Turned, p.26
Turned, page 26
“I’m so sorry.” Ana hesitated for a moment. Had Gloria’s words been chosen carefully? Because she hadn’t said she no longer blamed Ana for anything.
“I don’t want to talk about that night.” Gloria moved away from her, headed back through the flower field to the compound. “As I got older, after you got out of prison, I was already involved with Salvation’s Crossing. I needed to find my own path. And then after I was turned, it was glorious, Ana. I felt powerful and I still do, more powerful than you can ever imagine.” There was a fanatical glint in Gloria’s eyes as she repeated the word powerful. Then the glint faded and a softer look replaced it. “But there were times I did miss you …”
Unease rippled up Ana’s spine, but she forced it away. “Same here,” Ana said. “More than you’ll ever know.”
“Don’t go away too soon,” Gloria said, pulling her tight and holding her close. “Even if Ty leaves this place, I’d like for you to stay.”
Ana breathed in deep, again wondering if Gloria’s words had hidden meaning. If Ty left? Of course he was going to leave eventually. And did Gloria want her to join Salvation’s Crossing … as a vampire? That might not be so bad, if it meant being reunited forever with Gloria and becoming Ty’s equal in every way.
Gloria seemed content with her life here at Salvation’s Crossing and passionate about its mission, even if she hadn’t been able to explain it too well.
Was it because her sister had truly found peace and helped to build a wonderful community that helped others? Or because she was powerful and could do whatever she wanted, even sell humans to vampires in some kind of misguided attempt to empower her people?
Ana wanted to believe the former, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that had started to grow ever since she’d first seen Gloria again, the feeling that maybe she’d never truly known her sister after all.
Gloria continued to lead the way on their tour. Ana suddenly realized something. There were plenty of women and children milling around, but there were very few men. Where were they? And was their absence one more way in which Gloria had assured her own safety?
Ty gulped down a large glass of blood and wiped his mouth. It was animal blood, thankfully. Not that Miguel had told him so, but he recognized the taste now. Human blood had a smoother and saltier taste. Far more addictive.
He placed the glass back on the mahogany desk in the inner office and met Miguel’s curious stare.
The other man spoke first. “I’ve stayed away from Ana all this time because I feared she’d never be able to handle the fact that vampires exist or that Gloria and I have been turned. Guess I misjudged her. She’s stronger than I gave her credit for.”
“She’s the strongest woman I’ve ever met,” Ty said, deliberately letting his admiration for Ana come through.
“She knows what our mission is?”
“I’ve told her your goal is to strengthen the Hispanic population by turning them into vampires. I wasn’t sure how you … select … who is to be turned.”
Miguel laughed. “Everyone who is turned volunteers. They do it so they can better the lives of their families. In exchange, they get something even more wonderful in return. Purpose. Wholeness. Power.”
“Sounds almost too good to be true. But then you and I know what being a vampire is like, right?”
Next, they went over the financials for Salvation’s Crossing. They discussed how the “nonprofit,” as Miguel insisted it be called, had been formed when the Devil’s Crew and Primos Sangre joined forces. He showed Ty spreadsheets and income/expenses documentation from countless files on his computer, all of which looked legitimate. It wasn’t so much numbers Miguel was concerned with, however, as it was the land upon which Salvation’s Crossing sat.
Salvation’s Crossing had bought out the farmer who was the last in his family to run it. The fruit and nut orchards were mature and well tended, bearing heavy crops. The fields were rotated to maximize yields and conserve the soil. It was water that seemed to be the problem.
They went over blueprints of the existing irrigation system. Fortunately, Miguel didn’t seem to know much more about the subject than Ty did. But then Ty, as a philanthropist, was mostly expected to hand out money.
Ty had a sneaking feeling that Miguel understood that the compound’s need for a new irrigation system was merely a pretext, a way of getting Ana inside the compound. And the reason Miguel understood this was because he didn’t give a shit about Ty’s money or what it could do for the land, but because he’d cared a great deal about seeing Ana again. Because he actually thought, despite Ty’s and Gloria’s presence, that something was going to happen between them?
