“It’s just something I can do.”
“Well, you should think about getting in the pit tonight. We’ve been talking about you, and the guys that missed it will do just about anything for the chance to watch you work.”
“Maybe another time,” I said. To me, zombie killing was a business—a privilege—not a sport.
Cole appeared at my side, glaring at the boy—who held up his palms and backed away.
“We found out what Hodad means,” Cole said the moment we were alone.
The reprimand I’d been about to deliver died in my throat. “Well? Tell me.”
Motions clipped, he took the cup of beer and set it aside. “Hands of death and destruction.”
Oh...crap.
“River’s guys found Dr. Rangarajan, too,” he added. “We’re sending a team to pick him up and bring him here. He might be able to tell us where the boys are being kept.”
Glancing over his shoulder, I watched as River spoke to Gavin and Bronx, probably explaining the situation. Well, no probably about it. The three guys plus two others stalked from the courtyard.
“You’re not going with them?” I asked.
“I delegated. Come on.” He led me out of the building and across the cold, night-darkened street.
“Where are we going?”
“The safe house.”
Alone? Together? For the lecture...or something else?
The building was smaller than River’s, a little more run-down, but safety measures had already been taken. Cole had to punch in a code to open the front door. Inside, what had once most likely been a hotel lobby had been transformed into a rocking living room, with a large-screen TV, two couches and multiple recliners. There was a beautiful hand-knotted rug in front of a cracked marble hearth.
“It’s been furnished,” I said, surprised.
“Only this room.” He built a fire. “Look. I know you, and I know you’re thinking it’ll be okay for you to trade yourself for Justin.”
Lecture. Great. I got comfortable on the rug.
“But it’s not okay. Not now, not later. And don’t even think about arguing. I lead the slayers. Hence, I lead you. I make the decisions, and you do what I say.”
He’d met me, right? “The only reason I’m not knocking you to your knees and making you beg for mercy right now is because I know you’re speaking from a place of deep concern for me. But, Cole? You are seriously irritating the crap out of me.”
He sat in front of me. I yanked at the collar of his shirt and let the material snap back into place.
“You’re either my boyfriend or my boss,” I said. “You can’t be both. Pick one.”
He scooted closer to me, so close I basically had to straddle his lap to remain upright. Big hardship. His chest brushed against mine, and whether accidental or intentional, it thrilled me.
“If it means keeping you safe,” he said, “I pick boss.”
As different emotions played havoc with my heartbeat, the scent of strawberries teased me. “Best-case scenario, I don’t have to trade myself. I make Ethan think I’m willing and strike at him. And yes, he will attempt to double-cross us the same way we’ll attempt to double-cross him. But you’re acting like we can’t win.” I tried to mask my breathlessness as he traced his fingertips over my spine. “There’s a chance we can save the boys and deliver a major blow to Anima at the same time.”
“A chance you could be tortured and killed.”
So I’d had the same thought. So what. “But at least I’ll have done something.” I had to do something. “And what if I’m the one, huh?” The girl who would sacrifice herself to save many. “What if I need to die?”
“You don’t. What we read might be a counterfeit.”
“It isn’t. It was part of the journal.”
He lowered his head, and his nose pressed against mine. “What if you’re not the one? You would have put yourself in harm’s way for nothing.”
He had an argument for everything. “Not for nothing.” But, okay, fine, I did get where he was coming from. “No matter what, we have to get those boys back. That’s priority one.”
A moment passed, the tension heating me up inside.
“You’re right,” he said and nodded. “But we’ll do things my way.”
“Agreed. If your way is my way.”
He snorted. “Forget the right way—my way—for now.”
“Already done. Now, enough talking. I’ve got a better use for your mouth.” I brushed my lips against his and pushed his shoulders, easing him back on the rug.
He quickly rolled me over. His movements were as sleek as a panther’s as he spread himself over me and pinned me down. “This your way of distracting me?” He kissed the line of my jaw, and my veins became a conduit for tingling warmth. “Because it’s working.”
“You did promise me a second date, did you not?”
“I did.”
“Well, this is what I want to do.”
“Lie here...talking?” He unveiled a slow, wicked smile.
The blood in my veins flashed white-hot. “Kissing...touching. More. Everything.”