[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

fists. His face felt like Jell-O as the attacker continued his assault. It was like the attacker
knew if he didn t keep beating Alex, he would heal within minutes and rise and kill him.
With only Tina s safety in mind, Alex fought for strength. The wound at the back of
his skull was already starting to heal. Reaching out, Alex felt his fist connect with the
man s nose.
Leaping to his feet, Alex s blood boiled. Anger, fear, and rage hummed through him.
This bastard had hurt Tina and was undoubtedly going to do worse to her, or deliver her
to someone who would.
Alex ached to kill him, to end the miserable life of the person who dared put their
hands on his mate. Straddling the man s chest, Alex pummeled him with his fists. He was
mindless with fury as he slammed his fists into his face and body. He knew he shouldn t
kill this man, that he could lead them to the murderer, but he couldn t control his anger.
He heard a voice in the distance screaming for him to stop, but he couldn t.
The vampire within him had taken over.
*
Scooting back against the wall, Tina watched with horror as her attacker pounded
Alex s face. Alex appeared unconscious, and after seeing the large steel pipe the man
used to hit him, she wondered if he still lived.
She needed to do something. Standing, she steadied herself against the wall. Her
vision wavered as she tried to gather her thoughts and force her legs to move.
Taking a step forward, she stilled as out of nowhere Alex slammed his fist into the
man s face. He flew backwards, landing on the cold cement with a thud. Immediately
Alex was upon him. Punching him with a force, with a strength, she d never before seen.
The sight frightened her and, inexplicably, excited her at the same time.
Alex was a cop, and at the rate he was beating her attacker, he would kill him. Not
only would Alex have blood on his hands and guilt in his heart, he could lose his job and
go to jail. She didn t want that for him. She didn t want to be the reason these men lost
their lives.
 Alex, stop! she screamed, but he didn t seem to hear her. Trying again, she took a
step closer.  Alex, please, you're going to kill him. Stop!
When he still continued his assault, she ran forward on wobbly legs. Grabbing his
hair, she yanked with all her might. Alex toppled over backwards, hitting the ground.
Stepping away quickly, Tina watched as Alex gazed up at her through blood red eyes.
He stared at her; both remained motionless.
Alex sat up. His eyes wavered between red and black momentarily before resuming
their normal black color.
She didn t know what was happening, or why. Why were his eyes changing colors?
What was going on?
 Tina?
Sucking in a shaking breath, Tina replied,  Alex? W-what s going on?
Slowly, Alex found his feet. Taking a step toward Tina, he froze.  I can explain.
 I would really appreciate that. She tried but failed to keep the fear from her voice.
She knew nothing about this man. Was there a side of himself he was hiding from her?
He glanced to the man lying beaten and bloodied at his feet.
 Why were your eyes red? Why did you lose control like that? she asked, her fear
subsiding as she gazed into the black eyes she knew and loved. The Alex she loved
seemed to have returned. Still, she couldn t let her guard down.
 I m more than willing to answer all of your questions, but I need to ask him some
questions before I do. Is that all right? he asked cautiously, his voice soft and pleading
as though she held all the power.
Nodding, she agreed.  I d like to know who he is as well.
Tina watched as Alex grabbed the man and dragged him to sit leaning against the
alley wall. Grabbing a pair of handcuffs from the back of his jeans, he cuffed the man.
His head bobbed as Alex reached up and gave him a slap across the face. He stirred.
A long groan slid past his lips.
 Wake up, Alex demanded, cracking him again. This time, the guy s eyes snapped
open.
Tina came to kneel next to Alex. The man looked at her, then at Alex, and his eyes
widened. He looked absolutely terrified.
 P-please don t k-kill me, he stuttered.
 I have no plans to kill you, but you need to answer some questions or I might be
forced to change my mind. Understand?
The guy nodded.
Why is he so afraid? Why am I not? Tina wondered as she watched him tremble.
She d just watched Alex lose all control and his eyes change from black to red. She had
no idea what was going on with Alex, and yet, she couldn t force herself to fear him.
 Why d you attack her? Alex asked, tilting his head toward her.
 He told me to.
 He who? Alex demanded.
The man chanced a glance at her, then back to Alex. Blood trailed from his mouth
and nose, and there was a large cut just above his left eyebrow. She felt a moment s pity
for him, but as quickly as it came, it vanished. She could only imagine the horrific things
he d planned to do to her.
 I can t tell you.
Leaning forward, Alex whispered something in the man s ear. His eyes widened
even farther. His trembling increased.
 Now, why did you attack her?
Closing his eyes, the attacker leaned his head back against the wall then looked at
Alex.
He was no older than Tina. His light brown hair was short but shaggy. He was
somewhat muscular and handsome, with vivid green eyes and a firm jaw. Tina wondered
why he would be lurking in alleyways to attack women. He was more than handsome
enough to get one without attacking them.
 I can t tell you his name, or where he lives, but I know what he looks like.
 You mean you don t even know the name of the man you're doing business with?
Tina asked with bewilderment.
Shut up, stupid!
She didn t know what caused her to interrupt. Mentally smacking her forehead with
her palm, she pressed her lips together.
 Answer her and throw in who you are while you're at it, Alex demanded.
Swallowing audibly, the man continued.  M-my name s Bobby Dalton. About a
month ago, this guy approached me at the club. He asked me if I wanted to make some
quick cash. He didn t look too dangerous, so I said yeah.
 What d he ask you to do? Tina asked and once again wanted to slap herself silly. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]