I didn’t want to watch my brother break.
The old boat ramp came into view.
I stood beside Eli, pointing to a pale square shape rocking in the waves. A small figure clung to the edge.
The wake of the boat tossed the platform violently, knocking the figure into the water.
A bullet whizzed past us. Lightning cracked. Eli didn’t hesitate. He dove headfirst from the boat, disappearing in the black water.
He was going to get himself killed for her.
A muzzle flashed from the corner of a broken window.
The beast surged to the surface, slamming into me like waves crashing against the concrete walls.
They thought they could come into my town, intomy home,and threaten my brother?
Threaten Tara?
Because that was where this would lead. Jacques wanted to hit us where it hurt. Wanted to drive us to the brink of madness and watch us succumb to the Barbeaux curse.
He wanted a monster? I would show him a monster.
I ducked behind the side of the boat, shoving a new magazine into my gun. Then I fired every round.
In the shadow of the building, I saw blood spray from my target. The scent of it was in the air, and the beast circled like a hungry shark.
Twin gasps sounded on the other side of the boat. Eli bobbed at the surface, holding a frail woman as she coughed and sucked in air.
“Cover!” I shouted to Saul as more bullets came at us.
“On it!” Saul maneuvered the boat to block Eli and his mate, keeping his head low.
I watched Eli from the corner of my eye, waiting until he was out of the water and running for cover before I signaled for Saul.
The boat jerked sideways, fighting the tide. A bullet slammed into the side where I was standing, missing my hand as I gripped the rail to keep from going over.
Saul worked the motor hard, retreating back out into the bay. He slowed long enough for Eli to jump into the boat, his mate huddled in his arms.
She was screaming over the motor of the boat, waving frantically at the bloody stain on Eli’s chest.
A bullet hole.
Eli took a bullet for her. Almost drowned for her.
He spoke softly to the woman in his lap, expression gentle, but I could see the look in his eyes.
He risked everything to save her. He was going to risk more by telling her the truth.
Centuries of secrets—for a woman he barely knew.
Something sharp and unfamiliar twisted in my chest. Eli had an entire life that I didn’t know about. Didn’t bother to ask about.
There was no one to blame but me. I was selfish. Always had been.
Staring at Eli, watching that uncharacteristic softness play over his face—the same features I saw in the mirror every day—I was struck with a sharp sting of jealousy.
In another life, I would have wanted that.