Fourth Fight Read online

  EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ®

  www.evernightpublishing.com

  Copyright© 2017 Mary Abshire

  ISBN: 978-1-77339-224-0

  Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

  Editor: Audrey Bobak

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  FOURTH FIGHT

  Heaven Sent, 4

  Mary Abshire

  Copyright © 2017

  Chapter One

  Emily pulled the Jeep over to the side of the country road. Vast land stretched for miles on the right. A ten-foot concrete barricade painted in a cream color blocked all views to the property on the left. Cameras had been spread out over the length of the wall. Had there been razor-wire fencing at the top, the grounds would’ve looked like a prison facility.

  “Well that’s interesting,” Andrew said, staring ahead from the passenger seat. He wore jeans and a light-blue t-shirt under his long-sleeved plaid button down. He’d rolled the sleeve up to his elbow on one arm. The other had been rolled two inches from his wrist to keep the demon’s name inked on his forearm hidden.

  A large SUV had been parked near one side of the main gate. Sighing heavily, she debated what to do. There were only two entrances she’d found from driving by over the last couple of days. The one located on a side of the property was miles away and looked as secured as the central gate up the road. Both had cameras, barred gates, and devices sticking up from the ground to communicate with someone inside. Emily had planned to drive by the main entrance again until she’d noticed the vehicle parked near it.

  “There’s someone standing outside.” Andrew leaned closer to the front window and narrowed his vision. “I think he’s holding something in one of his hands.”

  The man by the entrance had short dark hair and wore a white shirt, army-style khaki pants, and a pair of combat boots. He had a weapon and other objects strapped to his belt while he held a clipboard in his hand. Shades hid his eyes. He had wide shoulders and a large muscular frame, bigger than Andrew’s fit body. If she had to guess, the person at the gate had served in some type of military service.

  “What’s the color of his aura?” she asked. It wasn’t often she cared to know about the auras of other people, but his angelic ability might be useful this time.

  “It’s white.”

  “At least we know he might be a good guy.”

  An early morning breeze flowed inside, brushing strands of Emily’s bangs. The tickling sensation prompted her to rub her forehead. She removed her shades and set them in the slot within the dashboard.

  “I can’t believe the demon we’re after is a celebrity,” she said for the tenth time since they’d found out over two weeks ago. After they’d destroyed the last demon in Missouri, they’d stayed there to ensure there weren’t any lingering issues. The mini vacation from hunting demons had been more than enjoyable and way too short.

  “I don’t like it any more than you do. It’s going to make my job a thousand times more difficult.”

  “Compared to the other three demons you destroyed, I’d rank this one as the most challenging to get close to.”

  He smiled at her and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She’d apparently missed it when she’d tied her locks behind her head. “We’ll figure it out. We’re a great team. I have faith we’ll get the job done.”

  “I don’t doubt we will, I just wish the people calling the shots in heaven would send you names of people that weren’t so damn difficult to get to.”

  “She has to be pretty evil for the powers that be to put her name on my arm.”

  Emily had found nothing on the web to indicate Annabelle Butler, rising country music singer, had ever committed any crimes or hurt anyone. Through Emily’s research, she’d learned Christopher Butler owned acres and acres of the land behind the tall wall. He was the father to Annabelle. He also was a widow and manager of her music career. Annabelle’s mother had died of a drug overdose when Annabelle was eight. Annabelle had an older brother named Conner who liked to follow in his mother’s footsteps. Numerous articles on the Internet indicated he used drugs and enjoyed the party life. Emily wondered if Annabelle took drugs too, or maybe she dealt them.

  “I hate this. We’re out here in the open.” She checked her rearview mirror and saw a dark vehicle approaching.

  “We better do something soon,” Andrew said. “The guard is bound to get suspicious.”

  “Any ideas?”

  “We could always drive up and ask for directions to the nearest town. We can say we took a wrong turn and got lost.”

  “That sounds so made up considering how far we drove to get here.”

  “Can you think of anything better?”

  She pressed her lips together and gazed at the mirror outside her door. The black sedan heading toward them had an SUV behind it in the distance behind. “Now this is strange.”

  “What?” He twisted to look out the back. “Well, at least we’re not the only one on this road.”

  “Yeah, and there’s another vehicle behind that one coming this way.”

  The sedan passed by them and continued toward the entrance of the property. The car’s brake lights illuminated as it slowed. The dark vehicle turned and then stopped in front of the open gate. The man standing outside approached the car as the driver’s window lowered.

  “Interesting,” she said.

  The driver and the passenger handed something small to the guard. As he studied the small item, he lifted the clipboard and started writing on it. After he finished, he returned the object to the driver. The dark-haired man stepped back while he pointed toward the property. As the sedan drove forward, the guard removed a walkie-talkie from his belt.

  “I bet he checked the driver’s ID,” Andrew said.

  “Let’s see if this SUV stops too.”

