As I started stumbling across the sand toward them, I noted they were dressed the same as us. Glasses clad, and looking quite sophisticated. Jayden had outfitted us before we left, insisting that if we all wore our favorite black enforcer gear, we would stand out in Cali. So now we were in a mix of jeans, army-style pants and neutral-colored cotton shirts. Jared even sported a button-up Hawaiian number, which suited his surfer boy looks.
When I reached their side I threw myself at them. “Where the hell have you guys been? I’ve been worried sick!”
Arms wrapped around me as each of them gave me a hug.
“Sorry, Mum,” Jared said. “We got a little delayed at one of the airports. Apparently Sam forgot you can’t carry a pocket knife on a commercial flight.”
The silent enforcer grimaced. “It was one tiny little knife set. The way they freaked out you’d think I was trying to haul an AK-47 on board.”
Ryder pulled me out of Jared’s arms and deposited me at his side.
“Getting too used to traveling by private plane, Mr. Money Bags,” I teased Sam.
He surprised me by reaching out and ruffling my hair. Hmmm, someone had loosened up just in the short time we’d been in Alaska. Sharing that secret part of his world with us had fortified the bonds of our group. The trust was strong. No more secrets.
As the boys gathered closer, I knew it was time for part two of the plan to go into action. Sam pulled out a cell phone; he was the only one allowed to touch this high-tech, completely untraceable piece of technology. Sliding the screen, he pressed out a few numbers and lifted it to his ear.
Unable to pace when I was smack bang in the center of the sexy six, I started to bounce from foot to foot, my nervous energy needing an outlet.
Sam’s voice jolted me. “Hello, I need to report an ash causing havoc on Santa Monica Pier. You need to get your enforcers down here immediately. He’s feeding on humans.”
My jaw dropped. Okay, way to stroll into Cali under the radar. But it was kind of genius, and since it was still daylight no vampires would be accompanying the enforcers. Now let’s just hope these enforcers were friendly.
Within five minutes, two lifted black SUV’s peeled around the corner to the pier.
“Let’s split up. If for some reason they aren’t friendly…” Sam didn’t need to finish.
Ryder tucked me close to him and started walking fast toward the vehicles, while Kyle and Sam took off after us. The other three boys disappeared, but I knew they were watching our backs from afar.
When we were ten feet from the SUV’s the doors opened and out stepped about eight hottie Californian enforcers. As they spilled out of the vehicles, every girl on the beach turned to stare. The enforcers paid no attention to the humans though, and I was both surprised and intrigued to see that they were almost as well trained and disciplined as my boys. They looked around with hard rapid glances, trying to identify the commotion that had prompted the call. Ryder whistled loud and the men looked at us. Then Ryder removed his glasses and one of the leaders stepped forward, gun drawn.
He was over six feet tall and had the stereotypical blond shaggy hair and surfer look, but in his eyes was a lethal predatory gaze. He was the alpha of this little posse. As he approached Ryder, I also took off my glasses. That’s when the leader sprang into action like I’d lit his ass on fire. Holstering his gun, he rushed forward.
“Put your glasses back on and follow me. They watch everything we do now.”
He calmly walked onto the sidewalk and hung a right; we followed with a few of his men trailing behind us. There was a cute mom and pop coffee shop and the enforcer slipped inside. Ryder waited, unsure, but I yanked his hand. If we couldn’t trust our own people, we were fucked. Sam, Ryder, and I entered the coffee shop just in time to hear the pretty blonde, wearing next to nothing, behind the coffee bar.
“Hey, Zack, your usual?” she called out to the enforcer, giving him bedroom eyes.
“Not this time, Angela. I need to use your office.” She looked past him at us for a second and then nodded.
We followed him back to the surprisingly large office, and as I looked at the green velvet couch in the corner I tried not to think about what this guy and Angela did on there.
He turned to face us. “I’m Zack.”
Ryder, Kyle, Sam and I were all in the office, with two of his men guarding the door. He was outnumbered if we wanted him dead. I liked having the upper hand in these situations, so I gave him a nod and pulled off my glasses.
“Charlie.” I shook his outstretched hand.
He grinned broadly. “Well, I’ll be damned. You’re real. The female ash. The cure.”
Hope sprang in my chest. If he knew, that meant the rumor mill had begun to spread. I nodded.
Ryder shook his hand next. “Ryder.”
This time Zack looked absolutely gobsmacked. “Ryder Angelson? As in the very ash who was instrumental in setting up the enforcer program?”
Ryder nodded. Zack’s impressed expression deepened. Kyle was next for the introductions. Sam didn’t bother with his name; that wasn’t my silent enforcer’s style. He said: “I need to find the Controller. We need access to the network.”
