Black Truth, White Lies (Black Hat Bureau 3)

“I don’t understand.” He helped himself to a cookie. “Why isn’t he dead?”

“He got an extension.”

“Ace’s reputation will take a hit for this.” He quit chewing and set down his snack. “You get that, right?”

“He’s working a case.” I shoved the basket into his stomach. “No challenges during cases.”

“You’re bending the rules.” A snort ripped out of him, and he glanced around. “I hope they don’t break.”

That made two of us.

Asa’s father, Orion Pollux Stavros, High King of Hael, Master of Agonae, employed lesser daemons to spy on him. Despite the attempted patricide that landed Asa in Black Hat service, Orion wanted his son back.

Eventually.

If I didn’t get him killed by showing mercy on his behalf first.

“While you’re at it,” I added sweetly, “can you help him settle on my side of the property line?”

The color of Aedan’s skin meant he had no hope of blending in. Unless he could use glamour, like fae, he was a sitting duck on Mrs. Gleason’s property. The poor guy had been through enough without buckshot in his buns as he tried to flee from her territorial furor. At least if he was chilling on my side, he was safe.

More or less.

“Can I go?” Colby zipped into the room. “Please, Rue.”

Aedan had earned my sympathy, yes, but I took zero chances with Colby’s safety.

“Sorry, smarty fuzz butt.” I snuggled her when she lit on my shoulder. “He’s too dangerous.”

“Rue’s right.” Clay patted her head. “This won’t take me but a minute.”

“Okay.” Her wings slumped down my back. “I’ll go wait at my rig.”

“You do that.” He tweaked my nose. “What did you say about dinner?”

To keep his goodwill, I shoved him toward the door and began prep for chicken parmigiana with roasted garlic crostini. Tiramisu required time I didn’t have, so I decided on an affogato. If I only had forty-eight hours, I wanted to make the most of them. A rich hit of hot espresso couldn’t hurt.