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Jude took the steps three at a time and was down in the lobby, leaning over the registration desk, in less than a minute’s time. He slapped his hand on the counter, letting the twenties peak through his fingertips. “Give me the room that connects to the lady’s.” No way was he leaving her alone. Jude planned to be close enough to hear even a whisper of fear from her.
The clerk, a teen with a bad case of acne on the left side of his face, eyed the money with a narrowed gaze. “You’re not some kind of perv...are ya?”
Jude growled.
The kid hopped back.
“I’m her boyfriend. We’re having a fight.” He smiled, showing teeth he knew to be a bit too sharp. “It’ll be over long before dawn, sojust give me the damn key.”
His fingers shaking, the kid tossed him the key.
“Good.” Jude caught the key card in his left fist. His right hand lifted, revealing the money. “The extra forty is for you. If anyone comes around sniffing after my lady, you let me know ASAP, got it?”
The money disappeared in a blink. “Uh, got...it.”
“Good.” The room card bit into his palm, and Jude forced himself to ease his grip. Just to make sure the place was clear, he scanned the lobby. Then, satisfied, he headed back upstairs.
The hunt would start tomorrow.
The beast inside jerked against his leash.
Tomorrow.
* * *
Jude woke, his heart racing and his eyelids flying open. He strained, struggling to hear.What had woken him?
A whimper. Muffled.
He jumped out of bed and lunged across the room. One yank and the lock on the connecting door broke. “Erin!”
She screamed and sat up, her eyes wide open.
Alone.His heart was about to burst from his chest. “Sweetheart, you scared the hell out of?—”
She flew at him, snarling, hands out, claws extended.
Swearing, he stumbled back, but not before those claws raked a trail of fire across his chest.
Not a shifter, my ass.“Erin!” He grabbed her. No choice. Self-preservation instincts were strong in him. His fingers locked tightly around her wrists, and he jerked her arms down. “Calm?—”
She broke his hold. In about half a second.
She. Broke. His. Hold.
And came at him again with those razor-sharp claws shooting from her fingertips.
He snarled, and she froze.
Then she blinked and shook her head. “Jude?” Her claws retracted. “What are you?—”
He saw the flare of her nostrils. She’d left a lamp on near the bathroom, and the light spilled in a soft circle, giving him a perfect view of her. Even without that light, he would have been able to see.
“Your chest!” Horror broke across her face. Her gaze dropped to her hands. She turned them over, staring at her palms, her fingertips. Looking like she’d never seen the things before.
“I heard you cry out,” he said, pushing his right hand against the throbbing wound. He’d had a hell of a lot worse before. No big deal, but?—
But he hadn’t expected such a fierce attack from her. “Thought you might need me.”
