Broken Heart 03 Because Your Vampire Said So by Michele Bardsley Page A

and darted back, which gave Khenti an opportunity to strike. He smacked the demon in the chest with both hands, and Andhaka flew backward.
    Gabriel launched himself at the discombobulated creature. Black smoke roiled from the ground. Andhaka howled in rage, and then poof … he was gone.
    Khenti sat up, staring down at his ruined suit. Gabriel padded to me and sat down. He licked my face and yipped.
    “Thank you,” I said. I grabbed his ruff and planted a kiss on his furry nose. “You have impeccable timing.”
    He barked his agreement.
    Gabriel’s eyes held mine. He licked my face again, and then he was off, running for the cover of trees on the other side of the clearing.
    “I owe the white wolf my life,” said Khenti as he got to his feet.
    “Yeah. Me, too.” Again. I stood up and dusted off my clothes.
    “We should go to the compound,” said Khenti. “It’s safest there.”
    “Hell, no. I hate that place. I’m going home, demon or no demon.”
    “Then at least let me take you there and see to your safety.”
    “You mean the sparkle thing?”
    He nodded and held out his arms.
    Well, crap.
    I was starving, but I’d promised Khenti to stay put until my new guardian arrived. I opened the back door to the shop and locked it behind me, then flipped on the lights.
    Nonna was still upset about my telling that cigarette-smoking tart to vamoose, so I said, “Dottie, come back!”
    She shimmered into one of the styling chairs and gave me the evil eye. “Never do that again. It was terrible! Just this big white space with uncomfortable chairs and old magazines. It was like being in a waiting room where your name is never called.”
    “Really? Then I suggest you think twice about pissing me off.”
    She stuck out her tongue at me, Nonna laughed, and we were all friends again.
    I was halfway across the shop when someone pounded on the back door. I nearly jumped out of my skin. My first thought was that the demon had returned, but I realized he wouldn’t knock. I returned to the back door and yelled, “Who is it?”
    “Gabriel. Please, let me in!”
    Oh my God! My fingers clenched the bolt, but I didn’t turn it.
    “You’re not my guardian,” I shouted. “You lied to me.”
    “I only wanted to protect you. I swear it.”
    “Why?”
    “Do we have to talk through this blasted door? Please, Patsy. Trust me.”
    He’d come to my rescue twice. I’d sure love to know why. Before I could talk myself out of it, I unbolted the door and swung it open. Gabriel nearly fell into my arms, but managed to stagger inside on his own. He looked a mess. He wore only a pair of jeans. His magnificent chest had been clawed. Blood dripped onto the floor.
    I slammed the door shut and locked it again.
    Gabriel sank to his knees, swaying. His face was tight with pain.
    I knelt down. My hands hovered over his shoulders, but I was afraid to touch him. “What can I do?”
    His eyes met mine and one corner of his mouth hitched. “Ask me that again later, okay?”
    His gaze dipped to my breasts and left no doubt what he meant by the question. I shook my head. “You’re ornery as hell. Come on. Get into the chair and I’ll clean your wounds.”
    He stood up and I gently guided him to the nearest styling chair. His moon white hair needed a good brushing. The best I could do was pull it back into a ponytail.
    I got paper towels and soaked them with warm water. As I leaned over to wipe off his ribs, Gabriel’s hand snaked around my neck and pulled me close.
    “I need blood, Patricia.”
    I looked at him, the wet paper towel poised above his skin. “I’m not a nurse, I don’t do transfusions. “
    “I need to drink it.”
    I stared at him, my mouth agape. “Lycans don’t drink blood.”
    “I do.” He opened his mouth and needlepoint fangs descended. He licked his lips as he leaned forward, aiming those sharp babies right at my neck.
    Panic erupted. I jerked out of his grip and lurched back. “What the hell are