Only over Ty’s dead vampire body.
Still, they played the game and talked shop. When they’d covered the business at hand in detail, Miguel offered him more blood.
Ty politely declined.
“I’ve made sure the fridge in your suite is well stocked. But if you’re in need of more, please let me know.” He tilted his head. “I wasn’t sure … do you drink from Ana?”
Ty looked away as memories of his night with Ana flashed before him. “Yes. But it would be easy to deplete her. She can’t fulfill all my feeding needs. I believe you have connections to human donors?” In other words, tell me if you’re dealing in illegal blood slaves, you asshole.
Miguel looked slightly envious before his expression evened out. “If you don’t mind me asking, are you born, or turned?” Miguel asked.
“Turned,” Ty said automatically. “Why?”
“You made a face when you swigged the blood. I thought maybe, hombre, you find animal blood disgusting. Most natural-born vampires have an aversion to nonhuman blood.”
No, he simply had an aversion to drinking blood, in any form. He gave Miguel a sly smile and said, “Nothing like that, believe me. The bottled blood was fine. I’ve just been spoiled by drinking Ana’s blood. Now about those donors …”
“I can only imagine how wonderful Ana’s blood tastes,” Miguel said. “You are a lucky man.” His gaze drifted away and his angular features seemed younger.
Memories, Ty figured. The man was lost in memories. And the way his pupils had dilated, those memories were pleasant ones, at least for him. Fucker. How dare he remember raping Ana as something that gave him pleasure?
Then Miguel’s expression shifted. He turned to Ty. “You didn’t know the connection between the sisters before you met Eliana?”
“Her name’s Ana,” Ty said. “And I—” He choked and fell silent. The question made sense, because if he’d known about the connection between the two females when he’d first contacted Salvation’s Crossing, before he’d actually met Ana, it would of course make his current relationship with Ana suspect. Unfortunately, the question had also been too direct. He had no time to deflect, to work around an answer.
Miguel’s expression hardened as he shifted position.
Fuck. Ty racked his brains.
“I only wish I’d known earlier. I could have brought them together sooner.” There. Not a lie. A sidestep. Maybe Miguel wouldn’t notice.
Miguel’s gaze was shadowed. Ty couldn’t read him at all.
“Speaking of those two, I guess we should get back to them,” Ty added.
“Fine with me.”
As they rose, Ty couldn’t help wondering—had he succeeded in maintaining their cover, or had he blown it somehow? Had he inadvertently put Ana in danger?
They spent the rest of the afternoon touring the compound with Gloria and Ana. Miguel explained that most of the men were serving as migrant laborers, and were traveling up and down California and Oregon, picking fruit. In the fall, after harvest, they’d return to their families, having saved enough by then to start a life of their own, off the compound. By then, the women and children would know basic English, enough to get by.
Ty and Ana had also met more of the staff. Besides Mrs. Tobia, the housekeeper who’d opened the door for them earlier in the day, there were the brothers Esteban and Gustav Gutierez, both hulking ranch hands, and some of the teachers, Tessie Fuentes among them.
Ramona Montes and her daughter, Becky, their original reason for visiting Salvation’s Crossing, were nowhere to be found. Even so, Gloria had mentioned the woman, saying she taught the preteen kids and teenagers. He knew Ana would keep her eyes open for the teacher. See if she could pull her aside and talk to her.
Gloria eventually brought them back to the main house and took them to their suite. The bed was the first thing they noticed. It was gigantic, heaped with pure white comforters against the chill of California nights, snowy pillows mounded against the antique headboard. A vase of heavy red roses had been placed on each nightstand, their natural fragrance filling the room. The simple decor was utterly romantic and sensual—and a marked contrast to the cinder-block practicality of the rest of the compound.
Their luggage was already there, the suitcases unlocked and left open on a long, low table.
