Page 46 (2/2)

The h Keenan’s mind Neither the attacker nor Nicole could see him Not yet

One touch—that was all it would take

But the time hadn’t come for her yet

“The wind’s so loud …” The onna hear you scream anyway”

But she still screa

Keenan truly hadn’t realized she’d struggle so ht at all when the ti them away

Fabric ripped Tore The guy had jerked her shirt, rending the limpsed the soft ivory of her bra and the firm mounds of her brsts

Help her The urge cae he couldn’t heed

“Don’t!” Nicole yelled “Please—no! Just let o!”

Her attacker lifted his head Keenan stared at hiaunt features, the black hair, and the eyes that were too dark for a noruy licked his lips “I’ry” Then he smiled and revealed sharpened teeth that no human could possess

Va up their messes for centuries A one wrong

Nicole opened her ain and the va froainst his face as she struggled against him

But it was too late to fight She’d never be strong enough to break away from the vampire She was five feet six inches tall Maybe one hundred thirty-five pounds

The vaht didn’t really th

Keenan stared at the narrow opening of the alley Soon, he’d be able to touch her and her nightmare would end Soon

“You’re just going to stand there?” Her voice cracked

His head whipped back toward her Those green eyes—fury and fear—were locked on him

Impossible

She shouldn’t see hih blood from her

Nicole slammed her hands into the vampire’s chest, but he kept his teeth in her throat and didn’t so led, and her stare was on—

Me

“Help me” She mouthed the words as tears slipped down her cheeks “Please”

Her plea seeht inside of him “I will” The words felt rusty, and he couldn’t remember the last time he’d talked to a human No need for talk, not really Not when you were just carting souls “Soon …”

The vamp’s head lifted Her blood stained his ood”

Her body slus stretched behind him even as his muscles tensed

“Grade Fucking A,” the va? The vamp planned to kill her Keenan knew that Nicole St Jaht

Nicole’s hand rose to her throat Her fingers were shaking “Y-you’re not real …” Her eyes never left Keenan

“Oh, I’m damn real” The vamp swiped the back of his hand over his chin “Guess what, sweet thing? All those stories you heard? About the vamps and this city? Every damn one of ’em tales is true”