Angels & Sinners: The Motor City Edition

by Ashley Suzanne

  She’s probably at work—or better yet, on her own date. Not likely given the time difference, but you never knew. One of them had to have luck in the relationship department.

  The flicker of headlights in her rearview mirror captured her attention. Reaching up she flipped the button on her mirror to block out the blinding light of the idiot behind her. Why did were his high beams on? Rude much? Frustrated she turned her attention back to the road.

  Lights danced across her car and she groaned looking in her mirror. The driver behind her was flashing their lights. What the hell were they doing back there? With a sigh, she slowed down, hoping they would just pass her by. Rolling her eyes as they started to do just that, she shook her head. Impatient pricks. The car darted alongside her, cutting in front of her. Astrid slammed on her breaks, swerving violently to the right to avoid collision.

  The sleek, black BMW zoomed by as she came to an abrupt stop mere inches from the guardrail. What the hell? Her hand flew to her chest as her heart pattered violently against her ribs. She inhaled a deep breath, trying to calm her frayed nerves.

  Anger crept through her. There was only one person she knew who drove a BMW. Someone who would enjoy getting a rise out of her. She wasn’t really sure what game Kendrick was trying to play, but she wasn’t having it. She was going to confront that creep and make sure he left her alone. No, she didn’t have a plan, but by God she would think of one.

  Astrid mashed her foot down on the accelerator and sped home. Enraged, she parked her car and marched up to Kendrick’s flat. It was time she gave him a piece of her mind.

  ***

  Kendrick sipped his scotch. He wasn’t sure why he was so bothered by seeing Astrid out on a date, but he was. There was something about Astrid that was intriguing and he hoped to get to know her. The more she fought against him the more attracted he became to her. What could he do to earn her affections?

  He reminded himself that though she’d been on a date, not once in the month he’d been living here had he heard any riotous noises coming from her flat. Furthermore, he was certain she was at home every night, at a reasonable hour. She might be dating, but she wasn’t taking anyone home. Good.

  A loud, demanding banging brought his attention to his door. The wood shook from the force of the knocks. Setting his scotch down, he walked to the door and opened it.

  “Goodev—”

  “What the hell are you doing?” Astrid yelled at him. “I don’t know what kind of weird game you’re playing but I am done with it. You went too far tonight,” she screamed as she jabbed her finger at him.

  Kendrick frowned all he’d done was show up at the same restaurant as her. It really had been a coincidence. “Astrid—”

  “No, stay away from me Kendrick or I swear—”

  Something was wrong. This had nothing to do with dinner. Astrid was belligerent. Flames engulfed her cheeks and angry tears churned in her eyes. Had something happened to her? Was Killian here? If his brother were here, they both needed to flee. “What has you so worked up?” he interrupted.

  “You tried to run me off the road you maniac. I know you’ve been stalking me, and I want you to stop. Or so help me I’ll make you wish you’d never found me,” Astrid seethed. Her bottom lip trembled as she tried to contain her emotions.

  “Whoa,” Kendrick said holding up his hands to show her he didn’t intend to harm her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He said quietly. “What happened?” Concern filled him; someone had tried to hurt her. Who would want to harm Astrid? Killian. I need her to tell me everything. We could both be in danger.

  “Just leave me alone,” Astrid hissed as she stormed down the hall and out the front door.

  Kendrick stood in his doorway flabbergasted. I have to do something. I need to protect her. She had to know it wasn’t him.

  Kendrick sprinted outside with the intent to follow her. Astrid stomped toward her building, fumbling through her things for her keys.

  A shadow moved along the building and Kendrick paused, looking over his shoulder. The silver glint of a gun barrel came into view as a figure stepped out from behind a car, gun raised and pointed. His eyes followed the barrel to Astrid who was unlocking her door. Springing into action, he lunged toward her just as a loud crack filled the silent cool night air.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Astrid screamed as she was shoved against the cement wall. Her cheek scraped against the abrasive surface, sending a sting of pain through her face. A loud crack rang out through the night air, and she heard Kendrick grunt behind her, as he pressed further into her. Within a second his warmth left her and he was gone.