  She tapped her fingers on the lower part of the steering wheel as they waited. The engagement ring and wedding band Andrew had bought for her at a pawnshop in Missouri clanked softly. She’d enjoyed playing the role of his wife so much she’d yet to remove the rings.

  The SUV passed by so fast the Jeep swayed a tiny bit. The driver turned toward the entrance of the property. Similar to the previous car, the occupants handed the guard something. The dark-haired man made a note before handing the items back.

  “Okay, something is going on behind that concrete wall,” Emily said.

  “I think we should drive up and find out. Maybe we can get inside.”

  “What if he asks why we showed up?”

  “We say we’re for the event. It’s a vague answer that could mean anything. Does it really matter? The worst thing the guard can do is tell us to drive away.”

  Andrew had a point. Unless they gunned the Jeep toward the entrance, she doubted the guard would pull his weapon on them. He seemed to be standing around to check in people. If Emily or Andrew weren’t on any list, then the guard would send them away.

  Another black vehicle approached from the opposite direction. Unlike the other sedan, this one had tinted windows.

  Emily pointed at the front window. “What do you want to bet that car pulls up to the entrance too?”

  “I’d bet you’re right.”

  Together, they watched the car stop at the entrance. The driver spoke to the guard.

  Emily checked her mirrors again. “There’s a shiny
SUV heading this way.”

  “We should drive up and see what’s going on.”

  “All right, but I’m waiting until this SUV passes.”

  “Maybe there’s some big party later and everyone showing up are the servers to get things ready. I can pretend to be a waiter for a while. What about you?”

  In New York, she’d pretended to be a hooker to help Andrew get close to the demon to destroy it. In Springfield, they portrayed a married couple and he worked as a nurse since the demon was also a nurse. If she had to act as a waitress this time she’d do it, but the role might push her patience.

  “I can do it, but I don’t think I’d make a good waitress. I can’t handle dealing with complaints about food,” she said.

  “I bet you’d look cute in a little waitress uniform.” He raked a hungry gaze down her body.

  Smiling, she rolled her eyes. She didn’t need to guess where his naughty thoughts were straying. The angel loved to kiss and touch her, along with other things. And she was more than willing to let him.

  Emily shifted the gear as the vehicle drew nearer. “Great, we haven’t even gotten jobs as servers and you’re already finding a way to get up my dress and into my panties.”

  “You read my mind.”

  “No, I just know you too well.”

  “Admit it, you want me in your panties.”

  She warmed at the thought. “I admit it, I want you deep inside me. But first we have to make it past the guard. Can you hold off for a while?”

  He fidgeted in his seat while he slipped his hand underneath his shirt. “Damn it woman, you got me all hard again. Stop teasing me.”

  She chuckled as the shiny SUV flew by. “Better settle down because we’re going now.”

  She waited until the vehicle turned toward the entrance before she steered back onto the road. Whatever was going on, she hoped they could get involved.

  After the SUV drove past the entrance, the guard turned his attention to Emily’s Jeep as she steered toward him. He watched and waited as she brought the car to a halt. She lowered the window as the bulky man approached.

  “Hello,” she said.

  “Are you here for the tryouts?” the guard asked, looking from her to Andrew.

  “Yes,” Andrew answered in an instant.

  “Both of you?”

  “Yes,” Emily said.

  “Can I see your IDs please?”

  Andrew pulled his wallet out of his pocket while she reached behind his seat and into her purse in the back. She fished out her billfold and set it on her lap. Andrew handed her his card. After she removed her identification, she took his and handed both to the guard.

  “Reynolds. Are you two married?” he asked as he studied the IDs.

  “Yes,” Andrew said before she could answer.

  While the guard wrote on his clipboard, she looked at the angel sitting beside her. He hadn’t shaved in a couple of days, so he had a dark overgrowth on his face to match his short dark locks. He looked ever so sexy with his new look. Legs slightly parted, he had his hands on his muscular thighs. Apparently he’d enjoyed the role of a married couple too since he had the band still on his finger.

  “Here you go,” the guard said, jerking her attention back to him. He handed the cards back to her. “My name is Matt. I work here and will be conducting the tryouts.” He pointed past the open gate. “You’ll want to follow the road and stay to the left. Stop at the large white building with several other vehicles parked near it. Go inside and wait. Don will answer any questions you have.”

  “Thanks Matt,” Emily said as she handed Andrew’s card back to him. She quickly slipped her identification back into her billfold before she dropped it into her purse behind Andrew’s seat.

  “Good luck.” Matt stepped back from the Jeep.

  Emily accelerated past the gate and continued down the dirt road.

  “That was easy,” Andrew said as he pushed his wallet back into his pocket.

  “Tryouts for what?”

  “Like I said, maybe they need servers so we have to show them our skills.”

  She followed the path and stayed to the left when another branched off from it. The white building was easy to spot, especially with all the dark cars. It seemed strange servers would drive such nice vehicles.

