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“I don’t think she would leave the area. She would want to stay close. To watch us,” I say.

“Her mission is far from over.” River looks around. “So, which way should we go?”

“We follow the trail.” I shrug.

“You’re taking all of this well. Are you going to be able to stop her?” he asks, falling into step beside me.

“Do you mean, can I kill her?” I look at him sideways as we walk across the roof.

“Yeah, this is all new to you. You’ve never killed before.”

“How do you know?” I ask.

“Believe me, I can tell. A killer has a certain look in his eyes. Either pain from past kills, filled with regret and sorrow, or satisfaction at the power they hold.” He holds his hand out the help me on the fire escape.

“I am alive for the first time. Meeting Ryker and becoming a vampire are the best things to happen to me. For so long, I was going through the motions of life. I fell into the trap of believing nothing is going to get better. I believed I deserved how I was treated. I closed my opinions and independence away. He changed that. He made me believe this is how I was always meant to be.” We stop halfway down on a balcony.

He looks at me curiously. “You really believe that?”

“Yes.” I nod.

“Finding your mate changed you that much?” He frowns.

“It did. I would like to think I have always had it in me. It just took a gorgeous, dangerous vampire to bring it out.” My lips twitch.

“Uh-huh,” he continued. “I should keep my eyes open then. I don’t want to stumble upon my mate.”

“You don’t want to find yours?” That’s sad.

“No, at least I didn’t.”

“Now?”

“Maybe. But I’m not sure I have one out there.”

“Why?”

He stops abruptly. “Who would love a man like me?” He looks at me softly. “Besides, I would need someone who could keep up with me, and you are mated to a vampire.”

“Don’t let Ryker hear you speaking like that. He may think you are serious and take your head off. I like you, so I won’t tell him.” I step around him and jump the rest of the way to the ground. I am amazed for a second that I landed lightly on my feet.

I faintly heard his laugh and he whispered, “So freaking serious, doll.”

We continue in silence. I keep on the trail of Carol. She walked. She didn’t drive, which is odd. She had to have stashed the gun somewhere. I can’t imagine her not causing a stir, walking down the street with a huge gun at her side. We walk for blocks. She didn’t stop anywhere. She had a purpose. Kill me, and then what? She had to have known that Ryker would get revenge. What was her plan for him?

Her boss is working with her. He must be with her now. I don’t even remember the man's name. He never came to the house. His face is a mystery.

“Do you think Kerian can get Carol’s boss’s name from my dad?” I ask River.

“He can try.” He pulls out his phone to call him.

Don’t ask me why I’m still calling him my dad and not doing the same with Carol. My mind is a fucking minefield.

“He will ask. He’s had no luck so far. Don’t take this wrong, but your dad is tough for a human. I realize he’s nuts, but he’s a tough nut.” He cringes.

“It’s okay. You respect strength,” I state.

“Has it occurred to you that your mom is leading us into a trap?” he asks, watching me.