“So, this old friend…” Jane said. “How old exactly is he?”
Peter pursed his lips, looking away for a moment. “About that… I have to warn you that he’s somewhat, um, strange. He’s been around for much longer than anyone I know, and his life hasn’t been easy. Try not to annoy him too much. And when I say annoy, I mean don’t move or talk, unless he tells you to,” Peter said, pointing his stare at Pain this time. “Because it’s easy to provoke him, and don’t let his age fool you, he will kick your ass all the way back here. And then he’ll take his sweet time berating me for it on the phone at three in the morning.”
Peter settled into his chair, as if he was done talking, but Pain kept looking at him, knowing him all too well. He still hadn’t answered the question.
“So, again, how old is he?” she asked.
His answering stare told her to go jump out the window for being such a nag, but he replied, “Albert is very old. Although he looks maybe ten years my senior, he’s actually twice my age.”
Pain’s hand flew up to her mouth. “Oh my God, he’s two hundred years old!”
“Ha-ha.” Peter’s lips quirked a little despite the disapproval in his eyes. “I’m not joking. He’s a hundred and nine years old. I already told Dave, and it’s something you should know, too, since you already know the rest. Like Dave, Albert was turned when he was very young, and he spent decades studying the subject of human-Ghost transformation. The prolonged life is one of its side effects, and do not underestimate just how different Albert is from everyone you’ve met before.”
They all stared, mouths open, as they processed the things Peter spoke about so casually.
“So…” Pain broke off to swallow the lump in her throat. “Dave’s gonna, um…” She didn’t know how to finish the sentence. She just couldn’t say it.
“A hundred and fifty years on average,” Peter answered her unspoken question.
“There’s an average?”
“Yes, and that’s enough questions for now. I wasn’t even going to tell you about Albert, but knowing how you’d pester him with questions otherwise, I think it’s best if you come prepared. Just stay out of the way and enjoy your holiday while Dave spends his time learning the things he needs. Understand?”
She nodded along with the others, even as questions kept raging in her head.
“When are we leaving?”
“In two hours. You’ll have two nights and two days there. Skull will drive you to the airport. One PM, parking lot, don’t be late. Dismissed.”
Pain watched the others get up and shuffle to the door, speaking in low voices. Jane waited for Dave before following him outside.
Peter gave Pain an inquiring look when he saw her linger.
“Why are you really sending all of us to Santa Barbara?” she asked. “Is it because of Martin and how Marco’s been hungover for a week?”
He laughed, a short, bitter sound. “It’s because I really want all of you gone. I’ve got a crisis here, in case you haven’t noticed, and I don’t need you here right now. Besides, Dave really does need a change of scenery. The best thing we can do for him right now is keep him out of his head and grounded in reality.”
“Bullshit,” she muttered. “You just want us all to be there in case he loses it. To stop him.”
All humor drained from Peter’s face. He stared at her for a minute before replying, “Trust me, if Dave loses it, really loses it, like he did when Elena was killed… You won’t be able to stop him. Not in a million years.”
Frowning, Pain dropped her gaze and mulled it over for a minute. She rose to her feet and headed to the door, only to pause when Peter’s voice sounded again.
“And keep in mind that if it does happen, if you allow it to happen, it’ll be your last vacation in the next ten years.”
She pursed her lips, looking at him over her shoulder. “Got it, boss.”
She didn’t know why she was offended. Deep inside, she knew that if Dave ever truly lost it, none of them would even survive.
The shield the size of the infirmary had told her as much.
Chapter 19
Pain was too tired to enjoy the beautiful scenery as they sped up to Albert’s place in yet another black SUV. Her eyes closed, she listened to Chad’s quiet voice as he spoke to Dave. Keeping her eyes open seemed like too much effort at the moment.
The car stopped at last, and she looked around. Everyone spilled out into the courtyard, stretching their legs and cracking their joints. The sun was low, but still, the warmth outside seemed almost artificial after freezing New York. The trees and bushes also seemed foreign—she had spent too much time in the concrete jungle.
She grabbed her katana and bag from the trunk that looked big enough for half a dozen more people to be hiding inside, and joined the others in front of the tall double door. The villa sprawled before them, all brown stone and green vines, and she couldn’t help but wonder why one man would need all those rooms.
Except maybe if he housed two dozen bodyguards in there.
“You think he forgot we were coming?” Jane asked just as the doors swung open.
“Nope,” Pain muttered, looking at the man who had come out to greet them.
Peter had been generous—Albert looked much older than he, with his white hair, stooped posture and lined face. Only slightly taller than Pain, he was wearing a gray polo and pants. She
