The Lightning-Struck Heart (Tales From Verania 1)

“Welcome to Mama’s,” she all but purred.

I said, “I need to see Moishe.”

The smile faded slightly. “Oh? Conversation?”

I cocked my head at her. “Services.”

“Hmm. I don’t know if he does that anymore.”

“He will if he knows it’s me.”

“Will he, now?”

“Magic has a taste,” I said, leaning closer to her. She shuddered slightly as my breath fell on her cheek. “Or so he says. He wants it on his tongue. And I aim to give it to him.”

“The great Sam of Wilds. How lucky he must be.” She nodded and took a step back. “It’ll be just a moment.” She was up the stairs and out of sight before I could say anything more.

Mama’s boys whispered quietly to one another as they watched me. Undoubtedly they’d overheard my conversation with the girl. They knew of Moishe’s fascination with me. It was not a love thing, or even a like thing. It was, for lack of a better word, about lust. Though I didn’t think it was for me personally. If Ryan had a magic kink, then Moishe had a power kink. I had both in spades. What better way to destroy my virginity than with someone who wanted what I had.

Or, at least, that was the plan.

/> Of course, it was never that easy.

“You foolish, foolish boy,” Mama growled from behind me.

I rolled my eyes and turned around. “Figured you’d get here first.”

She looked beautiful, as always. A long, onyx wig fell around her shoulders and back. Kohl-lined eyes, smoky and thick. Deep red lipstick, sticky and sweet. Her nails were short and black, the illusion of breasts cinched tight in a black and red corset. She wore knee-high riding boots over skintight silk leggings. She held a crop in one hand, smacking the leather against her other. She looked like she was going horseback riding. Sexy horseback riding.

She jerked the end of the crop under my chin, forcing me to look up into her eyes. The leather scraped against my skin. “What are you doing here, Sam?”

“I didn’t ask for you.”

“No. You didn’t. But this is my establishment, and you should know better than anyone that whatever happens under this roof, Mama knows. Now. I’ll ask one more time, because we’re friends and I love you very much. You will answer me truthfully, or I’ll tan your hide in front of my boys and you will like it.” She dropped the crop from my face and reached out with a large hand, grabbing me by the wrist. She pulled me into a room where two twinks were sitting in front of a mirror, applying blush to their cheeks.

“Babies,” she said, voice soft and kind. “Mama needs the room. You can use the mirror at the end of the hall to finish up.”

“Yes, Mama,” they both said, eyeing me curiously before leaving. Mama closed the door behind them.

“That’s how rumors start,” I told her. “They’re going to tell everyone you’ve become a working girl again.”

“Ah,” she said. “Like I would actually charge you for anything.”

I grinned at her as I leaned against the wall, crossing my arms over my chest. “You love me.”

“I do, though I am having a difficult time remembering why just now.” She sat on the recently vacated stool in front of the mirror and looked at her reflection. She brought a perfectly manicured pinkie up and brushed it across her lips, brushing away a flake of lipstick.

“Mama. It’s not—”

“Cut the bullshit, Sam.” Her eyes found mine in the mirror’s reflection.

Fine. I could do that. “I’m here for Moishe.”

“I gathered as much when Natasha came into my office and told me.”

“Natasha has a big fucking mouth,” I muttered.

“Where is your knight?” she asked.