The Immortal Takes a Wife

by Pamela Labud

  She handed him the receipt and then went back to stare down at her cell phone.

  It took Hawke, a former Miami police detective, one-time PI, and now a freelance bounty hunter, a few minutes to get his belongings into his room. The room was small, neat with well used but clean linen. There was no dust to be seen and the bathroom fixtures were pristine.

  He wasn’t planning on staying all that long. Get in, grab the Immortal and get out. Simple and clean. That’s the way he liked to work.

  He couldn’t help thinking about that she-wolf he’d met in Underworld City. Stunning, was the word that came to mind.

  If anything could make a man lose his focus, it’d be a woman like her. Intelligent, sharp wit and, measuring by her defensive posture, a lady who could definitely hold her own in a fight. Tall, red headed, slender, she had the shape of precise athleticism.

  Any man that would turn away from her was a fool.

  A knock sounded at the door. Although he wasn’t a psychic, Hawke knew who it was. It was his boss’s favorite lackey, Adolphus Grogan. If an alligator had mated with a deadly contagion, their love child would have been Grogan.

  For a brief moment, Ryan considered not opening the door, but letting the lizard stand in the afternoon heat all day. He was a cold-blooded scum., so that wouldn’t bother him much. Besides, the knocking became louder and faster.

  An Underworld City dweller, Grogan definitely did not belong in a town like Nocturne Falls. Hawke hoped the lizard gangster could keep a low profile. He was well aware of guilt by association, and that sort of attention was something that the bounty hunter did not want.

  Taking three long steps across the hotel room, he grasped the door handle and pulled it open with a vengeance.

  “What?” He asked, his body going instantly into fight mode. Fists clenched, back straightened, heart pounding. The only thing keeping him from going full wolf on the hideous creature was the fact that, as much as he’d like to, it wouldn’t improve his situation one bit. That, and the Boss would take a full measure out of his hide. He was in deep enough with the bondsman. Dax Remmington would make good on his threats if Hawke didn’t perform exactly as he’d ordered.

  Too much was at stake. Chill, brah, he told himself. He took a deep breath. Forget that you’d like nothing more than to kill that little were-gator. You have to pull it together, he told himself.

  “Hey, what kinda way is that to greet your visitors?”

  “Sorry. It was a long trip and I’m on edge.”

  “Well, you better pull it back a pace. The boss ain’t gonna put up with your crap.”

  “I just need to get this job over with. I’ve got things to do.”

  The little lizardman hissed. “I have a lot of sway with the Boss. And he doesn’t like you to begin with. I was the one who convinced him not to ash you in the first place.” He stuck his thumbs into his jacket pockets.

  Hawke stayed silent. He’d learned long ago that giving in to your baser desires—like throat-punching the scum—would only cause more problems in the long run. And he already had a boat-load of problems as it was.

  Acting like he’d paid for the room, Grogan sauntered inside, left the door open behind him, and walked to the mini fridge. Pulling out one of those twenty-dollar beers that came stocked in the room, he twisted off the lid, threw back a long swallow, belched and set the empty on the desk table.

  “Help yourself,” Hawke said, trying to keep his temper from boiling over.

  Grogan grabbed a second beer and flopped down on the double bed.

  Hawke stared at him.

  “What?”

  “Nothing,” Hawke gritted his teeth, purposefully showing the tips of his were-fangs. “Why are you here?”

  Grogan gave him an oily grin. “To supervise, why else? I take this side of the bed.” Not bothering to kick off his muddy boots, the were-gator lounged back, drank the beer in his scaly fist and then let out a loud belch. He dropped the empty on the floor and immediately settled back and started snoring—it was a sound the was somewhere between a cement mixer and a hurricane.

  “Great.”

  There were a lot of other, more descriptive words that were closer to what he really wanted to say. If it wasn’t for the life of another…

  Don’t, he told himself. It’s no good. You can’t go back there. Maddy is gone. Hildie is gone. And Daris…

  Memories broke through like a ton of brimstone falling on ash. All of the past came crashing forward and the images were in his brain once again…

  The burning house…

  The rapid gunfire…

  The screams of those trapped inside.

