AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Now Jude was just insulted. Ten grand?
“Damn, Jude, vamps are worth more than that,” Dee said, and she would know. Vamps were her specialty, after all.
“These demons are addicts,” Zane grated. “They’d kill their own mothers for ten grand. Hell, they probably have.”
Jude didn’t look away from his prey. “This one’s not on drugs.”
The demon spit out a tooth. “Just...wanted the money. Knew the others...would do anything...for some cash.”
“Same as you.” Not an addict, but a killer straight to the bone. “And youwilldo anything...”
“Uh-oh.” Dee let out a loud sigh. “I think I know where the tiger’s going with this.”
“No, he’s not that crazy.” A pause from Zane. “Unless maybe the demons hit him too hard in the head. Could be he’s not thinking straight, could be?—”
Tony let out a long, loud groan. Then, “Fuckin’ bastard. Knew what you were gonna do. Couldn’t you have pulled it some?”
“No.” Zane’s immediate reply.
“Wh-what are you talking about?” A sharp cry from Jude’s prey. “What do you think I’m d-doing?”
Jude smiled at him and fully retracted his claws. After all, he didn’t want to damage the demon. Especially now that he knew he needed the jerk. “You’re gonna earn your money tonight.”
“What’d I miss?” Tony asked, the words a bit thick.
“Jude.” Erin’s voice was sharp.
She wouldn’t like the plan, but there was no option. The nightmare was ending. He’d end it. Staring at the bastard who’d tried to kill him, Jude explained, “You’re gonna deliver me to the person who contacted you—and you’re gonna collect your money.”
Erin’s fingers dug into Jude’s shoulder, and she spun him around. Her eyes were blazing as she snapped, “The hell he is.”
ChapterNineteen
“This is a really stupid idea.”Erin’s stare could have burned a lesser man. As it was, Jude felt distinctly singed. “You’re already weak. You can’t seriously be considering going after this guy now.”
Weak.Not a word he particularly enjoyed even though he still felt like he’d been hit by a truck. Or a dozen demons. “I’m getting stronger every minute.” True. He’d always known he was lucky to be a white tiger. If he’d been a fox—hell, it would have takendaysfor him to recover. Simple shifter fact: The stronger and rarer you were, the quicker you healed. Kinda like survival of the fittest multiplied, and it was sweet old Mother Nature’s way of making sure her once-in-a-blue-moon shifters didn’t vanish from the earth completely.
When you were hard to kill, you got to live longer.
“You. Can’t. Do. This.”
He’d never heard that particular guttural tone from her before. Erin was walking a fine edge of rage. So was he. “This is it, sweetheart. The chance to bag the bastard and take him out.” The others were silent around them. Watching. Waiting. Even the demon prey had the sense to keep his mouth shut. “We finish this tonight, and there’s no more running for you. No more fear.”
“And if he kills you?” Her hands were small fists. Blood dripped onto the floor near her feet, and he knew that her claws were out, cutting her.
A rumble built in his throat and he crossed to her. Took her hands. Unfurled the fists. Her claws had dug deep. “Erin...”
She jerked away from him. “You almost died here.” Her right hand lifted and waved toward the peeling walls and sputtering candles. Luckily, someone—he thought maybe Dee—had broken the old radio and ended the blasting stream of drums and rock.
“Almost doesn’t really count,” he murmured and knew when her eyes immediately narrowed that he’d said the wrong thing.
“I saw you on the floor.”Death dream.“Blood around you. Your eyes wide open.Dead.” She shook her head, sending her hair flying around her. “Don’t tell me that doesn’t count.”
“Uh? What did she see?” Tony asked. He was up and gingerly rubbing his jaw.
Zane shook his head. “I’ll explain later, but, man, I really don’t think you want to know.”
Their voices drifted around Jude.Erin.He wanted,neededto hold her. But the others?—
