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Would you rather die?
Flustered by his blunt question, she tried to speak. No, of course
not, but
He abruptly cut her off. Gabrielle, put a move on it, now. We don t
have the luxury of thinking anything through. If we don t get out of
here within the hour, I can t guarantee we will make our destination
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before the sun comes up. He gave her a long, hard stare. You re
going to have to trust me whether you want to or not. I m all that s
standing between you and my brother.
That s not saying much.
He gave her another hard stare. The sunrise, Gabrielle,
remember?
She waved an impatient hand. Oh for God s sake, will you please
quit worrying about the sun? I can t think if you keep distracting me.
I ll bring my special-treated window coverings. I can wrap myself in
them in an emergency.
Will that be enough to protect you if we don t make it before the
sun rises?
Gabrielle smiled at the concern in his voice. Of course, he had to be
pretending. She d met very few humans in her lifetime that really
cared about her. But she d let it go, humor him for now. At least until
she could figure out what he was up to, and what he wanted from her.
I don t know for sure, she finally said, but it can t hurt to try.
Best way I know to find out.
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ENEMY MINE
He shot her a horrified stare. Another pretense, she thought. My
God, I don t want to take a risk like that if you re not sure of the
outcome.
This time she let out a sigh. Preston, from what I ve been told by
the others, the most I will suffer is a mild sunburn. I think I can handle
that if I have to. It s not really any of your concern. You re taking for
granted I m going with you when I m not.
Good God, woman, why do you have to be so damn stubborn? I m
trying to help you.
Gabrielle shrugged. I m not being stubborn. I just don t choose to
join forces with a hunter.
She turned to leave, then looked back with a puzzled expression.
By the way, where were we going?
To the beach.
Gabrielle cast him a look of dismay. The beach. I hate the beach.
I m glad I m not going with you.
You are going, and I know you hate the beach, he said between
clenched teeth. So does my family. It s common knowledge you
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ENEMY MINE
people hate the sand and saltwater.
Not to mention the bright sun, Gabrielle added dryly.
He grinned a wide smile, revealing perfectly even, white teeth.
That s why we re going there.
Gabrielle tilted her head to one side, shooting him a questioning
stare. Because I hate it?
No, not that, he said with an impatient shake of his head.
Because my grandfather would never suspect we might hide out at
the coast. There s an old college friend of mine who owns a cottage on
the beach. He gave me a key sometime back and told me to use it any
time I wanted. I figure now is a good time to take him up on his offer.
She shuddered at the image his words conjured up. Sounds
charming. But I m not going.
He picked up the bulging canvas bag and slammed it onto the
polished surface of her dining table. You re going, Gabrielle, even if I
have to rope you into my car again. And you ll just have to put up with
the accommodations. It s the best I can do in a pinch.
Shocked, she stepped back. You wouldn t dare tie me up again.
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What are you, some kind of wannabe cowboy?
He shot her a grim smile. No, I m a English teacher, or I was until
Granddad decided it was time I quit fooling around and do the job I
was reared to do. But make no mistake; I ll do whatever it takes to get
you in that car. We are leaving here, together, tonight.
They were going around in circles, she thought in disgust. Although
she hated to admit it, he could very easily force her to go with him.
She just wished she knew why he was so adamant about it. Could it be
pity for her lack of powers that motivated him? No, that couldn t be it,
he was an Adams, and the Adams men did not allow their better
emotions to interfere with the hunt. But then again, Preston wasn t
your typical Adams. Or was he?
Without warning, blood hunger beat through her, hammering at her
brain, forcing back her uncertainty and confusion. Gabrielle hadn t
eaten in two days, but so far she d managed to keep the bloodlust at
bay. She d eat soon, she promised herself, just as soon as she talked
some sense into Preston. But she already suspected it was a lost cause.
Okay, she d try one more time.
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ENEMY MINE
Reluctantly, she looked at him. Preston, do you have some kind of
plan in mind, other than just keeping one step ahead of your family for
the rest of your life, and possibly mine?
Preston paused in his packing. Yeah & I do. But I don t think
you re going to like it.
Gabrielle regarded him with a level gaze. Why don t you let me be
the judge of that. Tell me what you have in mind.
Okay, my plan is to get you somewhere safe. Then I m going
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