Smashed (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #8.5)(30)

“Last chance to make me happy, Briggs. Tell me what I want to hear.” I grabbed the back of his head and shoved his face toward my bleeding arm. “I know you’re used to dealing with Alexa, but I’m running the show right now, and I’m just not as personable as she is.”

“You’re a goddamn maniac,” he grunted, fighting me off as I pressed my bloody wrist against his face. My blood smeared across his lips, and he bellowed, “You win. I’ll call off the hunt for Alexa. Just get the f*ck off me.”

I patted his head like a dog who’d just performed a new trick, then gave him a shove. “Well done. I knew you had it in you.”

“Obviously I’ve been hunting the wrong vampire.” Briggs used his sleeve to wipe the blood from his face. His glare held the promise of revenge.

Crooking my fingers in invitation, I encouraged his anger. Retaliation would come. I would be expecting it.

“I’m flattered. Do remember that I’ve survived three centuries of human bullshit. You’re just one of many, and there will always be more where you came from. Think carefully on that.” It was good advice, though I doubted he would take it.

Briggs stooped to retrieve his phone, which I allowed. He was smart enough to avoid making a play for his weapon. “I thought the two of you were supposed to be some kind of good guys, according to Alexa. Twin flames. I read up on it. From what I can see, they got that all wrong. You’re nothing but a cold-blooded killer.”

I held a hand to my heart in mock anguish. “Well, you can thank this cold-blooded killer for stopping Shya. In case you weren’t aware, I had to kill Alexa to do that. Because of us, you’re not groveling at that demon’s feet right now as a slave in his hell-born empire. You’re welcome.”

I had nothing more to say to Agent Briggs. It was good of him to try to understand what Alexa and I were. Of course, I doubted there was a soul alive that really understood it.

With Jenner at my side, I walked away, leaving Briggs standing there surrounded by the bodies of his fallen comrades. In just over a week, he had successfully destroyed three teams of his own people. There wasn’t a damn thing I could do to him that he wasn’t already doing to himself.

I paused to add one last parting remark. “Alexa is the good one here. It may not look that way right now, but it’s true. She’s the hero. I’m the villain. Don’t forget that.”

The FPA was not about to disappear any time soon. Hopefully I’d shaken him up enough to question his tactics from here on out.

Cold-blooded killer. His words echoed in my thoughts. It wasn’t the first time such an accusation had been flung at me. It was unlikely to be the last. There was a fine line between who I am and what I am. Cold-blooded killer? Perhaps. Monster? Sure, why not? Sorry? Not a chance in hell.

Chapter Nine

“That was bullshit, Arys. You sent us over there knowing damn well there’d be nothing for us to do.” The feisty leopard was all fired up. Jez flung accusations at me, her eyes flashing an angry green.

Shaz nodded his agreement, letting his scowl speak for him. The two of them were upset with me for sending them on a pointless errand. I offered no apology. Risking two of the mortal people that Alexa loved most in this world hadn’t been an option. It had been easier to just get rid of them for a while.

“I hadn’t expected Briggs to launch his hunt so early in the evening. Don’t blame me.” It was the best they were going to get out of me.

Jez pointed a long finger at me, tipped with red, claw-like nails. “You suck. If you have nothing else for me to further waste my time with, I’m taking off.”

“You’re not going in there, are you?” I nodded toward The Spirit Room. We were back in the parking lot where Jenner and I had filled the two shifters in on the events of our encounter with Briggs.

“What’s it to you?” Jez demanded, though there was a softness in her gaze that didn’t match her tone.

I mustered a shred of a shrug and waved a hand dismissively. “Nothing at all. I just happen to know that there are people who would never get over it if you OD and die in that place.”

“Thanks, Dad,” she quipped sarcastically. “I appreciate the concern.” She stubbed out her cigarette and stared at the building that vibrated with heavy bass tones. I was reminded of what Alexa had told me about Jez’s true father and the darkness she’d inherited from him.

“Jez, if you need anything, even if you just want to talk, give me a call. Ok?” Shaz, the ever generous, caring soul that he was, followed her to the Jeep where they spoke in low tones.

After she’d gone, Shaz turned to me with a look on his face that I had come to know was his pre-fight look. “I want to see Alexa. You can’t keep shutting me out of everything. I have just as much a right to be part of this as you do.”

He expected an argument. The hard set to his jaw and the square of his shoulders gave his stance an air of menace. The young wolf was certainly a virile creature.

“You do,” I agreed. “When the time is right.”

“Oh for f*ck’s sakes. Are you kidding me?” Shaz’s fist clenched, revealing how pent up his frustration was.

“Come on, pup. Let’s go talk about this somewhere else. Preferably somewhere relaxing. Low key.” To Jenner, I said, “I need some time with Shaz. I’ll see you back at home. Be careful with that car.”