Murder Game (GhostWalkers #7)(56)
Author: Christine Feehan

Ian’s disgust was strong. He glared at Gator, who kept poking him. You say alligator one more time, I’m gonna feed your body, piece by piece, to one. There was no real malice in the words; she could even detect affection.

She had the impression of others moving around them, nearly stepping on them. No one moved, everyone stayed quiet, even Ian, when Gator made a swimming motion through the mud with one hand like an alligator, right toward Ian’s belly.

That’s it, Rye, I’m doing it. I’m gonna cut his throat and leave him here.

Grim amusement swept the circle. Yeah and you can answer to Flame. She’ll eat you alive, Ian, Ryland replied.

Tansy made a note to meet Gator’s wife. The woman seemed able to strike fear in the men when a swamp full of enemies and alligators only made them laugh.

Why is it every time we rescue someone, something goes wrong? Ian demanded. From now on, take the missions where we get to kill everyone. We need to be taking down targets, not sitting here in the mud with Gator’s little play pals.

Tansy heard the words, but felt his emotions. He preferred the rescue missions even though nearly every time something did go wrong, and for that reason, he desperately wanted to be with his team, providing cover, watching their backs just as Tucker did. She realized that Tucker had been thinking about a rescue that hadn’t quite gone by the book as well. She took a deep breath and moved her hands away from the cup.

At once she felt the dizziness and headache that accompanied using her gift. She’d been careful not to go too deep, but still she was shaken. She touched her face and found a trickle of blood by her mouth and another along her nose. Just as she was pushing to her feet, Ian rushed in.

“They’ve got your parents and are running clear. They should be here anytime.” He stopped in the middle of the floor, took in the two tea mugs in front of her, the blood on her face, and the fact that she was no longer wearing the gloves she’d been wearing since the moment he’d met her. “What the hell are you doing?”

She felt her color rise. It was embarrassing to be caught, like a Peeping Tom staring in a window at someone’s private life. She wiped at the blood, succeeding in smearing it as she walked without haste to her gloves. “I’m sorry. I felt I had no choice.”

Tucker pushed in behind Ian, frowning when he saw the blood. He moved quickly to the sink and soaked a small towel. “Come here. Let me see what I can do.”

The headache was pushing forward and she didn’t want it, not with her parents and Kadan on the way. She shouldn’t be feeling guilty that she’d used her gift without Kadan present, but she had the feeling he’d be upset, and for some strange reason, that disturbed her. Her life was already twined with his in such a short time she could barely believe it.

Tucker tipped up her chin and dabbed at the blood, while Ian continued to stand with his hands on his hips, glaring at her.

“You may as well confess,” Tucker said. “Ian might stare holes through you. He’s scaring the hell out of me.”

“You’re guarding my parents,” she explained. “I had to know what kind of men you are. I tried not to pry too deep.”

Something dangerous flickered in Tucker’s eyes, but his hands remained gentle on her face as he removed the blood. “Did you find what you needed?”

She nodded, flashing a tentative grin. “Ian doesn’t like alligators.” She looked up at the tall Irishman. “I’m really sorry to have intruded. I was careful.”

Ian made an effort to keep from looking affronted. “I might have done the same.”

Tucker sent him a look, clearly reminding him they were there not only to keep her safe but to prevent her from leaving if she had a mind to, so they were just as guilty. “Do you get headaches along with the bleeding?”

She nodded. “I have some medicine in my bag.”

“I’ll get it,” Ian said and stalked out.

“I don’t blame him for being upset,” Tansy said. “No one wants to have their private thoughts read.”

“You can really do that?” Tucker asked.

She nodded. “I’m careful to wear gloves so I don’t handle things. It keeps a barrier between me and everyone else unless the energy is particularly strong, such as violent energy. Then I read it whether I want to or not.”

He studied the weariness in her eyes. “It takes a toll.”

“Yes. Does it on you?” She shook her head hastily when his gaze went hard and dangerous. “I didn’t pick up any national security secrets. I have no idea what you can do, but your energy and Ian’s both indicate strong psychic ability. Without Kadan here, I can read that just standing in the same room with you.”

Tucker nodded. He’d read her energy as well.

Ian came back in and handed Tansy her bag. “You look pale. Maybe you ought to sit down. If Kadan sees you looking like that he’ll kick our asses.”

Both Ian and Tucker were very large men with defined, bulging muscles. Neither looked as if he could get his ass handed to him very easily.

“He really isn’t as scary as you make him out to be,” Tansy said, swallowing the pills.

They looked at each other. “Honey-girl,” Ian said, “don’t you go deceiving yourself. Kadan Montague is hell on wheels in a fight. I don’t want any part of him.”

A strobe light flashed, and both men went from easygoing to alert, their demeanor changing abruptly. Tucker glided on silent feet, catching Tansy by the arm and pulling her with him to the living room. Ian plunged the house into darkness, drawing his weapon.

“Coming in,” Ryland’s voice came, and the front door opened.

He came through first, sweeping the area with his cool, hard eyes, gun out just in case they were walking into a trap. Ian relaxed and put his weapon away. Tucker released his hold on Tansy. The rest of the rescue team walked in, Don and Sharon Meadows in the center.

“Mom! Dad!” Tansy eluded Tucker’s grab and rushed her father, charging across the room, nearly knocking him down as she flung herself into his arms before anyone could stop her.

Kadan stood close to Don, inches from his side, the hilt of his knife already a part of his hand, and knowledge burning in him that he could stab deep, severing the jugular before Meadows would know what hit him, if Tansy’s father made one wrong move toward her.

Tucker and Ian moved to cover Kadan, and Nico and Gator took up positions in back and front of Meadows. Each had a knife blade up against his wrist where no one could see. Ryland was stuck with Sharon, still woozy from the drug Kadan had injected into her system to quiet her. He moved her to the side, making a show of placing his body between Meadows and his wife.