Hunting Evil Read Free Page B

on assignment at the time, but to be honest, I don’t stay in one place for long, so maybe the review board didn’t know how to contact me. I was working a job in Northern California when I read an article in the newspaper about a string of killings here in San Diego. I knew at that moment Armand wouldn’t stop until I came back home. So here I am.”
    Vince looked from the teenagers back to Lauren. “What are you saying? You came back to offer yourself up as a sacrifice? Does the BVA know that? And how did you get them to go to bat for you with the Police Commissioner?”
    “I’ve done some work for the BVA in the past. Toughest bunch of men I’ve ever known, most of them are ex-military. They owed me a few favors, and I cashed them in once I read about the deaths of those girls. Besides, I’m used to playing decoy, and I’m actually very good at it.” She didn’t mention the fact that she regularly slept with the BVA’s top military team.
    Lauren thought about the men she’d considered friends for the past nine years and realized she probably knew nothing about them outside the bedroom. Vampires could fuck better than any human she’d come across, but that was as far as her knowledge of the species went. “Are you a typical vampire?”
    “Excuse me?” Vince looked shocked that she’d asked the question.
    “Sorry, I seem to be putting my foot in my mouth at every turn. It’s just that I served with vampires in the Marines, and I’ve worked with them since I got out, but none of them seem to have a conscience, and they never express guilt. You seem different.”
    Turning away, Vince once again trained his eyes on the group surrounding the gazebo. “I don’t know,” he mumbled. “I pretty much keep to myself, so I don’t know how others of my kind act.”
    “No friends?”
    “No. Why would I open myself up to heartache? Knowing you’ll outlive the people you care about is a heavy burden.”
    She could see it now, the loneliness that emanated from him in waves. Lauren gave his hand a slight squeeze. “I cut myself off for years after…” She blinked away the threatening tears. “I’ve found it’s not worth it. Being alone is a horrible existence. I still keep my emotions to myself, but being touched reminds me that I’m alive.” She leaned in to whisper in Vince’s ear. “You should try it.”
    Vince turned his head. Their faces were so close she felt his breath as he exhaled. Lauren was tempted to sample those perfectly proportioned lips.
    “Why do you care?” he asked.
    She shook her head. “I’m not sure. I just do.”
    Lauren closed the distance and brushed her lips against his, testing the water.
    With a groan, Vince buried his fingers in her hair and took the kiss deeper, fucking her mouth with his tongue. He released her and hauled her onto his lap without breaking the kiss and pressed a hand between her legs.
    Lauren knew she should stop him—hell, she barely knew the vamp—but her body craved his touch. When the heel of his hand rubbed against her clit, she began to rock against him. “Fuck me,” she whispered.
    Vince used his free hand to grab a handful of her long hair. He tilted her chin back and took her mouth once again. He was mastering her, and she was letting him.
    When a loud laugh caught Lauren’s attention, she broke the kiss and looked toward the gazebo. There was a girl with long, dark brown hair. She stood on one of the tables, laughing and dancing along with her friends. Lauren’s skin broke out in gooseflesh, seeing herself years earlier in the girl’s body language.
    “She’s the one.” Lauren shot out of the bushes toward the crowd of teens.
    Vince was momentarily stunned by their interlude. He’d never been anything less than professional on the job, and he’d definitely never felt so passionate about someone, especially a human. Before he knew it, Lauren was up and running toward the group of partiers.
    Vince swore under his breath at the