Free Lucas by D. B. Reynolds Page A

always wore it pulled away from her face, either in a French braid or a ponytail so severe she didn’t think she’d ever need a facelift.
    But somehow Lucas Donlon had broken through all of those precautions with nothing more than a look and a handshake. He’d managed to awaken feelings and desires buried so deeply that she’d all but forgotten she ever had them. And she wanted them left buried. This was her job, her career. This was what she did with her life, and she wasn’t going to let some handsome vampire or anyone else shatter her carefully won reserve.
    “Lucas Donlon ,” he was saying, “And you’ve met my lieutenant, Nicholas. How can I help you, Special Agent?”
    Kathryn thought of all sorts of things she’d like to say to him, most of which involved sharp, pointed objects drilling into his heart. But she reined in her temper and forced herself to back a couple of steps away from the desk, telling her heart to stop acting like such a fool.
    “As I explained on the phone, Mister Donlon —”
    “Lucas,” he said easily. “And do sit down .  . . Kathryn.” He slouched back into his own chair like a big, graceful cat, and regarded her over steepled fingers.
    Kathryn sat, using the motion to conceal her irritation at his familiar use of her first name. She considered correcting him, reminding him of her title and that she represented the FBI. Except she didn’t in this case, not really. That thought shocked her back to the matter at hand. She had ten days to find her brother, ten days before her bosses would expect her back on the job. She didn’t have time to waste bandying words with Lucas Donlon . Besides, she had a feeling it would only encourage him if she insisted on her proper title.
    “As I explained on the phone, Mister—” Donlon raised one eyebrow, and she switched words mid-syllable. “Lucas. I’m looking for a photographer who went missing after completing a shoot in Badlands National Park .”
    “There are several towns closer to the park than we are.”
    “I’m aware of that. But he was staying very near here, and this area is where he was last seen.”
    “And how does this relate to me .  . . Kathryn ?”
    Kathryn blinked. He was actively flirting with her, although flirting was too tame a word for anything Lucas Donlon did. And damn it, her body wanted to respond to the seduction in that deep voice, to the crooning way he kept repeating her name. Kathryn bit her tongue, letting the sharp pain redirect her senses. She didn’t have time for his games. She needed to find Daniel.
    “Daniel Hunter is the man who’s missing. An eyewitness places him at a local nightclub.”
    “We’ve quite a few of those in the surrounding area, as well.”
    “Yes, but this particular club, according to my sources, is owned and run by vampires.”
    Donlon lifted his eyes, looking over her shoulder at his lieutenant, Nicholas. The exchange was silent, but it told her he hadn’t expected that particular piece of evidence.
    “A blood house,” he said, returning his gaze to her.
    Kathryn blinked at him. “I’m sorry?”
    He smiled briefly and repeated, “A blood house. The club you’re referring to is called a blood house. That’s not its name, but that’s what it is. It’s where humans go to .  . . mingle with vampires.”
    “Mingle,” Kathryn said softly. “You mean—”
    “Many humans are fascinated by the vampire .  . . culture, shall we say. They go to blood houses to flirt with what they see as the darker side of humanity. And they give blood, of course.”
    Kathryn frowned. “Give blood. You mean from their own veins?”
    Donlon laughed. “Don’t look so shocked, Kathryn. It’s a very pleasurable experience for all involved.”
    “Are you telling me people go to these places and let vampires bite them?”
    “Yes, indeed.”
    “But that’s .  . .” She was about to say revolting, but thought better of it given current company.
    Donlon grinned as if he