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Killed in a demon’s den, body torn apart and left on the stained floor

Not exactly the way he wanted to leave this world But then, again, he didn’t exactly have plans to be dying soon--death dreaht it would be easier," the de to kill hi Jude’s lips peeled away froood bite and he’d be able to--

"Never saw…the guy’s face"

"Then how the hell did he contact you? How’d he arrange the attack?" Zane deuy All those memories Dee didn’t know about the deht when the tequila had been drained in an eue swiped over his bloody lip "T-told "

So the stalker hadpawns

Mickey Soet his claws in that hyena

"I-I was s-supposed to deliver you…to hiht"

Jude’s hold eased, just a bit "Were you now?" This was it The chance he needed "And he was going to pay you on delivery, right?"

A slow nod

"Howrate for a shifter’s life these days?

"T-ten grand"

Noas just insulted Ten grand?

"Damn, Jude, vamps are worth more than that," Dee said, and she would know Vamps were her specialty, after all

"These derated "They’d kill their own rand Hell, they probably have"

Jude didn’t look away fros"

The demon spit out a tooth "Just…wanted the …for soht to the bone "And you will do anything…"

"Uh-oh" Dee let out a loud sigh "I think I knohere the tiger’s going with this"

"No, he’s not that crazy" A pause from Zane "Unless maybe the de straight, could be--"

Tony let out a long, loud groan Then, "Fuckin’ bastard Knehat you were gonna do Couldn’t you have pulled it some?"

"No" Zane’s i about?" the demon demanded

Jude smiled at him and fully retracted his claws After all, he didn’t want to dae the deonna earn your ht"

"Wh-what’d I miss?" Tony asked, the words a bit thick

"Jude" Erin’s voice was sharp

She wouldn’t like the plan, but there was no option The gaonna deliver onna collect yourinto Jude’s shoulder and she spun hi as she snapped, "The hell he is"

Chapter 19

"This is a really stupid idea" Erin’s stare could have burned a lesser ed "You’re already weak You can’t seriously be considering going after this guy now"

Weak Not a word he particularly enjoyed even though he still felt like he’d been hit by a truck Or a dozen deer every minute" True He’d always known he was lucky to be a white tiger If he’d been a fox--hell, it would have taken days for hier and rarer you were, the quicker you healed Kinda like survival of the fittestsure her once-in-a-blue-moon shifters didn’t vanish froot to live longer

"You Can’t Do This"

He’d never heard that particular guttural tone froe So was he "This is it, sweetheart The chance to bag the bastard and take hi Even the demon prey had the sense to keep his ht, and there’s nofor you No more fear"

"And if he kills you?" Her hands were small fists Blood dripped onto the floor near her feet, and he knew that her claere out, cutting her

A rumble built in his throat and he crossed to her Took her hands Unfurled the fists Her claws had dug deep "Erin…"

She jerked away fro toward the peeling walls and sputtering candles Luckily, sohtstream of drums and rock

"Almost doesn’t really count," he murmured, and knehen her eyes i

"I saw you on the floor" Death dream "Blood around you Your eyes wide open Dead" She shook her head, sending her hair flying around her "Don’t tell me that doesn’t count"

"Uh? What did she see?" Tony asked He was up and gingerly rubbing his jaw

Zane shook his head "I’ll explain later, but, man, I really don’t think you want to know"

Their voices drifted around Jude Erin He wanted, needed to hold her But the others--

Ah, screw theainst his chest He held fast when she fought him and when her head tipped back, he kissed her

She bit hiainst his lips

A tremble shook her

Or maybe it shook hiue swept inside This-- this hat he needed

Her taste Her flesh His for the taking His

Always his

"Uh, dude, seriously, if you two have sex, I’ruff

His head lifted Sex with Erin Always so soon and a killer waited