“Oh, someone brought in your things,” she said absently.
Ty and Ana exchanged a look.
“No need to dress for dinner,” Gloria added. “It’s communal and come as you are. Hope that’s okay with you.”
“Of course,” Ana said.
“Most of the food comes from the compound’s fields. See you in an hour.”
Once settled and alone in their room, Ty turned to Ana.
And despite everything, despite the fact they were inside the cult, despite the fact they were on the verge of proving their intel true or false, Ty didn’t give a shit.
Not at that moment.
Now all he cared about was taking Ana into his arms and making sure she forgot all about Miguel. That she thought only of him and the pleasure he’d brought her before. And could bring her again.
CHAPTER
THIRTY-FIVE
“So,” Ty said. “Miguel seemed happy to see you.”
“That’s what we wanted, right?”
“Yes. But maybe he was a little too happy to see you. So much so that even Gloria noticed it.”
Ana’s eyes widened at his bold statement and he knew why. They were supposed to converse as if they knew they were being recorded at all times. Even if the little gizmo in Ty’s smartphone that was supposed to detect bugs indicated the room was clear. Given that, it probably seemed strange that he’d speak so bluntly. But he saw no point in beating around the bush. A blind man would have been able to see how much Miguel had been affected by Ana’s presence.
Ana seemed to search for the right words, then simply shrugged. “Miguel loves Gloria. I could see that for myself by the way he holds her. She has nothing to worry about.”
Was her response for anyone who was listening? He didn’t buy it and he wasn’t letting down his guard for a moment. He’d seen the way Miguel stared at Ana. He still wanted her. He’d looked like he’d kill to have her.
For now, however, Ana was safe. She was with him. Ty just had to reach out and touch her.
He resisted doing so until she smirked and said, “You don’t have anything to worry about, either, Ty. I’m so grateful you brought me here. You’re the only man or vampire I’ll ever want.” There was just a hint of the dramatic in her voice, enough to tell him she was teasing without giving away her meaning to a listener.
He grinned and moved toward her. Her smile vanished and she took several steps back, but it was too late. He slid his hands up her back, then to her head, forcing her to remain still as he touched his forehead to hers. “Prove I have nothing to worry about,” he whispered.
He claimed her mouth with his. Harsh. Without finesse. Showing only lust.
Desperation.
God, her lips were soft. Her breasts warm, pressed up against his chest. When she moaned, a shudder ran through him.
And then she touched the tip of her tongue to his lips. And the sexual desire he’d held at bay roared to life.
He released the hold he had on her head, but she wasn’t going anywhere. Instead, she pulled him in tight, fusing her mouth to his, whipping her tongue in and out of his mouth. He slid his hands under her shirt and in a second had unhooked her bra, then moved his hands to the front and let her breasts hang heavy in his palms.
She came up for air and breathed out his name. “Ty.”
No. No time for talking. Sex. Naked. Blood.
His hands moved, frenzied, sliding over her, tearing at the buttons at her top, grasping her ass and pulling her close when she edged away.
“Ty.” Her voice. Strong. Emphatic. “Ty, come back to me.”
He slowed. Controlled. Steadied. Holy fuck, he’d gone too far.
“Trying to prove you own me?” she whispered, her words holding double meaning. She was asking him if he was playing to any hidden cameras.
Damn her. How could she have thought that response was for show? “I don’t have to try and prove anything. You’re mine. In every sense of the word. Whatever you had with Miguel is over, do you understand?” he said under his breath.
He slid his hands down inside of her pants, cupping her bare ass cheeks with his palms. Arching his neck, he exposed his jugular to her when she kissed him at the deep dip where his collarbones joined.
Ty tipped his head back even farther when she nibbled and licked her way up his neck. Groaned when she reached down and cupped his balls.
“You want me, but you’re so angry. Why?”
“I’m not,” he protested, not bothering to lower his voice. “Not at you.”