  A knock sounded at the door and broke through his reverie. Glancing over, he saw Grogan groan once and then roll over to lay on his side in the middle of the bed.

  “It’s not like I’m gonna sleep tonight anyway.”

  Walking to the door, he instantly became aware of two things. First, it had started to seriously rain, and second, that hot red head he’d met a little while earlier was standing in the doorway, wearing the most dangerous expression he’d ever seen on a woman. It both frightened and made him even more curious about her.

  “Can I help you?”

  “What did you do with him?”

  “With who? You’re deadbeat boyfriend? I haven’t seen him.” Realizing that the rain was picking up even more, now coming down in solid sheets, he stepped back and motioned her inside. “Come on.”

  Peering into the room, she sent a long, slow look around and her gaze landed on the now snoring Grogan. “You’re boyfriend?” She said in a tone both curious and slightly disappointed.

  “Absolutely not. He’s just a…” What the heck was he? “An acquaintance.”

  “Whatever.” She pushed past him and walked to the desk. “I need your help.”

  “Wow. You’re asking for a favor?” He asked.

  Her gaze went back to Grogan. It was clear she was uncomfortable. “He your keeper, or something?”

  Hawke shook his head. “Not in the least. Let’s just call him a growth I can’t get rid of. Can I take your coat? You’re making a mess, dripping all over the carpet.”

  She gave him a long look. “You don’t like messes.”

  He only half grinned back at her and held out his hand. “So, what kinda trouble is your boyfriend in? How about telling me why he’s a wanted man?”

  “You don’t know?”

  Hawke shrugged. “I guess my boss doesn’t think I need to know the details.”

  She seemed to relax a bit. “I’m thinking it could be one of the local gangsters that has it out for Matty. An old affair with the guy’s wife, though Matty flat out denies it. Or, maybe he owes serious money. He has been known to trifle with high stakes gambling…”

  “Sounds like he’s more trouble than he’s worth. You should ditch him, maybe find a nice, settled down werewolf. Like a postman or an accountant…”

  “Shut up,” she said.

  “You love him.”

  It was the first time he saw her stiff veneer crack. It started at the right upper corner of her mouth. Just a little quiver and quick sniffle. Batting her eyes, obviously trying to hold back her tears.

  “Yeah,” she said in a small voice.

  “Of course,” he said. He didn’t want to help her. He didn’t want to make promises he couldn’t keep. What if he failed her too?

  Suddenly, she backed away. “Never mind. I was wrong for coming here. I’ll take care of my own problems.”

  He put out his hand. “Give me a chance to sort stuff out. I’ll see what I can do.”

  She hesitated. “I get it. He’s not prime relationship material. Believe me, we’ve had a rocky relationship from the beginning. I’ve tossed him to the curb so many times, I’ve lost count. I just know, when we’re apart, I ache for him.”

  It was as clear and honest a statement as anyone had ever spoken.

  Hawk let o
ut a breath. “Go home. I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Won’t it interfere with your job?”

  Of course, it would. He was risking a great deal. Not only his own life, but someone else’s, too. Still, it was hard to say no to this one. He’d sort it out if he found the guy.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”

  “Thank you.”

  As quickly as she’d appeared, she was gone. He peered out into the darkness and there was no sign of her.

  “Nice going, bounty hunter” Grogan said chuckled behind him. “I know you’re smart enough to not try anything stupid, like going around the boss. Hey, if you throw that hottie in with the deal, he might do you a solid with your other problem. You never know, but he has it huge for redheads. Always has.”

  Ryan cursed under his breath. He’d managed to get himself in even deeper. If he was ever going to see the light of day, he needed to grab the Immortal, snag the girlfriend and turn them both over to that scum Remmington.

  As if.

  Great. Things were getting worse by the minute.

