Reaper's Justice (30 page)
Authors: Sarah McCarty
Tags: #Werewolves, #Paranormal, #Fiction, #Romance, #Fantasy, #Western, #Historical
Reese broke into laughter. “Were you going to tell him before or after the wedding? More importantly, when were you going to tell his mother?”
She buried her face deeper in the roses. “Shut up, Reese.”
“The widow Hackleberry is a formidable woman,” Reese informed Isaiah. “And for all the boy would have it otherwise, she’s determined that her dear son remains—how does she put it—unsullied.”
“That’s who you wanted to marry?”
Addy glared at her cousin. “The woman can’t live forever and Hackleberry would be manageable.”
“I wouldn’t count on the widow dying anytime soon.”
“It doesn’t matter now anyway, so hush.”
No it didn’t. But Cole did. “Will Cole make trouble after I’m gone?”
Addy’s expression closed and some of her joy in the night faded. Damn it, why the hell had he brought that up now?
“Don’t worry, he won’t have me declared incompetent.”
“You sure?”
She looked out the window. “I’m sure.”
“Look at me and say that.”
From the glare she shot him, his courting for the evening might involve a lot of kissing ass.
“I’m sure.”
“I thought you promised her a courting, not a lecture,” Reese said.
So he had. The tuning of instruments was gradually flowing into music. Isaiah motioned to the flowers. “Why don’t you put those in water and then we’ll leave.”
“By all means, do that,” Reese urged. “Before Mrs. McGillicuddy takes a look at her rose garden.”
Addy stopped halfway to the kitchen. “Isaiah, you didn’t!”
He shrugged, figuring noncommittal beat admitting. He wanted her to enjoy the flowers.
With a shake of her head, and a quick glance around, she motioned him into the foyer. “You’d better get in here. Mrs. McGillicuddy is a good shot.”
He closed the door behind him. “So I’m told.”
Halfway across the foyer she paused and looked back over her shoulder, that blush getting deeper, her expression softer. “You look very handsome, by the way.”
“And you look very beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
He stood in the hallway, listening to her fuss with the flowers. The courting wasn’t going as well as he’d planned, but he’d managed a couple of moments when he’d pleased her.
It took thirty seconds for Reese to poke his confidence. “It just gets worse from here on out.”
How much worse could it get? “I’ll handle it.”
“I’ll enjoy the show.”
Isaiah lifted his lip in a snarl. “Don’t you have a woman of your own to court?”
“I do my courting a bit farther from home.”
Isaiah didn’t court at all, except for tonight. Because it was what his woman wanted. Because it would make her happy. Because when he left, he wanted to take with him at least one memory of making her happy.
“I’m ready.”
He opened the door. Addy just stood there, looking at him expectantly. Reese cleared his throat. Too late, he remembered to hold out his arm so she could tuck her hand in the crook.
“Hell, man, don’t you ever court at all?”
The growl rumbled low in his chest. “No.”
Addy just smiled. “Go away, Reese.”
Isaiah knew he lacked social graces. He knew what he was, and what Addy really needed, but he’d be damned if he’d have her evening ruined by her cousin’s mockery.
“Yes, go away, Reese.” He put every ounce of persuasive power behind that command. Reese didn’t budge. Instead, he settled his hat on his head. “Now what kind of chaperone would I be if I just let you go gallivanting off to the social with no escort?”
“A live one?”
Reese’s hand dropped to the butt of his revolver. “Maybe.”
His beast tossed Reese a mental snarl, but Isaiah didn’t care about the threat. He only cared about the way Addy was looking at him now. Like he was something. As illusions went, that was pretty good.
“Ready?”
She smiled and nodded as the fingers of her free hand touched his wrist. The satin of her glove was smooth and warm. He’d rather have the feel of her skin.
“Still nervous?”
“A little.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s my first time out. There’ll be some talk.”
“About me.”
She shook her head. “About my kidnapping.”
As much as he wanted to give her the courting she desired, he didn’t want her upset.
“We don’t have to go.”
She looked surprised. “Oh, we have to go.”
“We do?”
She nodded. “Oh yes.” She squeezed his arm. “I wouldn’t for anything miss watching those jealous cats swallow their tongues when I walk in with you.”
“Glad I can be of use.”
Her grin widened. “Me, too.”
HALFWAY to their destination, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Shit. Not now.
Reese came up beside them and drew his revolver.
“What is it?”
He held up his hand and motioned Addy to be quiet. Not even a cricket chirped.
Reaper.
“Reaper?” Reese asked.
Addy licked her lips. The scent of her fear tainted the air, but her voice was steady as she asked, “Friends of yours?”
“No.”
He pushed her back against the wall. There was an alley directly ahead. It would be a good place for an ambush. On the other side were a building and a shed. Behind them was the livery. And beyond that, another alley. At the far end of the town, light spilled from the barn that had been decorated for the dance. Isaiah judged the distance. Even if they called for help, they wouldn’t be heard.
Reese cocked his revolver. “How many?”
Isaiah shook his head. He didn’t know. There was no way to know. “Until they attack, that will be a mystery.”
