Witches for Hire (Odd Jobs #1)(95)

Faradin also sat. “You may go. But if we find another witness, you’ll be in front of us again.” He looked at the other two Council members. “Are you also satisfied for now?”

Salvatore sipped from his glass of water. “We certainly saw plenty, but a second demonstration from behind would prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Mr. Ragsdale’s status as a protected magical being is accurate.”

The rocker laughed. “Score that on your own time.”

Desmond glared at Salvatore. “That was the only demonstration you’ll ever see.” He helped Jeremy start walking to the doors that had also returned.

“For now,” Salvatore whispered loud enough for everyone to hear.

Desmond’s shoulders stiffened, but he didn’t respond.

At least his witch in shining armor was thinking more about getting them the hell out of there than fighting. Things were going to be really weird if Jeremy saw those Council members again. “We are willing to forgive your infraction if you speak of this to no one.”

“The knowledge of your condition spreading is far more dangerous than Desmond,” Faradin said.

Jeremy saluted the Council. “I sincerely hope we never meet again.” When they passed through the doors, he and Desmond were greeted with the cold winter darkness of an abandoned strip mall that Jeremy thankfully recognized as being not too far from his office. When he looked back, the entrance had sealed behind them into a solid wall of a closed grocery store. “They’re probably at another location already.” He couldn’t get out another word because Desmond grabbed him into a desperate embrace, locking their mouths so that Jeremy didn’t have a chance to take a breath. As usual, cool and strong until he’s in private.

Desmond kissed Jeremy one last time and then pulled away. “If they had hurt you, I would have lost it.”

“If they had hurt me, I would have said let’s take them on.” Jeremy laughed. “You were really stubborn about that door.”

Dark brown eyes that looked black in the shadows widened in confusion. “You’re not mad at me for being the cause of this?”

“I knew they wouldn’t attack me unless I made a move first. That’s the only good thing about being kidnapped by hall monitors.”

“I hear a but.”

“But they aren’t going to take chances with their territory being in danger from your feud with the energy vamps. If you don’t keep your nose clean, they’ll find a reason to detain you, and possibly permanently next time.” Jeremy shivered in the cold. “I think we need to bring the fight to her and end this.”

“How is that keeping our noses clean?”

“Fewer bodies, and playing hero might add brownie points to your record.”

For the fourth time, Desmond looked back in the direction of the vanished entrance.

Jeremy yanked the magician by the collar, so they were forced to look into each other’s eyes. “What will you do if you manage to use the residual power left behind to scry their next location?” He sighed as he touched their foreheads together. “Going barbarian won’t help me.”

Desmond’s strong arms hugged Jeremy close. “In the old days, you used to declare war on our enemies. Why are you so calm?”

“The Council are dicks for this, but it’s nice having one less secret hanging over my head.” His thighs brushed against Desmond’s. Sex was the best distraction, and Desmond’s nose nuzzling his neck and inhaling showed his lover’s willingness to be swayed.

“Maybe you’re not a prude after all.” Desmond lifted up Jeremy’s chin. “If she’s standing in front of you weak and defeated, can you do what has to be done? Because in that moment of hesitation, she’s going to strike with everything she has.”

Not having left legal defender mode yet, Jeremy rebutted, “What if she comes for me and you’re not there? Would you still think I don’t have what it takes?”

“That depends if your coworkers are nearby. You don’t want them to see your darker side, and that could weaken your resolve.”

“So what does your little housewitch do? Stay at home with a pot of tea ready?”

“Nothing,” Desmond said. “I’m going to cause such a ruckus that she’ll spend her free time hunting me. The Great Mother and I came to an agreement, and we’re combining our people to search for the energy vamps’ lair.”

“Since my main goal right now is distracting you from the Council, I’m going to save my well-deserved outrage for later.”

“In the meantime?”

Jeremy smirked. “We find a quiet place to ward off tonight, and then we release as much pent-up frustration as we can.”

Desmond took in their run-down surroundings. “It could take a while, but I see a lot of cars.” His head tilted to the side. “When was the last time we fucked in a boot?”

“Something abandoned or no deal.”

Sighing heavily, Desmond looked at the sky despondently. “You see? You’ve become an absolute prude.”

Jeremy pulled on the sash of Desmond’s coat while twisting the ends in his hands. “Hurry before I change my mind.”

“Whatever my Angel wants.”




SALVATORE SUCKED his cigar in his mouth and concentrated on the other end long enough for it to light.