Flirting Under a Full Moon - By Ashlyn Chase Page 0,17
and ran out of their prison, holding Katie’s hand.
Brandee didn’t stop running until they reached the end of the block and rounded the corner. She leaned over, panting, and her hair covered her face. “Call the police,” she yelled to no one in particular. Then she bumped into a tall, dark, solid body.
Looking up, she saw her boss. “Anthony?”
He braced her with his hands against her arms. “What happened?”
“Nick needs help.” She pointed to the alley.
“Stay here,” he ordered.
When Anthony rushed down the alley, she called out to stop him. All she wanted him to do was call the cops, not go running into gunfire.
“Oh, my stupid bravery!”
A young couple neared them, took one look, and began to cross the street.
“Wait. We need your help. If you have a cell phone, call 911.” The couple just rushed off faster. “Please!”
***
Nick had managed to disarm Mr. M. without getting shot, but now he was wrestling both thugs for the gun. He shoved Mr. B. against the wall, hoping to knock him out, but that only happened in the movies. Mr. B. got right back up and jumped on Nick’s back as Nick fought with Mr. M. He landed a good blow to Mr. M.’s chin and stunned him for a moment. Just long enough to flip Mr. B. off his back.
A good right hook to Mr. B.’s diaphragm knocked the wind out of him and temporarily stopped him from getting back up. Nick saw an opening and kicked, aiming for Mr. M.’s knee. The guy cried out and crumpled to the floor.
Anthony rushed through the back door at that moment and took in the scene. “Looks like you’ve got things well in hand.”
Mr. B. jumped up and said, “That’s a little premature, asshole.” He rushed Anthony, but before Mr. B. could land a blow, Anthony stepped aside and the criminal ran right past him and bounced off the wall.
“Let me,” Nick said. He grabbed Mr. B. by the hair and slammed his head against the wall again. This time Mr. B. slid down the wall into an unconscious heap. “He won’t give us any trouble for a while.”
Nick was panting, heavily. “Are the girls safe?”
“Yeah, they’re at the end of the block. I told them to wait for me there. Why don’t you step outside and catch your breath,” Anthony suggested.
“First, I’d like to know who hired these guys and why. I have the feeling someone else was having them do his dirty work. Someone who knew about the little girl’s ability.”
“I’ll mesmerize them and see what I can find out. I’ll meet you and the girls as soon as I clean up in here.” He gazed at the two goons. “I’ve been a little hungry lately.”
Nick chuckled. “Be my guest. These are Misters B. and M. Don’t be surprised if they taste like shit.”
With that, Nick stumbled out into the alley and enjoyed the sound of Mr. M. begging for his miserable life. Anthony probably wouldn’t kill them. He’d just weaken and glamour them so they wouldn’t remember being bitten and, hopefully, wouldn’t remember kidnapping anyone. Nick just hoped Anthony would get more information from them before he was through. Nick might have saved Katie, for now, but to keep her safe, he had to find whoever was behind this.
Chapter 6
Nick didn’t see the girls and had a sick feeling they were calling the cops. He had no control over which cops would show up. If one of his fellow werewolves answered the call, he’d be able to explain the situation, but if not…
He charged out into the street where a drunk was stumbling along. “Two girls. Where are they?” Nick asked, winded.
The guy slurred, “Whaz in it fer me?”
“How about, I let you live.”
Anthony exited the building and quickly strode to Nick, who was sniffing the air to catch the girls’ scents. Just as he locked on a direction, Anthony joined him. Nick pointed toward a nightclub. “That way.”
Nick could run faster than a normal human, but the vampire ran so fast he seemed to disappear. The drunk gasped and said, “I gotta quit drinkin’.”
By the time Nick caught up, Anthony was already escorting the girls out of the nearby nightclub. He had interrupted them just as Brandee was about to call the cops on a borrowed phone.
“But we have to call the police,” Brandee said. “Oh, my obstruction of justice. There are kidnappers, and Katie’s parents need to be notified, and—”