Page 273 of Flirting with Darkness

“Maybe I like being alone,” she murmured, pulling her hands out of her pockets.

Brass knuckles covered her left hand, not her right. He sniffed once. No, not brass – definitely silver. Whatever she was using to cover her scent was messing with his head.

Was she planning to fight off two wolf shifters alone with nothing but those silver knuckles?

Interesting.

Shifters were strong, not as strong as he was, but they could kill her with a single punch. Dex chewed on his lip as he considered. Should he step in?

If they killed her, then his problem was solved. If she killed them, then he’d know what she was.

He settled in to watch.

“Well, why be alone when you could hang out with us?” the one on the right asked.

They were easily twice her size.

Nova looked up at the one who’d spoken last, her blue eye shining bright even in the darkness. “You are very pretty,” she admitted. Dex snarled softly when he heard the truth in her voice.

“Then come hang out with us.” They both took a step closer, but she held her ground, dropping her gaze again.

That smile stayed on her face though and for a second Dex thought he saw the shadows retreat.

“I’m good but thank you for the offer.”

The one on the left shoved her back into the wall and Dex flinched when she didn’t even react. “It wasn’t optional.”

Fuck.

Could he sit here and watch her die?

Why did he even care at all? If they killed her, everything would be less complicated, and he could go back to his life.

Drinking and zoning out no longer held the same appeal though as it had only an hour ago. Not when there was this mystery right in front of him.

“Look,” she murmured, her voice low and soothing, but her hands were still hanging at her sides which made Dex nervous. There was no way she could defend herself like that. “I’m just trying to find a good pizza place. Do you have any suggestions?”

The fucking balls on this mouse. Dex couldn’t help his grin.

“Actually, yeah,” the one on the right told her. “It’s just a few blocks over. Best pizza in Seattle.”

“Thanks.” She ducked under the guy’s arm and started walking in the direction of Zio’s Pizzeria.

Dex had to admit, they had good fucking pizza there.

“Hey, I wasn’t done with you.”

The wolf grabbed her right arm and Dex tensed.

She could be a paranormal unable to take on the speed and strength of a wolf and he’d be condemning her to a death sentence if he did nothing. Was that risk worth finding out what she was?

“You’re hurting me,” she said calmly, eyes still down.

Dex had better figure out what he was going to do and fucking fast.

“I think you should come with us,” the wolf growled, silver eyes flashing. Then he yanked her forward until she was pressed up against him.

Dex was up and standing without even realizing it.

---