Lachlan Read online

  Lachlan skipped over the next several memories, tedious in their detail. Either Dave was obsessive, or he was stupid and had to think about even the tiniest act before he moved. Whichever it was, Lachlan wasn’t interested. He scrubbed Dave’s brain as he went, careless of the damage he was doing. Poor Dave wasn’t going to survive the night, so it didn’t matter. He shouldn’t have gone after someone in Lachlan’s circle, even if he’d only met Julia tonight. She’d been with him before Dave and his buddies had attacked her, and that made it personal.

  Dave moaned as Lachlan dug deeper, his moans turning to a keening noise when Lachlan detected a familiar scent. Not an actual scent, more of a mental signature. But in his own mind, he was a predator who’d caught the scent of his prey. And it was one he knew. Erskine Ross. Now why the fuck would Erskine be sending a trio of incompetent humans to grab Julia Harper? Of course, if she’d been alone, without Lachlan’s vampire guard detail, the kidnapping scheme might have worked. Julia was deadly with that little baton of hers, but it wouldn’t have worked against the two big men who’d tried to grab her. Dave might be whimpering now, but he was a big man, just like his dead buddy. But the real question was, did Erskine ultimately want Julia dead or alive? And why did he want her at all? Did he know Julia was after him? How? Lachlan himself only knew because Julia had told him, and they’d only met because of the coincidence of their individual goals. But even if Erskine had somehow found out, what threat could one human woman pose to such a powerful vampire? And why go to such lengths to take her alive? Was there something else he wanted from her?

  But those were questions for Lachlan’s cool blond, because he didn’t give a damn whether Cynthia Leighton trusted Julia or not. Lachlan intended to get answers before he trusted her with anything to do with Raphael. There was too much riding on his plans for Scotland, and he wasn’t the only one who would suffer if he didn’t succeed. Erskine would wipe out the McRae clan for good if Lachlan failed this time. Not just the vampires, but every human clan member as well. Including lively wee Catriona and many others just like her. He couldn’t let that happen. If he took on Erskine, he had to know he would win. And he had to know if there was a snake in the grass who might cock it all up for him.

  Lachlan’s mind was racing, his planning already ten steps ahead when he felt Dave’s brain rupture in a massive, fatal hemorrhage. He pulled his own awareness out of Dave’s head, just before death claimed him. He’d slipped up when he’d been younger and still experimenting with his powers. He’d been curious enough that he’d remained in a prisoner’s thoughts while the nothingness that was death stole everything that made him human. It had been both terrifying and depressing. Terrifying, because for a moment he’d confused his own thoughts with those of the dying man, and depressing because he’d realized that death was literally nothingness.

  He’d never done it again, and he didn’t do it tonight either.

  He looked up as Fergus reentered the room. “Put the body on ice. It’s too late to dispose of it safely tonight.”

  Dave wouldn’t truly go on ice, but they had a cold room that would keep his body from beginning to decompose before they could get rid of it. It wasn’t pleasant, but it was a fact of life they had to deal with in a big city like London.

  “I could hit the hospital incinerator before dawn. It’s a good time for it. All those tired workers ready to go home,” Fergus said.

  But Lachlan shook his head. “No need to chance it. You can do it tomorrow.”

  “What’d he tell you?”

  “Pretty much what we suspected. Erskine was involved in this, and I need to have a chat with Julia Harper. The sooner the better.”

  “Let’s hope she’s a late sleeper, then.”

  “I don’t give a damn what time she opens her eyes. I’ll find her, and she’ll damn well answer my questions, one way or the other.”

  Chapter Three

  Malibu, CA USA

  “I GOT A WEIRD call from my friend Julia, today.”

  Raphael glanced up at Cyn’s reflection in the mirror, where he was tying his tie. “Weird how?”

  She stepped in front of him and took over the task with a quiet smile. He was perfectly capable of knotting his own tie, but his Cyn seemed to enjoy it, and he loved having her take care of him. He rested his hands on her slender hips.

