Hell's Bell (Lizzie Grace 2)

“The RWA witch will be able to do a finding spell—”

“Yes, and if he or she gets here before I’ve arranged to meet with Meika, great. If not, then we need to make the attempt. If the current pattern holds—”

“It will attack again tomorrow night,” he finished for me.

“Yes.”

The thought had horror creeping through me, and I shivered. Aiden’s arm slipped around my waist and he tucked me close to his long, warmth length. But, as nice as it was, it didn’t stop the chills.

“I’m not meaning this as a criticism, but let’s hope the RWA witch is more knowledgeable on these types of spirits than you and Belle.”

“That wouldn’t exactly be hard.” I hooked my fingers into the back pocket of his jeans and couldn’t help but be aware of the play of muscles under my fingertips, and just how little material now separated my hand from his rather well-formed butt.

There was nothing like a little badly timed lust to take your mind off more serious matters, it seemed.

We walked the rest of the way to the café in silence, reaching it without incident. I somewhat reluctantly stepped away from him and said, “I’ll undoubtedly be awake if you want to drop by for a drink later. Bad news is always better done face-to-face rather than over the phone.”

“Being the bearer of bad news is a task I absolutely hate, so let’s hope we’ll be having a celebratory drink rather than drowning our sorrows.” He brushed his fingers down my cheek, a tender touch that had my hormones skipping about again, and then stepped back. His fingers, I noticed, were again clenched. “I’d better get back to the office. Lock the door, and keep well away from the windows.”

“I seriously doubt anyone is going to have a go at me in the middle of—”

“If they want you dead seriously enough, they just might. So stop arguing and just do as I ask.”

The ranger is very worried about your safety, Belle commented. Which is rather nice, is it not?

He’s a ranger. It’s his job to be worried about things like this. To Aiden, I added, “Just this one time, I will. But don’t expect such easy compliance on future orders.”

Oh, this is more than professional worry. Trust me on that.

Stop skimming his thoughts, Belle. Just leave the man alone.

It is my duty as your familiar to look after you—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. It is a job I take very seriously.

I mentally snorted. It has nothing to do with looking after me, and everything to do with being a stickybeak. And we both know it.

“Oh, if there’s one thing I never expect from you,” Aiden said, amusement in his tone, “it’s certainly compliance.”

“Good, because it’s always better going into any sort of relationship with that understanding on the table.” Of course, after tonight, it might not matter.

His amusement faded but he didn’t say anything. I opened the door, stepped inside, and then glanced back. “Talk to you later.”

“Indeed,” he said. “Now lock the damn door and go upstairs.”

I did. Belle met me at the top of the steps with a very large glass of whiskey on ice. “I thought you might need this.”

“I do. Thanks.” I downed half of it in one gulp; the fiery liquid burned all the way down my throat but didn’t immediately make me feel better. I rather suspected it would take a whole lot more than one large glass. I followed her over to the kitchenette and topped up my drink. “So what do you think?”

“I tend to agree with you—I can’t see the witch bothering to use a gun when her magic is strong enough to control the soul sucker.”

“I meant about the council and their upcoming decision.”

“I have faith that common decency will prevail in our favor.” She paused, her expression distracted. “The spirits say common decency should never be relied on.”

I snorted. “Says the crowd who never have the decency to answer a direct question.”

“The fault is apparently yours—you never ask the right question.” Her amusement faded. “What the hell are we going to do if they throw us out?”

I sighed and slumped back against the counter. “I really don’t know.” I drank some more whiskey, and then added, “If we’re given compensation, I guess we won’t lose money, but it really feels like we’re meant to be here. I don’t want to leave.”