Beg Me to Slay Read Free Page A

him a single nod before scooting past him, right 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.”
    His new client shook her head. “I watched this guy bury a woman’s body on the beach last night. Forgive me for not feeling like a burger. We should just get back to San Diego so you can find this guy. We can talk on the way.”
    He should do it her way. The customer was always right. But he could see the exhaustion in her eyes. It wasn’t his place to take care of this woman. In fact, she’d obviously rather he didn’t. But he couldn’t have his clients fainting on him, especially not when they were this fascinating.
    Shit.
    He turned the key, and the Mustang’s V-8 roared to life. He revved the engine and glanced over at her. “Won’t do either of us any good if you pass out. When was the last time you slept or ate?”
    She rolled her eyes and stared out the passenger-side window. “I’m fine.”
    He slammed the clutch to the floor and slid the gearshift into reverse. “Yeah, well, I need food, so you might as well have some too.”
    On the drive, she told him about the webcam and the morning visit to the sheriff. But the moment he asked about her attack, she shut him out, glaring out the passenger window. He wasn’t going to coax it out of her. She’d share when she was ready.
    Right now the Hingo demon in town was his top priority. And the first step in catching the demon was keeping his only eyewitness alive.

Chapter Two
    “What’s your story?” Tegan bit into her burger, hoping he couldn’t hear her stomach growl. Apparently she was hungrier than she’d realized. “What kind of case roughed you up and dislocated your elbow?”
    “Doesn’t matter.” He took a swallow of his Dr Pepper and looked out at the ocean. The wind brushed his hair back from his forehead like invisible fingers. The cut under his eye and the split skin on his lower lip only enhanced his profile. He didn’t look defeated. He looked like a fighter. A champion.
    “It matters to me.” Looks could be deceiving, and she didn’t have extra money to toss at a hot guy who might suck at his job. “If I’m going to hire a private investigator to catch this guy, I want to be sure he’s good.”
    Gabe turned toward her, his stare demanding her full attention. He leaned in closer, until she caught his scent, masculine and earthy, no lotions or aftershaves. Her heart pounded…and not out of fear. Tingles shot down her spine.
    He kept his voice low. “He will never touch you again. You have my word on that.”
    She wet her lips, and for a moment, his gaze slipped to her mouth before meeting her eyes again. Heat coiled deep inside her while she struggled to regain control of her rapidly rising desire. “Your word might mean something to people who know you, but we just met.”
    His eyes narrowed, but he never looked away. “People don’t exactly rate me on Yelp, but I can give you a few references to call if that would make you feel better. But at some point you’re going to need to trust me if we’re going to get this guy.”
    She stared into his eyes and caught her breathing slowing to match his. Nodding, she whispered, “Trust isn’t easy for me these days.”
    “I get that.” Gabe sat back, putting more space between them. “These may be just words to you, but I will keep you safe.” His eyes met hers for a second, and he turned away. “That’s my job, and I’m good at what I do.”
    He balled up his burger wrapper, and she watched him for a moment, masculine and self-assured in every movement. Not to mention ruggedly handsome. She hadn’t found a man attractive in what felt like lifetimes. She didn’t even look at them anymore. But this one was right in front of her, and she couldn’t