When He Was Bad
Page 65

Smiled his fanged smile.
And fired.
Santiago shoved her to the ground, two seconds too late.
Her breath gasped out at the burning pain in her shoulder. Realization dawned as tears trickled from the corners of her eyes. Holy shit, that bastard bit me, and hes shot me, too!
Snarls. A roar. The sound of claws scraping over metal. Then the jaguar was there, crouching over her, its warm body pressing against her side.
Easy. The word came from Santiago.
Miranda was still struggling to catch her breath. Speech was sure as hell beyond her.
Hed shot her.
A low mewling vibrated up from the big cats throat. She blinked, stared up at him, and became trapped in his heated gaze.
He could kill her with one bite. Rip her throat right out. Or use those claws to cut her open.
But he just lowered his head. Pushed his nose against her throat.
Shes gonna be all right. Santiagos voice was gruff.
The sirens were close now. The sound grated on her ears.
And the vampire? Where the hell was he? Miranda tried to get up
The cat snarled.
Stay down! Santiago snapped.
PPaul . . . She was shaking now. And her shoulder was pulsating with pain.
Bastards gone. Santiagos hands were on her shoulder, and he was clamping down, hard. Shot you because he knew Lawson would get distracted. Made a break for it the second you hit the ground.
Dammit.
More sirens. The swirl of lights above her head.
Get the hell out of here, Lawson. You know they cant see you.
But the jaguar wasnt moving. Miranda lifted her right hand. The fingers were trembling as she reached for him. Her hand brushed over his fur. So soft. And wet. Her hand lifted.
Blood.
The jaguar was hurt too. And judging by that fight, probably even worse than she was.
Santiago grabbed her hand, swearing. Dammit, be careful! A few swipes of that cats tongue could peel the flesh right off your hand.
Miranda swallowed. Found she couldnt look away from those golden eyes.
Santiago was still muttering, telling her to stay on guard, but she just wasnt afraid of the jaguar. Of Cain.
Because in those eyes, she didnt see an animal. She only saw Cain.
But the cops were so close. If they saw himGo! The word was ripped from her throat. Dammit, dont w-worry . . . about m-me. Patrol cars roared onto the graveled drive. R-run!
His body was tense.
R-run, she whispered now.
His gaze held hers.
Then he turned and ran away, heading toward the woods.
Her eyes closed. A tear trickled down her cheek.
Fucking shot. What a damn bad night.
Shit! Miranda! God,cuz, what have you done to yourself?
To herself? Hell! At the clearly insane question, her lashes lifted and she glared up at Sams frowning face.
Damn. Damn. Damn. Cain bounded through Mirandas house, once more in human form. Maintaining the male body was hard, though, with the rage spewing from his every pore.
The bastard had shot her.
To vamps, even the normally vicious degenerates, blood was life. Precious. To be taken with teeth and mouth and tongue.
It was never wasted. Not human blood, anyway.
But Paul hadnt cared about spilling Mirandas blood. Hed been intent only on causing pain. To her.
To Cain.
And his plan had worked perfectly.
Cain grabbed his pair of jeans, jerked them on, and shoved on his shoes. Screw a shirt, he didnt have time to waste finding one somewhere in the couch cushions.
He rushed toward the door, aware of the pounding in his temples from the shrieking sirens.
Shes all right. The wound had been shallow. The vampire had wanted to kill her, but hed missed her heart. Caught only the edge of her shoulder. Thanks to Santiago. Now hed owe the human a new debt.
Her blood had been on the ground. Her face had been too pale, but she was all right.
Cains hand slapped against the screen door, sending it flying back as he ran outside. Hed had to trek back around the house, shift in the woods, then run, naked, into the rear entrance of her house to avoid detection when the cruisers had blared onto the scene.
The humans were everywhere. Searching with flashlights. Guns drawn. Voices muttering.
Hed barely escaped being caught in his animal form.
And as for the vampire, well, it had sure as hell been his lucky night.
But his luck wouldnt last forever.
His gaze scanned the yard, looking for the one human who mattered.
He found her almost instantly. Miranda had been strapped to a stretcher.
This is crazy! she was saying, voice furious, but a little weak. Its a scratch, okay? I dont need to go to the hospital for some
He pushed through the gathered deputies and EMTs. Caught her hand. So soft. Youre going. A white bandage covered her shoulder. It was soaked red with her blood.
Bullets out, but it cut her up like hell, Santiago told him.
Cain shot him a fast glance. Saw that someone had already bandaged his throat. Cains fingers tightened around hers. Youre definitely going.
Her head shook frantically, the inky black strands of hair fluttering around her face. N-no, II cant leave. Paul
Is gone for tonight. And now that the vampire knew they were hunting him, it was doubtful hed be back.