Kraven Read online

  He shook his head.

  “Why not?”

  He gazed at her with those intense eyes of his. “There are cameras everywhere.”

  “So?”

  He gripped her arm, pulled her into an alcove with a large fake plant and invaded her space. One of his hands lifted, as if he were rubbing his temple. The color of his eyes sharpened, brightened, and the blue began to glow neon. They were gorgeous.

  “I have to look this way to control minds. Do you see the problem?” The brightness faded to a pale shade. “I figured since it was a small airport it would be more like the one near home. There are cameras all over in here. It’s a nightmare.”

  “You can’t use your power.”

  “Nope.” He dropped his hand and stepped back, pulling her away from the wall. “I can’t.”

  “So we just hire someone. Simple.”

  “The two pilots I talked to just came off flights. They refused. I looked up and saw cameras on us so I couldn’t change their minds.”

  “What about Norman?”

  “I let him go after I paid him. He was tired. I could see it. We don’t want to crash again and having a pilot who can’t keep his eyes open isn’t the brightest move we could make.”

  “That’s true.”

  “I also couldn’t take over his mind once we left the plane. They have surveillance every damn where.” He looked pissed.

  “Welcome to the human world.”

  He scowled.

  “So we have to fly commercial?”

  “We can’t be tracked and you don’t have identification.”

  “Got it. No eyes. We’re screwed.”

  “We need to get out of here. There isn’t a lot of time to waste if we’re being hunted by Lycans.” His gaze lifted and he turned his head, watching the people around them. His nostrils flared. “I haven’t seen any so far or picked up their scent. We’re going to have to rent a car.”

  “That’s a long drive to Southern California.” She cringed.

  “We don’t have a choice.”

  “Damn.”

  “I agree.” He shifted the strap of his bag on his shoulder and offered his hand. “Come on.”

  “Won’t that leave a trail?”

  “It won’t matter if they find out I rented a car in Washington. They already know we flew here by now. Let’s go.”

  She clasped his hand and he led her to the car rental area of the airport. There was a short line. Kraven passed her his bag and pointed to a chair. “Go take a seat. This won’t take long.”

  “I’m hungry.”

  “We’ll grab something in the car.”

  “Fast food. Awesome.” She rolled her eyes.

  “I’m sorry, Bat.”

  “I’m being a pain. I know. Go. I’ll sit right here and guard your bag.”

  He flashed a smile before getting in the line and Bat took a seat on a plastic chair. A woman a few seats over shot her a dirty look and curled her upper lip. Probably because of how she was dressed and the generic tennis shoes she wore without socks. Judgmental bitch. Bat reached up and rubbed the bridge of her nose with her middle finger. The woman gasped and jerked her head in the other direction.

  Bat relaxed and watched Kraven. He was the most interesting thing in the airport. And it quickly became apparent she wasn’t the only one paying attention to him. Women walked by, their gazes lingering on him as they slowed.

  “Yeah, he’s hot. Move on,” she muttered.

  Kraven turned his head, regarding her over his shoulder. One of his eyebrows arched. She shook her head and he faced forward. Damn, he had really good hearing. She’d have to remember that.

  Another woman walked by, nearly tripping in the process of admiring Kraven. It irritated Bat, and her irritation just got worse when he reached the counter. The cute brunette he rented a vehicle from grinned widely and appraised him like a side of prime beef. Bat wished she could hear what was being said.

  Long minutes passed and Bat had finally had enough when she watched the brunette laugh and have the gall to reach out and purposely touch Kraven’s hand. She stood, grabbed the strap of his bag, and lifted. It was heavier than it looked and she had to battle to carry it to his side. She dumped it on the floor.

  “What’s taking so long, sweetheart?”

  That killed the brunette’s cheery smile as she took notice of Bat.

  Kraven signed his name on the digital screen and dropped the stylus pen. “Nothing, honeybun. I got us a car.”

  “Fantastic.” Bat held the brunette’s gaze. “We’re going on a romantic getaway.”

  “How nice.” The brunette walked over to a printer, her movements jerky. “I’ll get you a copy of the rental agreement. They’ll bring the car around and hand you the keys then.”

  “Thanks.” Kraven turned his gaze on Bat, looking far too amused. His lips twitched as if he wanted to laugh.

  “Don’t even,” she mumbled. “I said I’m hungry. I didn’t want to wait while you continued to flirt.”

  All humor vanished and he leaned toward her, putting his face closer. “You’re the only woman I want. Should I fuck you on the floor again to prove it?”

  He spoke loud enough that everyone around them, including the clerk, had to have heard. Bat swallowed hard. It was a good thing she didn’t embarrass easily or was the type to back away from any kind of a challenge. “Does this car have a backseat? We haven’t tried that yet. Confined spaces sound exciting.”

  The brunette slapped the papers on the counter. “There you go. Follow the sign and someone will bring your rental around in a few minutes. Next!”

  Kraven folded the papers and pocketed them in his duster. He bent, gripping his bag. “Come on, honeybun. Let’s go find out how roomy this car is.” He offered his elbow.

  Bat slid her arm through his and allowed him to lead her outside. She avoided looking at him.

  “I like it that you felt the need to stake your claim on me.”

  She refused to look at his face. “Give me a break. I was just annoyed.”

  “Too bad. I also liked you calling me sweetheart. It had a nice ring to it.”

  “Bite me.”

  He chuckled. “Invitation accepted. I’m part Vamp, Hellion. I have fangs and I’m happy to use them.”

  “You know what I meant. Keep your fangs sucked up.”

  “They’re actually retracted.”

  “Shut it.”

  A silver sedan pulled up to the curb and a kid slipped out of the passenger seat. He wore a shirt with the rental company logo over his chest. Kraven unhooked his arm from Bat and removed the paperwork, passing it over to show the employee.

  “Here you go, sir. It’s fully gassed. I strongly suggest you return it with a full tank.” He handed over the keys. “Have a great day.”

  Kraven nodded, pocketed his paperwork again, and walked over to the car. He opened the back door, threw the bag in, and stripped off his duster to toss in too. He opened the passenger door next, flashing Bat a killer smile.

  “Come on, honeybun. It’s got a roomy backseat. It’s our lucky day.”

  Seems he wasn’t about to let that go. She sighed and climbed into the car. Kraven closed the door and rounded the vehicle. She put on her belt as he adjusted the mirrors and seat on the driver’s side, before driving away from the curb.

  “Can you do me a favor?” Kraven glanced at her.

  “It depends on what you want.”

  “There’s supposed to be a map in the glove box. Get it out and find us the nearest highway.”

  She leaned forward and found the map, unfolding it. “Map reading isn’t my best skill. Fair warning.”

  “I just want to put some miles between us and that airport.”

  “Got it.” She studied the map and found where they were on it, giving him directions. “I really am hungry. That sandwich I ate on the plane was mostly frozen.”

  “I know. You barely touched it. You only took three bites.”

  She wasn