Page 43 of The Second Deal

Theowl screams above me andIyelp in response, swatting the thing away until arms encircle me.Theydrag me away and throw me into the car, slamming the door behind me.

Zaktosses himself into the passenger seat and slaps the dash. “Go!”

Withthe blur of pale white wings flapping through glimmering sheets of rain, he doesn’t have to tell me twice to put the pedal to the metal.

Tiresscreech on the road asIturn around as fast as the car will let me.

Gaspingfor breath from my heart violently pummeling against my chest,Ilook in the rearview.

Thestreetlight at the bridge flips on for a brief second and lightning flashes, illuminating a dark silhouette where the owl was.

Chapter16

Hold On

–All That Remains

Myeyes are wideon the dark road shimmering from the rain, completely alert and bewildered.

Neitherof us say a word whenIpull up to theRamoshouse and shift the car into park.Eventually,Zakleans over to turn the ignition off before slumping back.Neitherof us move or make a sound above the white noise of rain pelting the car.

“Zak, what the fuck was that?”Iwhisper.

Ican’t pry my stare from the entrance surrounded by spindly huisache trees.I’mnot sure whatever—whoever—was on the bridge didn’t follow us.We’reright down the road, hardly half a mile away.

Somethingtouches me, making me jump and snatch my arm away.Iglare atZak, but he’s staring at my arm.

“Baby, you’re bleeding,” he says softly.

Anasty gash oozes shimmering crimson in the porch light, dripping down my flesh.Imake a face when it starts to sting, and it worsens when goosebumps prickle my skin underZak’sscrutiny.

He’ssoaking wet, butIcan still see the blood blanketing his neck and down chest.

“Soare you.”Myface crumples and voice cracks. “Zak, what happened back there?”

“Babe, let’s get inside and—”

“Whathappened?”Iyell.

“Stephani, get your ass inside the goddamn house,” he yells back.Heglances at the entrance. “Now.”

Idon’t know what he saw, butI’mnot about to stick around to find out.SoIgrab my phone out of the cupholder and run into the storm.

Zakslams the heavy door shut behind us and swiftly locks it.Istart to open my mouth, butZakcovers it with his hand. “Wecan talkafterwe’re both fixed up, alright?Don’twant either of us getting infections.”

WhenInod and he’s assuredIwon’t fly off the handle, he finally lets his hand drop.

Tearsprick my eyes at the sight of his blood.Idon’t know if he was swaying because of blood loss or being drunk, but his flesh still has plenty of color.

“Promiseyou’re okay.”Myvoice wavers. “You’renot gonna die on me.”

“Ipromise.”

Istudy the puncture wounds in his neck, blood smeared over his tattoos. “Hon, what the hell got you out there?”

Hetakes my hand and leads me to his side of the house. “We’lltalk after, okay?”

Thedoor suddenly bangs and something scratches on the other side, making us both jump and stumble backwards.

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