Avenging Angel (The Fallen #4)(87)

“Low profile, man,” Jonathan snapped. “Low freaking profile.”

Screw that. Another screeching turn. One more. Then . . .

He had her scent. It was the sweetest scent in the world. Tanner slammed the car to a stop and leapt out. He raced through the line of alleys. Jumped over fences. His body burned with the need to shift, but he held the beast back. Not here. Not now.

Not— He saw her. She must have heard the thud of his footsteps because she turned around. Her eyes widened and she ran toward him with her arms out.





“He loves her,” Cody said, voice tight. “If anything happens to Marna . . .”

Jonathan jumped from the car. Tanner had already taken off, running fast as he followed the angel’s scent. He hadn’t even looked back.

A mistake.

Cody was in the back. The demon was strong enough that he could probably kick the doors open, but, for the moment he was trapped. Vulnerable.

Jonathan pulled out his gun.

Cody’s eyes widened. His fist slammed into the window.

And Jonathan’s bullet shattered the glass between them. Because it wasn’t a normal bullet—he knew better than to battle a monster with a bullet made by humans.

“She doesn’t love him,” Jonathan said and fired again. “And soon it won’t matter how the f*ck that animal feels—he’ll be dead.”

He’d make sure of it. He turned away from the car and began to stalk after his partner. The power pulsed just beneath his skin. Then, because he could, because it would be so f*cking fitting, he let his form shift. The bones of his face twisted and reshaped. He grew taller. Leaner.

And became the demon that he’d left bleeding in the backseat of that patrol car.

Vengeance is mine.

It would be so sweet.





CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Marna ran to Tanner and threw her arms around him. He felt so good—solid, warm, strong. “I was coming to find you.”

He lifted his head and gazed down into her face. “Like I was gonna let you go.” Then he kissed her. Deep and hot and she met him with a hungry need. Only Tanner. He was the only one who could make her feel this way. Free. Wild.

You’re on the list.

Marna pulled away from him. “We have to go.” Go where? She didn’t know. They just had to get out of the street. Get someplace safe. Away from the death that stalked her.

But Tanner wasn’t moving. And . . . had she heard gunshots? Or had that just been a car backfiring in the distance?

“Where is he?” Tanner demanded. “Where’s Bastion?”

He hadn’t come after her. She hoped he stayed away. “Gone.” She didn’t want to tell Tanner about the list. What was the point? So he’d get desperate and risk his life for her? If she was on the list . . .

No escape.

Marna grabbed Tanner’s hand and pulled him toward the building on the right. The big FOR SALE sign told her the place was empty, and with one kick, she sent the front door flying in. The house was dark inside, and all the furniture was gone. Hollow.

The way I feel without him.

“Marna—”

She pushed Tanner back against the wall. Kissed him. How much time did she have left? Couldn’t be long. No one ever lasted long once their name came up on the list.

She wanted her last moments to be with him. Happiness, before whatever hell was waiting for her came calling.

His hands were on her waist. Rough fingertips, but with a touch so gentle. His claws were out, but they didn’t so much as scratch her skin. They never did. He always treated her so carefully.

“Tanner!” She heard Cody’s voice as if from a distance. Footsteps pounded outside. She didn’t want to pull free from Tanner. Couldn’t they just stay together a little longer? And let the rest of the world disappear?

But Tanner was gently pushing her back. “He’s worried about you.”

Marna swallowed. She needed to tell him this. Too many humans had passed—at her hand—with unsaid words in their hearts. She didn’t want to go the same way. “I’ve been happy with you.”

A faint furrow appeared between his brows.

“I don’t want to leave you,” she whispered. But sometimes it wasn’t about what you wanted. It was about what fate had planned.

“Then don’t.” His eyes seemed to glow as his beast pushed ever closer. “Stay with me, forever.”

She wanted to. Wished that she could. But Marna couldn’t make a promise that she wouldn’t be able to keep. Her hand traced the hard edge of his jaw. “I love you.” She’d never said the words to another.

“Tanner!” Cody was shouting again. So close out in the street. He’d find them at any moment.

Why did that thought make her shiver?

“You what?” Tanner asked. Then a wide smile broke his face. “Baby, you know I’m f*cking insane for you.”

She started to smile.

The door flew open and banged against the wall with a thud. Marna’s head turned, and she saw Cody standing in the doorway. His eyes found hers. Narrowed when he saw Tanner holding her so close.

And why was Cody holding a gun?

“I was worried, brother,” Cody said, taking a step closer to them. “You didn’t answer when I called.”