Part 8 (1/2)

Hugh lifted his arms and grabbed the Banoth by the horns, pulling as hard as he could. The beast didn't budge. A bitter, metallic taste burned his throat as the beast's fangs continued to puncture his skin. He needed to get the upper hand. Now.

With nowhere else to go, he dug his claws into the animal's cheeks and drew the sharp tips down its elongated face. The Banoth withdrew its fangs and let out a cry. Seizing the opportunity, he grabbed the beast by the horns again, and flung the animal over his head and across the floor. The Banoth landed with a thud against a wall, bringing on a tremor the size of a small earthquake. It got up more slowly this time, looking a little dazed. He watched it amble toward him like a drunken idiot.

Hugh quickly scanned the area for Tess as he got to his feet. She wasn't anywhere to be seen. He hoped like h.e.l.l she'd come to her senses and left the building. Worrying about her took a toll. His mind wasn't as sharp as it should be when she was around.

The Banoth continued its zigzag pattern toward him, so he stayed put. Come on, fella. Come and get me. Things looked to be moving in his favor when the animal wavered. Good thing too. He felt the Banoth's poison circulating in his blood stream like a chill invading every pore. His heart thudded in his ears, his muscles twitched, his senses were off.

Not enough to miss the smell he picked up with a short ragged breath, though. Tess. She was still in the building. Still close by. Dammit.

Pus.h.i.+ng away thoughts of her, he zeroed in on the Banoth and took steps to meet the ugly b.a.s.t.a.r.d halfway. Like before, they grabbed at one another and pummeled each other with fists and kicks.

Hugh detected the Banoth tiring while his own body fought for freedom, fought to end the Banoth's life before Tess did something foolish. If he could just get his claws into the beast's jugular, he'd be victorious, whisk the girl to safety and figure out what to do next to find Trey.

Out of the corner of his eye, a flash of blue appeared. It distracted him enough to give the Banoth the upper hand. The beast slammed him to the floor and pinned him beneath its tree-stump legs. Not so stupid this time, the Banoth faced away from him, giving no more opportunity for facial clawing. Then it sank its fangs into his calf.

There wasn't much more poisoning Hugh could take. He dug his claws into the Banoth's back, but the creature barely flinched. He lifted his hips to try and jostle the Banoth. No luck. The G.o.dd.a.m.n animal could probably hang from a tree with its fangs latched onto a branch for hours. Nothing Hugh did made it budge.

Until a large, round blade-no, not blade...potting wheel?-hit the Banoth upside the head and sent him toppling over onto his side. Hugh got to his feet, rolled the stunned creature to its back, and went for the jugular.

A minute later, the Banoth stopped moving.

”I thought I told you to get out of here,” he said, panting as he cast a glance at the pair of long, lovely legs even with his line of vision. He kneeled over the Banoth, mustering up enough strength to stand and carry on without Tess noticing he felt like s.h.i.+t.

”You're welcome, a.s.shole.”

”I had it.”

”I could tell.” She bent to his level. ”Need some help getting up?”

”No,” he growled.

While she turned her attention toward the Banoth, he s.h.i.+fted. It took a little extra effort, and when he was upright, his legs almost gave out from under him.

”You don't look so hot,” she said, her arms crossed, her tone light, but laced with concern. For him.

He took in her appearance and felt a tiny bit of pain lift. She looked just as good as she had in the bar. None the worse for wear. ”Let's get the h.e.l.l out of here.”

”What about Scary Hairball?” She kicked the Banoth in the side.

”I'll send someone to clean up.”

”Cool.” Turning on her uneven heels, she headed for the exit.

Hugh tried to keep up, but wasn't moving too swiftly. That last injection of Banoth poison circulated inside him. His head pounded, his body felt like someone had used a drill on each major organ and they were slowly draining of functioning cells.

She held the door open for him. The cool outside air wiped away the Banoth's stench, and the only sound was the faint whisper of wind. The quiet helped clear his muddy brain. He took immediate stock of the alleyway, sniffed and knew the second Banoth had split.

”This way,” he commanded. ”Back to the bar.” His tongue grew thick, his throat tight.

Tess turned, looking ready to argue, but quickly changed her mind. Her frown vanished and in its place bloomed kind, wide eyes with worry lines etched into her forehead. ”Are you sure you're going to make it to the bar?”

”No. Not really.”

Chapter Six.

Tess couldn't take her eyes off Hugh. She'd helped save his life, but the fact was, he'd saved hers first. Without hesitation and without a second thought. Now he looked like there wasn't much life left in him. Her heart dipped below her lungs. She didn't want him to die.

Not yet.

Not like this.

She had a job to do.

Just do it. Get it over with. So what that you didn't do any investigating? This is your last chance, Tess. Your. Last. Chance.

”I'm going to kill Kensie and Francesca,” she muttered under her breath. Because really, it was their fault. If they hadn't sent her on a blind date, none of this would have happened. She would have met Hugh on her terms, as her mark, and nothing else. Right?

They walked side-by-side, a strange feeling of giddiness and grat.i.tude flooding her because he'd cared more about her safety than his own. She heard every breath he took, felt them too. She barely had a scratch on her body, but the front of his s.h.i.+rt was torn and blood trickled out. Slashes covered his leather jacket, a bruise colored his jaw.

Something heavy and tight and uninvited filled her chest.

”Why are you going to kill them?” he asked, putting one foot in front of the other with careful deliberation.

Tess couldn't stand it. She fastened her arm under his and gently pulled so that he'd lean on her before she answered. ”You heard that?” She'd barely whispered it. Granted, the sidewalk and street were deserted, but still.

He didn't flinch at her touch, didn't reject her help. His cooperation both frightened and thrilled her. Then he nodded and asked, ”You okay?”

”Sure. Why?” Criminy. Asking why was like asking him what he thought about the two of them.

”Because your heart's beating a little fast.” A coy smile spread across his very kissable lips.

She squeezed her eyes shut for a second. ”You cannot hear my-”

”Can.”

”Cannot.”

”I can also-”

”I don't want to know,” she snapped, trying to keep any palpitations in check. ”Let's just get to my d.a.m.n car.”

”Something we finally agree on.”

They turned a corner and the abandoned sidewalk gave way to life. A few parked cars lined the larger street. Farther down, a traffic signal blinked green. Best of all, the bar stood within view.

The safest thing for her to do at the moment was get away from him. She had to ignore the attraction that threatened to weaken her, forget about his concern, and pay complete attention to The Job.