Page 40 of Wicked Ways

Cain didn’t say a word.

Sullivan shook his dark head. “And I don’t drain my prey. A sip here or there.” He shrugged. “But no murders. My conscience is clean on that.”

“So you’ll help us?” Miranda pressed. Cain seemed damn antagonistic toward this vamp, so no telling what kind of history was between the two men. Now that Cain had crossed back to her side, they were getting either suspicious or downright hateful looks from the other vampires in the room, and some of the humans who were picking up on the tension were starting to throw them dirty stares, too.

They’d need to get the hell out of there, soon.

But first…

“You won’t find Roberts in any of the rooms in Miami, or any other city.” The vampire seemed absolutely certain of that.

“Why not?” Miranda asked.

A smile that showed a lot of fang. “Because the prey here are willing. They want the bites.” His teeth gleamed. “They want it so badly that many of them will do anything to feel the plunge of fangs into their flesh.” Sullivan shook his head at her doubting stare. “It’s not always painful, you know. Some of my women have found great pleasure in my kiss.”

Kiss? Is that what he was calling it?

His gaze held hers. “Perhaps I can show you.”

“Sullivan, you’re begging for a beheading,” Cain warned.

“Sorry. Forgot she was taken.”

But Miranda didn’t think Sullivan had forgotten anything. He just seemed to enjoy pissing off Cain. She tried to get both men back on track, before Cain’s claws decided to show. “If we won’t find him in a feeding room, just where is Roberts?”

“Looking for prey, I’d imagine. He likes to take those who are unwilling. Humans who don’t know just what he is.” Sullivan turned a bit to the side, and his fingers tapped against the bar top. “It’s the fear, I think.”

“What?” He’d lost her.

“He likes to see the fear in his victim’s eyes right before he takes the bite. It turns him on. Makes that first taste of blood all the sweeter.”

The vampire sounded way too knowledgeable about Paul’s killing technique. She wasn’t aware that she’d eased back from him until she bumped into Cain’s chest. His arm swept over her shoulders, and he held her tight.

“You’re not speaking from experience, are you, Sullivan?” Cain asked.

The vampire shook his head, and some of the intensity faded from his gaze. “I told you, that’s not how I get my nourishment.”

But he sure seemed to know an awful lot about a killer’s motivations.

Takes one to know one.

“My sire was like him,” Sullivan revealed, still drumming his fingers on the bar. “Sadistic bastard. Best move I ever made was to incinerate his ass.”

Her eyes widened at the almost casual statement.

“Hope you find Roberts and do the same to him, before more innocents die.” Sullivan inclined his head. Rose to his feet. Hesitated. “Word is he likes to find his women online. Fancies himself a Casanova of sorts. Picks the best prey, and they never see him coming until it’s too late.” The vampire tilted his head to the side as he studied Miranda. Then his gaze met Cain’s. “Is he linked with her?”

She felt Cain stiffen behind her. Linked? She didn’t know exactly what that meant, but she sure as hell didn’t like the sound of it.

“If he is,” Sullivan continued, “he’ll always be able to get to her. Always.”

Miranda bit back the questions that sprang to her lips, knowing now wasn’t the time. But the minute she got Cain out of that place…

“Good luck hunting, shifter,” Sullivan murmured and cast her a last, hooded glance. Then he disappeared into the crowd, and Miranda took her first deep breath since she’d approached the two blonds at the bar.

“Cain.” She turned to face him.

“We need to get out of here, fast.” He was already moving, tugging her with him and making a beeline for the door. “The patrons are about to let their dark sides show.”