Authors: Unknown
“Because they don’t believe me.” Her doe eyes pleaded with him. He’d seen the look before.
Gabe rolled his head slightly, snapping his vertebrae back into alignment. “Why not?”
She wrung her hands in front of her for a moment before shooting up from her seat and leaning against his desk.
“You know what? Let’s cut the crap. I have money, and after calling every PI in SoCal, you’re my last shot. I need you to find the guy who gave me this.”
She caught her finger in the neckline of her T-shirt and tugged it back to reveal a jagged hook-shaped scar on her collarbone, with a raised edge all the way around it. The center of the wounded flesh was discolored, almost gray. His pulse raced. He’d seen these scars before, but never on a living person. No human had given her that scar.
Releasing the shirt, she met his eyes. “It’s been four years since he attacked me, and last night I saw him on a webcam in my neighborhood.”
Gabe stood up, resting his hands on his side of the desk and leaning closer to her. This close, he could see the flecks of green in her dark eyes. No sign of a fine outer ring of gold—the first indication of a demon incognito.
Good. This woman was human.
And somehow she’d done the impossible and survived a Hingo demon attack. It was unheard of in his line of work.
“I’m on the case.”
“Same price I was quoted on the phone?” Her eyes narrowed, her gaze searching his.
“Yeah.” Gabe nodded. For a chance to send another Hingo demon straight back to hell, he’d almost take the case for free, but he kept that to himself. A guy had to eat.
He reached for his coat without thinking; his arm tweaked, unable to straighten. “Damn it.”
She came around his desk, frowning. “Somebody beat the crap out of you.”
“You should see the other guy.” He smirked. “Do me a favor and—”
She grabbed his wrist, and already had her other hand ready to lever his elbow back into place.
“You’ve done this before.” He gripped the desk with his free hand.
“And it hurts like a son of a bitch.” She tugged hard.
Sparks lit around the edge of his vision while he screamed a few choice words. Finally a loud
pop
echoed through the room and she let go of his arm.
Gabe moved it a little, tentative.
“You need to ice it.”
“I’ll be fine.” And he would. He glanced at his new client, impressed. “You’ve got skills.”
She almost smiled. And he caught himself waiting for it, wanting it. Something about this woman was intriguing as hell.
“I’m a black belt, and I own my own dojo.” She walked around to the other side of his desk. “This isn’t my first dislocated elbow.”
He opened and closed his hand. The pain was already receding, his body healing itself. Sunglasses in hand, Gabe snatched his jacket with his good arm. “Let’s hit the road. I want you to show me exactly where you saw him.”
“Okay. You can follow me down to my place in—”
“Nope.” He took her elbow.
Tegan yanked it free, stepping away from him. “Excuse me?”
“You hired me to help you find this guy. Until I do, I don’t want him finding you first.” He gestured toward the door, but his new client remained frozen in place.
“It’s been four years since he attacked me in Los Angeles. I doubt he’s still looking for me.”
“He came to San Diego, right?” He leaned against the doorframe.
She shrugged. “Coincidence.”
Gabe straightened, struggling to keep a grip on his patience. This woman obviously had no clue how dangerous a Hingo demon could be. It was similar to an incubus, but instead of impregnating a woman with his bastard half-demon spawn, her body became a living cocoon for another demon. Women didn’t survive Hingo attacks. They became demons. At least, until now.
He shook his head. “I don’t buy it. Let’s get out of here. I’ll drive.”
Her jaw went slack for a second, her hands balling into fists at her sides. “Last time I checked,
I
hired
you
. You don’t get to order me around.”
Gabe sighed, glancing down before meeting her eyes again. “You hired me because the police don’t believe you.
I
do. Let me do my job.”
He waited her out, watching her frustration settle into wariness. Seeing the shadow of fear creep back into her eyes pained him. He caught himself wanting to protect her, to make the damned demon pay for causing her pain.
This couldn’t get personal. This was just another job. Plain and simple. He shoved the unwanted emotions aside and allowed an easy smile to curve his lips. “You’re not going to make me say please, are you?”
…
Tegan rubbed her hands down her face. She couldn’t be seriously considering getting in a car with this guy. “I can’t just leave my car an hour away from home.”
“It’s locked, right? I’ll make sure Martie keeps an eye on it for you.” He walked over to her and held out his hand. “You came here for a reason. Let me help you, Tegan.”
He’d said her name. Correctly. Her knees did their best to give out at the small gesture of attention, but her will was stronger. She walked past him without making any contact. Gabe met her in front of Martie’s desk in the lobby.
“Are you a meat-eater?”
Tegan’s jaw dropped, her eyes narrowing. Did he just…?
