Black Wings, Gray Skies (Black Hat Bureau 4)

“You have a lot on your mind.” His voice softened. “Your grandfather, your grandmother, your cousins.”

“Who am I that I have family drama?” I noticed more blisters forming on his hands and slowed to a halt. “Technically, I’ve always had family drama, but that was only the director and me. Now I have a psycho granny blowing bubbles in a marsh, a dead cousin’s ashes in my safe, and her brother living in my yard.”

“You’re also trusting Aedan with two of the most precious things in your life.”

“The girls,” I agreed. “Part of me wonders if they’re better off if I don’t come back.”

Factor in the online sales, and the store did well enough to support them both. Without me.

“They love you.” He stopped beside me. “They would always choose to have you in their lives.”

“We can’t know that.” I took his hand in mine. “They might never forgive me.”

For what I had done. For what I had let happen to them. For lying to them.

“They love you,” he repeated. “They would understand, in time.”

“Let’s hope we never find out which of us is right.”

“You shouldn’t touch me.” He stiffened when I tightened my grip. “You don’t want a rash or worse.”

“I like touching you.” I sandwiched his hand between my palms. “Hold still.”

Allowing my eyes to drift shut, I pushed healing magic pulled directly from my bond with Colby into Asa. A warmth built between us, soaking into his skin, but daylight nulled the usual light show.

“There.” I took his other hand. “Let’s give you a matched set.”

A soft curve to his mouth, he held still while I tended him, watching me the whole time.

“You’re staring.” I had my eyes shut, but I felt his intensity. “Take in the historic sights, why don’t you?”

“I prefer the view from here.” His breath coasted along my throat. “I never tire of looking at you.”

“Oh, you will eat those words.” I opened my eyes to find our noses almost brushing. “Now you have to see me every single day. You don’t get a vacation when a case ends or get to jet off when one begins. You’re stuck with me twenty-four-seven.”

“I know.” His smile turned wolfish. “It’s my new favorite part of the job.”

“Mmm-hmm.” I brushed my lips over his, tasting salt. “We’ll see.”

Ahead of us, Clay stood with his hands on his hips, one foot tapping. “Done yet?”

“Almost.”

I fisted my hand in Asa’s hair and hauled him back to my mouth, savoring every corner.

The growl that pumped through his chest was cut short when Clay bulled between us with a grunt.

“You’re worse than teenagers.” He opened the front passenger door. “Get in, Dollface.”

Once he had me shut in, he marched Asa to the driver side door and shoved him behind the wheel.

Twisting in my seat, I checked on Colby. “You okay back there?”

“The wig protected me.” She scrunched up her face. “I’m not sure it would have hurt me either way.”

As a creature forged from the soul of a fae girl? Or as an otherworldly moth with a pollen addiction?

“We can go to our new digs, shower, and regroup.” Clay rocked the SUV as he settled. “We need to get out of these clothes.” He pointed to the built-in GPS. “I’ve already put in the address.”