Page 28 of Dead to Rights
“I wouldn’t count on that.”
Finn jerked his head up, a growl vibrating in the back of his throat. “Who the hell are you?”
At the same time, Noah said, “Bane?”
Confused, Finn looked back and forth between his mate and the stranger. “You know him?”
“He’s a Reaper.” His attention turned back to the hulking figure in the mortician suit. “What are you doing here?”
The Reaper dipped his head toward the bottle clutched in Noah’s hand. “Same as you.” Then he strolled toward the river with an easy gait, pausing to clap Finn on the shoulder as he passed. “At ease, cowboy.”
Finn’s lip curled, and another low growl rolled up from his chest.
The asshole just smirked.
“What do you mean about Karleigh? What’s going on?”
“I told you to keep an eye on that one.” Kneeling beside the river, he produced a small red vial from thin air and tipped it toward the water. “Vampire Barbie is having a whole ass meltdown in the village.”
Finn tensed, instantly on alert. “She’s still there?”
“Yep. I mean, points for creativity, but you didn’t actually think she’d fall for it, did you?” Corking the vial, he tossed it into the air where it disappeared into a flash of green light, then pushed to his feet. “I mean, it’s pretty bad when her own sire had to take her out.”
“Her sire killed her?” Noah asked, his voice low and thready. “Why?”
“Because she’s unstable,” Bane answered flatly. “It was probably the kindest thing he could have done for her.”
Sadly, Finn kind of agreed. “What is she doing now?”
Bane swung his attention to him. “There’s a standoff at the pier.”
“A standoff?” Noah yelped. “Why?”
Bane shrugged. “She’s threatening to throw someone in the river if they don’t give Finn to her.”
“Finn, we have to go.”
He could hear the fear in his mate’s voice, could see it in his eyes. “You.”
Bane arched an eyebrow at him. “I have a name.”
“I don’t care.” He’d rather chew off his own arm than ask the asshole for help, but he didn’t have any other choice. “Can you take us there?”
“You insult me, then ask for a favor? Interesting tactic.”
Impatience bubbled over, and he could feel his control slipping. “Will you fucking take us or not?”
The Reaper grinned, apparently having the time of his life. “I like you.”
He could give two shits what the guy thought of him. “If you’re not—”
His vision dimmed, the air leeched from his lungs, and his stomach fell into his butt. As quickly as it had started, the sensation faded, leaving him shaking off the disorientation on the inky banks of the River Acheron.
“Noah?”
“I’m here.” A sharp gasp followed the confirmation, a sound filled with both pain and fear. “Keegan!”
A small crowd had gathered at the end of the pier, spectators to the scene unfolding in front of them. Several of them had their heads bent in hushed conversation, while others looked on disapprovingly.
