“What’s the problem?” he grumbled, his gaze moving over her lovely face. She was a classic Scandinavian beauty with high cheekbones and the biggest, bluest eyes he’d ever seen. He wanted to watch those eyes cloud with desire and fear as he peeled back layer after layer of her defenses.

“I don’t mean to be rude” -- Lark tried to soothe him with a smile -- “but in this day and age a woman can’t be too careful.” She sat inside her car, as if the automobile could protect her.

“What exactly do you think I’m going to do to you?” Speaking to her through a half-open window was humiliating. He’d been polite and patient, tried to earn her trust and ease her mind.

“Please don’t take this personally. I can’t help Holly if I become a victim myself.”

The statement made him smile. She had no idea how close she’d stumbled to the truth. He wasn’t directly responsible for Holly’s disappearance, but he was very much involved. And he had every intention of making Lark his next victim.

“All right.” He glanced into the distance as he composed his expression. “We both want to search her apartment. What do you suggest?”

“You have a key.” She crossed her arms over her chest, obviously uncomfortable despite her precautions. “Why don’t you go first? Take as long as you like. Just leave the door unlocked when you leave.”

“Fine by me.” Arguing with her was a waste of time. He had far more effective ways of getting what he wanted.

He crossed the parking lot without a backward glance. Deep inside him Connell surged, clawing at the confines of sleep state, rebelling against his imprisonment. It had taken many years for Aidan to control his day-dwelling half. At first he’d influenced Connell, coaxing and manipulating him through thoughts and emotions. He no longer bothered with subtleties. He wore Connell like a costume, never allowing his consciousness to fully emerge.

Opening the door with his key, Aidan slipped into the tiny apartment. Holly only slept here when he hadn’t required her services and he seldom did without his obedient whore. Did Lark realize her precious niece had become a prostitute?

He peeked through the blinds, curious to see how long his stubborn prey would keep up this nonsense. This was Napa, not L.A.!

Lark hadn’t moved. She sat in her car, patiently waiting for him to finish his search. Sunlight gleamed in her long blonde hair as she reached for something on the passenger seat. A cell phone. She unfolded the device and Aidan tensed. He needed to move fast with this one. She was too damned cautious.

A quick sweep of the apartment revealed nothing of importance. He’d only wanted to make sure there was nothing here that could incriminate him. Lark would be so disappointed when the apartment turned out to be another dead end.

He started for the door when a glossy brochure caught his eye. Nicole Fierbrose was a brilliant young artist who was just starting to build a following. He’d taken Holly to a gallery featuring her creations the last time they’d been in San Francisco. Nicole knew the Burton brothers and he was interested in anyone who had a connection to his enemies. According to the brochure, Nicole was having her first solo exhibition the following Saturday night.

Inspiration swept through Aidan. His biggest challenge had been accessing the Burtons during their nocturnal cycle. They pooled their resources and he was no match for their combined strength. If he had a connection with someone inside their defenses, someone they trusted, perhaps even felt the need to protect… It might restore his best advantage, the element of surprise.

He pictured Lark’s lovely face and voluptuous figure. What hot blooded male wouldn’t be attracted to her? The exhibition was three days away. He could establish a link with her subconscious and shape her perception with dreams and false memories. He’d perfected the skills on Connell, but he had yet to test the full scope of his control on anyone else.

Having her totally at his mercy held undeniable appeal. Still, nothing was more important than repaying the Burtons for the injustices forced upon his family. If postponing his play sessions with Lark would bring him closer to his ultimate goal, he was willing to wait.