just—”

“Of course I’m not bloody offended.” He leaned against the counter. “You’re smart to protect yourself. Don’t apologize for it.”

“Okay, I won’t.” She thought about his offer. If Gavin had wanted to hurt her, he could have already done it. Added to that, she could tell he carried a healthy amount of respect for Tenzin. Would he risk pissing Tenzin off to hurt her?

Her instincts said no. Ben trusted him. Tenzin trusted him.

Gavin said, “I also keep thousand-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets on my guest bed.”

“That sounds like heaven, and I’m there.” She looked at a wavering Ben and the sleeping Emilie. “If you can carry her, I’ll help him downstairs.”

Gavin grumbled, “When did I become the damn responsible one?” He walked to the couch and lifted Emilie. “Irritating humans.”

Something about his grumpy words made Chloe smile. Gavin was a good guy despite his questionable moral compass when it came to theft.

“How much longer before dawn?” she asked.

“I have a few hours.” He carried Emilie down the stairs, and Chloe forced herself to not stare at the lean muscles pressing against his shirtsleeves. He wasn’t even breathing hard.

Duh, Chloe. He’s a vampire.

Chloe put an arm around Ben’s waist as he slid off the barstool. “Come on, big Ben.”

Ben chuckled. “You haven’t called me that since… you know.”

Chloe’s cheeks turned red. She’d forgotten about that. “Yeah, don’t remind me. I was referring to your height.”

“Are you sure?”

Gavin stopped and looked over his shoulder, his eyes narrowed. “Careful, Vecchio.”

Ben snorted but said nothing else while Chloe helped him toward the makeshift bedroom he’d been using. She unfolded the futon and spread out the sheets. Ben sat down hard on the edge and Chloe heard the frame crack.

“Don’t break the bed or you’ll be on the floor,” she said.

Ben yanked off his shoes and unbuttoned his shirt. “I’m an idiot.”

Chloe glanced up from tucking in the corners of the fitted sheet. “You don’t usually drink this much. Everything okay?”

“No.” He rubbed his eyes. “I’m fine. Forget it. I don’t want to talk about it.”

She stood and pushed his hair back off his forehead. “We did good tonight, Benny.”

He smiled. “Yeah, we did.”

“We’re gonna get Emilie’s painting back for her.”

“Emilie…” He closed his eyes. “She’s really great, isn’t she?”

“I think so.”

“Me too.” He grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it. “You’re the best.”

“I know. You’re super lucky to have me as a friend.” Chloe pushed him back on the pillows. “Now go to bed.”

“He’s not good enough for you.”

She covered him with a sheet. “I’m not talking about this with you.”

“He’s not.”

“Go to bed.” Chloe walked toward the stairs only to see Gavin waiting at the bottom step. She could already hear Ben snoring, so she knew Gavin would have heard his words. “Sorry, he’s….”

“Right,” Gavin said quietly. “He’s right. I’m probably not good enough for you.”

She couldn’t think of a single thing to say. She was tired and emotionally exhausted. She wasn’t sure how she felt about Gavin other than irritated and attracted. Occasionally at the same time.

“Gavin.” She sighed. “I’m tired.”

“So we’ll go.” He nodded toward Emilie’s room. “Your scent was all over that room, not his. Go pack a bag and we’ll go to my place. We only have an hour or so before dawn. Barely enough time for me to get you settled before I need to sleep.”

“Thanks.” She hurried to pack a bag with the essentials, careful to bring her most boring pajamas.

Just as a precaution.

When she closed the door on a sleeping Emilie, Gavin was gone. She could hear him moving around on the floor above. By the time she walked upstairs, he’d already straightened the kitchen and put the furniture back in order.

“That was fast.”

He offered her a wry smile. “Cleaning up after drunks is a life skill I’ve perfected. You ready?”

She held out her weekend bag. “Ready.”

“Excellent. You have a key to lock up?”

She nodded. “Just head downstairs. I’ll set the house security and meet you in the lobby.”

“Fair enough.”

Chloe pushed the buttons to set Cara into alarm mode after Gavin shut the door. She figured as much as Ben and Tenzin trusted Gavin, they still wouldn’t want him knowing the code for the house.

Her eyes were barely open when she got off the elevator in the lobby. Gavin waited outside, leaning against the car and chatting with his driver. Every misgiving she’d battled through came rushing back.

What are you doing, Chloe?

She was walking into the lair—if he was a vampire, it was a lair, right?—of an immortal creature she barely knew who had a strange, hypnotic effect on her senses. She was a mess, physically and mentally. She happened to agree with Ben. Gavin was most certainly not good for her.

She should walk back upstairs and sleep on the couch no matter how uncomfortable it was. She should endure Ben and Emilie’s morning awkwardness. She should just find a cheap hotel.

Gavin watched her through the windows, his mouth turned up at the corner.

She was being paranoid. Staying at Gavin’s would be fine. He was offering a bed and privacy. He’d protected her at every turn on this crazy, tumultuous evening. He wasn’t some dark creature of the night intent on her ruin.

She’d be fine.

Chloe walked out the front door and into the damp summer heat.

“Did you enjoy that mental argument with yourself?” Gavin asked.

“Yes. Both sides were persuasive, but the lightproof guest room won out in the end.”

He opened the door for her. “Doona forget the Egyptian cotton sheets.”

“Trust me, I haven’t.”

He smiled when he slid in next to her and gave the driver his address. After the human knew where to go, Gavin raised the privacy screen on the car and opened the small refrigerator to hand her a bottle of water.

“As I said before”—he opened his own bottle, but his was opaque and she saw red on the cap—“I agree with Ben. I am not good for you.”

He put the bottle to his mouth and upended it, swallowing the liquid as Chloe stared. When he finished, his tongue came out and licked the drop of red staining his bottom lip. She could see the sharp points of his fangs peeking out.

“But,” he continued carefully, “though I may agree with Ben, that does not mean I’ll stop.”

Her heart pounded, and Gavin’s predatory gaze cut toward her throat.

“Gavin?”

“A good man would stop pursuing you,” he said softly. “A deserving one would wait. He’d be patient.” His eyes left her throat and locked with hers. “I’m not a good man.”