Page 51 of Love vs The Ooze Monster!
“Are you crazy?” Mabel caught hold of his sleeve. “If they’re going that way, we’re goingthisway!” She gestured over her shoulder, in the opposite direction.
“Rico just tried to shoot you! You think I’ll let that pass?”
“I don’t care about Rico! I care about you and I don’t want you eaten by a monster!”
“You’re the one who almost got your head taken off by that thing! What the hell were you thinking, getting in its path?”
“I was thinking Ididn’t want you eaten by a monster!”
He gave a frustrated growl. “I swear to God, if youeverput yourself in danger for me again, I will fire you.”
“I’m an equal partner in the business. That means I can fire you, just as easily as you can fire me.”
“Maybe, but I’m a lot harder to get rid of.”
“Boss!” Vince came jogging up, some of the other men behind him. “Thereyou are! We lost you when all hell broke loose.” He was out of breath. “Hey, I think you were right about that slime monster.”
“Give me a gun.” Boyd ordered by way of greeting. His gaze cut back to Mabel. “Stay here.” He held up a hand, catching the revolver that Vince obligingly tossed his way. He didn’t even turn his head. He just snatched it out of the air.
“I’m not staying anyplace, when you’re acting insane!” Mabel protested hotly.
“I’m just going to shoot Rico real quick.” He headed across the street, his stride confident and unconcerned. “It’ll be fine.”
“You have no way of knowing that!” She followed him down the alley. “Are you even listening to me? How are you going to get past a gigantic jellyfish?”
…Speaking of which, wherewasthe gigantic jellyfish?
There was orange ooze smeared along the bricks of the alley, but no sign of the creature once they cut through to the opposite street. Mabel looked up and down Nation Avenue, but the creature had vanished. How had something so huge slipped away so fast?
“Shit.” Boyd peered through the panicked throngs of civilians, who were still running for their lives. “It’s not headed for the boardinghouse anymore. Do you see where it went?”
Mabel’s eyes were on the pavement. Orange ooze was slimed along the street, leading to the storm drain. “The sewers.” She deduced, thinking out loud. “Its squishy body means it can squeeze into all kinds of places. I bet that’s how it’s staying out of sight.”
“Great.” Boyd sighed in annoyance. “That damn thing is faster than it looks. It could be halfway to Tarasque Creek, by now.”
“Maybe it ate Rico before it disappeared.” She suggested, trying to cheer him up.
“That little asshole had better hope he’s dead. If he’s still alive, I’m going to kill him doubly hard, once I get my hands on him. I don’t appreciate him betraying me and trying to murder us.” He glanced her way. “Plus, he screwed up our date.”
“Well, it was more exciting than a picture show.”
Boyd smiled slightly. “It’s not eleven o’clock, yet. That’s when therealexcitement starts.”
“You have a one-track mind.”
Boyd didn’t deny it. He crossed to her, running his hands up and down her arms. “You sure you’re okay?” He asked quietly.
“I’m sure. Well, except my hat got eaten.” She pouted a bit. “I liked that hat, too.”
“I’ll buy you another one. I’m about to marry a very successful businesswoman, so I’ve got cash to burn.”
Mabel arched a brow. “You’re extremely confident that I’ll agree to your proposal.”
“If you say ‘no,’ I’ll just wear you down with my generosity.” He kissed her forehead. “I’ll shower you with hats, made in every color of the rainbow, until you’re swept right off your feet.”
Mabel made a “hmm” sound, even as her mouth twitched upward. “Every color except orange.” She stipulated and gestured towards the trail of slime on the ground. “I’m hardily sick of seeing that shade.”
Chapter Fifteen
