He walked across to the felon bleeding out and, with a lance of fire, cauterized the wound. “Your turn. Speak or I will reopen that wound—and we both know that even a vampire can die if he loses enough blood.”

The vampire licked his lips. “What do you want to know?”

“What do you think I want to know? Who the fuck sent you here?”

“Rinaldo. He wanted you both out of the picture.”

We might have guessed as much, but it was nice to get confirmation—and nice to know there wasn’t someone else after us. At least not right now, anyway. “And did he order the use of guns?”

The vamp nodded. “He said you were too dangerous; that we needed to catch you both by surprise and that guns were our best shot.”

Jackson cast a grim look my way. “Like we actually needed something else to be on the lookout for.”

“Which is why we need to catch the bastard—or bastards—first.” I glanced down at the vampire. “Are you from De Luca’s den?”

He frowned. “No. And I wouldn’t want to be, either.”

“Why?”

“The council has issued an erasure edict. If any of them had any sense, they’d be heading interstate rather than hanging about here.”

Those in De Luca’s get didn’t appear to be the brightest bulbs on the block, and I doubted any of them would be running, if only because they seemed to believe Rinaldo would be capable of protecting them.

“So are you one of Rinaldo’s den?” I asked.

He shook his head. “Subcontractor.”

“Who will in future,” Jackson said, “not consider any offered action against us.”

“Too fucking right. There’s not enough damn money in the world that could make me accept another commission like this.”

“Say that with a little more sincerity, and I might just believe you.” Jackson’s tone was dry. “How did Rinaldo get in contact with you? Because he couldn’t have gone through the Coalition—not enough time has passed between his decision to hunt us and your attack.”

“I’ve worked with him before—”

“That’s why you looked familiar,” I cut in. “You’re one of the vamps who attacked Radcliffe’s gaming venue.”

He stirred uneasily. Obviously he thought his actions there had gone unnoticed in all the mayhem. “All four of us were, but that wasn’t our first job for him.”

“I suggest it be your last. Not just because we’ll kill you if we spot you again, but because Radcliffe very much intends revenge on all those involved.”

“It was a commission—business—nothing more, nothing less. He of all people should understand that.”