“You’re acting like you’re jealous. Are you?” she asked point blank. Daring him to answer.
Time seemed to slow as he focused on her. The vulnerability in her eyes tore at him. Made him ache in places he didn’t think could ever ache again. His heart. His soul.
She was waiting for him to deny it. To say that he wasn’t jealous.
But he couldn’t.
What could he say? That she mattered? That with her, he found some semblance of his former humanity? That she deserved to be loved and cherished and desired with passion and abandon—but not by a vampire?
Not Miguel. And not him. But Ty would stay close to her for as long as she would let him. As close as he could get.
“It’s okay,” she muttered, stepping back, putting distance between them. “I understand. I’ll prove to you how much I want you. That no man can ever take your place.” She heaved in a breath, closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them and stared blankly at Ty. That more than anything told him she was still playing to any hidden mics or cameras in the room. But what the hell. If there was going to be a show, he was front row, center, and already breathtakingly hard.
She stripped her top off, tugging her arms out of her bra straps, her breasts with their beautiful copper nipples standing proud and firm.
Suddenly ashamed of his insatiable lust, he put his hand out, stopping her. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Getting ready. For you.” She said it with her chin thrust in the air, reminding him of what she’d been willing to do to prove herself in that alley with the man named Louis.
No. Not like this. He couldn’t take her like two porn stars fucking for a potential camera. He wouldn’t take her as others had. Under duress. “Stop,” he murmured.
“Why?” she challenged, tipping her head to the side. When he didn’t answer, she unzipped her pants and stepped out of them, leaving her clad in only a wisp of lace and silk between her legs. He caressed her shoulders. Kissed each of them. Kissed her forehead. Her nose. Her lips. Even the scar on her cheek. Although she stiffened slightly, she didn’t push him away.
“I can’t deny what I feel for you anymore, Ana. Not for another second.”
Confusion spread over her face. She gave her head a brief shake, as if to order the tangled thoughts there.
“I’m jealous of your relationship with Miguel. Crazy jealous. And I don’t know what the hell to do about that.”
Ana was stunned speechless, but eventually, she tried to respond to Ty’s bomb. She opened her mouth to speak, to clarify, but he didn’t give her time. Instead, he covered her mouth with his.
His kiss was life-giving, so utterly sensual and so welcome that she wanted to weep with gratitude.
She remembered this. This feeling of rightness she’d only truly felt once before—in his arms the night she’d found out what he was. A vampire. A man worth giving herself to.
Her mouth welcomed his tongue even as her hands reacquainted themselves with his body, shoving underneath his shirt to feel the muscles that rippled in his arms, chest, and back. She hitched one leg over his hip, gasping when he grasped her thigh and jerked it up higher while doing the same to her other leg until they were wrapped around his waist. He carried her to the huge white bed, then fell backward with her on top of him. Kissing frantically, they got completely naked and she tried to reverse their positions, but he held her down by her hips and shook his head. “No,” he said roughly. “This time you take me.”
She hesitated. He’d asked this of her in their shared dream, and she’d been able to do it. But now?
With all her experience, she’d never actually had sex with a man while she’d been on top. In a way, wielding that control and having to take what she wanted scared her.
Ty caressed her hip and whispered, “Do it. Just like you did in that dream. Take what you want. Take it how you want for real. I’m yours. Here. Now. I’m yours.”
She blinked, both touched by his words and tormented by them. She wanted so badly for him to be hers.
Impatient with her momentary silence, he wrapped a hand behind her neck and pulled her down for a kiss. She sank into it even as she ground her pelvis against his. He’d brought her so much pleasure before. She wanted to feel that pleasure again and again.
He began to trail kisses down her throat, teasing her with sharp little bites that didn’t break her skin even as he caressed her breasts and tugged on her nipples. The erotic sensation went right down between her legs. She wasn’t sure anything could feel any better until he released her breasts, gripped her hips, and positioned her so her core was balanced right over the tip of his cock.
