Witches for Hire (Odd Jobs #1)(114)

Edarra shuffled her feet. “In my defense, Desmond is the one who blew up the street.”

Simone groaned as she shook her head at the sunlight growing brighter. “I can’t believe that fucker stuck us with cleanup duty.”





Chapter 30


JEREMY TOOK a deep breath as he walked in the front door. “How are you, Simone?”

She looked at him with a frown. “Better when you pay the bill I placed on your door for my hard work.”

He winced. “Yeah, Desmond mentioned something about making the block look like a war zone.”

“Uh-huh. I want a full summary on how wonderful Desmond as a lover is added to my fee.”

Jeremy looked sideways. “Actually, concerning that…. While under the spell and since I’m kind of an exhibitionist when I’m horny—”

Simone held up her hands. “I don’t give a shit about you.”

“Well, you’re going to care that we sort of had sex on your desk.”

Simone’s jaw dropped.

“Don’t worry, we tossed all your stuff on the floor, and I did clean it afterward.”

“Jeremy!”

Jeremy hurriedly moved to the back of the office and sighed when he stood outside Clive’s door. He knocked gently.

“Come in.”

When he went inside, the first thing that greeted him was Clive’s battered face. “That looks so much worse than I remembered. Let me take care of that.” Jeremy slowly walked to him, so his actions couldn’t be seen as another attack.

“I know you’re not going to hurt me, so you don’t have to look so cautious,” Clive said. He turned his chair to face Jeremy. “Unless you’re under another curse.”

“No, I’m good on that front.” Jeremy nonetheless softly put his hands on Clive’s face and absorbed the magic he had leeched out into the wounds as little curses that wouldn’t heal. Each bruise disappeared when the magic was sucked out, and Clive sighed in relief when his face was clear again.

“We’re not going to be friends, are we?”

“I guess we fundamentally cannot get along.” Jeremy pulled his hand back. “Truce?”

“Or at least we try not to kill each other.”

Jeremy laughed. “I think I can do that.”

“Jeremy.” Clive sat up straighter. “I know it was Rosaline’s doing, but lying was also a large part of it. How about I’m honest with you, and you’re honest with me?”

Jeremy held out his hand. “Agreed.” They shook, and Jeremy left Clive’s office. The rest of the day turned out boring like many others, and they didn’t spend it blaming each other for the fiasco. I wish I could genuinely work here without causing conflict, Jeremy thought.

“You look like you’re contemplating something deep.”

Jeremy looked up to see Salvatore standing in his doorway. “Here to deliver dire warnings?”

“You killed an energy vamp while under a curse she placed on you. It’s definitely self-defense in our eyes, and there was a tornado in a nearby county to add authenticity to the cover story. I can now see you again in a more unofficial capacity.”

Jeremy’s eyebrow rose. “I’m already with someone.”

“I know, but there’s no reason you can’t see two men.” Salvatore winked. “By the way, I thought I’d return the evidence we had collected since the case is over.” He slapped down a pile of photographs of Jeremy and Desmond locked in various poses.

“Bloody hell!”

“Those were the pictures from the stash Rosaline had missed at Desmond’s old place in England.” Salvatore smiled. “We’re far more thorough than she was.”

Jeremy snatched the photos to his chest. “Thank you for returning them.”

“You’re welcome.” Salvatore checked his watch. “Isn’t it time for lun—”

The sound of a loud throat clearing interrupted him. Desmond stepped into Jeremy’s office with a large bouquet of roses. “You can leave now that your message is delivered.”

Salvatore tipped his hat at Jeremy. “Have a good day.”

“He will, and he’ll also have a good night.” Desmond looked down on Salvatore. “Without your help.”

Salvatore smiled on his way out the door.

Desmond held up the flowers. “These are okay, right? I figured we’re public now, so I can do things like take you to lunch.”

Jeremy crooked his finger. “Come here.”

Desmond moved closer, and Jeremy grabbed his tie.

They kissed. Jeremy smiled as they parted. “Yes. But no more desks, or you’ll get me in trouble.”

Desmond looked askance at him. “How about baby steps, and I only fuck you on your desk?”

“I guess we can afford to be a little bad.” They kissed again, and Jeremy wondered what their future would be like. “If the Council comes at you again, I’ll be right by your side.”

“They’re no longer a problem to us.”

Jeremy frowned. “Why?”

“The London Council felt the power we built up that night. In exchange for never stepping foot on England’s shores again, they’re closing the case on their end.”