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My stomach feels like it’s plummeting to my toes. Fear surges through my veins, making me lightheaded. “Ethan.”

I try to slam the door closed, but he catches it, stronger than he looks—or maybe just stronger than me. He pushes his way inside, shutting the door behind him.

“You’re supposed to be in prison,” I say stupidly, my feet rooted in place. I’m like a spooked deer, too stupid to move or think or run. I just stare at him, my brain trying to process the situation. “How are you here?”

“I was in prison,” he says calmly, taking my phone and ending the call before he tosses it onto the bed. “I’m not anymore.”

“Why?”

He smiles. “Will you believe they let me out on good behavior?”

“A hundred years early?” I say incredulously, snapping out of my stupor. “No.”

He laughs, looking at me in that obsessively affectionate way that has always felt off, even before I knew he was a vampire. “I have friends in high places—friends above the human judiciary system.”

“And they let you out?”

How is that even possible?

“Not exactly. They instructed the guards to open our cells and look the other way when we left.” He smiles, his brown eyes running over my face. “You look beautiful. Sam told me you’re a rare second-bite vampire. I knew you were exceptional.”

I’ve been slowly backing toward the balcony, but I’m against the table now, with nowhere to go. It’s a long way to the ground. “Where is Sam? Did he get out, too?”

And is he currently stalking Noah?

“Yes, Sam is out. Hilo, too, and a few of my other men I don’t think you know by name. You’ll meet them all eventually.”

“Okay,” I say carefully, hoping to keep him somewhat stable. “So…what are you doing here?”

“I’ve missed you.” He frowns. “You didn’t visit me—not even once.”

The man is insane.

“I know you feel guilty about what happened,” he continues, “but the actions of your conservator are not your fault. Please know I don’t blame you for my arrest.”

Yep, that’s why I’ve been keeping my distance.

His eyes turn to the ice bucket on the table. As soon as he spots the prescription blood, he makes a face. “You’re not still taking that chemical substitute, are you?”

“How did you know I was here?” I ask instead of answering his question.

“I have a friend staying in the city. He’s keeping tabs on Cassian. When I heard you were in the area, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to visit you.”

“Is this the same friend who broke you out of prison?”

He laughs, genuinely amused. “I suppose, in a roundabout way, you could say that.”

“Why would a bunch of vampires come to Miami? If you haven’t noticed, it’s ninety-five degrees with eighty percent humidity out there.”

Ethan sighs. “My friend is hoping to buy a hotel in South Beach. It’s a lost cause—the owner has no desire to sell. To be honest, I think this entire trip is just an excuse to show off his yacht.”

One thing seems certain: the friend he’s talking about is Alfred.

It looks like Ethan is about to say something else, but his phone rings. “Excuse me for a moment,” he apologizes. “I need to take this.”

Almost laughing because this break-in is so ridiculous, I nod.

“Yes?” Ethan says into his cell, and then he scowls. “Already?”

I glance around the space, looking for a weapon. But there are no sharp wooden objects in the hotel room. Weird.

“Then get rid of them.” Ethan pauses to listen, his expression darkening by the second. “I’m not asking for something unreasonable. This is your job . Be better at it than he is at his.”

He must be talking about Noah.

Without another word, Ethan ends the call. “We’re going to have to cut this visit short. I have a new number, and I’ll send you a message with it soon. I’m afraid I don’t have time now.”

“You’re leaving?” I ask, incredulous. I thought this was a kidnapping.

Mistaking my surprise for disappointment, his eyes soften. “I need to lie low right now—I’m sure you understand. But this is only a temporary parting.”

I hug myself, hoping I look contrite…and also blocking him from moving in lest he get any ideas. “Where are you staying?”

“I’m afraid I can’t say for security reasons.”

Oh well—at least I tried.

“Goodbye, Piper.” Ethan pauses by the door, giving me one last lingering look, and then he slips into the hall.

I stare at the door as it slowly swings shut, full of disbelief when the lock clicks into place.

What the heck just happened?