Page 68 of Claimed
Xaden growled. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”
“Cops are on their way. The whole plan is borked.”
“We need a car,” Xaden said, running toward the nearest intersection. He aimed his gun at an approaching Dodge Challenger, but instead of slowing down, it shot forward. Xaden flew over the hood like a sack of potatoes, his gun scattering across the pavement.
I winced.
The grip on me loosened. “Shit.”
A shadow stepped out of the car. Metal glinted, a crack thundered. The man behind me stumbled, clutching a blossoming red on his chest. Two more shots rang, sending the others to meet their maker right there in the street. The shadow moved, pulling Xaden up and stuffing him in the trunk of his car.
It was Achille, but a side of him I’d never seen. He was terrifying. His smooth face was twisted into something wild. An inhuman quality lingered in his walk. His movements were too fluid, almost robotic.
The relief crashing into me buckled my knees. I clutched the cold ground for support, sucking in deep breaths.
He ran, dropping beside me.
I choked and flung myself into his arms. His embrace anchored me. Finally, I’m safe. Burrowing into his chest, I clung to him with everything I had. I twined my hands around his neck, falling into his soft whiskey eyes, and I kissed him.
Hot air fluttered over my lips, and then he crushed me to him. He pulled me even closer, sealing us together in a kiss that felt like pure golden light from heaven. Every slow stroke filled me with steam. His tongue flicked the seam of my mouth, sending burning waves through me. Then he touched my jaw, and I jerked back.
His brow furrowed. “What?”
“I’m a bit sore.”
Softly, he stroked the mark on my jaw. “Who did this to you?”
The darkness in his voice made me tremble. I swallowed, pointing at his car.
“The guy in the trunk.”
I let him lift me up, and for a moment, I felt like a swooning bride. Lord, he was handsome when he looked murderous on my behalf. He carried me to the car, tucked me in the seat, and buckled me in. Sirens sounded in the distance.
“Cops will be here any second.”
Achille got in and shut the door. “Don’t worry about them.”
“They came after me. I’m thinkin’ the same snakes who murdered my sister want me in the ground, too.”
He started the car. “Looks that way.”
“And Jack? Is he a target, too?”
Achille’s palm drifted to my knee. “He’s fine. I have bodyguards over there, watching him.”
“Where are we going?”
“The hospital.”
“No need for that. Just some cuts and bruises is all. Please, I want to go home to Jack.”
His hand returned to the wheel. “He hit you.”
“It doesn’t hurt that bad, I swear.”
His ferocious glare flicked to the rearview mirror. “I can’t take you home until we deal with him.”
I stared at him. “Why?”