  “Weird how, lubimaya?” he repeated.

  “She and I went to prep school together in France.” She lifted her gaze to his. “I told you about that school.”

  He nodded.

  “We were close back then. Her father was some diplomat or other. One of those mega-rich guys who becomes an ambassador mostly for the prestige and because they meet people they can later negotiate business deals with over cocktails. Anyway, he lived in Paris at the time, so she went home more than I did—which was never—and I’d go with her. We’ve stayed in touch over the years. Birthday calls or, more often now, emails, and the occasional meal together when we’re in the same city, which hasn’t been for a while. She pretends she followed her dad into the diplomatic corps, although, to be honest, I think she’s CIA and the State Department thing is a cover.”

  Raphael made a wordless sound of agreement, not sure where all of this was going.

  “Anyway, Jules lost someone important to her a few months back. She was on the phone with him when he was shot on a street in London, and she heard the whole thing.” She shuddered, and he dipped his head to kiss her upturned face. She gave him a soft smile before continuing, her gaze once more on his tie. “It gets worse. Just before he died, he warned her about some client he was investigating. A vampire client. Jules is convinced this vampire’s the one who killed him, and she’s out for blood.”

  “That’s a dangerous route to take.”

  “Exactly. That’s what I told her when she first called me. But she was determined to do it, even though she knew next to nothing about vampires. So what else could I do? I answered her questions, told her what to look out for, that sort of thing.” She glanced up. “Don’t give me that look. I warned her every single time we spoke that this was too dangerous, that she should let the police handle it. But you don’t know Julia. She looks like some rare and precious orchid, all fragile and lovely, but there’s a spine of steel hiding underneath. Once she’s decided on something, she will not be dissuaded.”

  He tugged on her hips, bringing her against his body as she smoothed the length of perfectly knotted silk tie. “And you’re telling me this because . . . ?”

  “Because when she called today, she asked about you. She was calling on behalf of some Scottish vampire named Lachlan McRae, and he wants a meeting with you.”

  Raphael blinked in surprise as he ran the vampire’s name through the database in his head. There were a lot of vampires in the world, but only a very few with the power to seriously propose a meeting with him. Especially one from that part of the world, with the currently hostile climate between the ruling vampires of Europe and North America. Lachlan. The name clicked into place with a mental snap.

  “Where does he propose to meet?” he asked mildly.

  Cyn studied him a moment. “I told her that if this guy was worth your time, and if you agreed to meet with him, it would have to be here.” Her expression was set into stubborn lines, as if expecting an argument from him.

  He smiled. “I assume you want the meeting to be here for my safety?”

  “Damn right.”

  “So you think this Lachlan can best me?”

  “No.” She gave him a withering look. “But I don’t trust anyone these days, so why take chances? Besides, he’s the petitioner; let him come to you.”

  “I’ll take the meeting. No one except Lachlan, no other vampires, not even to North America. Your friend can come, if you’d like, though. In fact, I insist on it. If she’s CIA, then I want to make sure this isn’t all a
cover for the American government snooping into vampire affairs.”

  Cyn shook her head. “It’s not. But I’ll pass your requirements along. Can’t be too careful.”

  Raphael’s smile broadened into a grin. “I’m glad you approve. By the way, I have a business meeting tonight, right here on the estate. Would you like to sit in on it? To ensure my safety, of course.”

  Her eyes rolled. “Very funny.” She rose onto her tiptoes and gave him a lingering kiss. “I’ll pass on the meeting, but I’ll see you later.”

  “Yes, you will.”

  She laughed, while he crossed to the elevator and stepped inside. As the doors closed behind him, he considered Lachlan’s request. There was only one reason for the Scottish vampire to want a meeting—he was planning to take out Erskine Ross, who was the current Lord of Scotland. Before he’d left Europe for North America, Raphael had met the Scottish lord, but only once, a very long time ago. He’d thought Erskine vulnerable enough at the time that he’d briefly entertained the possibility of taking over Scotland for himself. Fortunately, he’d recognized the extent of his own ambitions and left for America instead.

