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Pete hesitated, surprised to hear a child on the phone. But the name was correct: Innocente Ottmer. He knew Guerra was the name of one of the family tree offshoots, so he said, “Hey, this is a friend of Innocente. My name is Pete Talbert. ”

“I’ll get her,” the child said, and noisily lay down the phone.

A second later a female voice said, “This is Cynthia Guerra. Who’s calling?”

“Uh, hey, Cynthia. It’s Pete Talbert. ”

“Hey, Pete! How are you?”

“I’m good. You and Sergio visiting Innocente?” Pete tugged on his goatee, not really wanting to interrupt a family event.

“We liv

e here now. She’s getting older and with the economy like it is. . . ”

“Yeah, that makes sense. Hey, I’m in the area. Would you mind if I dropped by?” Pete glanced toward Ethan. The other man was still pumping the gas, but his body was slightly angled toward Pete. The dark sunglasses hid his eyes, but Pete knew he was under scrutiny.

There was a pause, then Cynthia said, “Sure. Come on by. Shouldn’t be a problem. We got up late so we’re just now eating breakfast. How far out are you?”

“Uh, I would say about fifteen minutes. ”

“Great. That gives me time to get the kids dressed. We’ll see you soon. ”

“Talk to you in a few,” Pete answered, then hung up. “They’re just getting up, so it’s all good. ”

“No church today, huh?” Ethan finished up at the pump and holstered the nozzle.

“Yeah,” Pete said, realizing how odd it was for the family not to be at church. Innocente was very devout and so was Sergio.

“Wonder what’s up. ” Ethan tucked his credit card away in his wallet as he let his words hang in the air.

Pete shifted uncomfortably on his feet, gazing at Ethan through the gloomy interior of the truck. He had a feeling that the mysterious man knew a lot more than he was letting on. “You know something?”

“Nope. Just wondering. ” Ethan slid behind the wheel of the truck and yanked his door shut.

Pete climbed back into the cab. In the few short minutes the vehicle had been standing still, the interior had already heated up. He tilted the air conditioning vents toward him as Ethan started up the truck and blinked the sweat from his eyes. As Pete shut the passenger door, he tilted his head to regard the man next to him thoughtfully.

Ethan caught his look and gave him a slight smile. “I haven’t the faintest idea why they aren’t at church. I’m just trying to track down Amaliya. ”

“Okay. Because if you need me to help you there needs to be some measure of trust between us,” Pete said in an even voice.

Pulling out onto the empty highway, Ethan shrugged. “Trust has to be earned, don’t you know that?”

“I’m trusting you to do what you promised. Cure Amaliya,” Pete pointed out.

“No, you’re hoping I will do what I promised. You’re scared shitless that I’m lying to you, but you love her enough to put aside your worries and hope for the best. There’s a big difference,” Ethan answered. His tone wasn’t confrontational, angry, or mocking. He said it simply and plainly.

“Okay, you got me there. I’m hoping that you’re being forthright with me and not giving me a heap of bullshit. ”

Ethan nodded once. “Exactly. Now you’re being honest with me. ”

Pete sank back in his chair and exhaled through his teeth. “Are you being honest with me?”

“I’m looking for Amaliya because I’m tracking her master. I need your help to convince her family to help me locate her. There is a cure for young vampires to return to mortals. ”

Pete mulled over his words, wiping the beads of moisture form his face with his fingers before rubbing his hands on his jeans. He felt like a fool, but he was a desperate fool. He kept seeing images in his head of Amaliya on that night: the elusive memories he had lost for so many months. Now that he had recollected the events, he wished with all his heart that he had reacted differently. If he hadn’t been so afraid he could have helped her, kept her safe, until the mysterious stranger had arrived to turn her back.

“You know, Pete, there ain’t no shame in loving someone. None at all. ”