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was definitely her Achilles’ heel.
    Kira rubbed her head over Angelique’s shoulder, the fur tickling the sensitive skin.
    Angelique placed the dishtowel-wrapped ice pack onto her side and crossed the room. She peeked through the blinds out the kitchen window. A man sat in his car across the street reading a newspaper. Glancing around the neighborhood, she saw there was no one else around.
    He looked at her just as she was about to pull away from the window. Their eyes met before he jerked his attention back to the paper. Her heart skipped a beat, and she backed away from the window. Kira growled on her shoulder, and Angelique placed her hand near the familiar, taking strength from her presence. “Quiet now. I need to think.”
    Angelique sat on one of the stools at the kitchen island. Kira settled down and silently swished her tail. Nibbling her lower lip, Angelique rubbed her free hand over her forehead. Uneasiness settled in her stomach when she remembered how he’d looked at her and then jerked his gaze away when she’d caught him. Maybe she needed a better look. She tossed the ice pack on the kitchen island and walked to the door. She slipped into her jacket and slid on a pair of sandals, then flipped open the lock. Before she could step onto her porch, a car engine revved. The man tossed aside the newspaper and drove away.
    How odd. First Connor shows up to her place, then his ex, and now some creepy dude. Maybe she needed to get away from here. Take some time to think. Connor wouldn’t be happy with her, but he could thank last night’s revelations for that. Her hand rested on the lock, about to secure the door again, when another car pulled up to the curb. Through the blinds, she saw the crazy woman from last night, Monica, getting out of her car.
    Kira rose to attention instantly, driven by Angelique’s spike in stress. She didn’t want to deal with this woman right now. Monica had been hell-bent on being with Connor last night. Who knew what she would do. Besides, if Connor was a werewolf, Monica might be too. That would explain her speed and agility.
    Fear shivered down her spine. Wolves had a good sense of smell, and if Monica came to the door, she’d absolutely catch a whiff of Connor’s scent marked all over her body. Crap, she didn’t need this right now.
    With her injured side, Angelique wouldn’t have a chance.
    Angelique headed out to the backdoor, then jogged as quickly and quietly as she could. She turned into a subdivision’s back alley, focusing on gaining distance between her and her home. Monica had taken her time to approach the front door, so maybe Angelique’s getaway would go unnoticed. Please, God, let it be so .
    Kira paced along her back while her tail snapped from side to side like a furry whip. Pain exploded through Angelique’s side, and she bit her lip hard to keep from crying out. “Knock it off.”
    Kira mewled in response, but settled on Angelique’s shoulder.
    She slowed to a fast walk. To her left was the gas station she sometimes visited. Several people were there. A couple of men pulled away as she headed toward the store. The men whistled and catcalled at her as they drove past.
    Kira’s nose touched the nape of Angelique’s neck as they walked past the gas pumps. Something about this place felt like a good idea, aside from it being populated. Just as she had the thought, Kira tensed before sneezing. The air, permeated with gasoline vapors, almost made her gag. Assuming Monica was a werewolf, the smell of gas might throw off her trail.
    The narrow alley behind the gas station caught Angelique’s eye. Kira’s desire to be away from the noxious fumes drove her forward. Circling around the store, she peeked around a corner. Monica was hot on her trail and approached the gas station on foot as well. Her gaze scanned the area as if she were unsure which way to proceed.
    A nudge from Kira refocused Angelique, and she forged ahead. She slipped into the alley,