"Depends on your definition of the word better," he responded with a grunt of pain. His ribs were purple and it was obvious where he'd been punched by a damn troll. And if the Unseelie creature wasn't burned to an absolute crisp already, Thomas would reconsider going back to put about ten bullets from his Desert Eagle in his skull.

But, he was dead. As are a lot of other things that joined him in a bid to take out Harry.

Under the pain, however, he could feel Justine's light touch and a thrill of electric desire traversed up his spine. "It could be a lot better, you know."

He slid his hand up her skirt, brushing his fingertips against her thigh until he could grasp her naked hip. "Being with you is a start, though."