With every shred of energy and focus she could muster, Valli squeezed the woman’s neck. It wasn’t so much an attempt to kill her but to make her pass out. Of course, if Fran happened to die in the process, Valli wouldn’t shed a tear.
Hell, she might throw a party.
After she got the hell out of Bonne, that is.
“I think...you of all people—” Fran gasped, her face starting to turn purple. “—would understand, Valli.”
“Understand what?” Valli clenched her teeth, battling back the massive dizziness and the encroaching darkness. She suspected she’d already be unconscious if it wasn’t for the Pantera blood she’d been given in the clinic. Or maybe it was her Pantera child. Granted, neither had turned her into Wonder Woman, but it did give her a few perks. “That you’re willing to sell the girls who trust you?”
Fran bent backward over the counter in an attempt to break Valli’s grim grip.
“It’s a cruel world,” she grunted, straining. “Especially for a woman on her own. I had to do...” She gasped again. “I had to do whatever was necessary to survive.”
“Does that bullshit excuse allow you to sleep at night?” Valli demanded in disgusted tones.
Without warning, the woman suddenly jerked to the side, her hand reaching out to grasp a small steak knife that was on the countertop.
How had she missed seeing that? Valli cursed and jumped backward, but not before the razor-sharp blade sliced through the skin of her upper arm.
“I sleep just fine,” Fran assured her with a smirking smile. “And I’ll sleep even better once I have my condo on the beach.”
Gritting her teeth, Valli tried unsuccessfully to ignore the wound. It wasn’t deep, but it was crazy painful. And the blood dripping down her arm wasn’t helping. She was already weak.
Fran was holding the knife like a pro, like someone who cut meat for a living. Valli backed away, looking for an opening. It was now more vital than ever that she disable the woman so she could get out of the diner.
“If something happens to me you can forget the money and condo,” she warned the woman. “Blade will hunt you down and rip out your heart.”
“I’m not afraid of those animals,” the woman spat out.
“Then you’re even more stupid than I thought.”
Not giving herself time to think of the danger, Valli leaped forward, a strange growl rumbling in her throat. Apparently she had more Pantera blood in her veins than she’d realized.
Thank you, my cub.
No longer young and spry, Fran lost her balance and fell on her ass, her feet churning as she scuttled into the corner. Just like a cockroach.
“Don’t be foolish, Valli.” She waved the knife. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
Valli continued forward, no fear, just feral anger. “Of course not. I’m your cash cow, aren’t I?”
Fran drew back deeper into the corner, her fist tight around the blade. “Stay back.”
“I’ll die before I let anyone take my child or use it as a weapon.” Valli took another step, judging the distance. She didn’t intend to get cut again.
Genuine fear flared over Fran’s pale face. She was beginning to realize she was trapped with a woman who was not only willing to fight back, but kill to protect herself and her baby.
“No!” she cried out. “Just go. Please…go!”
But it was too late. Valli lunged forward, feinting to the left. As she’d hoped, Fran tried slashing the knife in a wild motion. Adrenaline running high, Valli jumped to the side, curling her hand into a fist. Then, begging everything within her to grant her that last ounce of strength, she swung her arm to land a direct punch to Fran’s chin.
A shock of pain instantly ran up her arm. Such a violent impact. But Valli barely noticed. Because pleasure was there too. She watched in utter satisfaction as the woman’s eyes rolled to the back of her head and she slumped to the side.
Knocked out cold.
Knife rolling from her limp fist to the floor.
Breathing a little labored, flies still buzzing in her head, Valli grinned. Fuck yeah! Blade was right. She did have one hell of a right hook.
Unable to take the time to properly gloat, Valli turned toward the back door. The movement was enough to make her stumble as her knees threatened to buckle.
Adrenaline gone.
Gritting her teeth, she reached out to lay her hand against the wall. It was the only thing keeping her upright as she took one cautious step after another. She was fading fast. She’d used up everything.
After what seemed to be an eternity, she finally reached the exit. But even then she struggled to grab the knob with enough strength to turn it and push the door open.
Go. You’ve got to go.
They’re still coming...for you, for the cub...
A brisk breeze tugged at her hair as she stumbled out of the diner. She reached up to push it out of her face, belatedly noticing the two men who were crawling out of a black SUV.
Oh…shit…
Benson’s men.
A cry broke from her lips. She was too late.
But the defeatist thought in her head had barely enough time to form, because coming around the side of the building was the wonderful, terrifying sound of a Pantera’s roar.
Her heart leapt.
Benson’s goons turned in shock, both of them reaching for the handguns they had strapped to their hips.
Feeling as if she was in a dream, Valli watched as Blade zoomed forward. He moved so fast he was almost a blur, reaching the men before they could squeeze off a shot.
He grabbed the first one by the head, jerking it to the side. Valli heard the snap, crackle, pop of the man’s neck breaking, followed by a dull thud as Blade dropped him to the ground, then magically whirled back around to grab the gun out of the second man’s hand.
He was magnificent.
After witnessing that, the second man gaped at him in horror, not even trying to escape as Blade lifted his arm and used the butt of the gun to smash in the side of the man’s head. It squashed like a pumpkin, and he slowly tumbled on top of his dead companion.
Only then did Blade turn to glance toward Valli.
She managed a weak smile. He was fierce and formidable and would always have her back.
Her man.
Her warrior.
Her beloved mate.
The father of her cub.
And then she gave in to both the exhaustion and the drugs, and the world went dark.