  Turning quickly she looked frantically around, still not entirely certain what had just happened. The undeniable sound of bones cracking drew her gaze across the street.

  Swallowing, she watched as Kendrick dropped a body unceremoniously onto the ground. Kendrick doubled over, gripping his side as he reached out and grabbed ahold of a lamppost. What happened? Astrid shook her head and jogged across the street.

  “Are you okay?” Astrid asked, stopping a few feet away from the other wolf.

  “Never better,” Kendrick groaned. A fine sheen of sweat shone on his brow. His tanned skin had turned ghastly pale.

  He’s not okay. What happened to him? Was he shot? Did someone try to shoot me? Her eyes widened as she took in the dead body.

  “Who the hell is that?” Astrid asked swallowing.

  “One of Killian’s men,” Kendrick grunted as he stooped down and picked up the gun, unloading the chamber. Bullets clanked to the ground, rolling across the uneven cement.

  Horror washed over her if Kendrick hadn’t of knocked her out of the way . . . she would be dead. “Oh my god you got shot,” Astrid gasped, noticing the deep crimson stain blooming over Kendrick’s blue dress shirt.

  “It feels lovely; it’s been a while since I’ve been shot. It would’ve been nice if the bullet could’ve gone all the way through. It’s much easier to clean up that way,” Kendrick attempted to joke.

  Astrid gaped at him for a minute. How could he be making light of the situation? “You . . . you saved my life,” Astrid whispered surprised by his actions.

  Kendrick sucked in a deep breath and stood up, pushing away from the lamppost. He bent over and grabbed her attacker under the arms and lifted him up.

  “What are you doing?” Astrid asked as he started to drag him across the street. Her eyes darted around the street. She didn’t see anyone, but that didn’t mean someone wasn’t looking. What if someone sees? Does it matter? If this guy is Killian’s then you need to flee anyway.

  “This is a public street, darling, can’t just leave a body lying around,” Kendrick explained giving her a playful wink.

  Astrid shook her head, wondering how he could still have a sense of humor after being shot. On top of that, he was dragging a dead body across the street. Hurrying over to him, she picked up the man’s legs.

  “What are you doing?” Kendrick asked looking at her baffled.

  “You took a bullet for me, the least I can do is help you dispose of the body,” Astrid reasoned.

  “I’m just putting him in my trunk for now. I’ll need a few minutes before I can dig a grave,” Kendrick acknowledged as he dropped the body on the ground. He jammed his hands into his pockets and pressed the button to open his trunk. “I’ll get rid of it tomorrow.”

  Astrid wrinkled her nose up in disgust. The idea of a body sitting in his trunk made her stomach turn. She watched as Kendrick rummaged through the man’s pockets taking out a wallet, cell phone, and keys as well as a few other miscellaneous papers. Once he’d shoved the man’s possessions into his own pocket he lifted the man up again and deposited him into the trunk. “You don’t think we should leave now?” she asked as fear rose in her. Her eyes darted around the street. Was Killian here?

  “No. We’re good for the night. Killian won’t notice him missing right away. Guys like him work alone. They are lone wolves,
eager to please an alpha to gain acceptance into a pack. We should move in the morning though,” Kendrick told her.

  Astrid bit her lip, studying Kendrick. I believe him.

  “Why don’t you come inside and I’ll help you get the bullet out,” Astrid offered, she could only imagine the work it would take for him to try to dig the bullet out of his side. It was the least she could do, he had saved her life after all.

  “So it takes a bullet in the side to get an invitation inside,” Kendrick teased. He reached up to close the trunk cringing and curling into himself at the motion.

  Astrid flinched at his obvious pain and debated whether to reach out and physically help him or not, but he started moving on his own. Hurriedly she rushed toward the door and opened it letting him in.

  “Thank you,” Astrid said looking at him as she led him to her couch and motioned for him to have a seat as she went to collect things from her bathroom. “Take your shirt off.” Astrid called over her shoulder.

