Page 94 of Cherished By the Sinners

Brian studied all their faces.“They’re giving as few fucks as they can as hard as they can.”He shook his head.“Something is really wrong.”

Darlene glanced at him.“Is there a way you could find out if there’s anything that might be related to this influx of vampires from the FBI or Homeland Security?”

“You want me to spy on my own agency?”

“Yup.”

She wanted him to pick a side.He wasn’t sure he was ready to do that yet.

Fuck, just thinking about it meant he was halfway there.

The woman in the apron, along with three of the men she arrived with were escorted up to their suite by one of the lobby staff.

The door to the security room opened and Anna stepped inside.

“How’s it going?”Brian asked her.

“Busy.”She looked at him.“Did you see the young lady in the apron?”

“Yes, is she okay?We noticed her crying.”

“Her name is Jane and I would like you to take her to Yvgeny’s apartment.I think it’s the only space we have that might make her feel...comfortable.”

“What about the men she’s with?”he asked.

“They will be joining Mason and Magnus, but I want them to meet you, so they know who you are.I’ve told them you’re coming, so they’re expecting you.”

Brian got to his feet.For once, this was something he could do.

“Brian,” Anna said with a warning tone in her voice.“Be careful with her.She’s one of us, but she was badly hurt many years ago and has never recovered.”

“What does that mean,never recovered?”

“She’s—” Anna paused obviously searching for the right word.“fragile.”

The word froze Brian in place.He’d heard it used to describe his mother for years.Ever since she’d come home to find his father hanging in the garage by a noose he’d tied using their bedsheets.

The cowardly bastard.

“Is she a relative?”Darlene asked.

“Yes, she’s my great, great, grand-niece.The sight of blood terrifies her.We have to put a blindfold over her eyes so she can...eat.”

“And plants are her safe place?”Darlene asked.

“Yes, quite so.”

“I get it,” Brian said.“I’ll be gentle.”He hesitated, then asked, “Why me and not Darlene?”

Anna looked at him with a small smile for a long moment.“Because you’re you.It’s not really something I can explain.”

Wow, he was going to end up with a swelled head.“Okay, I’ll do that now.”

“Let Jane fuss with Yvgeny’s plants and grab a nap on the sofa.”

He rolled his eyes and said, “Yes, ma’am.”He exited the room and headed for the private elevator that went up to Yvgeny’s apartment.

What could hurt a vampire so much that they never recover?