Page 13 of The Demon's Fire
“Is it your job to get dead?”
“Of course not.” She lifted her chin, face taut, eyes bright blue.
Kole ground his teeth. The female had no business putting herself in danger. The attackers could have broken in and shot her. Flames sparked from his fingers again. He shook out his hands to contain them.
“You, however, are injured.” Skyler’s tone was soft as she inched closer to him. “We need to get you to a hospital.”
“Not happening. I’ll heal fine unless the slugs are iron.” Kole flipped his knife so he was holding the blade. He handed it hilt first to Skyler.
Her gaze pinged from the knife to Kole. Back again. Hesitating, she took it into her hand. “What am I supposed to do with this?”
“Take out the bullets.”
“You must be joking.” Her already light skin paled.
Kole’s forehead crinkled. “I’m not. They must come out before the holes seal.”
Skyler looked around for someone else.
“You’re the only one here.” He lifted his T-shirt sleeve, revealing the wound bloodying his Phoenix brand’s feathers.
“There’s a room of capable people out there.”
Tired of arguing, Kole pointed at the bullet hole. “You’re not afraid of me, are you? I promise I won’t bite if you hurt me. I know you wanted to earlier.”
Skyler humphed. Swallowing, she cradled his upper arm in her palm. After she guided him to a chair, she motioned for him to sit.
His muscle twitched in response to her touch. It was not because of pain. Her hand was soft, warm. He liked it. Seated, Kole spread his knees wide, creating an opening for her during the makeshift surgery.
When she stepped between his thighs, Kole pinned her sky-blue eyes. He fought the urge to take her into his arms, run his hands along her spine, cup her ass while he drew her tight against his growing erection. Sure, it was an inopportune time for a hard-on, but he was a demon. His body responded to the excitement of battle and a gorgeous woman between his legs.
Trembling, Skyler touched the tip of the knife to his wound but jerked it back. “I can’t.”
Clutching her hand on the hilt, Kole guided the blade deep. He looked at her. “See. No pain. Now dig.”
Skyler ground her teeth together, searching for the slug. Using the tip of the knife along with her fingers, she pried it out. “Ugh.”
“Don’t faint on me, Chief.”
She pulled her brows tight. “I don’t faint.”
With the bullet pinched between a thumb and digit, Skyler waved it around, looking for a place to drop it.
“Here.” Kole snagged it, jamming it into a pocket. “Now the other.”
Skyler inhaled, her gorgeous breasts almost popping a button on her blouse when Kole ripped his pant leg from hem to thigh, exposing a nasty injury.
She swayed. Kole thought she might truly faint. “I see you’re disappointed I ruined my best pants. Don’t deny it. I caught you eyeing my ass in them. Nice fit, huh? Don’t worry, though. I’ll get more.” He gave her his lopsided grin.
A weak smile crept onto Skyler’s lips. “Not funny. As much as I may have wanted to hurt you earlier, this is not what I had planned.”
While she dug for the bullet, Kole asked, “What did you have planned?”
Her laughter was a beautiful sound, warm, soothing. “Never mind. The mood has left me.”
Sirens sounded in the distance.
“We’re out of here.” With the second slug out, Kole heaved to his feet, grabbing Skyler’s hand.
