Robin Bielman - Veiled Target

To my husband, for being my biggest fan and supporter, and for always knowing the perfect things to say. I love you, honey!

A few special thanks to my awesome editor, Holly Atkinson, the great team at Samhain and to wonderful friends Marilyn Brant, Caryn Caldwell and Jennifer Haymore, who each helped me along the way.

Tess Damon had no intention of telling the man holding the gun to her head what she was capable of. If he believed he had the upper hand, maybe shed get out of this alive.

She silently fought the knots in her stomach and gripped the leather safety straps hanging in the open lift gate of the small, private business jet. As she struggled to keep her footing against the howling gale-force wind, shivers raced up and down her body. The frigid temperature stole precious air from her lungs. Her eyes watered and her ears ached. Pressure from the gun barrel hurt right in that tension headache spot above her eye.

Her first time flying in an aircraft that combined the comfort of a Cessna with the functionality of a sky-diving plane wasnt exactly working in her favor.

When we started this date, Id no idea of your true intentions, shouted the sharp-toothed businessman over the painful air currents. You were wrong to think Id be easy to get rid of.

Tess let a practiced smile slip over her lips. She might be wrong about a lot of things, but eliminating the vampire whod killed dozens of innocent people using weaponswith delay and tormentbecause he hated to get his fangs or hands dirty, wasnt one of them.

So despite the nerves humming underneath her skin, she wouldnt plead her case. Instead, she forced her heavy eyelids up and stared into the depths of night-fallen sky, grateful shed planned ahead. As long as the pilot remained in the cockpit, it was just her and the vamp back here. This wasnt over yet.

I could say the same to you.

Taken to flying, have you? His callous tone didnt bother her. Shed jumped out of plenty of planes. Albeit with a parachute in place, but she pushed that worry aside.

She was an expert at pushing emotions aside.

My talents are quite varied. It might benefit you to keep that in mind. Despite her confident words, her body shook. She used every ounce of strength to keep her legs from buckling.

I like a woman whos sure of herself, he hollered, his jet-black hair blowing off his pale face. Perhaps youd like to reconsider the job I offered yesterday and we can forget about this little indiscretion. I could use someone with your keen sense of deception.

She swallowed the bitter taste in the back of her throat. As nice an offer as that was, Im afraid Im not interested.

I see the job as your only chance for survival.

Now hed blown it. He could take those words and shove them up his well-dressed ass. Who the hell did he think he was? Sure, she shouldnt be in this position, but the creep had slipped something into her cocktail. After a few sips, shed figured it out and popped her own pill to counter the lethargic effects. Unfortunately, it hadnt worked quickly enough.

Really? she said, forcing the word out with slow determination. Why on earth would you say such a thing?

Laughter spewed from his mouth. You forget whos holding the gun.

How could I forget that? Why dont you put it down so we can talk about this? Her shoulders and arms burned as the muscles grew unresponsive. She couldnt hold on much longer and really preferred he drop his arm before she dropped hers.

As interested as I am to know who sent you to kill me, I dont think thats a very good idea. He jammed the gun against her temple, harder this time.

A sharp sting shot through her head. Tess knew the only reason she was still alive was because he wanted the name of whoever had ratted him out.

Put the gun down. I promise Ill talk. Lies fell from her lips easier than truths.

A question first: have you ever failed before?

Well, crap. Who said he could bring up the F word? She tried to mask her discomfort and decided to sling her own uncomfortable question. I never kiss and tell. But Im wondering how your organization will feel when I tell them what youve been up to.

Before he could answer, the plane jolted, a patch of turbulence giving her just the edge she needed to take over the situation. When their bodies bumped, she spun on her heels and flung every ounce of her one-hundred-and-twenty-pound frame against the vampires chest. The surprise contact sent them both backwards, away from the open door.

The gun fell out of the vampires hand and slid from Tesss view. She took the opportunity to leap down the narrow aisle toward her seat. The elegant wood trim and cabinetry of the middle interior was a far cry from the skydivers launch pad behind her. As she searched for her belongings, the vampires cold hand wrapped around her ankle and tugged her toward the floor.

She twisted and, before falling, landed the heel of her other foot in his neck. He let go and she back-peddled out of his grasp.

This is not how I anticipated the evening going. He pierced her with his mineral-gray eyes.

You and me both. She caught her breath, taking the few seconds to compose herself. Then, reaching one arm behind her, she stretched her fingers in search of the bag shed hooked underneath the seat. Bingo.

Although, I must admit, I find this great sport. Youre a worthy adversary, and Im sorry you wont be around to continue the relationship. His eyes darted to the handgun, now visible a few feet away.

Tess smirked. If hed only acted like a real vampire, he wouldnt be in this situation. Youre wrong about that.

In the next instant, she pulled a carved koa wood blade from her bag, jumped to her feet, and thrust the tip into the vampires chest. His eyes widened just before his body slumped to the floor.

Relief spread through her, slowing the rushed beats of her heart. Shed lost track of how many kills shed made, but every one still felt like the first.

A moment later, the plane dipped, another jolt of agitated air reminding her she still had work to do. The vampire flying the plane also required elimination.

She walked down the narrow aisle toward the cockpit door. With a delicate hand, she tried the handle. It didnt budge. Shit. The pilot probably expected the vampire to knock. Tess made a fist, but before her hand reached the door, a voice sounded over an intercom.

Youre out of luck, bitch. Im taking the plane down with you on the other side of that door.

She felt the pilots eyes on her and let out a restless sigh. Did I not prove anything to you back here? she half-shouted. She looked around for a hidden camera while she hustled back to retrieve her purse.

You proved my boss incompetent. Im another story. And quite thirsty, should you manage to get up close and personal.

Tess rolled her eyes. She pulled a small metal nail file from her bag and wiggled it inside the keyhole. Shed never been very good at picking locks. And with her fingers chilled to the bone, this one was even more difficult.

The plane started its descent and her ears plugged. Her stomach flip-flopped. Dammit. If she didnt get suited up to jump now, shed lose her window of opportunity. She didnt know how many vamps waited on the ground for her, but guessed the odds werent in her favor.

She dressed quickly, ran down the aisle, and leaped out the open lift gate.

As her body hit the air, she whooped, releasing the uneasiness shredding her insides. The black sky swallowed her. Her shadow, cast by a full moon, kept her company and brought a smile to her face. The freefall rush lasted until the lights of civilization came into closer view, and she tugged on the chute.