Ripper (Hunter #1)(30)

I’d heard the last Council wanted to enslave the supernatural world, so this dude must be a real winner. “If he doesn’t want a sheriff, what does he want?”

“The technical term is Nex Apparatus. It means death machine. He wants someone to do his dirty work so his hands stay marginally clean.”

I’d heard the term before. It gave me an icky feeling. “He wants an assassin? Why doesn’t he appoint a vampire? A Nex Apparatus is always a vampire.”

The waitress brought the check back and Gray signed it with a flourish. “That’s the thing about Donovan. He’s a tricky one. If he thinks it will help him politically to have a non-vampire death machine then he’ll find that man and when he does, he’ll use his talents to his own betterment. Come on, sweetheart. I want to get you home.”

I stubbornly sat back and ignored the hand he offered to help me up. I cocked an eyebrow and waited. We had settled the fact that I was willing to explore this attraction I had for him. I was willing to look past his demon half. Actually, he didn’t know it yet, but I kind of wanted to see those fangs of his. What we hadn’t settled was his refusal to talk about our case, and there was no question it was our case.

He sighed and I saw the weariness in his eyes. “Can we talk about this at home, Kelsey? Please?”

I didn’t like the idea of giving in, but I let him help me up and lead me out of the restaurant, his big hand on the small of my back. I was going to have to deal with my newfound weakness when it came to Gray. As we waited for the valet to bring the truck around, I was already thinking about, maybe, playing around with him when we got to his house. Would it be a really bad move? The man already claimed he loved me. In his weird brain, we were already married, so why shouldn’t I? I didn’t have to promise him anything beyond a night together. I was thinking about making a move on him in the car when he tensed beside me.

“What’s taking him so long?” Gray asked, annoyed.

Then I felt it. It was an instinct, like a bug creeping up my spine. We weren’t alone, not even close. I surveyed the buildings around us, trying to find the eyes that watched us.

“What is it Kelsey?” Gray asked, his voice quiet and dead serious.

“There are eyes on us.” I knew they were there. Two, maybe three people were watching from a distance, their attentions focused on us. The street itself was empty, far too empty for the time of night. This wasn’t some residential part of Dallas. There were always cars here, always people walking about, and yet there was a hush over the place.

Wards, most likely. A good witch—and I’m talking about skill, not intent—can ward a building or even a piece of land. The wards would make humans attempt to avoid the space. They wouldn’t even realize why they changed direction. They simply took a turn they hadn’t been planning because that ward whispered to them.

I peered down the street and sure enough, every car coming our way turned.

“You carrying?” Gray’s Colt automatic was in his hand and he flicked off the safety.

I eased my hand into my bag and felt for my little .38. I pulled it out and nodded at Gray.

He frowned down with a shake of his head. “What the hell is that? That won’t hurt a puppy much less a supe. Are you planning on giving them a splinter with that thing? Does that even have silver ordnance in it?”

I narrowed my eyes in irritation. “No, I wasn’t planning on getting into a firefight with a bunch of supes. I was planning to spend the night quietly staking out that club. And why would I carry silver bullets? I only own a gun in case one of my divorce cases goes bad. Trust me, my .38 gives Johnny Cheatsalot something to think about.”

He growled at me and I smiled because it was kind of sexy. “Come on. Stay behind me. I don’t know what the hell is going on, but I’m going to get you out of here. We’re going to the truck. I have a 12 gauge in there you can use and I can call for backup if this gets too hot. Usually a bunch of police sirens scares these things away.”

Gray stayed close to the wall and started to move toward the side of the building. There was a small parking lot between the restaurant and the building next to it. His free hand reached out for mine, and he tugged me close to his big body. I had the distinct feeling he intended to place himself between me and anything that might be coming our way. I’d never had real backup before. I’d been in a few tight spots, but I was always alone, and this felt different. It made me squeeze his hand tightly and vow not to let him get hurt for me.

“Do you think this is about the case?” I asked.

“I have to assume he’s after you. He’s been playing games with me for almost a month. I don’t think he likes you poking around. I promise I’ll tell you all about it if you’ll get in the truck and let me handle this.” He brought my hand to his mouth and kissed it sweetly. “It would be even better if you would get in the truck and drive as fast and far as you could. Drive until you get to Jamie’s house and tell him what’s going on, okay?”

“Yeah, that’s not gonna happen.” I might never have had a partner before but I was fairly certain one of the rules of backup was not driving off and leaving them behind.

He sighed. “Well, I can try. Stay close.”

Gray turned the corner and I heard his shocked gasp. I ran into the back of him, but I managed to take a peek around his shoulder. Pure terror gripped me as I got a look at what was waiting for us. I took in the sight of the dismembered corpse that used to be our valet. Twenty wolves growled and twitched around it, their heads coming up in unison as they realized they weren’t alone. They moved forward almost as if they were one entity. They were out for blood.