Lacey and Lethal Read online

  “These are hunters,” his friend reminded him. “They probably have a lot of stuff around their homes as reminders of what they do.”

  “True.” A mind wipe could fail if something triggered distinct memories.

  “We’ll need to ask your human.”

  He really wanted Lacey kept out of it but she’d have proof that he’d kept his word by not killing her team. At least he hoped they’d all survived. He should have asked the wolf who’d come but his priority had been securing any video of him and Lacey in that warehouse. He kept hold of Jeff as he hauled him up to his feet.

  “I’m going to take this one to see Lacey. Round up the survivors and bring them all in here. We’ll handle this situation even if we have to question each one, make a list of anything that might trigger their memories, and send the wolves to destroy it.”

  “What if they told their friends or their women?”

  Lethal bit back a curse. “We’ll have to wipe a lot of minds.”

  “For sure.” Blaron didn’t sound any happier at the prospect. “What a mess.”

  He couldn’t agree more.

  “It’s probably for the best we aren’t killing them all.” Blaron chuckled. “Despite my instincts prodding me to.”

  “The old days.” Lethal could remember how good it had felt taking out an enemy. “We’ve evolved though.”

  “Aye. A shame, isn’t it?”

  Lethal flashed him a toothy grin. “I plead the Fifth. I’ll be back.” He spun the human, holding him by the back of his neck and pushed him forward.

  Blaron unlocked the door to the basement and opened it. “Good luck.”

  “He’s alive. That will score me some points.”

  The human struggled but was no match for his strength as he forced him down the stairs. Mora lowered the gun when she saw that the hunter was controlled by Lethal.

  “Let me in there and then go home. Things are calm upstairs.”

  She removed the bar across the door that had kept Lacey locked inside and pushed it open. “Thank you.”

  He winked and shoved the hunter through the door, into the office. Lacey was standing in the middle of the room, holding the knife. She relaxed only slightly when she saw him but her focus returned to the human he held.

  “Jeff.” Her tone was soft.

  “You backstabbing bitch.”

  Lethal’s temper flared as he snarled at the hunter. “Don’t call her names.” He wanted to break the jerk’s neck but refrained.

  Lacey was stunned at seeing Jeff but she wasn’t surprised by his accusation. Lethal stood behind him, his fingers wrapped firmly around her boss’s throat. They wore similar, furious expressions. She lowered the knife and placed it on the edge of the desk.

  “I didn’t kill him. We’re going to interview them to see what we need to do to make sure their memories don’t return.”

  “I don’t understand.” She looked at Lethal for clarification.

  “Any triggers they might have around their homes or anywhere they frequent could prompt flashbacks. We don’t want them recovering memories.”

  “That could happen?”

  “Yes.” He didn’t look pleased either. “Hunters keep souvenirs and other possessions that are a constant reminder of what they do.”

  She bit her lip, thinking about it. “Why don’t you just make them think they were paranoid and a bit crazy but they are getting better? You know? Like they made up vampires but now they know the truth. Make them believe you don’t really exist.”

  Lethal smiled. “It could work.”

  “Damn you to hell, Lacey,” Jeff spit out. “We trusted you.”

  She stepped closer. It was doubtful he’d listen to reason but she wanted to try. “These aren’t the vamps who killed your brother or my sister. Not all of them murder humans. You’re still alive, right? Why? Think about it. Mindless monsters would have taken you out. You wouldn’t be standing here right now. You’d be dead.”

  He glared at her.

  “They are people, Jeff. Some are good, some are really bad. I’m not so blinded by Beth’s murder that I’m willing to annihilate an entire race for what one did. We got it wrong. Can you understand that? They hunt murderers too. We’re on the same side.”

  “Bullshit. They got to you.”

  “You’ve known me for three years. Can’t you just think about what I’m saying? No one has gotten to me. I just listened to reason.”

  “Your sister would roll in her grave.”

  “No. She wouldn’t. Beth wouldn’t want me to blindly hate them all for what one did to her. Don’t tell me anything about my sister. She had a big heart and would be proud that I’m not living with bitterness anymore.”

  “Sir?” The male voice came from the doorway.

  Lethal turned his head. “What?”

  “Ten of them survived. One shot himself in the head. We couldn’t stop him. He died from the injury. I apologize.”

  “It’s all right. Thanks for the information, Danny. Take all of them to the dance floor. I’ll be up with this one in a moment.”

  “Yes, sir.” He disappeared through the door.

  “Did you hear that?” Jeff spat. “It’s all right that one of ours is dead. These are the bastards you’re working for now.”

  “I also heard that he shot himself. He was probably scared.” She hated that a life had been lost but she wasn’t going to blame the vampires or werewolves for it. They could have killed everyone but hadn’t. “It’s horrible but they didn’t pull the trigger.”

  “You turned your back on your own kind, for them.”

  Jeff refused to listen. She could see he’d already made up his mind that anything she said would be tainted somehow. He honestly believed she’d betrayed the team and had become a player for the other side. She wasn’t surprised. It had been a lot for her to take in, too, and she’d seen more, had more time.

  “I’m sorry you don’t believe me.” She looked at Lethal. “Go ahead and take him upstairs. Nothing I can say will do any good.” She paused. “Thank you for not hurting anyone.”

  “It matters to you so it matters to me. I’ll try your suggestion when I get inside his mind. I’ll plant the thought that they should get rid of all reminders of their past fantasies that vampires are real.”

  “I won’t forget,” Jeff swore. “I’ll come back and destroy every damn bloodsucker in this nest.” He lifted a hand and pointed at Lacey. “I’ll get you too, bitch. I’m going to enjoy hearing your screams.”

  She started to speak, tried to think of something that would get through to Jeff, but stopped. She was done trying to talk sense into her old boss. Her gaze lifted to Lethal. He seemed to understand as he turned Jeff around and forced him toward the door.

  They had almost reached it when Jeff suddenly dropped to his knees, knocking Lethal off balance. Lacey saw her boss grab for his ankle. Her eyes widened when he pulled a gun. Lethal snarled and tried to grab it but Jeff had surprise on his side.

  Three loud shots filled the office and she saw the flashes from the barrel. It was horrific watching the man she loved fall backward. Blood flowed from his chest where each bullet had stuck—one of them directly over his heart.

  “Lethal!” She ran toward him.

  He hit the floor and grabbed his chest. Jeff rose and pointed the gun directly at Lethal’s face, ready to unload the rest of the clip at close range. Lacey tackled him before he could fire again. The bullets probably wouldn’t kill Lethal but they might really hurt him.

  She slammed hard into Jeff. They crashed to the floor and pain tore through her side as another loud explosion came from the gun. She fought, attempting to wrestle the gun from his fingers. She was horrified. She’d been shot.

  Both her hands clutched the wrist holding the weapon so she couldn’t stop him from using his other hand as he withdrew a stake from his belt. She caught sight of it just before he plunged it into her chest. She screamed in agony.

  “Lacey!” Lethal bellowed