throughout her system. She lashed out. Her hands might be restrained but not her feet.
Using all the power she could muster, she brought the stiletto heel of her shoe down on the closest foot. The guy yelped and stumbled, releasing her arm at the same time. She aimed a punch at the next man and followed up with a heavy kick to his shin. At the same time, she dragged in a deep breath and released it in a loud shriek for help.
Suddenly, the men went flying. One by one, someone grabbed them by the back of shirt and tossed them away from her. Jedd, his face dark and savage, cut through the melee until he stood in front of her. The bouncer from the club did his part and took care of his share of assailants.
Jedd took one look at the man who still held tight to Mina’s arm, balled up his fist and let fly. The blow hit the guy in the jaw. He grunted and let go. Not taking his eyes off Jedd, he backed away, hand to his face, before turning and racing off, his cohorts following him. Both Jedd and the bouncer made a move to chase them, but Mina called them back. No way could she explain to the human bouncer that the men were demons. Better they disappeared.
What Mina had to do now was work out if this had anything to do with Lucifer’s plan. She couldn’t believe her aunt would have done this. Yes, she was a tyrant at times, but she’d never put Mina at risk.
“Are you all right, miss?”
She gave the bouncer a shaky smile. “Yes, I’m okay. Thank you for your help.”
“I’ll call the cops,” he said, turning toward the club.
Mina detained him with a hand on his arm. “No, it’s okay. I’m not hurt. They were just a little too forceful in their request that I spend some time with them.”
“Your funeral, miss.” He shrugged before disappearing inside the club.
Mina sagged against the wall of the building. Now the danger was over, she started to shake. Her legs threatened to give way under her and she was grateful when Jedd wrapped one arm about her waist. She rested her forehead on his chest and struggled to get her breathing under control.
“You sure you’re okay?” At her nod, he continued, “Why the hell didn’t you want us to go after them? You want them to get away?”
“Use your head. They’re incubi. Can you imagine if the authorities found out that demons do actually exist? Besides the fact, Aunt Luce would have a fit. That’s the number one rule we all learn when she gives us permission to live in the human world. Don’t tell the natives.”
Jedd jerked a thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the alley. “Yeah, well, those guys sure skipped that lesson. And maybe that’s something Lucifer should know.”
Mina gave up the surprising security of Jedd’s broad chest and stood on her own two feet, smoothing down the front of her dress. Then she addressed her hair, brushing it back from her face. In the process, she realized she’d lost an earring. Well, she wasn’t about to start searching for it in the dim light. Instead, she slipped the other one from her lobe and tucked it into the pocket of Jedd’s shirt.
“I’m still trying to work out what this was all about,” she said as she took Jedd’s arm and pointed him in the direction of the entrance to the nightclub.
Jedd paused, his forehead pleated in thought. “I just had a thought. You don’t think this has anything with Brel-ez spruiking his mouth off about you being a dating coach?”
She shrugged. “I have no idea, but you can bet your last dollar that I’m going to find out. Somehow, though, I don’t think Brel-ez is responsible for what happened here tonight. One of those bozos said someone wanted to speak to me. Hell, send me an email or text message. I’m more likely to respond to you that way. I never was into force.”
Straightening her shoulders, she paused at the entrance. “Okay, let’s get this show on the road.”
“You still want to go ahead with this? We can leave it until another
Rebecca Hamilton, Conner Kressley