Lethal Blow: (Succubus Hitwoman Book 2) by Eliza Hendrix (best motivational books to read TXT) 📗

“You went missing, Alexis. I thought maybe someone had gotten to you. Rachel and I portaled back to San Halos to figure stuff out, and this guy said he was the best of the best and that he’d locate you within twenty-four hours.”

“Well, he sucks at his job, because—” And then it hits me. “Where’d you find this guy?”

Drax shrugs. “There was a poster at the entrance of our apartment building. Said if anyone needs to find someone, to give him a call.”

I roll my eyes so hard it hurts. “Were you high, Drax? When you called the guy?” I don’t give him the time to answer. “How convenient that a poster with some bounty hunter would appear the day after I go missing. Let me guess… He asked you for something of mine.”

Drax parts his lips, and I know he’s about to say yes, so I stick out a flat palm.

“You got screwed big time, buddy. Not only did you help Jamieson find me, you fucking paid him to do it!”

Everyone looks away, no doubt sensing the fury coming off me. It all makes sense now. Those vampires who interrupted Veerka and me weren’t sent by Lucius—they were Jamieson’s men and they got tipped off by Drax without him even knowing it.

“Great,” I say, pacing back and forth. “Fucking great. I could be found at any time.” I whip a hand toward Drax. “And why the fuck are you trying to get back to San Halos if you don’t have the money to pay the guy?”

Again with the guilty look. “I wouldn’t worry so much, Alexis. I’m sure that with everything going on, Jamieson is too busy to come looking for you. And I intended to ask you for the money, but now that everything’s shut down, well, I figured I’d offer him your bike as payment.”

My jaw drops. Is he for real? This can’t be happening.

“You have lots of money now,” Drax says. “You can buy another one.”

“And you didn’t think of maybe… I don’t know, asking me?”

“There’s a war going on, Alexis. I didn’t want to add to your stress. I figured I’d get this taken care of and then I’d tell you about it… you know… after.”

The rational part of my brain understands where he’s coming from, but the emotional side is about ready to tear him a new one.

Inhaling a deep breath, I do my best to talk Red down. Getting angry won’t solve the problem. Despite how pissed off I am with Drax, I don’t want him to die in his sleep.

“When’s the payment deadline?” I ask.

“For who?” he says, heavy lids fluttering above bloodshot eyes.

“The one who’s going to fucking kill you, Drax! Can you please take a break from your fucking pot, for like, twenty-four hours? Is that too much to ask?”

It’s obvious the thought of it is hurting him, but it’s only fair. I set aside my drinking problem to focus on saving the world. He could at least do the same.

Sighing, he crushes his joint over the top of an empty chip bag and throws the rest of it inside.

“Tonight,” he says, one last cloud of smoke bursting out of his lungs.

Smiling to avoid blowing another fuse, I shake my head. The timing couldn’t be worse. Rachel’s gone to who knows where, and when she returns, we won’t be here. Then again, she seems adept at locating me no matter where I am, which, for the first time, is a relief.

With hands planted on my hips, I turn to Ace. “How many people can you bring with you when you do your, you know”—I twirl a finger at him—“teleportation thing?”

His eyes scan the room. First, he glances at Mr. Mushroom, then at Riskus, who looks like he’s grieving, and then at Drax. No doubt this is the first time he’s had to consider something like this, which means it’s never been done.

“I’m not sure,” he admits. “I’ve never done it.”

“Can’t he do one person at a time?” Drax asks.

My focus shifts to Mr. Mushroom, whose snout is sticking out from underneath the bed, and then onto Riskus. Bringing these two along would put them in harm’s way, and Rachel would never forgive me if something ever happened to Riskus.

Careful to remain sympathetic, I move toward Riskus. “Hey, man,” I say.

His watery eyes roll up at me and his pointed ears wiggle.

“I know Rachel’s usually the one who makes portals, but I noticed you have some of that powder on you.”

He glances over at Ace, who’s staring at him, and then back at me and nods.

“Do you have magic abilities, too?” I ask.

Again, he nods, though he doesn’t seem overly confident. I’m assuming his abilities aren’t quite as advanced as Rachel’s. If I were to guess, I’d say he amplifies her magic but doesn’t support it.

“If I asked you and Mr. Mushroom to stay behind, would you be able to make a protection spell?”

Without a word, he nods again, and this time, his long nose wiggles up and down.

Although I don’t want to leave Mr. Mushroom behind, I think he’ll be much safer in this torn-down motel than anywhere in San Halos.

A few leaves blow into the room from above, bringing along with it the scent of lavender. I move toward the bed, bend down, and call Mr. Mushroom over. He comes running to me like his life depends on it and I scoop him up.

“I won’t be long, okay my little Shnookums?” I plant a firm kiss on his forehead and he squints with his ears folded back. I pet him hard and he licks the side of my face. “Riskus here’ll take good care of you, okay?”

He licks my face again, almost as if telling me he’ll be fine.

With his