Destiny Kills (Myth and Magic 1)

“Yes. You a cop?”

“No, sir. I’m a bail bondsman.” He hesitated. “The couple in room two reported you had company. They said you came in with someone last night. Someone resembling this woman.”

“If you call both of them having black hair similar, then yeah, I guess she was.”

“Is she here now?”

“No. At the rates she charged, I couldn’t afford her for anything more than an hour or so.” Trae’s voice was dry. “And if you’re not a cop, then I have no reason to answer any more questions. Good day, sir.”

The stranger grunted. It didn’t sound like a happy grunt. “Thank you for your help, sir.”

The door closed. A few seconds later, Trae appeared in the bathroom doorway. “He didn’t believe me.”

“Maybe he didn’t believe you’re the type to use hookers.” I took a sip of coffee, then raised an eyebrow and asked, “Are you?”

“On occasion. When the need arises and the help of a good woman isn’t near.” He shrugged, his gaze on the small bathroom window at the back of the shower. “You think you could get through that?”

“I think a better question would be, why would I want to get through that?”

“Because they’ll be watching me leave, which means you can’t be with me. It’s either stay here, or climb out through that window and meet me down the road somewhere.”

I grabbed a bit of toast and munched on it while I contemplated the window. “It’ll be tight, but I can manage.”

“Good.” He stepped up to the window, slid it all the way open, and peered out. “There’s a line of pines just past the back fence. Once there, head to the right. There’s a side street just up the road—I’ll meet you there.”

“What about the tracker still in me?”

“If those men look to be leaving before me, I’ll take them out.”

“Be careful. They know what you’re capable of now, and they’ll be watchful for an attack.”

“Sweetheart, I’m always careful.”

“And arrogant.”

He merely grinned. I took a swig of my coffee, then said, “And if those men follow you?”

“I’ll drive past the trees and take them on a scenic tour. You grab a cab and head into Florence.”

“Where will I meet you?”

“I’ll call you.”

“I don’t have a phone.”

“I’ll give you mine. Once I’m clear, I’ll find somewhere for us to meet.”

“Just don’t take any risks. If they have a dragon tracker with them, they can bring you down, just like they brought Egan down.”

He smiled and touched a hand lightly to my cheek. Warmth slithered across my skin and reached deep into my soul.

“This thief knows how to sneak. It’s the fish who needs to be careful.”

“They suspect you, Trae. That was evident in his tone. If it goes beyond suspicion, they’ll react, and react nastily. You don’t know what they’re capable—”

“Nor do they know me.” He leaned forward and dropped a quick, warm kiss on my lips. “You need to get out that window.”

“Now? Why?”