Outlaw (Wolves of Royal Paynes #4) - Kiki Burrelli Page 0,70

loud and violent as the first. When his face started smoking, I wondered if demons could go into anaphylactic shock.

Pierce screamed for a retreat, and as the bullets receded, we surged forward, getting to Claus as his sneezes began to ebb.

"I'm—"

Huntley yanked Jagger back, saving him from another fireball.

"—sorry about that." Claus rubbed his nose with a flat hand. "I really screwed the pooch on that one. So much for my awesome kill-you line. That would've been so cool. Could've ended this whole subplot. Don't know why I didn't expect the bugger to have more devil's powder. Next time we meet up with him, remind me to ask about his supplier."

"We aren't chasing after?" Jagger stood at the corner of the cabin, peering through the trees in the direction Pierce and his men were fleeing.

"No. He has too many men to hide behind. He'd just leave them to die and buy himself more time. We need to get back. Huntley, call Faust. Let him know what's happened and to go to threat level severe. Claus, you're…good?" Knox gestured vaguely at his stomach.

"It hurts a lot, and I want a nap…"

Satisfied, Knox went back to the plan. "We'll do a search of the house, in case there's any information on who these people were—fuck."

We'd all heard the telltale click and dove away from the building at the exact same moment, getting as much distance as we could in the fraction of a second before the house blew up.

15

Quinlan

When Diesel limped through the door, still in pain after the drive back, I knew I could add this pain to the mountain I was already responsible for.

They'd almost died, all of them except probably Claus—and he didn't sound like he had a great time either. He told his story with dramatic flourish that had Storri on the edge of his seat and Faust rolling his eyes.

The men reclined in the sitting room, refusing the infirmary like the alph-idiots they were. The blast from the explosion had forced them all to go flying. Bones had to have broken and likely still were broken, but all Diesel would let me do was put a cool rag to his forehead. "Your forehead is warm. I'm going to get some ice." I stood from Diesel's side, making it a few steps before Diesel pulled me so I lay sprawled on top of his body.

"Your presence is all I need to heal me."

More than one person groaned in the background. They probably hadn't seen how Diesel had grabbed tight handfuls of my ass as he spoke.

I wanted to laugh with him, to tease and flirt while he pretended he didn't hurt all over. But I couldn't ignore that much of his attraction to me was due to my nephilim power. I'd unknowingly influenced his emotions, and the worst part was that I didn't know how to turn it off. If I could, I'd switch it off forever, and if, when my effect wore off and the pack—as well as Diesel—realized they'd have less trouble without a member who was half-demon, I'd leave without a fight.

I'd pondered leaving while the alphas had been away. I thought about it for so long, Sitka, Jazz, and Storri showed up at my door. We'd watched the children play, which I was happy to do anyway, but I knew they'd sensed my thoughts. If I left without learning to turn off my power, then they would just chase after me. They wouldn't be able to help it. Maybe in the beginning, but Claus had told me after that the effects magnified with time.

"Mate?" Diesel squeezed my butt cheeks, shaking slightly to get my attention.

I met his gaze but shook my head. Diesel often knew what I was feeling before I did, and there was no doubt he'd sensed my trepidation. I felt paralyzed, not wanting to move too much or make too much noise.

For a second, I was sure he'd challenge my reply. His eyes narrowed, and I dropped my lips to his, kissing him softly. He took over the kiss, nibbling my lips for a bit before pulling back to whisper, "Later."

"And you're sure the nephilim family is gone?" Jazz curled deeper against Knox's chest. His pink lips turned down. He carried a sorrow we all shared. I hadn't felt the moment of death or anything like that, but with the men's return came a heaviness that felt ironically like a missed opportunity.

"Yes." Knox nodded, never one to mince words. "Pierce was