Better Off Undead - Cynthia Eden Page 0,58
locked on the entrance to Hell’s Gate. “You need to see him, too. Come to my bar.”
“Aidan, I have a lead. I need to follow this lead before someone else winds up dead.”
That was Jane. Being the hero again.
While I’m used to being the villain.
“My guards are tailing me. It’s broad daylight. And, yeah, by the way, notice I’m not bitching about having guards during the day? I’m compromising.”
His lips twitched.
“I’m compromising,” Jane said again, “and I’m doing my job. Before I head to the campus, I’ll switch to silver bullets.” Her breath rushed over the line once more. “Just meet me at Tulane as fast as you can, okay? If our killer is an alpha and he’s there, you’ll spot him.”
Yes, he would. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Great. And…Aidan?” Her voice hitched a bit. “I love you.”
The call ended.
I love you, too.
Aidan shoved the phone into his pocket. He squared his shoulders. Then he headed into Hell.
***
She was being followed.
Vivian Harris paused at the street corner, her gaze trekking slowly around the area. Something was off. The hair on the nape of her neck was rising.
I’m being hunted.
And if there was one thing a werewolf understood, it was the hunt.
Once more, she let her stare sweep around the street. Only no one stood out to her as threatening. Not the elderly man walking his dog. Not the two teen girls posing for selfies in front of the beignet shop. Not the young boy break dancing for tip money near the souvenir shop.
Where are you?
The threat was out there. Her nostrils flared and she pulled in the scents of the city. But…
The light changed. She took her time crossing the street. Tension had gathered in her body and it took all of Vivian’s self-control not to let her claws burst out. But instead of using her claws, she reached inside her jacket. Her fingers curled around her gun and she slipped it from her holster.
You’ll find that I’m not easy prey. She knew these streets so very well. Knew how to hide. And how to hunt.
Vivian slipped into a small space between two buildings. Not an alley. Far too small for that. She flattened herself against the nearest wall. Then she waited.
Footsteps rushed toward her. Vivian’s eyes turned to slits. She barely breathed as the unknown assailant rushed into that little space after her…
Vivian attacked. She grabbed her prey, shoved the would-be attacker against the brick wall, and Vivian put her weapon underneath the chin of the—
Reporter?
Vivian froze. She was staring straight into the terrified eyes of news anchor Sarah Steele. She had her gun aimed right between those terrified blue eyes.
“Please,” Sarah barely breathed the word. Her blond hair fluttered over her shoulders. “Don’t shoot me. I just…I just wanted to ask you a few questions.”
Dammit. “You don’t sneak up on someone like that! Got it?” Vivian started to lower her weapon. This was going to be a PR nightmare. “You want an interview, you ask like a normal person. You—”
Sarah’s eyes seemed to bulge from her head. A high, desperate squeak burst from her lips.
“What is it now?” Vivian demanded, disgusted.
Then she realized…Sarah was looking over her shoulder.
But I didn’t hear anyone else coming behind me. I didn’t smell anyone. I didn’t—
She spun around, trying to lift up her gun, but there was no time.
Claws sliced across her wrist and the weapon flew to the ground.
***
Two bitches for the price of one.
He carried them, one at a time, and dumped them in his ride. The captain had thought she was so smart when she’d taken shelter between the two buildings. He was smarter. He’d let the reporter distract Vivian, then he’d moved in.
And he’d made sure to use his vehicle to block the small space between those two old buildings. With his vehicle positioned there, no one could see what he was doing. No one saw the blood or the unconscious women.
It was his lucky day. To get both of them. Just like this…
Perfect.
Vivian Harris was out cold. He’d carved her up a little too much. But the reporter…
Her eyes were already fluttering open. He leaned over her and smiled. “Hello, Sarah Steele.” He made sure to flash his fangs at her. “Guess what? You just scored yourself an exclusive.”
Chapter Thirteen
Aidan shoved open the door at Hell’s Gate. It flew back, bouncing against the wall, and at the loud crash of sound, the human who’d been sitting at his bar jumped to his feet.
He looks