  As for Lachlan, Raphael knew of his existence and that he was strong, but nothing else. It would be interesting to see if his ambitions matched his abilities. Or if he’d die before he left Malibu.

  Chapter Four

  London, England

  JULIA WOKE ABRUPTLY, her heart pounding, her body drenched in sweat. Damn it. She’d thought the nightmares would ease up once she set her plan in motion, but if anything, they’d gotten worse. Tears filled her eyes and spilled over. She hated this. Hated the fear, the aching loss . . . the guilt. Sometimes she wondered if it would ever go away. If even Erskine’s death would be enough to ease the pain.

  She rubbed at her eyes impatiently, ignoring the mental voice that told her she shouldn’t. Fuck “shouldn’t.” She was exhausted, her nerves stretched so taut that she was surprised she managed to function at all. She shot a blurry glance at the clock and saw it was just past noon. She’d slept later than usual—even if she hadn’t slept soundly. She’d probably have to get used to even later hours if she was going to be hanging around with vampires. Which it seemed she was, if she was determined to pursue her revenge against Erskine. She possibly could have hunted him on her own, maybe even killed him without getting herself killed in the process. She wasn’t above using so-called feminine wiles to work her way into his good graces, and then blasting his heart to smithereens while he slept. But since she preferred to survive this venture, working with Lachlan was probably—no, definitely—the better route.

  Besides, now that she’d met him, she was intrigued. He hadn’t been at all what she’d expected in a vampire. Especially now that she knew he had significant power of his own. Somehow, she’d thought every powerful vampire would be more like Erskine. Rich, slick, and unbearably superior. The thought of cozying up to an asshole like that had made her want to vomit, but she would have done it, if it had been the only way to get to him.

  But now that she’d met Lachlan, she wouldn’t have to, although she was more than a little conflicted about that. She was attracted to him in a very fundamental way, and he seemed to like her, too. She paused. Jesus, she sounded like a twelve-year-old with her first crush. Maybe she should complete the ridiculous scenario—call Cat and ask her to ask her cousin if he liked Julia. Right, like that was going to happen.

  The reality was, however, that she had an agenda that Lachlan didn’t know about. Oh, he clearly suspected there was more to her story, but he didn’t know the details. Didn’t know how personal this was for her, how she’d lain awake every night, plotting her revenge, figuring out a way to get to Erskine. She’d have to tell him. Not the sweaty night details, but the rest of it. And sooner rather than later, because despite her reluctance, she knew the longer she waited, the less likely he’d be to trust her enough to include her in his plans. And she had to be there, had to be the one to fire the fatal shot that took that evil fucker out of the world. It was the only thing that would alleviate the guilt she felt.

  Her cell rang at that moment, and her first thought was that it was Lachlan, that he somehow knew she was thinking about him. But that was impossible. It was barely past noon. Checking the caller ID, she blinked in surprise when Cyn’s name popped up. She hadn’t expected a call-back so soon, much less at this hour.

  “Hey, Cyn,” she said, putting the phone on speaker. “It’s not even the crack of dawn there, yet.”

  “Life among vampires. You should probably get used to it.”

  “Why?” Julia asked, willfully ignoring the fact that she’d just been thinking the same thing herself.

  “Because you’re coming to California. Raphael’s willing to meet your friend Lachlan—”

  “He’s not really my—”

  “Hey, you made the call. Raphael says he’ll meet Lachlan, but he wants you come along, and no one else. None of his vampire buds.”

  Julia stared at the phone. “Why me? I don’t have anything to do with—”

  “I repeat,” Cyn said cheerfully. “You made the call. And don’t give me that innocent crap, Jules. I know where you work. If your bosses are involved in this, we need to know. Raphael’s not crazy about governments in general, but especially not when they poke into his business.”