  “Don’t you think it’s odd the owners of these SUVs and other nice cars would be here for server training?” she asked.

  “Not all of them are nice. The car with the Nevada plate has a dent in the trunk.”

  “You get my point.” She slowed to park next to one of the SUVs.

  “It’s unusual, but we made it this far. Don’t worry, we’ll get through this.” He gave her a confident grin. “You’re good at planning and I’m good at winging things. I can handle this.”

  She had to admit they made a great team. They balanced each other out well. “Okay, husband, let’s see what we’re trying out for.”

  They left the cool confines of the Jeep. The bright rays from the California sun warmed her arms within seconds. According to the weather application on her cell, the forecast had called for hot and sunny in Borrego Springs. The short-sleeve blue shirt and jean shorts she’d dressed in would keep her comfortable in the heat. Emily caught up to Andrew at the front of the car.

  “Not bringing your purse?” he asked as they headed for the door.

  “Nah.” She pressed the button on the keychain, securing the Jeep’s alarm and locks. “We seem to be on safe property. I think it will be fine in the car.” She slid the key into her pocket.

  “I wouldn’t consider the home of a demon safe,” he said in a softer voice.

  “Well no, but I don’t think she’ll steal from us. She has plenty of money.”

  He stopped at the door and opened it for her. She stepped into a small entryway before meeting another set of doors. Andrew tugged the handle on one for her. When she stepped inside, the eyes of nine large men turned to her. What the hell had she walked into?

  Chapter Two

  The spacious room contained free weights, three treadmills, three elliptical machines, and a wide variety of other machines. The floor-to-ceiling mirror on the right consumed the entire wall. A few men sat on benches near the weights while others stood. Most wore jeans and t-shirts. Some wore army style pants. All of them had their attention directed at Emily.

  “Are you here for the tryouts?” the man with a red aura and bald head asked, sitting on a stool near the door. He wore a black shirt and khaki army pants similar to Matt’s. His arm and leg muscles were larger than Andrew’s.

  “Yes, we checked in at the gate,” Andrew said.

  “I’m Don.” He offered his hand and Andrew accepted it.

  “Spencer Reynolds. This is my wife, Carrie.”

  Don’s grin widened as he extended a greeting to her. “Are you here to support your husband?”

  She shook his hand. “We work as a team.”

  Her vague response brought a smile to Andrew’s face.

  “Were you in any service?” Don asked.

  “No,” she said.

  “Do you know how to fire a weapon?” Don asked.

  “Of course. I’m not some girly girl.”

  The front doors opened. Two more men stepped into the entryway.

  “Perhaps we should look around,” Andrew said to Emily.

  “By all means, look around or have a seat if you can find one. We’ll be starting in about fifteen to twenty minutes,” Don said.

  “Thanks,” Andrew said before he walked away with Emily at his side.

  Past more athletic equipment on the left, there was an open doorway in the wall with a sign by it reading men. Further down the wall toward the back, another opening had signage for women. Entrances to locker rooms if he’d guessed right. Two large flat televisions hung in the center of the wall between the doorways.

  Andrew headed toward the treadmills facing the windows in the back of the room. The open blinds on the two longer walls let in enough r
ays to illuminate the entire gym.

  “This is weird,” Emily said in a soft voice.

  “Which part? The fact you’re the only female here, or the questions Don asked you?”

  “Both.”

  He scanned men. “There are ten here including the two that walked in behind us.”

  “I don’t think these guys are here for a waiter job.” Emily glanced over her shoulder to look at the others.

  Andrew moved in front of her so his back faced the men. He slid his hands into his pockets. “They’re all fit, clean cut, and most of them have white auras. Only two don’t. And Don’s is red. We have to be careful around him.”

  She nodded as she surveyed the others in the room. Her dyed brown hair looked better than the black tint she’d had. The light freckles on and round her nose seemed to show more. They made her look oh-so cute. She shifted her attention to the treadmill nearby and moved toward it. Her shorts were a little snug and reached close to her mid-thigh. He loved looking at her plump ass. Struggling not to slide his hand over her firm derriere, Andrew walked to the other side of the machine.

  “I’m guessing this tryout is for a security position,” she said in a soft voice as she looked at the monitor of the treadmill.

  Andrew twisted to glance at the men. Given their physique and Don’s question about a weapon, Emily’s presumption made sense. A music singer would need security to ensure her safety. But what would they have to do to prove they were capable of handling such a job? Shoot a gun? That was too easy.

  Two more large men entered the building. Dressed in jeans and t-shirts, they removed their sunglasses as they stopped to talk to Don. The total applicants had reached twelve.

  A tall young man with blond hair and a shorter guy with a buzz cut approached Andrew and Emily. They both wore light-colored shirts with some kind of advertisement. The shorter man had a tinted aura.

  “So you’re here to try out for the positions?” the tall one asked.