Howl For It
Page 53
Kayla answered the phone before it could even ring. The job is done, she told her boss. The job. Her marriage. Getting close to Gage Riley. Shed done everything she was supposed to
Not quite, came the rumble of Lyle McKenniss voice. But youre real close, Kincaid.
Her hands tightened around the phone. Close wasnt good enough. Close wasnt
Actually, youre killing close, he continued, voice cold and flat in her ear. Youre the only hunter whos ever been able to slide under Rileys radar.
Because when Gage Riley saw her, he saw just a woman. Not a hunter.
You know what hes done, Lyle said. You know what he is.
Yes. She looked up and forced herself to stare into the mirror again. She stared past her own reflection. Gazed at those marks on her neck.
Hes sleeping now, isnt he? Lyle murmured.
Yes. Why was her body starting to feel so cold? Numb?
Then its time. Satisfaction purred through Lyles words. Make sure you use silver.
What other weapon would she use? Nothing else would work, not on Gage.
Go kill your new husband, Lyle ordered, and give the world one less monster to fear.
CHAPTER TWO
The knife was a light weight in her hand. Shed killed before with a weapon like this one, and Kayla had no doubt that shed do so again. But . . .
Killing Gage? Ice seemed to fill her veins.
Yes, she knew that had been Lyles plan all along. From the first moment, when hed told her to head into Gages bar and to seduce, but not touch. Shed known Lyle wanted her to take out Gage. Another target. Another mission.
Shed always been such a good soldier. No, hunter.
Only the plan had changed for her. Gage was supposed to be a monster, she knew that. Lyle had told her all about Gages crimes. Shed read his file. Read it over a dozen times.
But when she looked at him, she didnt see the monster. She just saw the man.
A man whod wanted to marry her.
So on her thirty-fourth birthday, shed headed to the chapel with him. And now, with dawn coming, the game was supposed to be over.
She was killing close. Lyle had that bit right. Gage trusted her. This was the time her group had been waiting for. Theyd planned this attack for months.
Carefully, she opened the bathroom door. The door made just the softest of creaks as it slid over the carpet. Gage still slept in bed, but hed rolled so that his back was to her. Such a strong, muscled back. There were faint scars on his back. Shed touched them in the dark. Just as hed touched her scars.
Hed kissed her scars. The lines that sliced over her flesh. Hehadnt asked her about them. Hadnt questioned like her other lovers had done. Hed just stroked them with his fingers and his tongue and made her feel perfect.
Shed never been that.
Kayla glanced at the knife. Was she really supposed to just shove it into his heart? Then walk away while he bled out?
You know what he is. Dont be fooled. Gages kind was so good at deception. She had to remember that. Hed been born to lie. To deceive.
Shed met others like him before. So many over the years. More than most people realized.
Her own family had been attacked by someone like Gage. A man, hiding a beast inside. One dark night, hed killed her mother and father. Left her brother in a pool of blood, struggling to breathe. Attacked her.
Monsters lived and breathed in this world. Most folks didnt know that truth. They thought the world was all happy and shiny and full of birthday parties, play dates, and football games.
She knew better. Monsters are real. And her handsome husband, with his slow smile and strong handshe was a monster.
Kayla took a step forward. One foot in front of the other. The mantra was the same one shed used when shed walked down the aisle. Only no minister waited for her this time.
The robe she wore rustled around her feet as she took another slow step. Another.
When she felt something wet on her cheek, Kayla stopped. What the hell? Her left hand lifted and swiped across her face. Was she crying? She never cried. She hadnt, not since the men at the cemetery had put her parents in the ground.
Come back to bed, Gage said, his voice rumbling out and making her jump. He faced the window, not her as he added, I miss you.
He wouldnt miss her for long.
Kayla took a deep breath and forced herself to keep walking. A few more steps, and her legs brushed against the edge of the bed. Th-theres something you should know about me . . . His back was still to her. Why did he have to make such an easy target?
This should be better for you. You dont have to look him in the eyes when you attack.
But stabbing a man in the back had never been her style.
Liar. The insidious whisper came from deep within. Her secret shame.
Her hand clenched around the knifes handle. Gage was supposed to be dangerous. Lethal. The strongest paranormal badass to claim Vegas in years.
Because he was a paranormal. The supernaturals were real and breathing . . . and many were hiding in the shadows of Sin City.
He was the perfect target right then. Tousled hair. Sated male. Defenseless. It would be so easy. Just lift the knife. Drive the blade into his flesh.