  #

  Matty paced outside of the Underworld Grill’s back door. He was already six hours late and he knew Fiona had to be in orbit by this time.

  Just as he was about to give up, Matty saw the glow of headlights in the distance and the vehicle was headed toward him. The driver’s side had a crack down the middle of it and sent out splintered shards of brightness everywhere. He’d know that four-wheel drive Humvee anywhere.

  Fi was on her way back from somewhere and judging by the speed she was going and the sharp, jerky movements of the truck’s front end, she was furious enough to take a life.

  Correct that.

  Take his life.

  Matty’s throat went dry. It’s not like she would really kill him. He couldn’t die. He wouldn’t have blamed her if she took her anger out on his hide, but in reality, Fiona wasn’t like that. Oh, she’d get all big and bad when she donned her werewolf girl persona, but she’d never laid a hand on him in anger. Her brothers were a different matter. They’d made their opinion of him quite clear and suffice it to say, they were not his biggest fans.

  Matty knew for a fact, werewolf claws could cut to the bone and they were a most uncomfortable regeneration.

  His worst fears were realized when the hummer came roaring into the drive and then slam to a complete stop in front of him. He saw her inside the cab, a crimson figure set aglow by the dashboard’s light. Her anger was personified when she lowered her gaze to meet his. Fiona’s eyes were thin slits and her jaw was clenched. Matty swore the grip she had on the steering wheel was tight enough to snap a guy’s spine.

  Ouch.

  “Crap.”

  It took her less than a minute to slide out of the truck and land on the ground in front of him.

  “What is wrong with you?” Then, she threw up her hand. “Never mind. This isn’t happening again.” She went to walk past him.

  “Honey wait.” he started.

  And that’s when she went full-on wolf-girl, fists clenched, jaw set with and wearing a ‘getting ready to rip a guy’s face off’ expression. “I’d think about it, little man.”

  For a moment their gazes locked and Matty threw up his hands. He was sure there was smoke coming from her ears.

  He knew he was a fool to even try to talk to her when she was that angry. One does not tease a wolf whose fangs are bared.

  Still, he had to try. If she wanted to break up, that was fine, but Matty didn’t want it to end like this. He owed her that much.

  “Wait. I can explain. I got jacked up. It wasn’t my fault…”

  That sounded lame, even to his own ears. Pathetic.

  Her eyes narrowed, and the pink tips of her elegant wolf ears went almost flat against her head, hiding in her mane of thick, red hair.

  “Don’t. You have hurt me for the last time, Mathew Hyland. Go home.”

  Matty took a breath, and the longest minute stretched out between them. “I know you’re upset with me, Fi, and you’re right to be. I’m one stupid jerk. But, this time… this one time, it really wasn’t my fault. I swear it.” He gently touched her arm. A risky thing, he knew. It was like grasping a hand grenade with the pin out. If he didn’t do something soon, there would be a casualty.

  To her credit, Fiona held tight to her control, though, the thick silence crackled like lightening around them. Their emotional energy was as palpable as a blade and twice as painful.

  Before either one could speak further, another emerged from the shadows. Matty’s twin stepped out into the moonlight. He’d completely forgotten that his brother had agreed to alibi him in case Fiona doubted his story. Which she had every reason to, since he’d had a long history of, well, playing with the truth.

  “He’s right, Fiona.” Max said. “That crazy Mario Chavez was working on him. Still hung up about the stunt his wife pulled, pretending the two of them were having a hot affair to make el Chupacabra jealous. Same old story, single guy is nice to a mob boss’s woman and blood and guts ensue.”

  Matty held his breath.

  Fiona’s expression was a mixture of narrow-eyed rage and tight-lipped indecision, but at least she was thinking and not shredding the flesh from his body.

  That was a good sign, right?

  “Fine. Just because it’s you, Maxie. I wouldn’t believe a word this scoundrel spews. Still. Since you came to corroborate his story, I guess I believe him.” She looked back at Matty. “We’ll talk. Later.”