“Excuse me? But that’s not—”
“Burgers? We need to get you some food before we get started. You look like hell.”
“You’re one to talk.” She narrowed her eyes, but followed him outside the building anyway, still promising herself she wouldn’t get into a car with him.
He walked to a shiny black ’69 Mustang and opened the door for her. “Consider this a business meeting. You can fill me in on your case while we eat.”
Her conviction wavered. They did need to talk. She might as well eat, too.
Tegan took a breath and gave him a single nod before scooting past him, right into the passenger seat.
***
Gabe shut the door, slid his shades into place, and came around to the driver’s side. “There’s a great burger joint on the beach. And it looks like the marine layer is going to give us a break and let us watch the sunset. Can’t pass that up.”
His new client shook her head. “I watched this guy bury a woman’s body on the beach last night. Forgive me for not feeling like a burger. We should just get back to San Diego so you can find this guy. We can talk on the way.”
He should do it her way. The customer was always right. But he could see the exhaustion in her eyes. It wasn’t his place to take care of this woman. In fact, she’d obviously rather he didn’t. But he couldn’t have his clients fainting on him, especially not when they were this fascinating.
Shit.
He turned the key, and the Mustang’s V-8 roared to life. He revved the engine and glanced over at her. “Won’t do either of us any good if you pass out. When was the last time you slept or ate?”
She rolled her eyes and stared out the passenger-side window. “I’m fine.”
He slammed the clutch to the floor and slid the gearshift into reverse. “Yeah, well, I need food, so you might as well have some too.”
On the drive, she told him about the webcam and the morning visit to the sheriff. But the moment he asked about her attack, she shut him out, glaring out the passenger window. He wasn’t going to coax it out of her. She’d share when she was ready.
Right now the Hingo demon in town was his top priority. And the first step in catching the demon was keeping his only eyewitness alive.
Chapter Two
“What’s your story?” Tegan bit into her burger, hoping he couldn’t hear her stomach growl. Apparently she was hungrier than she’d realized. “What kind of case roughed you up and dislocated your elbow?”
“Doesn’t matter.” He took a swallow of his Dr Pepper and looked out at the ocean. The wind brushed his hair back from his forehead like invisible fingers. The cut under his eye and the split skin on his lower lip only enhanced his profile. He didn’t look defeated. He looked like a fighter. A champion.
“It matters to me.” Looks could be deceiving, and she didn’t have extra money to toss at a hot guy who might suck at his job. “If I’m going to hire a private investigator to catch this guy, I want to be sure he’s good.”
Gabe turned toward her, his stare demanding her full attention. He leaned in closer, until she caught his scent, masculine and earthy, no lotions or aftershaves. Her heart pounded…and not out of fear. Tingles shot down her spine.
He kept his voice low. “He will
never
touch you again. You have my word on that.”
She wet her lips, and for a moment, his gaze slipped to her mouth before meeting her eyes again. Heat coiled deep inside her while she struggled to regain control of her rapidly rising desire. “Your word might mean something to people who know you, but we just met.”
His eyes narrowed, but he never looked away. “People don’t exactly rate me on Yelp, but I can give you a few references to call if that would make you feel better. But at some point you’re going to need to trust me if we’re going to get this guy.”
She stared into his eyes and caught her breathing slowing to match his. Nodding, she whispered, “Trust isn’t easy for me these days.”
“I get that.” Gabe sat back, putting more space between them. “These may be just words to you, but I
will
keep you safe.” His eyes met hers for a second, and he turned away. “That’s my job, and I’m good at what I do.”
He balled up his burger wrapper, and she watched him for a moment, masculine and self-assured in every movement. Not to mention ruggedly handsome. She hadn’t found a man attractive in what felt like lifetimes. She didn’t even look at them anymore. But this one was right in front of her, and she couldn’t seem to stop drinking him in.
She swallowed and focused on her food, finishing her fries while the sun dipped into the horizon, painting the sky in reds and violets. When was the last time she sat still to watch a sunset? Since the night of the attack four years ago, her life’s focus narrowed to self-defense and regaining control of her life. That one night changed everything. A shiver slid through her.
“You cold?” he asked, his sunglasses back in place.
Tegan shook her head. “I’m all right.”
“As soon as the sun sets we’ll hit the road for San Diego.” He stared at the horizon. “I want to check out that hotel with the webcam.”
She followed his gaze, watching the masterpiece of color sparkling on the water. “You don’t seem like the kind of guy who would normally sit back and enjoy a sunset.”
“I recognize a gift from the gods when I see one.” He glanced her way. “You never know when it might be your last.”
“That’s a little morbid.”
He shrugged, staring over the water. “Realistic in my line of work.”
“You could change careers.”
