Scarlet Boa

They rode in strained silence. Rachel drove with a white knuckled grip on the wheel while she contemplated the man beside her. She'd met Michael after the first body turned up in the park, and something about him had rattled her from their first meeting.

She stole a quick glance at him. He sat, arms folded across a massive chest, silent and brooding.

"Fine, so he's mildly attractive." She mused.

"Mildly?" a voice in her head whispered. "Honey, even Ray Charles could see how fine he is. Those eyes, those legs and did you see that chest?""

"All right, so he's hot. That doesn't change the fact that he's different somehow."

"Who cares?," the voice insisted. "That man makes sin look like a good idea."

Rachel pushed the voice aside and concentrated on driving, but nothing could keep her mind off the man next to her.

He saw her sidelong glances but said nothing, too busy seething over her carelessness. Time after time she put herself in harm's way and refused to follow the simplest direction. His job was to protect her, no arguments. He grudgingly admitted that he admired her tenacity and courage, her refusal to back down no matter what came her way. But the danger ahead of her would get her killed if she refused to take heed.

Her voice interrupted his thoughts. "When we get to the Brickskeller, let me do the talking."

"Why?"

"Because you're big as a house and with that scowl on your face you're intimidating that's why."

"I'm not intimidating."

"Have you looked in the mirror? C4 couldn't get that look off your face."

"If I have questions I intend to ask."

"That's not the plan."

"I don't care what the plan is Rachel. We're done with your plan. >From this point, you'll do as I say."

"Like hell I will!"

She jerked to a stop in front of the Brickskeller. A notorious night-club that catered to gothic, children of the night type, vampire wannabe's.

He turned to face her. She stopped cold. Maybe her imagination was running wild but his eyes glowed red around the irises and his teeth looked longer.

"What's wrong with your eyes?!", she asked.

He turned and looked out the window, his voice terse as he spoke. "Listen to me, from now on we do this my way. Act like a child and I'll treat you like one. You aren't going to make protecting you difficult, understand? Otherwise, you're dead."

"Why should I listen to you? For all I know you're the killer!" she shouted.

He whipped around to face her, anger etched in his face. "I did not kill those women."

"Right, that's why you suddenly look like the big bad wolf."

He sighed. "Rachel, someone wants you dead. You'd better get used to me being around. Or else, I suggest you start making your final arrangements."

Unnerved, she got out and slammed her door in reply. Sighing heavily, he followed her into the club.