  ***

  Kendrick chuckled to himself. “I knew you wanted to see me without a shirt on.” He knew that she had only said it because it needed to come off, but that didn’t mean he was above teasing the beautiful brunette.

  Astrid sighed, shaking her head as she came back in carrying a small basket of things. He started to take off his shirt and flinched as the action pulled at his gnarled flesh.

  “Let me help you,” she gasped setting the basket down and helping him remove his shirt. Her warm hands glided across his skin as she tried to take it off as carefully as possible.

  “You know I’m a werewolf, darling, I won’t break,” he jested. He glanced around the lavish apartment, desperate to take his mind off the burning sensation coursing over his body. I hate getting shot.

  “Sorry, I just didn’t want to hurt you,” Astrid apologized as she moved to his side her fingers gingerly touched the spot where the bullet had entered. “It’s uh, already started to close up a little,” Astrid commented her warm hands rubbing soft tantalizing circles around his injury.

  Kendrick sighed, he had been afraid of that. “Well I’m sure you’ll enjoy inflicting pain on me as you dig it out,” he said quietly.

  “I’m not the type of person who gets pleasure out of other peoples pain,” Astrid quipped. She sighed and began to chew on her lower lip as she studied his wound.

  “No you seem very nice, other than threatening me, though I suppose it was warranted,” he conceded. Unfortunately, he could see why she would automatically assume he was responsible for the earlier events, though he hoped that his recent actions acquitted him.

  “I’m sorry I accused you of following me, I was wrong,” Astrid whispered as she got out a small but sharp looking knife. “This is probably going to hurt.”

  “Just make it quick, it’s nothing I haven’t felt before,” Kendrick admitted gripping the edge of the couch and gritting his teeth. He’d been tortured and beat a time or two in his long life. Killian was an angry man. Don’t think about your troubled brother. It will only make it worse.

  “Are you ready?” Astrid asked. The cool metal pressed against his flesh.

  Kendrick closed his eyes and nodded. White dotted his vision as the blade dug into his side. Good God that hurts. Focus on something else.

  Astrid’s warm breath ghosted across his back as she worked to get the bullet out. Her fingers whispered across his flesh as she treated his injury. Her touch was like heaven and it dulled the pain, making it bearable.

  “Got it,” Astrid sighed heavily. Metal clanked against metal and he opened his eyes. A bloodied bullet set in the aluminum bowl to his right.

  Her soft, warm fingers grazed over his flesh and he let out a long breath as the skin tugged and began to knit itself back together. Werewolf healing did have its advantages.

  Astrid’s digits roamed over the plains of his chest. Does she know what she is doing? Probably not. He closed his eyes, relishing in the feel of her dainty hands on his body. I wish she would touch me like this in bed.

  “When you’re done checking me out, we can go through his things,” Kendrick smirked bringing her out of her stupor.

  Astrid blinked, recoiling away from him. A frown marred her beautiful face. “What did you find?” she asked clearing her throat.

  Kendrick picked up the man’s things from the coffee table. He shuffled through the recent texts and pictures on the black cell phone, letting out a low growl when he found several pictures of Astrid.

  “He’s obviously been following you for a while,” Kendrick stated as he showed her a series of pictures. “Your work, home, oh and look your date from tonight.”

  Kendrick shifted through the other pictures. Crap. There was one of him too. Grumbling under his breath, he opened up the text history. Crud, the guy was working for Killian.

  “I thought someone was following me the other day,” Astrid commented, chewing on her fingernail. “I thought it was you. Do you know what he wanted?” She wrapped her arms around herself and peered over at the large open window.

  What was he doing here? Good question Astrid. “Well, at least you weren’t being paranoid, you just blamed the wrong person,” he started addressing one of her concerns.

  “I already said I was sorry. I mean you have to understand why I thought that,” Astrid stuttered. “It didn’t start until after you showed up. And after everything with Killian, I just . . . ” she trailed off and shook her head.

  “He was definitely working with Killian. Here’s some communicate between the two of them.” Kendrick gripped the phone tighter, not wanting to turn it over to Astrid. She shouldn’t read what Killian had texted. It would frighten her. Hell he was terrified for her now.