Oh, I think I already know all the secrets you have, sweetheart, he murmured, his voice a low and sexy growl.
Not quite, came the rumble of Lyle McKenniss voice. But youre real close, Kincaid.
Her hands tightened around the phone. Close wasnt good enough. Close wasnt
Actually, youre killing close, he continued, voice cold and flat in her ear. Youre the only hunter whos ever been able to slide under Rileys radar.
Because when Gage Riley saw her, he saw just a woman. Not a hunter.
You know what hes done, Lyle said. You know what he is.
Yes. She looked up and forced herself to stare into the mirror again. She stared past her own reflection. Gazed at those marks on her neck.
Hes sleeping now, isnt he? Lyle murmured.
Yes. Why was her body starting to feel so cold? Numb?
Then its time. Satisfaction purred through Lyles words. Make sure you use silver.
What other weapon would she use? Nothing else would work, not on Gage.
Go kill your new husband, Lyle ordered, and give the world one less monster to fear.
CHAPTER TWO
The knife was a light weight in her hand. Shed killed before with a weapon like this one, and Kayla had no doubt that shed do so again. But . . .
Killing Gage? Ice seemed to fill her veins.
Yes, she knew that had been Lyles plan all along. From the first moment, when hed told her to head into Gages bar and to seduce, but not touch. Shed known Lyle wanted her to take out Gage. Another target. Another mission.
Shed always been such a good soldier. No, hunter.
Only the plan had changed for her. Gage was supposed to be a monster, she knew that. Lyle had told her all about Gages crimes. Shed read his file. Read it over a dozen times.
But when she looked at him, she didnt see the monster. She just saw the man.
A man whod wanted to marry her.
So on her thirty-fourth birthday, shed headed to the chapel with him. And now, with dawn coming, the game was supposed to be over.
She was killing close. Lyle had that bit right. Gage trusted her. This was the time her group had been waiting for. Theyd planned this attack for months.
Carefully, she opened the bathroom door. The door made just the softest of creaks as it slid over the carpet. Gage still slept in bed, but hed rolled so that his back was to her. Such a strong, muscled back. There were faint scars on his back. Shed touched them in the dark. Just as hed touched her scars.
Hed kissed her scars. The lines that sliced over her flesh. Hehadnt asked her about them. Hadnt questioned like her other lovers had done. Hed just stroked them with his fingers and his tongue and made her feel perfect.
Shed never been that.
Kayla glanced at the knife. Was she really supposed to just shove it into his heart? Then walk away while he bled out?
You know what he is. Dont be fooled. Gages kind was so good at deception. She had to remember that. Hed been born to lie. To deceive.
Shed met others like him before. So many over the years. More than most people realized.
Her own family had been attacked by someone like Gage. A man, hiding a beast inside. One dark night, hed killed her mother and father. Left her brother in a pool of blood, struggling to breathe. Attacked her.
Monsters lived and breathed in this world. Most folks didnt know that truth. They thought the world was all happy and shiny and full of birthday parties, play dates, and football games.
She knew better. Monsters are real. And her handsome husband, with his slow smile and strong handshe was a monster.
Kayla took a step forward. One foot in front of the other. The mantra was the same one shed used when shed walked down the aisle. Only no minister waited for her this time.
The robe she wore rustled around her feet as she took another slow step. Another.
When she felt something wet on her cheek, Kayla stopped. What the hell? Her left hand lifted and swiped across her face. Was she crying? She never cried. She hadnt, not since the men at the cemetery had put her parents in the ground.
Come back to bed, Gage said, his voice rumbling out and making her jump. He faced the window, not her as he added, I miss you.
He wouldnt miss her for long.
Kayla took a deep breath and forced herself to keep walking. A few more steps, and her legs brushed against the edge of the bed. Th-theres something you should know about me . . . His back was still to her. Why did he have to make such an easy target?
This should be better for you. You dont have to look him in the eyes when you attack.
But stabbing a man in the back had never been her style.
Liar. The insidious whisper came from deep within. Her secret shame.
Her hand clenched around the knifes handle. Gage was supposed to be dangerous. Lethal. The strongest paranormal badass to claim Vegas in years.
Because he was a paranormal. The supernaturals were real and breathing . . . and many were hiding in the shadows of Sin City.
He was the perfect target right then. Tousled hair. Sated male. Defenseless. It would be so easy. Just lift the knife. Drive the blade into his flesh.
Oh, I think I already know all the secrets you have, sweetheart, he murmured, his voice a low and sexy growl.
