give his clients the once over if they didn’t know where he was looking.
All part of the job. Although today was more enjoyable than usual.
When Martie had told him his new potential client thought she witnessed a murder, Tegan had his full attention. Now that she sat in his office, it was clear even if she didn’t have a big case, she would’ve caught his attention. Her thick auburn hair fell just past her shoulders, and her dark brown eyes and pouty lips teased him. They had a softness that contrasted with the rest of her body.
Which was toned and tempting, even through her clothes. Hard and tense like she was ready to take on the world at a moment’s notice. Her face looked a little pale, shadows lingering under her eyes. No sleep, and judging by the way her fingers trembled when he released her hand, she probably needed to eat too. Her fighting stance the second he entered the office hadn’t escaped him, either. What turned this angel into a warrior?
None of his business. Giving a damn would only get her killed. He’d been down that road before, and he refused to lose another person he cared about. Best not to care at all.
He pulled his sunglasses off, and his potential new client gasped.
“You should put some ice on that eye.”
“I’ll be all right.” He sat behind his desk, chastising himself for not checking the mirror in the car before he came in. Damn. He knew that hit was going to leave a mark. “So, tell me why you’re talking to me instead of the police.”
“Because they don’t believe me.” Her doe eyes pleaded with him. He’d seen the look before.
Gabe rolled his head slightly, snapping his vertebrae back into alignment. “Why not?”
She wrung her hands in front of her for a moment before shooting up from her seat and leaning against his desk.
“You know what? Let’s cut the crap. I have money, and after calling every PI in SoCal, you’re my last shot. I need you to find the guy who gave me this.”
She caught her finger in the neckline of her T-shirt and tugged it back to reveal a jagged hook-shaped scar on her collarbone, with a raised edge all the way around it. The center of the wounded flesh was discolored, almost gray. His pulse raced. He’d seen these scars before, but never on a living person. No human had given her that scar.
Releasing the shirt she met his eyes. “It’s been four years since he attacked me, and last night I saw him on a webcam in my neighborhood.”
Gabe stood up, resting his hands on his side of the desk and leaning closer to her. This close, he could see the flecks of green in her dark eyes. No sign of a fine outer ring of gold—the first sign of a demon incognito.
Good. This woman was human.
And somehow she’d done the impossible by surviving a Hingo demon attack. It was unheard of in his line of work.
“I’m on the case.”
“Same price I was quoted on the phone?” Her eyes narrowed, her gaze searching his.
“Yeah.” Gabe nodded. For a chance to send another Hingo demon straight back to Hell, he’d almost take the case for free, but he kept that to himself. A guy had to eat.
He reached for his coat without thinking, his arm tweaked, unable to straighten. “Damn it.”
She came around his desk, frowning. “Somebody beat the crap out of you.”
“You should see the other guy.” He smirked. “Do me a favor and—”
She grabbed his wrist and already had her other hand ready to lever his elbow back into place.
“You’ve done this before.” He gripped the desk with his freehand.
“And it hurts like a son of a bitch.” She tugged hard.
Sparks lit around the edge of his vision while he cursed under his breath. Finally a loud pop echoed through the room, and she let go of his arm.
Gabe moved it a little, tentative.
“You need to ice it.”
“I’ll be fine.” And he would. He glanced at his new client, impressed. “You’ve got skills.”
She almost smiled. And he caught himself waiting for it, wanting it. Something about this woman was intriguing as hell.
“I’m a black belt, and I own my own dojo.” She walked around to the other side of his desk. “This isn’t my first dislocated elbow.”
He opened and closed his hand. The pain already receded, his body healing itself. Sunglasses in hand, Gabe snatched his jacket with his good arm. “Let’s hit the road. I want you to show me exactly where you saw him.”
“Okay. You can follow me down to my place in—”
“Nope.” He took her elbow.
Tegan yanked it free, stepping away from him. “Excuse me?”
“You hired me to help you find this guy. Until I do, I don’t want him finding you first.” He gestured toward the door, but his new client remained frozen in place.
“It’s been four years. I doubt he’s still looking for me.”
“He came to San Diego, right?” He leaned against the doorframe.
She shrugged. “Coincidence.”
Gabe straightened, struggling to keep a grip on his patience. This woman obviously had no clue how dangerous a Hingo demon could be. They were similar to incubi, but instead of impregnating a woman with a bastard half demon, her body became a living cocoon for another demon. Women didn’t survive Hingo attacks. They became demons. At least, until now.
He shook his head. “I don’t buy it. You wouldn’t be here if you did, either. Come on. I’ll drive.”
Her jaw went slack for a second, her hands balling into fists at her sides. “Last time I checked,
Gabe sighed, glancing down before meeting her eyes again. “You hired me because the police don’t believe you.
He waited her out, watching her frustration settle into wariness. Seeing the shadow of fear creep back into her beautiful eyes pained him. He caught himself wanting to protect her, to make the damned demon pay for what he did.
But this couldn’t get personal. This was just another job. Plain and simple. He shoved the unwanted emotions aside and allowed an easy smile to curve his lips. “You’re not going to make me say please, are you?”
Tegan rubbed her hands down her face. She couldn’t be seriously considering getting in a car with this guy. “I can’t just leave my car an hour away from home.”
“It’s locked, right? I’ll make sure Martie keeps an eye on it for you.” He walked over to her and held out his hand. “You came here for a reason. Let me help you, Tegan.”
He said her name. Correctly. Her knees did their best to give out at the small gesture of attention, but her will was stronger. She walked past him without making any contact. Gabe met her in front of Martie’s desk in the lobby.
She followed him outside, still promising herself she wouldn’t get in the car with him.
“Are you a meat-eater?”
Tegan’s jaw dropped, her eyes narrowing. Did he just…?
“Excuse me? But that’s not—”
“Burgers? We need to get you some food before we get started. You look like hell.”
“You’re one to talk.” She clenched her hands into fists but followed him outside anyway.
He walked to a shiny black ’69 Mustang and opened the door for her. “Consider this a business meeting. You can fill me in on your case while we eat.”
Her conviction wavered. He was right. They did need to talk.
Tegan took a breath and gave him a single nod before scooting past him…into the passenger seat.
Gabe shut the door, slid his shades into place, and came around to the driver’s side. “There’s a great burger joint on the beach. And it looks like the marine layer is going to give us a break and let us watch the sunset. Can’t pass that up.”
