Invasion of Her Heart by Trinity Blacio, Ana Lee Kennedy Page B

assessed every article of clothing Randle wore for hidden weapons. Dirty blue pants clung to the man’s slim hips and lean legs. If he possessed a weapon, he had to have it hidden in the back pockets, or possibly the inner compartments of the leather vest he wore over his mostly bare torso.
    “I wouldn’t try for your weapon, if I were you.” Randle pushed the blade tighter to Venus’s throat, and a couple beads of blood slipped down her skin. Her eyes widened and her expression of disgust and anger changed to one of fear and anxiety. “Besides,” Randle continued like he was talking to his best friend, “from what I understand, those energy pulses slice through everything they’re aimed at so you wouldn’t want to take the chance of hurting Venus too, would you?”
    Frantic to free Venus from the fiend’s hold, Jaxxon swept his gaze over the room, looking for any ideas that might jump out at him. He could take out the Bone Eaters, which would give them a better chance of fighting Randle and freeing their mate.
    Although it wasn’t a solution to the problem, an idea of how to turn things to their advantage formed in Jaxxon’s mind. Standing so closely to Volund allowed Jaxxon to push his elbow into his brother’s ribs. Volund looked askance at him, and Jaxxon nudged him again, signaling he was about to try something. Volund quickly shut both eyes at once to confirm he understood.
    “Now, let’s discuss my terms.” Randle sneered at them. The confidence in his voice infuriated Jaxxon even more.
    “We will not discuss anything with you,” Volund snapped. “Release Venus now.”
    “If you don’t want me to hurt Venus, you’ll discuss what I want.” A black look spread across Randle’s face, his eyes aflame with indignation. “I want Venus as my woman, I want control of this building, and I want you two to go back to whatever planet you came from.”
    Quickly, Volund drew his Slicer and aimed it at Randle and Venus the same instant Jaxxon dropped to one knee, jerked his weapon from the holster, and fired an energy ball at the Bone Eaters by the door. The ball flattened and cut through the monsters in two seconds. Their torsos slid off from their waists and plopped onto the floor with a wet sound, followed by their hips and legs toppling forward across each other. Fluids flowed across the carpet, saturating it.
    “You bastards!” Randle hissed, his face contorting into a mask of pure evil, his black eyes afire with insanity. Venus started to struggle against him, but more pressure on her throat with the knife knocked the fight out of her. Randle peeled his lips back, baring his teeth in a grotesque leer. “Do you really want me to kill this delicious woman? Do you have any idea how few human women are left on this planet?” As he talked, his voice grew louder, his tone more desperate.
    “Yes, we actually are aware of the numbers,” said Jaxxon. He slowly rose to his feet and advanced on Randle. He had to keep his temper in check and think clearly. “That’s why we’re here, and within the hour, more like me and my brother will arrive on Earth, but they’re bounty hunters who will be given the duty of finding and killing you. If you give up now, we’ll allow you to live the rest of your days in a prison instead of ending your life.”
    “Sorry, guys.” Randle looked from Jaxxon to Volund and flashed them a white, toothy smile. “That’s not an option for me either. I prefer a quick exit instead.” With that, he sheathed the big knife through his belt, spun on his heel with Venus tightly in his arms, and propelled her toward the big window a few feet away.
    “Stop!” Volund shouted as he moved in unison with Jaxxon.
    With Volund at his side, Jaxxon lunged after Randle and Venus. The moment Randle reached the window, he leapt against it with Venus still in his arms. She let out a scream that rivaled that of any banshee as the glass shattered and they plummeted over the window