Gargoyle (Woodland Creek)(28)

The Mayor chuckled quietly, a menacing purr. “It’s pretty damn pathetic really.”

Jonathan’s mouth opened. Closed.

He didn’t look anywhere near me as my heart seized inside my chest.

Isaac kept a firm grip on my sweating and trembling frame as he tilted toward Jonathan, his eyes glowing on his face. His Gargoyle growled softly. “I will never sleep with you again, no matter how many times you try to slither back into my bed. You were shit then, and you’re shit now.” A Gargoyle’s hiss. “I know what I want and it sure as hell isn’t a threesome with you. I let you lead yourself down your own path to destruction.” A wink as he held me closer. “When you play with a shifter, don’t expect to win. I hold the real prize in my arms now.”

My eyes never left Jonathan. “Is this true?” I shuddered as heat raced down my back, the wicked power coming closer. “Did you use me yesterday to get to him?” I blinked, my voice rising. “Do you have a f*cking girlfriend?”

Isaac bared his teeth, his eyes never leaving my ex. “Get out before I lose all respect for you.” He paused. “Or you can stay right there and I’ll kill you now. Your choice.”

Jonathan’s black eyes, always so tender, narrowed to death slits. His fists clenched as he glowered at the Mayor. “You knew the whole time.”

A quiet purr of the damned. “I always do where you’re concerned.” He tilted his head at the bedroom door. “Like I said, grab your shit, and run before I let my Gargoyle out to play.”

“Jonathan!” I shouted, grinding my teeth together. I gripped Isaac’s shirt hard in my fisted hands against his chest. I shook my head hard. “Please tell me he’s lying…”

Jonathan finally glanced at me, his gaze hard set on mine. He rolled his shoulders once. Popped his neck. Eventually, he shrugged a shoulder. “It is what it is.”

My eyes widened enormously, my shriek hoarse against the magical pain making my legs weak. “But you’re a goddamn hunter! How the f*ck—”

“Even hunters fall for their mark,” he cut me off, growling under his breath. His dark eyes flittered back to Isaac. His tone calmed, even as my fury escalated. “Let’s talk about this…”

“Not a chance in hell,” Isaac hissed. His tan skin began to alter to intense silver. “Get. Out.”

Jonathan only stood there, not looking away from the Mayor.

His eyes held…love for the man holding me.

And none of it was aimed my way.

I had been used. A pawn to his wants.

My nostrils flared and I bellowed, “Get the f*ck out of my home!”

Jonathan jerked at the sound of my voice. He blinked, coming back to himself.

“You heard the lady,” Isaac stated. He rubbed his palms up and down my back. “You’re not wanted here.”

Jonathan’s jaw clenched as he picked up his overnight bag, slinging the strap over his shoulder. His dark eyes found Isaac. “If I leave now, without you, I won’t come back.”

Isaac damn near rolled his glowing eyes. “I can only pray that’s true.”

My ex grabbed Lucy from the bottom of the bed, turning glaring eyes on me. “I’m taking the damn dog with me. She’s mine.”

I stared, trying not to let any tears fall in wrath. Though my voice was quiet. “A little dog for a little man.”

Isaac chuckled softly, a menacing grin etching his lips. “Goodbye now.”

Jonathan stared at him for all of a beat longer before he turned and marched from my bedroom. He stated over his shoulder, “I’m serious, Isaac.”

“I’ll hold you to that,” he answered easily.

My shoulders jerked as the front door to my home slammed shut.

Isaac waited a moment, not peering down at me, giving me the only privacy I could have right now. His words were gentle. “You deserved to know.”

I wiped away an errant tear, my jaw setting. “I know. Thank you. Even if you could have left all this game shit aside.” I did glare up at him, though, my words labored. “Think you can take me to safety now? I can hardly breathe.”

His lips twitched, his green eyes flicking down into mine. “Oh, Little One, I can definitely make you safe.”

I stared. There was more than a little sensuality lacing his tone. “Safety first, Gargoyle. As in, get me the hell out of here.”





I was tossed over Isaac’s shoulder as he raced out of my bedroom. I shook my head, even as tears began to track down my cheeks, wanting to maul my flesh off it felt so hot. “My bag! I need my bag under my bed!”

“Is it worth your life?” he asked incredulously, halting in place.

My lips pinched. I whispered the truth. “It’s worth everyone’s lives.”

He breathed heavily and then probed curiously, “Truly?”

“Yes, dammit!”

Isaac cursed, and then dashed back into my bedroom. He tossed me on my bed and bent down, peering underneath it.

“Wrong side,” I hissed, writhing in agony.

“I can see that,” he grouched. He leapt right over the bed and me, landing fluidly. The Mayor went to his knees, his head disappearing from my view. His words were muffled under my bed. “I had wondered what this bag was. I didn’t have time to search yesterday, though.”