PREY
By
Kassanna
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental. This is an explicit and erotic novel intended for the enjoyment of adult readers only.
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording or by any information retrieval and storage system without permission of the author.
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PREY Copyright2013 by Kassanna
Publishing History
First Digital Edition 2013
*****
Chapter One
Nae eased around the trunk of the tree. In the distance, the gleam of the dying sun’s rays reflected off the handle bars of various motorcycles parked in front of a bar. ‘Trots’ was painted white across the plate glass window with everything else blacked out. Nothing could be seen through the dark barrier. She pressed her back against the old oak. Hair from her ponytail caught in the rough bark, and the muzzle of her gun pushing against the small of her back reassured her she could take down the felon she’d been sent to capture. She’d tracked the bail jumper across eight states and ended up in the middle of bum-fuck Oregon. The idiot had stolen a bike from some buy-here-pay-here lot in Utah. Nae dug papers from her pocket. The worn sheets curled at the edges as she opened up the folded pieces and compared the pictures. One photo was from her boss, Amos, at A-One Bail Bonds, while the other was from the surveillance camera at the car lot.
Until this assignment, she’d only hunted small time crooks with no creativity. And, she usually caught them within hours of their missed court appointment. But this guy, Eldridge, strolled into a local jeweler’s store, bagged millions of dollars’ worth of gems before sauntering out to where he parked his car a block away. Then he called the police to turn himself in citing a change of heart. The man could have gotten away. Police were crawling all over the place like chickens with their heads cut off, as if they were unsure where to start. The case was one large cluster fuck and she had no clue why Amos even bothered to bond the thief for bail.
There was also the question of why he would give her the jacket on the jumper. As her newly chosen profession she’d only been at the job for a little over six months. Not that she would look a gift horse in the mouth. The bounty on the guy was sweet at twenty-five thousand. It would give her a hand up in getting the office and equipment she needed. But, she couldn’t help but wonder why her boss had chosen her when he had other, seasoned, bounty hunters at his disposal.
Her hunt started in Reno, Nevada, and for a minute she’d thought she’d lost his trail, until she came across the local news in Salt Lake City. While sitting in a shitty motel room which cost more than it was worth, she watched the local news. They were showing a clip of the asshole on the tiny television screen, busting the lock on a gate to a small car dealership. It was the lead she needed. With a description of the bike he stolen, she had her cousin, who was her partner and personal computer specialist, track the cycle through sightings on highways and closed circuit cameras mounted at the toll road stops.
She glanced at the name on the report. Eldridge Khune. Funny, he didn’t use an alias, almost like he wasn’t trying to hide. She sighed. This was too easy. The sun dipped below the tree tops, and inky darkness replaced the fading rays. An owl hooted somewhere in the woods behind her. She’d watched the one room shack for hours; no one went in, but no one came out in all that time either. Hell, she’d read horror stories with similar beginnings. Nae blew out a breath and bent at the waist to pull her baton from under her jeans leg. Making sure it was secure in her boot, she pushed off the tree trunk, rolled her shoulders, and hiked toward the structure. She ignored the niggling feeling that slithered down her spine; something wasn’t right. She crumpled the papers in her fist and continued to approach the building.
She stopped at the bike on the farthest end of the long line and rubbed the two reports across the seat to straighten them out. Then, she angled the second page under a flood light attached to the corner of the building. A quick read of the cycle’s description had her circling the bike to confirm it was her target’s machine.
Secure in the knowledge that the vehicle matched the description, but she still needed visual confirmation that he was indeed the rider. Nae stuffed the sheets in her side pocket and dropped her head back to stare at the rising moon. Clouds drifted across the sky and blocked the twinkling stars, breaking up the darkness and partially concealing the giant white orb. She blew out a breath, shook out her arms, marched to the front door, and yanked it open.
She stepped over the threshold and into a smoke filled, dimly lit room. Silence greeted her as she glanced around the area. The clack of balls bumping into one another filled the quiet. She looked over to see several men in similar leather vests bent low over a pool table at the back of the space. Slowly, people resumed talking amongst themselves while the others watched her as she ambled over to the bar. She nodded at those few individuals who sneered as she passed.
A polished wood bar curved in a half circle from the corner. Most of the stools were taken. She squeezed through two burly men who wouldn’t budge. One guy spun around and eyed her up and down before he turned his back. The other fella leaned in and took a long sniff at her neck.
