Read Online Justice Incarnate by Regan Black - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Regan Black
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excuse. "Sure. Did anyone see you?"
"Counting you?" he teased, easing her arm over his shoulders. With his free hand around her waist he snugged her close.
It troubled her to enjoy it so much. But it restored her vision and her energy level soared. She felt alive, awakened, as if she could conquer anything.
"My statement would've been worthless."
"Yup," he agreed. "Nothing to say. The place just blew."
"Gas lines suck," she snickered.
"And it's an old place."
Appalled at the easy camaraderie, Jaden snapped back to business. "Why did you come back?"
"That whole protect and serve thing. Once you're safe I'll go back–"
His radio card crackled with news of an officer shot while responding to a murder-suicide scene across town. The address was Brenda's.
She stopped walking and pulled away from him. "You came back." She tapped the pocket holding the radio card. "Because of this." The answer was clear enough in his eyes. And the solution crystallized in her mind.
"Did anyone see you?" she demanded.
"No."
"Good." She yanked the stressed cow-safe fake leather jacket from his body and pulled his badge from the waistband of his jeans. She drew the dagger and nicked his hand before he could protest, smearing blood on his badge. Next, she sliced out a strip of the jacket's lining, handing it to him for a bandage. Digging in her backpack for a lighter, she set the jacket on fire.
"What the hell? Stop that!" He stomped out the flames and then tried to reclaim his property.
But she was focused and quicker now. "Stay here." She snuck closer to the demolished warehouse and tossed in the evidence of his 'death'.
"My condolences," she said, returning.
"You're outta control, Michaels."
"Since we're both dead now, Brian, call me Jaden."
"Neither of us is dead," he pointed out with a surly tone.
"Think what you can learn if we play it that way."
"You're crazed. You need to be in a hospital."
"I've heard that one before." Though never from him. She sniffed at the insult. "Look at it as undercover work. If I'm an insane stalker with a grudge against your buddy, you'll have all the access and evidence you need. It won't go to court and you can resume your life a hero among saints." Just like every other time.
He stared, studied really, his gray eyes weighing all the possibilities. "What's the plan?"
"Develop our ghostly skills, I guess." She tried to smile, but it troubled her that the Judge knew so much. If he'd found this place, he'd soon find her alternate hideout. Resigned, she turned away toward the next best thing to home.
Slick Micky's.
There she could trade her teaching skills for a few key favors and get on with the research to complete her mission to destroy Albertson.
Chapter Five
Time Stamp: 1066
From the shadows of the balcony I watched him training. He moved with grace and speed and my heart broke for all that I'd been denied. My family could take no action against the baron and my betrothed could not accept another man's seed swelling my stomach.
At the sound of scrabbling on the stones, I turned my head.
"A thousand pardons," the girl rasped as she tried to scurry away.
She stumbled over her gown and I rushed to her aid. I barely recognized the swollen face of the nurse's young daughter. "Who did this?" I demanded. Though she refused to answer, I saw the mark and knew the baron was to blame.
With God as my witness, I vowed to set this wicked world to rights.
Chicago: 2096
"You're new," said the guard at the door.
Jaden shrugged. "He'll wanna see me."
The guard harrumphed and eyed Brian. "Not him. No way."
"Him who?" Jaden asked. "He's dead."
Before the guard could take a poke, Brian sidestepped. "Figuratively."
"Literally too. Just watch the news," Jaden suggested with a saucy smile for the guard.
"Whatever. I'll ring you through door one."
"Great."
Door one buzzed, swung open, and Jaden stepped forward without hesitation. Brian followed. The door clanged shut behind
"Counting you?" he teased, easing her arm over his shoulders. With his free hand around her waist he snugged her close.
It troubled her to enjoy it so much. But it restored her vision and her energy level soared. She felt alive, awakened, as if she could conquer anything.
"My statement would've been worthless."
"Yup," he agreed. "Nothing to say. The place just blew."
"Gas lines suck," she snickered.
"And it's an old place."
Appalled at the easy camaraderie, Jaden snapped back to business. "Why did you come back?"
"That whole protect and serve thing. Once you're safe I'll go back–"
His radio card crackled with news of an officer shot while responding to a murder-suicide scene across town. The address was Brenda's.
She stopped walking and pulled away from him. "You came back." She tapped the pocket holding the radio card. "Because of this." The answer was clear enough in his eyes. And the solution crystallized in her mind.
"Did anyone see you?" she demanded.
"No."
"Good." She yanked the stressed cow-safe fake leather jacket from his body and pulled his badge from the waistband of his jeans. She drew the dagger and nicked his hand before he could protest, smearing blood on his badge. Next, she sliced out a strip of the jacket's lining, handing it to him for a bandage. Digging in her backpack for a lighter, she set the jacket on fire.
"What the hell? Stop that!" He stomped out the flames and then tried to reclaim his property.
But she was focused and quicker now. "Stay here." She snuck closer to the demolished warehouse and tossed in the evidence of his 'death'.
"My condolences," she said, returning.
"You're outta control, Michaels."
"Since we're both dead now, Brian, call me Jaden."
"Neither of us is dead," he pointed out with a surly tone.
"Think what you can learn if we play it that way."
"You're crazed. You need to be in a hospital."
"I've heard that one before." Though never from him. She sniffed at the insult. "Look at it as undercover work. If I'm an insane stalker with a grudge against your buddy, you'll have all the access and evidence you need. It won't go to court and you can resume your life a hero among saints." Just like every other time.
He stared, studied really, his gray eyes weighing all the possibilities. "What's the plan?"
"Develop our ghostly skills, I guess." She tried to smile, but it troubled her that the Judge knew so much. If he'd found this place, he'd soon find her alternate hideout. Resigned, she turned away toward the next best thing to home.
Slick Micky's.
There she could trade her teaching skills for a few key favors and get on with the research to complete her mission to destroy Albertson.
Chapter Five
Time Stamp: 1066
From the shadows of the balcony I watched him training. He moved with grace and speed and my heart broke for all that I'd been denied. My family could take no action against the baron and my betrothed could not accept another man's seed swelling my stomach.
At the sound of scrabbling on the stones, I turned my head.
"A thousand pardons," the girl rasped as she tried to scurry away.
She stumbled over her gown and I rushed to her aid. I barely recognized the swollen face of the nurse's young daughter. "Who did this?" I demanded. Though she refused to answer, I saw the mark and knew the baron was to blame.
With God as my witness, I vowed to set this wicked world to rights.
Chicago: 2096
"You're new," said the guard at the door.
Jaden shrugged. "He'll wanna see me."
The guard harrumphed and eyed Brian. "Not him. No way."
"Him who?" Jaden asked. "He's dead."
Before the guard could take a poke, Brian sidestepped. "Figuratively."
"Literally too. Just watch the news," Jaden suggested with a saucy smile for the guard.
"Whatever. I'll ring you through door one."
"Great."
Door one buzzed, swung open, and Jaden stepped forward without hesitation. Brian followed. The door clanged shut behind
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