Never mind. He closed his eyes in frustration. She’d threaten him.

Ivan was bound to hear that he wasn’t in Ernesto’s clan soon, then he’d make his move, backed up by the cartel. As a newly independent vampire, Baojia had no confirmed allegiance or established allies. And custom dictated he shouldn’t linger in Ernesto’s territory for longer than was necessary to get his personal business in order. Added to that, he had a human woman he had become responsible for. The idea of disappearing into the night to start a new life on his own was no longer an option.

Baojia raced through different scenarios, most of them ending with Natalie and him both dead, until he settled on one that had a chance of working. It wouldn’t be pleasant, but he’d at least survive long enough to make sure Natalie would be safe. Turning back toward Pasadena, he gritted his teeth and prepared for the night to get even worse.

He parked a block away, knowing that approaching on foot would be less threatening. As he neared the gate, he heard the fluttering sound overhead and the slight smoky smell that permeated the grounds. By the time he was in sight, the Italian was already leaning against a brick pillar, his guard vampire perched on top with her legs crossed under her and an enormous smile on her face.

“I told you,” she said.

Baojia halted across the street, hands hanging in his pockets as he stared at the fire vampire who stared back.

This was going to suck.

“Giovanni Vecchio,” he said. “I need your help.”

“Natalie, we have to go now.”

He hated to wake her, but it was close to dawn and though Vecchio’s house was only a few blocks away, he needed to make sure Natalie was secure and out of Matt and Dez’s house before he could rest for the day. The last thing he wanted on his conscience was the human family coming into harm’s way because of their presence.

“Natalie.”

She murmured something and rolled over. “In the sun. Can’t be in the sun.”

She saw her eyes flutter open and an unexpected warm rush filled his chest. She was so vulnerable. And beautiful. He brushed the hair out of her face.

“You need to wake up. You can go back to sleep soon, but we have to move first.”

“You’re handsome when you smile, you know.”

Baojia felt the corners of his mouth turn up. “And you’re beautiful when you’re sleepy. But you need to wake up.”

He rose and began tossing her things into the duffel bag he’d taken from her house. Had it only been three nights ago?

“What are you doing?” She finally sounded more awake.

He tried to make his voice as businesslike as possible. “I have been forced to leave my father’s aegis. We need to move. I have found a safe place for us to go right now. I don’t want the Kirbys to come to any harm because of us being here. It’s not far away, and I upgraded the security on the house a few years ago, so I know it’s very safe.”

“Baojia—”

“Dez will be able to come and visit you there with no problem, but the Kirbys are not vampires, so I don’t want to put them in a bad position. It’s complicated. Political. The place we’re going… It’s neutral territory. Sort of.”

“Why did you leave your father’s aegis? What does that mean?”

The unexpected question caused him to halt. “It means I am no longer his son. Please don’t ask me why right now. Please just wake up and get dressed and cooperate, Natalie.” He turned around when she didn’t make a smart comeback. She was looking at him with eyes that saw far more than he had intended to reveal. “I’m just trying to keep you safe.”

She finally nodded. “Okay.”

He left the room so she could dress. Within a few minutes, she had pulled on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt along with her running shoes.

“Are you cold?” he asked. “Do you need a jacket? I didn’t get you a jacket.”

“I’m fine.”

She held her duffel bag, which he grabbed from her hand. As she started toward the stairs, he pulled her back and laid a searing kiss on her mouth. He felt her hands reach up to his cheeks, gripping his cool skin as he kissed her ravenously, almost desperately.

I will keep you safe. I made a promise, and I do not break my promises.

Finally, he broke away and wrapped his free arm around her, burying his face in the soft skin of her neck. He took a deep breath, inhaling her scent. It centered him. Her hands remained on him, stroking his hair and playing with the collar of his shirt. For a brief moment, he felt her warmth seep into his skin and allowed himself the luxury of her touch.

“Do you need to drink?” she asked quietly.

“No. Matt had some bagged blood he gave me earlier. I’m fine.”

“Okay.”

“We should go.” He pulled away and grabbed her hand, walking her down the stairs and out the front door. Matt was there to lock up behind them; Baojia paused at the door. “Matt, my thanks. If there is any assistance I can offer you or your family in the future, it is yours.”

The human smiled. “Thank you. Good luck. Be safe. And don’t kill anyone I like.”

Despite the grim situation, Baojia had to smile. “I’ll do my best.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

~th=p>p w

When Natalie woke, she was resting on dove-gray sheets in another room she could barely remember entering. She was still in her T-shirt from the night before, though her jeans had been pulled off and her hair fell loose around her face. A note with her name written neatly on the front lay next to her, illuminated by a shaft of sunlight from the window.