Nae stood her ground while angling her torso away from the invasive act. The butt of her gun pushed into the small of her back as she was shoved up against the hard wood. She raised her hand, prepared to shove him away. “Is there something I can help you with?”
A slow smile lifted the corners of his mouth, but his lips never parted. The man tilted his head and stared at her with cold bleak eyes before he spoke. “You smell nice, a word of advice little human. You might want to sashay your ass out of here before some of the others catch your scent. This is no place for your kind.” He twisted on his seat and offered his back again.
She read the words on his leather jacket, Pride Riders. Human? What the hell does that mean? She tapped him on the shoulder and yelled over the crowd. “Excuse me I’m looking for Eldridge. Can you tell me where I might find him?”
The two men swiveled around to face her. Curiosity lit up the eyes of the man who’d spoken to her. He glanced over at the guy beside her and nodded. His eyebrows climbed his forehead as he eased off his seat. Unable to watch them both, she grudgingly turned her head to watch where the man who had been beside her slinked off too.
“What do you want with El?” The first fella picked up his tumbler from the bar and tossed the amber liquid back.
“I ran into him in Nevada and he … ah … invited me here.” Nae peeped at the glass he slammed on the rutted surface of the counter.
“Funny he didn’t mention you. Come to think of it he hasn’t left town in for a few months.”
“Maybe he didn’t want you to know he skipped off to another city for a bit.” She kept her face devoid of emotion and continued in a dry tone. “ I can see why he might want some time away.”
The big
man snorted. “Now that would be interesting.”
A commotion from the back of the room drew her attention and a visceral scream filled the air. Suddenly, a woman with white streaks in her blonde hair jumped on a table, knocking bottles down. They tinkled as they bumped against each other before tumbling to the floor. The chick on the table top held her arms away from her body with curled hands, and long nails protruded from her fingertips.
The biker next to her shook his head. “Well, shit just got stupid. Here I thought you might actually get out of here unscathed.” He rose from his seat. “Oh, by the way, El isn’t here but Zima there used to be his lover. Sometimes, I think she believes she still is. Good luck with that.” He rose and pushed through the growing crowd forming around them.
Nae glanced at the departing man’s back before turning her sights on the woman with a definite height advantage. Ah hell. She held her hands up, palms forward. “Listen, it’s not what you think. I’m looking for El to complete a business transaction. You can keep him all for yourself.”
Zima flipped off the surface and landed a few feet from Nae who narrowed her eyes, keeping track of the woman’s movements. She eased around one of the two columns in the center of the room, staying out of Nae’s direct line of vision, while easing in close. Nae dropped her hands and exhaled. Every time she turned to face the woman, the chick moved. She chewed the inside of her cheek, debating on the baton or gun. Perhaps if she could get the crazy lady to chat, she might be able to talk her way out of the situation.
Nae tried again. “Listen…” She caught sight of the woman charging her in her peripheral vision.
Nails grazed her cheek, and she raised her arm to deflect the blow. Pain seared up her bicep as the woman’s claws sliced through her skin. Nae dropped to her knee and extended her leg, swinging it through her attacker’s limbs, to send the woman stumbling back. She grabbed the club from her boot and rose to her feet. The baton protracted with a flick of her wrist. Nae spun in a circle trying to keep her eyes on the agile attacker.
The second blow came from the opposite direction. The sound of scraping metal filled the room as Zima’s nails slid along the iron rod. Nae dropped her arm and turned her body to the side, swinging her weapon at the woman’s belly. Zima grunted, bent at the waist and stumbled forward. She stopped short of tumbling into the crowd. Nae danced out of the way as Zima spun and lunged for her, she met the woman’s gaze. Hate filled the bright gold eyes. With a flick of her wrist she brought the baton down on her opponent’s fingers. A wail ripped through the silence. When the woman opened her mouth Nae swore she saw fangs. Quickly circling her foe, Nae thrust her arm down, slamming the steel bar against Zima’s calves. Her opponent dropped to her knees. Nae twisted around and kicked up, aiming for the woman’s nose. Lightning fast, Zima grabbed her around the ankle and shoved her away. Nae slammed into the linoleum floor, flat on her back. She scrambled to get to her feet, watching as Zima rose and crossed her line of vision.
A roar rent the air and everyone stilled. An apprehensive quiet filled the space and Zima started to sprint toward her.