Read Online Beautiful Monster: The Hunt (Book 2) by Jeanne Bannon - Free Book Online Page A

to feel his budding erection through his jeans. Jack pressed her even closer; his hand sliding up her back to entangle in her dark mane, a moan escaped him when their mouths met. Alina’s fangs fell into place and she pulled away for a moment to sink them into his neck. She tasted his youth and it was heady in its sweetness.
    Jack threw his head back in abandon and let his hands roam her body, fingers expertly undoing buttons and zippers. Alina did the same until they were entangled on the dusty floor, flesh on flesh, feeding on each other, enjoying their lusty encounter. It was a paradox, a puzzle—the fact their earthly desires were still intact when those desires were meant for creating life. Why that yearning had not been stolen from creatures of the night was something Alina often wondered about but nonetheless, was grateful the urges hadn’t died along with the rest of her. It made death so much more interesting.
    Spent, they rolled onto their backs and stared up at the pockmarked ceiling.
    “So, you’ll do it, then?” Alina asked.
    Jack didn’t answer but she felt the almost imperceptible nod of his head. She smiled. It meant everything to her. She wouldn’t be able to slay Boris without Jack’s help. A dark notion snuck up on her. What if Jack died in the process? The thought came and went as fleetingly as the remnant of a dream upon awakening. But it roused something in her. What was it? Worry? Dread? Disappointment? Alina’s emotions were a knotted mess but she pushed them from her mind. She thought about him in that convenience store earlier that evening and how quickly he moved. She’d never seen anyone so fleet-footed. He was a blur even to her keen eyes. So, even if the spell did wear off, surely he’d get away. She comforted herself with that notion and gathered up her clothes.
    “Time for sleep, Jack.” She toed the raft with a foot and laughed. “See you at sundown.”

Chapter Sixteen
     
    Alina and ZoZo strolled through Central Park while Jack was away on a mission of sorts. This was the fourth night in a row that she’d sent him off to follow Boris, to watch from a distance so he could learn of his habits. She’d used her tried and true cloaking spell on Jack and warned him of its fallibilities. She also advised him to keep his distance. “Stay out of range. You don’t want him picking up your scent or reading your thoughts.”
    At first, Jack stood open mouthed and looking scared but she admired the fact he was still willing to do as she’d bid.
    It was a dangerous plan and a bit thoughtless, she realized. Alina was not the type to be unprepared but, this time was different. This time, she was dealing with an unknown so what could she prepare for? She hadn’t expected this Boris creature, a being she knew nothing about, she’d expected Alexei. Sweet, easy to seduce, Alexei. The plan had been a simple one, seduce him and then kill him. Then leave town.
    As they walked the meandering paths of Central Park, ZoZo occasionally wandered off onto the grass and to the edge of a pond.
    “Careful, my love,” Alina called. Obediently, the child backed away and found her safety at Alina’s side again. They strolled past vagrants, and couples walking hand-in-hand, lone joggers and dog walkers. The park it seemed was alive even in the wee hours of the morning. New York, the city that never sleeps. It was true. And how she loved it. This place had spoiled her for her native Romania but she reminded herself, eternity stretched before her. She could come back anytime she liked. She corrected herself...eternity awaited her only if she was able to complete her mission.
    Alina threw an imperious chin into the air. I will not fail, she told herself then gripped ZoZo’s hand firmly and headed out of the park to the street, where Jack said he’d meet her. She and Zo stood on the sidewalk by a low wall on West 72nd Street. Alina sat on the wall and pulled ZoZo onto her lap, wrapping her slender arms