Smiling faintly at the idea, Ildaria closed up the program and the computer, and then scooped up a sleepy H.D., murmuring,“Time to go upstairs, buddy. Do you need to potty?”
Twisting his head, H.D. gave her cheek a swipe with his tongue and Ildaria smiled. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
H.D. could have walked, but she had to take him out into the hall leading to the bathrooms and bar. She didn’t trust the littleguy not to take off on her and rush into the bar so she always carried him out when she finished up for the night. It wasthat or a leash, and leashing him in what was basically his home seemed cruel.
The noise from the bar when she stepped out into the hall made her glance toward the tables. Someone had the jukebox on andthere was the general rumble of conversation, but it was loud enough to suggest it was busier than usual for a Wednesday.
Shrugging, Ildaria turned left and pushed through the door leading to the outer door and the stairs to the apartments, then continued through the outer door into the parking area.
Once he had possession of the Night Club, G.G. had brought in landscapers to break up the pavement in the parking space nearestthe door and put in a green space for H.D. to do his business. Ildaria set the fur ball down there and leaned against thewall as she waited for him to be done. It could be a time-consuming event, since H.D. tended to sniff almost every inch ofthe grass twice before deciding on the spot he wanted to use this time. She didn’t know if he was sniffing to be sure histurf hadn’t been invaded, or looking for the freshest spot, but she didn’t mind usually. She suspected she’d be less patientwhen winter came with its biting cold, but was hoping H.D. would be less picky then.
H.D. had just finished and was kicking at the grass with his back feet when the door beside her opened. Ildaria didn’t glancearound to see who had exited the building. Regular customers sometimes parked in the small lot back here, and she was moreconcerned with grabbing H.D. before he launched into barking and ankle biting mode and went after the exiting patrons.
“Angelina Pimienta?”
Ildaria froze just steps from H.D., a shaft of ice sliding up the back of her neck at the use of her birth name spoken with a deep Spanish accent. This hadn’t happened for a very long time. Not for over a century and not since she’d left South America. Still, it brought about the same response as it had the last time it had happened. Her body surged with adrenaline and she crouched and spun, attacking before she could be attacked.
Ildaria didn’t exactly look like a kick-ass fighter. But she was. Two hundred years of training in everything from Capoeirato Vale Tudo had made her a finely honed weapon, and while the Enforcers she’d gone up against had always been surprisinglycareful not to hurt her, trying to restrain rather than maim, she didn’t pull punches or hold back on kicks in return, atleast not with immortals. She struck with purpose, not satisfied unless she heard the crunch or snap of bones breaking. Ildariadid the same now, her leg coming up as she spun, aiming for the general direction the voice had come from. She was right onthe mark, connecting with the speaker’s face. Ildaria had forgotten that she was wearing high heels, but didn’t feel the leastguilty when her stiletto pierced the man’s cheek. It was just inconvenient because she had to leave her shoe behind or beslowed down trying to drag it out again, and there was no time for that. The man wasn’t alone. A curse, and movement to herside alerted her to that and she turned abruptly to see a large brute with dark hair charging, arms open to try to grab her.
Ildaria almost dropped and swept his feet, but then spotted H.D. attached to the man’s ankle. The little dog had joined the fray. Not that the attacker seemed to notice the little teeth that were sunk into his boot. Afraid of H.D. getting hurt, Ildaria backed up, trying to think of what to do. She’d never had to worry about anyone else while she was fighting, and it took her brain a second to change strategy. She had to hit higher, and in a way that wouldn’t have the big behemoth falling on the tiny dog, Ildaria decided, and struck out with her still shod foot, aiming for the man’s groin. That, she thought, should bring him to his knees as it had Juan, and give her the chance to scoop up H.D. and run inside.
Her aim was again good and she put enough force into the strike that her heel was buried in the front of the man’s black jeans.As she’d hoped, it brought him to his knees, and as he screeched in agony, she ran around behind him, snatched up H.D., pullinghim off the man’s ankle, and then turned to head to the door, only to slam into Tybo.
“Whoa,” the dark-haired Enforcer said as he caught her arms to keep her from stumbling back. Glancing down at H.D., he frowned.“Is the gremlin okay?”
Ildaria glanced down with concern, but relaxed when H.D. immediately began to bark at Tybo.
“Yeah, I would say so,” Valerian said dryly, drawing her attention to the second man. Once he had her attention, he explained,“We saw them follow you outside, and came to see if you needed assistance.” His gaze
