nose was straight, refined. Val mentally chastised herself. Nose romanticizing was for losers.
Jack would die to protect her and just thinking about it made her knees wobble in both fear and lust.
“I know that look gets you laid a lot but it doesn't really make me fear death any less,” she said grumpily, irritated at her attraction to him when he was partially responsible for what would happen tonight.
His smile was genuine. “Smart ass. Maybe I will let him bite you.”
“Maybe he won't even be there.” Her tone was hopeful.
His eyes met hers again, “He'll be there. Prepare for that. You won't get out of it. You get the job done. No fear, no hesitation, right?”
She nodded. Why did these conversations always sound like they came from some crappy war movie?
A moment passed and she started thinking about things that could go wrong. As though he could read her mind, he tried to distract her, lightly jabbing a fist out towards her stomach which she blocked automatically.
“What's your plan?” He was trying to be positive.
“Dad and I talked about it. I'm gonna ambush him. We knocked out the streetlights around his house. It's not too obvious though. He shouldn't be suspicious. I'm going to hide behind the hydrangea bush in front of his house. I'll shoot through it, try to take him in the chest and not have any hand to hand at all. Assuming I don't get the money shot right away— ”
“Different terminology please,” Jack said in a strangled voice. Was he laughing or horrified? Actually, both were good.
“I like money shot. If dad is going to send me out there to die, then I'm going to make this as uncomfortable for everyone as I possibly can.”
Jack scowled at her and moved on. “Okay, you shoot him, he keeps coming and then what?”
“This is clever, actually. I rigged up a bow and arrow thing so all he has to do is hit the trip wire and it will shoot him in the back. Assuming that doesn't cook his biscuits— I'm gonna knee him in the gonads and stab him through the heart!” She kneed an invisible attacker, then smiled at him.
“Well, you scared the hell out of me. Okay, good. Solid. Has contingency options. Do you have the cyanide pill?”
It wasn't really cyanide, but that's what they called it. It was basically a small ball of silver that would disintegrate into sharp pieces on impact. She'd once seen a vampire burst into flame when hit with silver.
It would be a last ditch effort to save herself. If she was counting on that to save her, she was dead. Dread rippled down her body, leaving her cold.
Jack's lips set into a firm line, his whole body suddenly tense. She held up her hand, not wanting him to say anything about her sudden fear—and it’s apparent obviousness.
She needed to keep the conversation light.
He understood, adjusting his stance and scrubbing a lean hand across his face, “Right. Where are you going to keep it?”
“Pocket?” she said hopefully.
“Ooh, sorry, that's a rookie mistake. How are you going to reach into your pocket when a pissed off and hungry vampire is going to rip your throat out?” His tone was playful and she appreciated the effort he was making for her.
“What does your highness suggest?”
He shrugged. “I'd keep it strapped to your wrist. Then you can just smash it against his face.”
That made her heart skip a beat. She could imagine herself being trapped under a vampire and trying to smash this stupid ball into the side of his head before he killed her.
Oh God, she was gonna heave.
Jack handed her a little bracelet that had a soft suction like cup for the ball to rest in. She looked at it suspiciously. “Does this work? I don't want to be your test chump.”
“Yeah, it does. I tried it two weeks ago.”
She wanted to ask questions. Had he used it on an actual vampire? Had things gotten that hairy and dangerous that the fight had been hand to hand? But she didn't. He didn't tell her stuff like that and she didn't ask.
“Okay. I'm gonna get ready. Leave before the nudity starts.”
Jack left quickly, giving the door an extra tug to make sure it was closed.
After getting dressed, Val laid on her bed. Nervousness made her feel nauseous, almost like she had two hearts frantically beating in her chest, instead of one.
She wondered if Lucas would be there tonight. No, why would he? She'd