One
Blowing out a breath, Christian Hart watched it fog before him. He stood against the black SUVâs hood. He had parked beneath the streetlight posted behind the Lizard Lounge, Parisâs resident faery nightclub. Or at least, the club was the closest most would get to faeries without actually stepping into FaeryTown, where the real danger lurked.
It was unseasonably cold for October, but regardless, he didnât wear a coat over the black T-shirt heâd tucked into black cargo pants. A leather holster was strapped across his chest and back, but the pistol tucked under his arm didnât sport normal bullets: they were wooden, designed for stopping vampires. Wood wouldnât kill them, but it would give the nasty longtooths pause long enough for Hart to take them out. If necessary.
It had been some time since vampires had bothered his pack. He missed the action.
Easing back his shoulders, he wincedâhe was feeling it now in his triceps. Shouldnât have spent all morning with the punching bag. He smirked at his wimpy thoughts.
Heâd foregone interior duty tonight, letting Tony take that detail, which included protecting their pack leader at close range. The principal, Remy Caufield, had a penchant for shagging faeries, and he would remain inside the nightclub that catered to the fey bits of dust and menace until it closed hours from now.
Fine with Hart. Some time alone to let his thoughts wanderâhell, who was he kidding? He wanted to be inside, mainlining the thumping beat into his blood, eyeing up the sexy young pretties. He wasnât particular about faeries; he could take âem or leave âem. As long as a wolf didnât fall in love with one of the sidhe and attempt to make her his mateâthey were ace for one-night stands.
Tonyâs voice spoke in the two-way curled over Hartâs right ear. âSomethingâs going on in here, Hart. Be on the lookout for a tall figure in black.â
âWhat the hell?â
âI didnât have time to assess. I think he planted something on Caufield. Tried to take a swing at him, too. Harm was intended. Itâs dark in the back rooms. I didnât see his escape. Can you catch him?â
Hartâs senses piqued as the clubâs back door slammed open and out dashed a figure in black, pushing through the crowd of hopefuls who would never be allowed access inside, and hairpinning it to race down the alleyway. He couldnât catch a scent, but he wouldnât lose him visually.
âGot the bloke.â
Sliding behind the wheel of the SUV and revving the engine, he rolled onto the street. The assailant achieved good speed, forcing Hart to push twenty kilometers an hour, and navigate a tight Parisian alleyway, to keep up.
It was high time he saw some action. Hart couldnât satisfy his need for adrenaline at the pack compound so he lived apart from the wolves he called family and spent a lot of time in his personal gym. What he needed was a place out in the country to let his wolf run free more often. His very nature demanded it. Yet Caufield was too citified, as was the entire Levallois pack. Though, they did have their darker pursuits.
Hart tried to distance himself from those matters.
Navigating a sharp corner, he saw the person he pursued look back. âYes, Iâm on you, idiot. What are you? Wolf? You should be able to run faster. Iâd get out and chase you on foot, but this is more fun, eh? Watching you like a deer in my headlights.â
He chuckled to himself, but swore when the next turn found him driving right into three concrete bollards jutting waist-high and designed to keep vehicles off sidewalks. The SUVâs chrome bumper just kissed one of the columns. Swearing, he backed up and took the opposite turn.
Heading toward the Seine, he cruised slowly, eyeing up and down the streets. Couldnât have lost him. He should get out and track him on foot, only he hadnât picked up the culpritâs scent at the club due to the ridiculous thrill of finally seeing some action.
Suddenly the passenger door opened and a slender figure in black leaped inside. Before he could react defensively, a fist connected with Hartâs jaw. He tasted blood and the SUV swerved, but he managed to get it back on track. He was driving parallel to the river, and the traffic before and behind prevented him from stopping.