Sin & Salvation (Demigod of San Francisco #3)(95)

Or me.

“She could’ve at least brushed her hair,” someone else said.

“What I wouldn’t give to hit that…” some douche said.

I gritted my teeth to keep from sucker-punching him in the spirit box. However well deserved, it wouldn’t be great for public goodwill.

Kieran turned slowly, his face a terrifying mask of viciousness. Magic seeped around him. His gaze hit Mr. Douche with a force that had the other man stepping backward.

“Sorry, sir,” the man mumbled, his face paling. “I meant no disrespect.”

“Subtle,” I said as Kieran turned back.

“You wear my mark. Disrespecting you is disrespecting me.”

“You sure didn’t seem to mind the hair comment, though…”

“The which?”

It hadn’t even registered.

He gestured around us. “Where shall we go first?”

I finally clued in to my surroundings. Top of the line stores crowded the streets, everything from domestic items to expensive lotions to handbags.

“We can’t shop here,” I said quietly.

He looked down at me, and I saw the love in his eyes. “This is the best this town has to offer. We’ll start here. When things with the government are resolved, we’ll hit Italy and France. We’ll visit the castle in Ireland. I have all the money you could want, Alexis, with more on the way. You can have it all. I just want you.”

“Did you hear what he said?” someone asked wistfully.

“She is so lucky,” someone else said.

“I would give my left arm for that man.”

I quirked an eyebrow. “Gonna let that one go, too?”

He gave me a crooked grin. “That’s your department. I just take care of the guys.”

I shook my head and noticed Chef’s Kitchen just up the way, a store that I’d never dreamed, in a million years, I’d ever have the money to shop in. It wasn’t even a big dream, it was a dream for another person in another life.

A strange nervousness washed over me, and suddenly I wanted to run. To hide. This was all too good for me. He was too good for me. I was the nothing daughter of a nobody, having grown up in the crack of nowhere. I didn’t belong on one of the most expensive streets in magical San Francisco about to go into a bunch of top-of-the-line stores. That wasn’t my MO!

My phone vibrated and I distractedly fished it out, aware that I was stalling. That people were staring at us expectantly.

A text from Bria: I see you left without me, you dick. I would’ve bought that store out, too. Make good choices.

I couldn’t help responding: I’m about to bolt. I don’t belong down here. Everyone is staring.

Kieran lightly moved my hair over my shoulder before stepping closer and sliding his arm around my waist. He wasn’t in any hurry, and he wasn’t concerned about showing affection in public. He was backing up his mark.

I leaned into him, relishing his comfort and support. Wishing it could only be him and me.

Bria: Just wait until you walk into Prada with me by your side. They’ll be following you thinking I’m a shoplifter. Been there, done that. Stole the purse to prove it.

I spat out a laugh and then wiped down Kieran’s shirt.

“What’s up?” he asked softly before kissing my temple.

“Bria is talking me down from freaking out.”

“She’s worth three million dollars, did she mention that?”

I reeled backward with wide eyes. “What’s this now?”

He smiled and I swear every woman in the area swooned. “She lives frugally and saves like hell. She’s worth a lot of money. Zorn nearly blew a gasket when he found out. If she can waltz through here, with her metal shirts and dog collars, so can a hard-working woman with floodwater pants and messy hair.”

“You did hear that comment.” I playfully slapped his chest and he laughed.

“Be you, Alexis,” he whispered near the shell of my ear. “I love you, in every way. No one else’s opinion will change that. Just be you.”

“I love you, too,” I said, and pointed at Chef’s Kitchen. “We might as well get some good materials for the guys.”

“Good thinking. I hear that store has one hell of a lemon zester.”

As we entered the store, I squeezed his hand and leaned my arm against his. “The kids wanted me to get my miracle. They both thought they’d already received theirs, and wanted me to finally get mine. I never thought I would. Not in my wildest dreams. And yet, here I am, living a fantasy with a man I love. Everything I’ve done has been worth it. I’d do it all again. You are my miracle, Kieran.”

He lifted our joined hands and kissed the back of mine. “You are my salvation.”

Happiness tingled from my head to my toes, and I realized that on the walk over here, no one had stared at me in hatred. No one had turned away in fear or unease. No one had mentioned my magic at all. They’d been far too concerned with who I was with, what I looked like, or my position by Kieran’s side. It calmed me in a way nothing else could’ve. My life wasn’t perfect, but I wouldn’t change a single thing.

I had my miracle.

I patted his hand, then pushed him away. I also had shopping to do.





Epilogue