Page 79 of Angel Of Darkness

Keenan grabbed the man by the shirtfront. “Where is he?”

A trembling finger pointed to the left.

“Playing games. Should have known.” Keenan released their helper, and then he kicked in the door.

Nicole saw Sam whirl to face them. A woman stood behind him, but Nicole couldn’t see much of her because Sam’s body blocked her view. Deliberately, she was sure.

“Your timing is shit,” Sam said, crossing his arms and raising one dark brow.

“You knew.” Keenan launched across the room and grabbed Sam. In a heartbeat, he tossed Sam a good five feet. The Fallen’s body slammed into a mirror and the glass shattered.

Nicole glanced over her shoulder. Ron—that was definitely his name—watched with bulging eyes. “You should probably keep everyone away,” she advised and flashed some fang.

He stumbled back.

Huh. Not very protective of his boss. Sometimes, it was just hard to find good help.

“You knew that Az would come, you knew,” Keenan snarled and lunged forward.

“Don’t.” From the woman. The blonde. It wasn’t a scream or a desperate threat. Just a flat order.

Nicole took a good look at her. The woman wore jeans and a loose white shirt. Her brown eyes were wide and filled with cold determination.

And she had a gun. One that was aimed at Keenan.

“If you come at him again,” the blonde said clearly to Keenan, “I’ll have to shoot you.”

Sam laughed. A deep, rumbling laugh. Then he said, “You can try, but a bullet won’t keep him down for long.”

Good to know.

“And you’d do better to be aiming at her, anyway,” Sam added, pointing his index finger right at Nicole.

Bastard. This was the guy they were turning to for help? “A bullet won’t keep me down either,” Nicole felt obliged to point out.

But the woman’s aim didn’t falter. “She hasn’t done anything,” the lady said, voice clear and arctic. “You two are the ones fighting, and I’m not looking to be collateral damage.”

Because being collateral damage sucked.

“Does the fact that she’s a vampire matter?” Sam asked with mild curiosity flavoring his words.

“Doesn’t matter. Neither does the fact that you two”—now the gun swung between Sam and Keenan—“are demons.”

“That’s just insulting.” Sam brushed off the broken mirror shards and rose slowly. “Just because you’re in hell, it doesn’t mean we’re demons.”

Her arm lifted, and she pointed the gun at his heart. “Don’t move.”

He stilled.

“Good boy.” Her voice mocked him, but her eyes turned back to Nicole. “I’d advise you to leave with me. Whatever these two are doing, you don’t want to be part of it.”

“Too late,” Sam murmured. “It’s all about her.”

Nicole swallowed. “Thanks, but I’m not going anywhere.” She stepped closer to Keenan.

The woman’s jaw clenched. “Your funeral.”

“She’s already had one.” Sam couldn’t seem to keep quiet, and—judging by the expression on his face—he seemed to be enjoying this scene.

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