Page 128 of Angel Of Darkness

Just not all of it.

“It’s about what you want.” Her gaze searched his. “And no matter what Az may say, you don’t want to kill me.”

His forehead pressed against hers. “No.” He’d kill to protect her, had, and would again. But kill her?

Not his plan. Not now, not damn well ever. “If you’d been wrong, if Sam had been wrong, you could have died, sweet.”

“According to the angels, I’m on borrowed time.” Her voice was flat. “Besides, I figured I needed to start trusting someone.”

A surprised rasp of a laugh escaped Keenan at that as he pulled her away from Bo’s body. Pretty soon, someone would notice the guy wasn’t just passed out from booze. “You decided to trust?” He led her into the thin alleyway between the buildings. The noise immediately dimmed. “And you figured you’d start by trusting Sam?”

“No.” Her fingers were curled around his. Holding tight. “You’re the one I trust.”

He stopped and turned slowly to face her. “Are you sure about that?”

“You could have your old life back. Could’ve had it for a while now.” Her head tilted as she studied him. “But the way I see it, you want something else more.”

You. He’d never tried to hide his desire, not even when he pushed her away.

“You’re not facing the coyotes alone.” Her hands lifted and pressed against his chest. “You’re not facing Az alone. From now on, we’re a package deal, got it?”

He wanted to get it. His body was hot, heavy, aching for her. He wanted her there, against the broken brick wall. Wanted her any place he could get her because time wasn’t on their side. “And if you die?”

Her lips curved the faintest bit. “Haven’t you noticed yet? I’m a little hard to kill.”

He kissed her. Had to. He didn’t crush his lips down on hers like he craved. He just caressed with his mouth and his tongue and he tasted her.

She moaned into his mouth. A breathy, hungry little sound that made him want her all the more.

But not there. Not with the stench of the alley around them. Not with onlookers so close. This time, it would be right.

He took her hand once more. “Come with me.” They’d go back to Sam’s safe house. He’d strip her and taste her and savor the time they had left.

Because he knew that time wouldn’t last long.

But I won’t kill her. His darkest fear and the reason he’d tried to force her away. One touch meant death. Yet for her, his touch only brought pleasure. He’d make sure that pleasure was all she ever knew from him.

For the others who came after her, he’d make sure they would only know pain.

Az stared down at the still body of Bobby “Bo” Reynolds. Reynolds hadn’t been a particularly nice or remarkable human. Sure, he’d had a few good moments, but Bo had let bitterness lead him to vicious acts.

Now, he was just dead.

Az had been the one to shuttle Bo’s soul. He’d seen Bo’s last moments. Az had known that Bo would try to go out fighting, and he had.

Az turned away from the body. Just a shell now. Keenan was already gone with his vampire. Running away from the scene of his crime without looking back once. No remorse. No guilt. Killing was becoming easier for him.

Keenan was changing. Adapting. Evolving?

Soon there would be no stopping him.

Az wouldn’t be able to ignore Keenan’s threat much longer. If he did, Az knew it could prove to be a fatal mistake.

So he flew away from the crowd. He let his wings brush through the air in powerful arcs as he sought the ones who would aid him. The coyotes were done mourning their dead. And at least they’d mourned. Some Other didn’t care about those who passed.

He landed near the coyotes and touched ground close to the alpha. The alpha—Carlos was his name—tensed as his nostrils flared. The coyotes wouldn’t be able to see him, but with their enhanced sense of smell, he knew they might pick up on his presence.

He was counting on their enhanced senses to help him. Because projecting his voice and energy for too long would be a dangerous drain on his strength.

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