“Perfect. Any idea who will be attacking?”
He wished he could say, but the energy coming toward him wasn’t familiar. Over Addy’s head he met Reese’s gaze. With a jerk of his chin, he indicated Addy. Reese nodded.
“We’re going to miss your sorry ass.”
“No.” Addy grabbed for his arm. “I’m coming with you.”
From her purse, she pulled a small derringer. Isaiah took the gun from her hand. “I appreciate the thought, but no sense getting them madder than we need to with that peashooter.”
Addy made a grab for her gun. “I wasn’t intending on missing.”
At point-blank range that derringer wouldn’t even slow a Reaper. Isaiah tucked the gun in the back of his pants. Again he met Reese’s gaze. “I don’t intend for you to be a target.”
Again Reese nodded. The quarter moon was just enough to throw shadows against the walls. Shadows in which a Reaper could hide. They had a choice. Go back or go forward. The crowd offered some protection, especially if the Reapers didn’t want to be known. With another jerk of his chin, Isaiah indicated they go forward. He tucked Addy between them.
“I’d still feel better with my gun,” she muttered as they eased forward.
“And I’d feel better if you were home safe, but it doesn’t look like either of us is getting our wish tonight.”
“Amen,” Reese said.
The beast snarled within, clawing for control.
Quiet.
He couldn’t listen for the Reapers and control the beast at the same time. Reese cut him a strange look. He couldn’t deal with him, either, right now. Reapers wanted his woman. Which didn’t make sense. The law said the Reaper who took up with a human woman would be hunted and killed. As an enforcer of Reaper law, it was Isaiah’s job to kill the Reapers who violated the dictate. But these Reapers didn’t want him. They wanted Addy.
“Do you have a way to call the men Cole sent to guard the house?”
“Yes.”
“Do it.”
Reese reached over and grabbed the derringer out of Isaiah’s belt. Pointing it into the air, he fired it once.
“That’s it?”
Reese shrugged. “Cole’s orders were, at the first sound of gunfire, to come running.” The look Reese gave Addy was disgusted. “You could have at least bought a two-shooter.”
“Next time I will.” Her expression said the second bullet would be for Reese.
“I’m not even sure they could hear that.”
Reece shrugged. “I figured you wouldn’t want me wasting the bullets in my gun.”
If they were silver bullets, he didn’t. And knowing Reese, they probably were.
“Good point.”
Addy dug her fingers into his hand. “What are you two not telling me?”
Isaiah borrowed Reese’s line. “Probably a whole lot of things that you need to know.”
“You’ve been spending too much time with Reese.”
“Maybe.”
Addy walked a little faster. Her gaze locked on the lights ahead as if they were a talisman. He didn’t know how to tell her that, if the Reapers wanted her, getting there wouldn’t save her.
“What exactly are Reapers?” she asked.
He didn’t know how to tell her that, either.
They were almost upon the alley. His nerves scraped beneath his skin, but with a warning. Palming his silver knife, he drew his revolver. The attack was imminent. He just didn’t know from where. A glance back showed Reese equally ready. But there was no sign of the Cameron men. The derringer report might not have been loud enough to carry. Or worse, they might’ve put the shot down to the revelry.
“This would have been my first dance with a beau,” Addy whispered.
He didn’t know what else to say but, “I’m sorry.”
He could see her hand working inside the pocket of her skirt. Her worry stone.
Rub on me instead.
Another mistake. “I’ll get you through this.”
He blinked as her lips drew back in what, in a Reaper, would have been a snarl. “They have no right to ruin my evening.”
“No.”
Reese tapped his shoulder and pointed ahead to a balcony that hung over the street.
Isaiah nodded. He’d already spotted the Reaper crouched there, a darker shadow within the shadows. Death waiting. He looked across the street. More shadows. More death. He didn’t have to look over his shoulder to know what was behind him. These Reapers hunted in packs, with a pack’s skill at isolating its prey.
Tapping his thigh with his hand to get Reese’s attention, he told Reese how many and where. Reese dropped back and stepped out, separating himself from them.
“Isaiah?” Addy whispered.
He held his finger to his lips. She bit her lips, coming to a stop when he did, just short of the alley. Her hands fluttered against his back in silent inquiry.
“I need a gun.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
Reese stepped close again and handed her one of his revolvers. “Aim for the heart or it won’t be worth it.”
Isaiah thought the gun looked ugly in her hand, which was so much more suited to bringing pleasure. At his frown, she explained, “I don’t want to be a target.”
Reese jerked his chin in the direction of the street. “Too late for that.”
While he’d been distracted, the Reapers had been getting into position. Their focus was on Addy. Their eyes burned red in the dark. Isaiah scented Addy’s fear. Reese’s anger. The wolves’ lust. Son of a bitch! The Reapers didn’t have her marked for death. They wanted her for sport. He’d never let that happen.
He caught Reese’s eye. The time for softness was over. “No matter what, don’t let them have her.”
Addy gasped, Reese swore, but he nodded. Addy looked at the gun, at the giant wolves slowly staking closer.
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