He laughed, and the unexpected sight of his smile filled her stomach with butterflies.
“If only that were possible.” Gabe shook his head, the smile fading with the last traces of the sun. “Ready to go?”
“You’re serious about leaving my car here?”
“Completely serious. Until we find your attacker, I’m your shadow.”
Tegan groaned. “I’m a black belt and a martial arts and self-defense instructor. I know how to protect myself. I didn’t hire you to be my bodyguard. I want you to catch
him
.”
“And he’s coming for
you
. My best chance to find him is to keep you close.” He paused and looked toward his car. “Tell you what—I need to grab a few supplies from the office. Martie can give you some references to call. If you’re still not comfortable you can find someone else to take your case. This is how I work. Take it or leave it.”
…
Gabe drove down Interstate 5 trying to keep his eyes on the road instead of his sleeping passenger. He’d been prepared to let her walk out the door of his office if she’d insisted on keeping him at a distance, but deep inside relief flooded him when she’d grudgingly agreed to hire him in spite of his insistence on leaving her car in San Clemente. If he’d found her picture in a newspaper column about a missing woman later, it would’ve stung. Something about her pulled at him. This woman was a survivor.
He wondered how much of her attack she actually remembered. Would she believe him when he explained that her attacker was a Hingo demon, and now that he’d tasted her flesh, he was searching for her? Judging by her attitude earlier, this girl was no-nonsense, and finding out demons were real wasn’t going to be something that would build her already-shaky confidence in him.
She needed to understand the truth, but maybe not right away.
He pulled off at the exit she’d instructed. Waiting at the light, he reached over to wake her. Resisting the urge to touch her skin, he nudged her shoulder.
He shifted in his seat. “Tegan, we’re in Leucadia. You need to tell me where to go from here.”
“Sorry I fell asleep.” She rubbed her eyes and smoothed her hair. For a minute, while her defenses were down, he could almost picture who she must’ve been before her attack.
She directed him to a building on Pacific Coast Highway and had him park around the back of Red Dragon Karate. “You live here?”
“Up there.” She pointed up to the second story loft above the dojo.
He grabbed his duffel out of the backseat. After a few years in his line of work, having extra sets of clothes ready at all times was a necessity. Tegan was already out of the car and at the back door with her keys.
She opened the door and noticed his bag. “Whoa. What is this?”
“My stuff.” He shook the bag.
“I didn’t say you could stay with me. I’m paying you. Go get a motel room.”
He stepped past her into the dojo, taking a deep breath. Demons had a unique scent, like sulfur and burned hair, but all he could smell was the disinfectant coming off the floor mats of her dojo.
“Until we find this guy and I know you’re not in danger, I’m not going anywhere without you.”
He turned toward her just as her foot connected with his abdomen. She kicked him with enough power to make him stumble backward. The roundhouse kick didn’t slow her at all, either. She followed him, connecting a punch to his chest that blew the air from his lungs. Her foot swept the back of his ankles, knocking his feet out from under him. If the floor of the dojo hadn’t been padded, he would’ve cracked his head open.
Tegan pounced on top of his chest, her knees pinning the tops of his arms, her hand poised to strike his throat. Her chest heaved, her dark eyes narrowed. “I can crush your windpipe and poke out your eyes before you can yell for the police.”
Seeing the fire in her eyes should
not
be turning him on. “That won’t slow down a Hingo demon.”
“What?” Her brow furrowed, but she didn’t lower her hands. “Demon? What the hell are you talking about?”
Feeling the heat of her body against his chest distracted him more than he wanted to admit. “Let me up.”
“You’re not staying with me. In case you didn’t notice, I can take care of myself.” She shoved his chest and got to her feet.
Gabe sucked in a deep breath. “Thanks for limiting your assault to body shots.” He rubbed his chin. “You’ve got some moves.”
She flipped on the lights. “I was just proving a point. If I wanted to do real damage, you’d be out cold.” She turned around and the color drained from her face. “How…? Your eye is better… And your lip…”
Shit. He should’ve told before they came inside, in the light.
“I’m a fast healer.” He retrieved his bag. “Now we need to talk.”
“I was only asleep for an hour, tops.” She shook her head as though she’d seen a ghost. “Nobody heals that fast.”
“I do.” He pointed at the stairs. “Is that how we get to your loft? I’ll explain everything. I’d just like to sit first.”
Tegan hesitated but finally blew out her exasperation. “Fine.” She went to the dojo door and set the dead bolt, then returned with her keys poking through her fingers like claws. “I’ll let you come up to the loft, but I won’t hesitate to hurt you if you give me a reason.”
He put his hands up in mock surrender. “Anyone ever tell you you’re prickly?”
