Angel in Chains (The Fallen #3)(31)

The witch reached for the bullet. She lifted it toward the light. Tested its weight. “This isn’t like any bullet I’ve seen before.” She brought it close to her nose and inhaled. “Brimstone.”

Now Jade was the one to stare in surprise. “As in hell and brimstone?”

A nod. Heather’s fingers curled around the bullet. “Let me keep it. I’ll see what I can find and—”

In an instant, Az had the bullet back in his own hand. Sometimes, Jade loved that super speed of his.

“Or not,” Heather finished softly. She smiled. “I’d imagine a bullet like that would be very handy. It could probably take down just about anything.”

Even an angel? If the bullet had hit Az in the heart, would it have killed him?

Enough of this. Jade pushed by the witch and reached for the silver bullets that were calling to her. She loaded them into her gun. Then decided to grab an extra weapon, just in case.

A girl could never be too careful.

“Now go rest,” Tanner said. “Take the room at the top of the stairs. We’ll set up the meeting.”

Her gaze met Az’s.

Trust.

Hell, no, she didn’t have it to give. But Jade nodded and followed Az from the room.

Someone would be dying come dawn. That someone just wouldn’t be her.





CHAPTER SEVEN

Az shoved the old wooden door closed, then twisted the lock. The thing was so flimsy that he doubted it would keep anyone out. But then, if anyone came in, he’d be ready for them.

“We can’t trust those two.” Jade paced back and forth near the lone window in the room. “After what she did to you—no way can we trust them.”

He’d barely managed to chain back his rage as he talked to the witch. “We can use them.” That was the plan. No trust. He didn’t trust anyone.

Except—

“They’re using us. That witch will get a big payout when she turns us over to Brandt.” She rubbed her arms. “But I guess when you’re stuck between hell and a hard place, you don’t really get to choose your allies, do you?”

No.

She dropped her hands. Stared at him. “You can take Brandt out.” Not a question. “I’ve seen what you can do with my own eyes. I know how strong you are.”

He stalked toward her. Slowly. She didn’t back away, not even when he lifted his hand and cupped her cheek. “I can kill him as easily as I can kiss you.”

Her breath whispered out. “An angel assassin. Az, you’re the last thing I expected to find in that dirty alley.”

And she was the last thing he’d ever expected.

Her fingers rose and curled around his hand. “Kiss me.”

His heart beat faster.

“This is the end right?” Her words tumbled out. “In a few hours, we have our big standoff. We use our secret weapon—you—and take out the bad guy.”

That was the plan. It wasn’t about trusting the cop and the witch. It was about using them in order to get an up-close audience with the panther shifter he’d be sending to hell.

“I’m protected,” Jade told him. “There’s no risk of pregnancy or—or, um—” She broke off, flushing a bit.

Az lifted a brow. “I have no diseases or illnesses. Angels can’t get them.”

Her breath sighed out. “Good to . . . know.” Yes, it was.

“Kiss me,” Jade told him again. “I don’t want to spend the next few hours worrying and being afraid of what will come with dawn.”

He wanted her mouth. More, he wanted her.

Jade brought her body closer to his. “I’m your temptation, right?”

He hadn’t meant—

“Then let me tempt you.” She was. “After dawn, after we face what’s coming, we’ll go our separate ways.”

Redemption.

“But let’s be together now.” She stood on her toes and her lips brushed over the line of his jaw. “I need this. I need to be with you.”

She knew the power he held, but Jade wasn’t afraid. He didn’t think she’d ever been afraid of him. Not his touch. Not the fire he controlled.

Should she fear the lust he felt for her? Because it could rage out of control.

Az caught her hands. “I’m not like other men.”

Her gaze held his. “Good.”

She didn’t understand. “I’m not . . . safe.”

She stared back at him. The desire he saw in her stare made his cock harden even more.

He tried to warn her. “If I lose control, it could be dangerous for you.”

But she just laughed. “You’re an angel, you can’t—”

Jade didn’t understand, and the lust rising in him would soon push him too far. “I’m Fallen.”

She kissed him. On her toes, so she could better reach him, but Az still lowered his head and her mouth pressed against his. Sweet, soft lips. Stroking tongue.

Her hand snaked down between their bodies. Found the snap of his jeans. Unhooked it. The hiss of his zipper filled his ears even as her fingers slipped inside and curled around his cock.

Yes.

She licked his lips and her stroking fist pumped his aroused flesh.

“Tonight,” Jade’s whisper was against his lips, “it’s just us. Give me this much.”