“It’s working,” she said suddenly. “Look!”
Cole’s breathing had evened out, the hazy film clearing from his eyes. He lifted his head, holding it fully upright as his limbs twitched, muscles bunching beneath the fur.
He was trying to shift.
“Don’t.” Gabriel placed a hand on his back. “You’ll heal faster in wolf form. Besides, I’mreallynot in the mood to see your naked human arse tonight, got it?”
Cole arched his head back and let loose an ear-piercing howl—closest thing to a yes Gabriel was going to get.
And the best fucking sound he’d heard all night.
Gabriel carried the wolf over his shoulders, leaving Jacinda to deal with Duchanes. The bastard was still clinging to life, though his entire body trembled, blood still leaking from his mouth.
Jacinda got him to his feet and half-carried, half-dragged him outside.
Back at the car, Gabriel got Cole situated in the backseat, then went around back to help Jacinda with their other passenger.
“All good?” he asked Jacinda.
“All good.”
He popped the back hatch. “Make yourself comfortable, Duchanes.”
With a swift shove from Jacinda, the vampire toppled into the trunk, too weak to fight his way out.
Blinking up at them from the cramped space, he said, “What… what do you want from me?”
“Shh,” Jacinda replied, reaching for the top of the hatch. “Naptime for naughty vampires.”
“No!” With an unexpected burst of new energy, Duchanes’ hand shot out and grabbed her wrist, his face twisting with rage. Hunger.
But Jacinda only laughed. “I think he wants to bite me again.”
“I wouldn’t,” Gabriel said. “Not only is she poisonous, but she’ll probably kick your ass this time.”
At this, he turned feral, growling and snapping, his irises red, mouth practically foaming. But try as he might, those pesky fangs just wouldn’t descend.
“Yeah, that would be the poison.” Jacinda yanked her wrist free and frowned at him. “Isn’t it just theworstwhen you can’t get it up?”
“Should’ve… sold you,” he panted. “Slave for Kostya. He—”
Gabriel grabbed the vampire’s throat and hauled him upright, bringing him nose-to-nose. Through the foul scents of blood and vomit on Duchanes’ breath, Gabriel said, “You don’t speak to her again. You don’t touch her. You don’t breathe on her. You don’t evenlookat her unless and until she demands it. Is that clear?”
Duchanes laughed. Total fucking psycho.
“Let… let’s settle it, Redthorne,” he rasped. “Like… like men.”
“You’re not a man. You’re a stain.” Gabriel dropped his arse back into the trunk. “Besides, you’re Jacinda’s prisoner. The only settling you’ll be doing is with her.”
“You’re letting this… thiswitch… fight your battles?”
“Have you seen her fight?” Gabriel laughed. “Say what you will about the strength and speed of vampires, but from now on, my money’s on her.”
“Aww!” Jacinda beamed at him and wrapped a hand around his arm. “See what I mean, Ren? Isn’t he just the sweetest?”
Ignoring her, Duchanes said, “Redthornes… want me dead. For decades.”
“A century, actually,” Gabriel said. “Because you’ve always been a thorn in my family’s side. An annoyance at first—bit like a bad rash. Then you turned traitor. Conspirator. A would-be murderer and usurper thwarted only by his own ineptitude. So yes, perhaps all of that is cause enough to kill you, but it’s certainly not your worst offense. Jacinda, on the other hand…” Gabriel leaned in close, looming over the pathetic vampire as new fury churned hot in his gut. In a low, dangerous voice, he said, “Youhurther, Duchanes. Repeatedly. In ways so vile I can’t even bring myself to name them. Ways I’m certain will haunt her nightmares for…” Gabriel closed his eyes and clenched his jaw, fighting back a fierce wave of bile. The rage threatened to overtake him, pushing him, urging him to end this. A quick thrust of his fist, a firm grip on a feeble heart, an enemy swiftly vanquished…