“Get in line.” She muscled past him and jogged up the stairs. He followed her, trying not to admire the view.
Her studio apartment was small but uncluttered. A queen-size bed with mussed-up sheets stood across from the door, with a small kitchen to the right and a door beside that, leading to what he assumed was a bathroom. Next to the bed, she had a side table with a laptop charging. In the other corner, a La-Z-Boy sat partially reclined with a big stack of books on the floor. Her certificate for her black belt hung on the wall.
She offered him the recliner, and she sat on the edge of her bed. “Another reason you need a motel room. I’m not really set up for guests.”
“No worries.” He sat down, dropping his bag. “I’m not a guest.”
“Right, I hired you, so you should do what I say.” She crossed her arms over her chest, and he tried to remember this was a woman who survived a demon attack. Gaining her trust was not going to happen in the span of a couple of hours. “Why are you already healed up, and what was with the crazy demon talk downstairs?”
He stared across the room, trying to figure out the best way to answer to keep her from throwing him out. “How did you get my number?”
“I found you on the Internet.” She glanced at her laptop.
“Good. So you noticed I’m a licensed private investigator. Did you see the paranormal investigations listed?” She didn’t laugh. Seemed promising.
“Yeah, but…” She shook her head, her focus shifting to the floor. “I actually figured it meant I might be able to afford you. I can’t imagine people hire you often to be some kind of ghost hunter or something.” Her lips quivered.
“‘Or something’ is closer.” Gabe ran his fingers back through his hair. “Ghosts don’t usually have the power to bother the living.” He met her eyes. “That scar you showed me. I recognized it.”
One hand went to the base of her neck, covering the scar hidden beneath her T-shirt.
“This is the first time I’ve ever seen one on a living person.” He waited for his words to sink in. “He bit you, didn’t he?”
Her jaw went slack for a second before she frowned and stood up. She shook her head that he was wrong, but tears filled her eyes. She might not want to believe it, but judging by her expression, he’d hit a nerve. His chest tightened. Seeing the pain and fear in her eyes made him want to kill the demon who hurt her. Right now. He already wanted retribution.
“It all happened so fast that night.” Her voice trembled. “The police said it was a blade with some sort of acid coating to burn my skin.”
“Bullshit. The demon’s saliva is an acid.” And somehow this woman got away. He had to make her understand.
She wrapped her arms around herself. “I can’t do this.”
“We have to, Tegan. This is your life.”
“No!” Her eyes flashed, filled with that warrior glare again. “
My
life doesn’t include insane things like demons. I spent almost a year in a mental hospital reconciling what happened that night. I’m not going to let you come in here and rip the rug from under me.” She pointed to the door. “I think you should go. I’ll get a ride up to get my car.”
Gabe stood up, but he didn’t move toward the door. If she didn’t let him help her, she’d be a sitting duck. The demon would find her eventually, and he’d already made a kill in her neighborhood. Against his better judgment, he laid his cards on the table. “I’m a demon slayer, Tegan. I take PI jobs to pay the rent, but my calling is keeping people safe from paranormal predators.”
She brushed a tear from her lashes and laughed. “We should’ve discussed this in San Clemente. I could’ve saved you the drive down.” Her expression sobered. “Do I really look that naive to you?”
“You don’t look naive at all.” He got up, took off his jacket and pushed up his shirtsleeve to expose his elbow. “Check it out for yourself. You reset this joint a couple hours ago.” He approached her slowly. Tegan got up and slid her fingers over his skin, sending currents of unwanted energy through him. “I heal quickly because a slayer needs to be ready to get back in the fight.”
She released his arm, bringing a tentative hand to his cheek, then his lip. “This can’t be real.” Her gaze met his, and he froze, allowing reality to sink in to her. “You’re really healed. It’s impossible.”
He stepped away and pulled his sleeve back down. Her touch awakened parts of him best left to rot. “It’s just as real as that scar you have.” Gabe met her eyes. “One slayer is born in each generation of my family. I’m sixth generation of the Van Helsing family line.”
“You’re kidding…” She rubbed her forehead, shaking her head. “Oh, God…you’re not.” She plopped back down on the edge of her bed, a crease in her brow.
“I wish I were; believe me.” Gabe sat in the chair again, remembering all the people he’d lost along the way because fate had dubbed him a slayer. Life could have been so much different. Painful memories of finding his fiancée’s demon-ravaged body sank their claws into him. He shoved the thoughts aside before he allowed the pain to show on his face. There was no way to change the past.
No one understood that better than he did.
There had to be some way to make her believe. The sooner she realized demons were real, that
he
was really who he claimed, the safer she’d be. He had to kill the fucking demon before it found her.