  She sent a pointed glance down to where he clutched her arm. A sharp electrical shock went through him and he gasped and yanked back his hand.

  He’d forgotten that she could do that.

  Without saying a word, she spun around and stormed into the restaurant. The world became suddenly quiet, and Matty let out the breath he’d been holding. It was in moments like this that he knew exactly why he loved that woman. Sure, she was dangerous, but he loved danger. She was smart, sarcastic, and lightning fast. She could end you before even saw it coming.

  Years earlier, the more sensible part of him had told him to run far and fast. Of course, he’d ignored it and now the thought of being without her was more than he could stand. He just wasn’t right without her.

  Matty started to move forward but felt his brother’s hand on his sleeve.

  “I wouldn’t if I were you, dude. Let her be for a while.”

  Matty let out a breath. “Right. How am I ever going to fix this? Fix us? I really love her, man.”

  “I know. My advice is to give her some time. You want to stay at my place for the night?”

  “And have her think I deserted her again?” Matty looked toward the diner. “No, thanks. I’ll just sleep on the back porch. If I leave, she’ll think I’m out running around cheating on her.” He let out a breath and glanced up at his brother’s face. Even there, he saw the hint of doubt.

  “Did you really sleep with Chavez’s wife?”

  Matty ground his jaw. “No. God. Why won’t anybody believe me?”

  His brother cleared his throat. “Well…”

  Matty held up his hand. “Don’t. I know I’m not trust worthy. I haven’t been right with Fiona from the start. But, I’ve changed. I swear, I’m different. After we were attacked by that crazy Reaper, I was sure both of us were about to ‘buy the farm.’ The thought of my dying didn’t bother me all that much. The worst part was the thought of not seeing Fiona again.”

  “I know what you mean. You and I both were almost there, little brother. Before I met Holly, living or dying, didn’t matter to me. Giving her up, even for those few hours, was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

  Matty closed his eyes. “It was odd, being dead. Nonexistence was like being in a tunnel with no end. A cold place. A deep well…”

  “Careful, little brother,” he heard Max say beside him. “Dwell too long and it’ll will draw you in.”

  He w
as suddenly back in the present. “I’m not losing Fiona. Not this time.” He paused. “Not ever.”

  His brother lightly patted his arm. It was as much affection as they ever shared, and while it didn’t seem like it, it meant Max was there for him.

  “Cheer up. The key is not to give up, right?”

  After Max left, Matty remained in the parking lot for a few minutes longer. He resisted the urge to go inside. The last thing he wanted to do was upset Fiona any more.

  Just then, the front window slid up. “Come inside, ya bloody fool,”

  Matty needed no more encouragement than that and set off in a dead run for the house.

  He made it to the door, just about to grab the knob when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Thinking for a moment that Max had returned, he spun around and stared right into one of the largest, tough knuckled fists he’d ever seen.

  Barely a second passed, and yet it seemed to take forever for the ham-ish fist to swing in a full arc and then connect with Matty’s right cheekbone. All thought escaped his brain except that of the bone crushing his jaw. He meant to yell, to move out of the way, and certainly thought until the last micro second that he’d be able to dodge injury, but fate was against him.

  He heard the cracking of his skull, the crunch of cartilage and Fiona’s distant scream.

  It was the last that felled him. Matty knew he could take any punishment, could stand any torture, but the keening sound of a werewolf female in pure terror was not even the most stalwart man could hear without reacting.

  Later, he’d try to remember what it was that had struck him at that moment. He suddenly sensed Fi was in terrible danger and that if he didn’t stop it, she’d be torn to pieces.

  As luck would have it, another blow, he hadn’t seen coming followed the first and the very next thing he knew, the world winked out around him and except for the slap of his already injured face against the concrete, nothing else existed.

  Chapter Three

  It happened in a flash. One moment, Fiona was walking to the back door, giving Matty one more chance to redeem himself, like so many other times before. If she hadn’t turned back, she might have missed it, all together.