Page 34 of Twilight Destiny

“It’s Jake Kincaid, isn’t it?”

Rhinehart hesitated a moment, then nodded.

“Why?”

“I can’t tell you that, either. Do you know where I can find him?”

“Even if I did, I’d never tell you.”

“I don’t want to destroy him.”

Rosa uttered a very unladylike snort. As if she would ever believe that!

“I mean it.” Leaning forward, the hunter lowered his voice and said, “I need to ask him something.”

“Like what?” Seeing the look on his face, she said, “I know. You can’t tell me.”

“It’s better for both of us if I don’t. Believe me, you don’t want to be involved in this.”

She was already in it, Rosa thought as the waitress came to take Rhinehart’s order

“Coffee,” he said. “Cream, no sugar. And a slice of apple pie.”

“I’m thinking about going home,” Rosa remarked, when the waitress left. “There’s nothing much to do here. At least not when you’re alone most of the time. Are you married?”

“Yeah. Fifteen years.”

“Kids?”

“Three.”

“Does your wife know what you do for a living?”

“No. She thinks I sell life insurance.”

Rosa laughed. “Life insurance? That’s a good one.”

The waitress brought their orders a few moments later.

An uneasy silence settled between Rosa and the hunter while they ate. She was dying to know why he wanted to talk to Jake, and he seemed equally determined not to tell her.

Rhinehart was reaching for his wallet when Saintcrow pulled out the chair next to his and settled into it.

Rhinehart stared at the vampire, then glanced around the crowded restaurant. Rosa saw him visibly relax, apparently feeling he was safe when surrounded by so many people.

“What are you doing here, hunter?” Saintcrow asked, a predatory growl in his voice.

“I wanted to ask Miss Ravenwood a question, which she refused to answer.”

Saintcrow grunted softly. “You think Kincaid has a way to avoid Luca.”

Rhinehart glared at him. “Dammit, stay out of my mind, bloodsucker.”

“Stay out of my town.”

“Does he have some way to hide his presence from Luca?”

Saintcrow shrugged one shoulder. “Even if he does, I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t tell you what it is or where he got it. One more thing, hunter. If you destroy any of my acquaintances, I’ll huntyoudown and you won’t like what happens next. Are we clear?”