“It’s switched off. I’ll see what I can do when I get back to my computer.”

“What about her dog?” Zane threw into the round and suddenly looked at a bunch of surprised faces.

“Yvette has a dog?” Gabriel asked. “She never mentioned that.”

Zane snorted. “Of course she didn’t; she can’t even admit it to herself.”

Samson gave him an impatient look. “Would you care to enlighten us for once, Zane, and stop with your cryptic remarks?” The sternness in his voice underscored his boss’ impatience.

Zane knew when to pick a fight. This wasn’t one of those times. “She’s got this golden lab that’s been following her for a few months. Claims it’s just a stray, but the evidence in her house says otherwise. She feeds him. She’s even built in a doggie door. Hell, the dog even listens to her.”

“Well, let’s get it. Maybe the dog can find her.” Samson’s face displayed a ray of hope.

“Dog’s gone. I checked the house and the garden: it’s nowhere to be found.”

“Damn. Do you think she took the dog with her on her assignment?” Samson mused.

“She wouldn’t do that,” Gabriel interrupted. “That would be completely against all rules.”

Zane raised an eyebrow. Yeah, Gabriel was all for strict rules. “And see where your rules have gotten her.”

“This is neither the time nor the place to air your grievances,” Gabriel snapped.

“When if not now? If you’d let me use mind control on the girl, Yvette wouldn’t be the one missing right now.” And damn it if he didn’t feel a tad bit guilty about that fact. He should be the one in trouble right now, not Yvette. It wasn’t Yvette’s assignment. It was his. He should have been the one protecting Kimberly, then maybe there wouldn’t be anyone missing right now. Maybe whatever had happened could have been averted. After all, he was stronger and more lethal than Yvette—and much more ruthless for that matter. If anybody had attacked him and Kimberly after leaving the premier party, he would have been able to defeat them.

“I will not be second guessed on my decision, Zane!”

“It was a mistake to assign her.”

“What are you saying? That she isn’t a good bodyguard?” Gabriel squared his chest and glared at him. “I’m sure she’ll be only too happy to hear what you said once she’s back. I’d watch my back if I were you, or Yvette will kick your ass.”

Zane narrowed his eyes and clenched his jaw. His hands clenched into fists; he was dying to deal his boss a well-placed punch. But he also knew his place. And it wouldn’t serve Yvette if he was taken off this case. His own feelings had to be put aside.

“Once she’s back, I welcome the opportunity to get my ass kicked by her.” And he wasn’t even lying. She was like a little sister to him: a very annoying, very spoiled little sister. And protecting her was just what a big brother did.

The door swung open, and Nina popped her head in. Her short honey curls fell into her face. Instantly, Zane saw a bright smile flash over Amaury’s face as his eyes traveled over her with unchecked lust. The two had bonded over four months earlier, and Amaury was still looking at her like he did the first time Zane had seen them together. He tried to shake the image from his mind.

“Delilah is asking for you, Samson. The baby is moving.”

“Excuse me, guys. I’ll be right back.” Samson rushed past Nina without a backwards glance.

“And I think the blackout vans are outside,” Nina informed them. “I just saw them arrive from upstairs.”

“Thanks, Nina,” Gabriel answered.

It was almost sunrise, and since they needed to continue their work and be able to move around the city during daylight hours, Scanguards’ specially designed vans, which were equipped to take vampires around without exposing them to the sun, would have to be used. Human drivers employed by Scanguards drove the vans and knew about the cargo they were transporting. Only the most loyal of Scanguards’ human employees were ever given any inkling of the vampires among their midst. It was safest that way. In emergency situations, they had all driven one of the blackout vans themselves, but in general, it was safer to let a human driver take over.

Nina turned to leave, but stopped as if she’d forgotten something. “And, could somebody please make that dog out there stop barking. It’s getting on Delilah’s nerves.”

Too engrossed in their discussions, Zane hadn’t paid any notice to the sounds outside the house. Now he exchanged a look with Gabriel. Could they be so fortunate?