Page 30 of Paws and Claws

"Funny. Real funny." But his attempt at humor helped calm her racing thoughts. "Got any brilliant sheriff-ly ideas for getting us out of here?"

"Working on it." His enhanced hearing was clearly still focused on the Hunters, his head tilted slightly. "They're pulling the device out now."

Tabitha's stomach dropped. She could feel the wild magic building inside her, ready to defend them both if needed. Dominic must have sensed it because his grip on her hands tightened.

"Don't," he warned softly. "We're not there yet."

Tabitha watched Dominic's eyes scan the room, his gaze moving with predatory precision from one exit to another. His hands enveloped hers completely, warm and steady against her trembling fingers. The wild magic inside her sparked and fizzed like champagne bubbles beneath her skin, demanding release.

"Stop thinking so loud," he murmured, his thumbs tracing circles on her palms. "Your hair's starting to float."

She huffed out a laugh, trying to focus on the sensation of his touch rather than the panic clawing at her chest. "Sorry if the thought of being hunted down and probably tortured puts a damper on my mood control."

His lips quirked up, but his eyes remained serious as they swept the room again. The movement brought his face closer to hers, close enough that she could see the flecks of gold in his green eyes. Her breath caught in her throat.

"Tabitha," he said, his voice soft and deep. The sound of it sent shivers down her spine. "Do you trust me?"

The question knocked her off balance. Did she trust Dominic Blackmane? Mr. By-The-Book himself? The man who'd given her more tickets than she could count? Who lectured her about responsibility every chance he got?

But also the man who'd defended her against Bruce. Who'd believed in her innocence when everyone else was ready to throw her to the wolves. Who was sitting here now, holding her hands and trying to keep her safe and calm.

She met his gaze, surprised by the intensity she found there. "Yes."

Something flickered across his face - satisfaction, maybe, or relief. His fingers tightened around hers. "Good. Because I have a plan to get us out of here."

13

DOMINIC

Dominic squeezed Tabitha's hand, his heart racing as he scanned the crowded bar. The Hunters' conversation about tracking devices made his skin crawl. Every instinct screamed at him to protect not just himself, but Tabitha.

"Are you ready to hear my plan?" he whispered, pulling her closer. The warmth of her body against his side steadied him, even as his inner lion bristled at the threat.

"Let me guess - something boring and by-the-book?" Tabitha's breath tickled his ear.

"Actually..." He nodded toward the fire alarm on the wall. "I'm thinking we break a few rules."

Her blue eyes widened. "You're really suggesting we break the law with a false fire alarm? Who are you and what have you done with the real Dominic?"

"Desperate times." He guided them through the crowd, keeping his movements casual. "Besides, I learned from the best troublemaker in town."

"I'm flattered." She pressed closer as they weaved between bodies. "But what about all those lectures about proper conduct?"

"Sometimes keeping people safe matters more than procedure." His fingers found the fire alarm. With one sharp pull, the shrieking alarm filled the bar.

Chaos erupted instantly. Bodies pushed past them as people rushed for the exits. Through the pandemonium, Dominic spotted one of the Hunters pulling out a sleek silver device.

"Time to move." He wrapped an arm around Tabitha's waist, shielding her with his body as they merged into the crowd.

The Hunters spread out, their devices glowing as they swept them over the fleeing patrons. Each time the device passed over someone supernatural, it emitted a high-pitched beep.

"Front door is blocked," Tabitha hissed, nodding toward the Hunter stationed there.

"Back door it is."

They changed direction, but Dominic's blood ran cold as he watched the Hunters methodically working their way through the crowd, marking down every paranormal signature they detected. His lion prowled close to the surface, ready to fight if needed.

"Don't even think about it," Tabitha warned, reading his tension. "We can't blow our cover."

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