  “There’s been no poking,” she insisted immediately. “The State Department has no interest—”

  Cyn made a loud scoffing noise. “Puh-leeze. You forget who you’re talking to. Besides, you’re kidding yourself if you don’t think Lachlan knows everything about you, too. Vampires have connections everywhere. Believe it.”

  “I don’t want to go to fucking California. I just got used to this time zone.”

  “There’s my Jules. For a while there, I thought you’d forgotten how to swear.”

  “Come on, Cyn, can’t you—?”

  “Nope. Think of it as a visit with a dear old friend who’s not that old. Me. And it’s not as if Malibu is hard to take this time of year. Much better than rainy old London.”

  Julia sighed. “I don’t even know if he’ll do it without his cousins. They seem tight.”

  “He will if he wants the meeting. Raphael won’t do it any other way.”

  “But why does he want me there? Hell, why would Lachlan want me there?”

  “What’s not to want? You’re a beautiful woman. Persuade him.”

  “I can’t believe you, of all people, just said that to me.”

  “Oh, right, because you’ve never used your looks to get what you want. Remember Monsieur Leveque? You had him so worked up—”

  “He used to look up our skirts in class! The man was a pig.”

  “And yet, you sweet-talked him into an A.”

  “Fine. I’m a slut. Is that what you want—”

  Cyn’s laugh cut her off. “Not a slut, Jules. Just a woman who knows what she wants. Nothing wrong with using the pig’s perversions against him.”

  “Yeah, well, I’m not sure that’ll work with Lachlan,” Julia grumbled.

  “Use your dad’s jet as a bribe, then. Vamps hate flying across time zones.”

  She thought about that a moment. “I can try. When is this big meeting supposed to happen?”

  “Whenever you get here, I guess. You’re the ones who wanted to meet.”

  “Okay. I’ll talk to Mr. Gloomy and see what he says.”

  “Gloomy?” Cyn laughed as she continued, “Oh, God, this ought to be a great meeting. Broody meets Gloomy.”

  “I’ll call you back. And stop laughing, you bitch. It’s not funny.”

  Cyn was still laughing when Julia disconnected and tossed the phone aside. “Damn it,” she muttered, dropping onto her bed. She was going to have to tell Lachlan the full truth a lot sooner than she’d planned. She
knew Cyn, and there was no way she wouldn’t dig out the truth, even if Raphael’s people didn’t do it for him. Plus, Cyn had a head start. She knew some of Julia’s past, enough to know where to start looking anyway. Forget what the vampires might know, Cyn’s personal connections were as good as Julia’s. She’d know the whole tragic tale by the time Julia arrived in California. With Lachlan.

  Fuck.

  LACHLAN’S EYES opened, and it took him a moment to remember where the hell he was. He’d slept in no fewer than five different places in the last few weeks, as he’d traveled to London from his clan fortress in the mountains of Kintail. Even in London, he’d moved between two different safe houses, and this one wasn’t his favorite. For that matter, the Claridge Hotel was far grander and more comfortable by far.

  He might be a bit spoiled, he admitted privately. But he was old enough to deserve a little comfort. That thought made him laugh. The day he felt so old that he needed a soft bed was the day he’d lie down in a nice sunny spot with the dawn.

  He threw off the comforter, which he probably didn’t need. It wasn’t as if vampires ever got cold. When he was out, he was out. No sensations at all. But he still had enough humanity to crave the warmth of a good comforter on a cold, wet day. Which pretty much defined London this time of year. Scotland, too, so he couldn’t complain much. He padded naked to his private bathroom and turned on the shower as hot as it would go. He had a list of things he wanted to accomplish tonight, and first on that list was a reckoning with Julia Harper.

  In fact . . . . He picked up his cell. No messages. That might mean she hadn’t heard from Leighton, or she might be waiting until well after sunset to call him. She struck him as an efficient person, so maybe the latter, but he didn’t feel like waiting. He hit her number.

  “Lachlan.” Her greeting was cool and businesslike, and it made him want to do something to rattle her. Maybe when they got together later, he’d fist his hand in her long blond hair and kiss her breathless. Just to fuck with her.