  “Why? What does it say?” Astrid’s voice shook with uncertainty.

  Kendrick exited out of the messages. “I think it’s best if you leave Tuscany.”

  Astrid’s eyes widened, and she visible shuddered. “I’ll pack my things. Killian can’t find me. I… I won’t go back to him. I can’t live as a submissive,” she trailed off and shook her head.

  Kendrick nodded in understanding. Killian was an alpha that thrived on power. He would beat the light out of Astrid and force her to submit and be his mate. If she returned to Killian Astrid would forever be a prisoner. Killian would rape and beat her as often as he saw fit.

  “I’m not going to let Killian find you,” he vowed. “Pack your bags. We’ll leave tonight.”

  “We?” she whispered, meeting his gaze.

  “I know Killian. How he thinks, where he’ll send his men. I can help you,” he urged.

  “Why are you so willing to help me?” Astrid asked quietly. “Why would you risk Killian’s wrath?”

  Kendrick licked his dry lips and stared at the wooden floorboards. “About eighty years ago, I was in love with a woman. When Killian found out, he had to have her for himself. He wooed her away from me, using his alpha charm. When he was finished with her… with Kayla, she was a shell of the woman I knew. I promised myself I wouldn’t let that happen to anyone else. Please pack your bags. We need to go.”

  “We?” Astrid asked, quirking her brow at him.

  “I know how Killian thinks. I know where we can go,” Kendrick offered. I don’t want her to leave. If we part now, I may never see her again. He held his breath, waiting for her answer.

  Astrid regarded him for a long moment. “Okay,” she whispered.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  “I don’t understand why we are going back to Oregon?” Astrid voiced her concerns as she reluctantly settled into her first class seat. Why were they going back to the state their pack lived in?

  “Killian is less likely to look close to home. Only a fool would come so close to the pack they’re running from,” Kendrick explained.

  Astrid swallowed hard, fighting the urge to rip her seat belt off and bolt off the plane before it took flight. What if he was playing her? What if this was all a game?

  Kendrick laid his hand over top hers
. “I promise, I won’t let him find you . . . us. He’s hurt me too.”

  Honesty swirled in his brown gaze. I believe him. She couldn’t explain why—she just did.

  “Besides, we’re not staying in Oregon. We’ll be renting a car and hightailing it out of there,” he grinned at her.

  Astrid nodded. Good. She didn’t want to stay in that state any longer than necessary. In a way, she could see what he said made sense. Killian would never suspect they’d fly right onto his doorstep.

  “I was thinking we’d check out the east coast. It’d be a good place to put down roots for a few years. What do you think?” he asked, leaning back into his seat.

  Marcia’s in New York. But I can’t put her in danger. Not until I know Killian isn’t following me anymore. Wait? Did he say we? When did they become a we? I kind of like having him around.

  She bit her lip as she realized that she didn’t want to lose contact with him. There was something sweet about Kendrick. He was different than the other men she’d dated, and damn it he was attractive. I want him.

  “What do you think about New York city? I know its big, but there are still places on the outskirts of the city where we can shift,” Kendrick continued when she didn’t respond.

  Astrid sucked in a deep breath. “I’d rather somewhere else. Marcia’s in New York. I don’t want her in danger.”

  “Maine? They have great seafood,” Kendrick offered. “I know a great little restaurant,” he paused, meeting her gaze. “I could take you there.”

  On a date? She trembled. Say yes, her wolf urged. “Okay,” she agreed.

  “Fantastic,” Kendrick smirked. “You’re going to enjoy this I promise.”

  ***

  Astrid gave herself a final once over before she exited her bathroom. It was silly that she was putting so much effort into this. Kendrick would always be her enemy. The more she thought about her date, the more she realized how wrong she was about him.

  He’d been nothing but a gentleman the past week. She had an apartment and a job lead, all thanks to him. Kendrick was going out of his way to make her feel at home in the quaint little town of Brunswick, Maine.