Lacey and Lethal Read Online Free PDF Page A

question surprised her. “Why do you want to know?”
    “I’d like you to do me one favor after you open that skylight and turn me to ash. Leave a note at that club you took me from, detailing what you know about her killer. My friends will hunt him down.” He paused. “We don’t abide vampires who take lives. It not only increases the danger of our exposure to your kind but it pisses us off. Just do it quickly. They’ll realize they’ve been compromised when I don’t return and move their location.”
    “Why would you offer me that?”
    “You gifted me with a memorable last evening. It’s a good way to die.”
    She didn’t believe him.
    “Trust me, Lacey. I’ve imagined how I would go out of this life many a time. Most of my kind die in battle or from the stakes of humans who kill us for sport. You have a noble cause. Family is important enough to avenge. That is honorable and I respect that.” His gaze lowered to her breasts, a smile playing at his lips. “And a beautiful body. I wish to help you fulfill your quest to take out your sister’s murderer as a way to show my gratitude.”
    She stared at his face, looking for some hint of deception. What was his angle? Maybe he hoped she was dim-witted enough to share details with someone at that club so they could figure out how to find her. They would come seeking revenge for Lethal’s death.
    “I don’t think so.”
    He frowned. “Fine. There’s a rogue vampire out there attacking and killing humans and he won’t stop until someone takes him out. You have known the loss of a loved one. Why make others experience that same pain?”
    She leaned forward, her hands braced against his chest again in case he lunged up to try to sink his teeth into her. With her arms locked it would throw her back if he attempted it. She wanted to believe him but anyone in his situation would say anything to save his own life.
    “What makes you think they could find him?”
    “There aren’t many of us in each city. It’s just a matter of having a description and setting up surveillance of anyone who fits it. They’ll be there to stop him permanently the first time he goes after another woman. We weren’t aware of any murders or we would have already taken care of it. We haven’t been in town long and only the high-profile cases have caught our attention. With your help, they’ll know who to hunt.”
    He is really good. He looked at her with such sincerity that, if she didn’t know what he was, she’d have believed him. Long black eyelashes adorned those really arresting eyes. What if he is telling the truth? She bit her lip, considering that. The idea of finding Beth’s killer was too tempting to easily dismiss.
    “Her death ruined everything,” she admitted. “I was engaged, had a job I loved and a great life. After she died this jerk showed up at my apartment to tell me he knew what had killed her. I thought he was insane but he showed me one like you. They’d captured a vamp and made me watch him burn alive in the sun. I became obsessed with finding your kind to prevent others from knowing my loss. I couldn’t stomach lying to everyone I knew so I avoided getting close to anyone after I walked away from my old life.”
    “Why did they even tell you?” He frowned. “I mean, what was the point? The truth would only torment you more.”
    “They needed help going after vampires and my father was a Marine sniper, which was posted in Beth’s obituary. Our dad raised us after our mother took off. He taught us how to use guns and the picture I’d given to the newspaper showed us together at the firing range.”
    He sighed. “Did you shoot me or was it your father?”
    “He died a year before I lost Beth. It’s just me now.” It was a roundabout admission. It didn’t sit well with her to admit that she was the one who’d taken him down now that their relationship had become far more intimate. She couldn’t ignore that.
    “Please leave the note. Don’t