“I’m no threat to you.” She gave a small laugh as the other woman straightened slowly, her gaze quickly assessing her surroundings as she searched for hidden threats.
The look was unmistakable. Diane had seen it countless times; she’d had the look herself more than once.
“Then you’ll kindly leave the way you came,” Liza told her.
Diane grinned ruefully. “Sorry, Liza, but we really need to talk. Just for a bit, you understand. We could return to the hotel for the discussion if you like?” She glanced toward the direction of the Navajo Suites. “I promise it won’t take long.”
Liza’s gaze jerked over her shoulder, her eyes widening as her face slowly paled.
She’d never known Thor to have such an effect at first glance, though she wished he would have remained hidden for a while longer.
“He’s harmless,” she murmured.
Liza swallowed tightly. “We have to get out of here.”
“Thor’s not going to hurt you.”
“Honey, I’ve seen that hot-assed Thor of yours, and he makes one. Not four.”
Diane swung around, her hand whipping to her back and the weapon holstered there.
Four.
Her heart raged in her chest.
Adrenaline flowed like a racing river through her bloodstream as she faced the four Breeds. And they weren’t the good guys.
Unfortunately, severely unfortunately, she watched as the single human male stepped from the shadows of a heavy oak to face her with a triumphant smile.
“Malcolm,” she whispered painfully.
For the second time in her life, her heart was breaking. It was shattering inside her, locking her throat tight with the horrifying realization that she shouldn’t be surprised. That she shouldn’t hurt with such pain or ache with such a feeling of overwhelming betrayal.
“I thought it was Brick,” she whispered, the pain searing her rasping in her voice now.
Malcolm chuckled, a cruel, vicious sound. “Good ole Gideon would have gotten me if I hadn’t managed to find a way to trip that dumb bastard Brick and throw him in the way. Son of a bitch never figured it out either.”
“Where’s Thor?” All she could see were the four Coyote Breeds, their lips pulled back to display the curved canines, their eyes filled with malevolent pleasure.
“He’s a bit under the weather, boss,” he mocked her. “It might have something to do with the knife I shoved in his chest. I do believe I even managed to pierce that bastard’s icy little heart.”
Pointing the laser pistol at his heart, Diane activated it.
“Liza, run,” she said heavily.
She was going to kill him. If she didn’t manage to do anything else, she would kill him.
“Where?” Liza’s voice was filled with disbelief. “Have you noticed there are four Coyotes here, lady? Does it look like I have a chance?”
One of the Coyotes grinned. A tilt of his lips that covered the curved canines.
“The first one who moves will die,” she snapped back at her. “Now get the hell out of here.”
“If she runs, one of us will chase,” a Coyote murmured. “We can’t resist. It’s like a dog with a ball. We just have to fetch.” He wagged his brows playfully.
As though he were flirting?
“Malcolm, where did you find your Coyotes?” she asked in disgust. “They’re f**king crazy.”