Chapter Twenty #3
He scowls. “Her work sucked. The old boss had talked her up as one of the best, but most things that landed on my desk barely had punctuation. I knew you were having issues with her sending the reports. I did my tests and she failed every one.”
I knew Debra had been acting off. I wonder how long it would have gone on for if Luke hadn’t been there. Maybe she would have tried to eat me at the upcoming holiday party.
“So needing to perform an exorcism in your office wasn’t part of the plan?” I assume.
“It wasn’t ideal, but I figured waiting for everyone to go home was a safe bet. Clearly a huge oversight on my part.” He gives me a knowing look.
I raise my tear-damp sleeves in innocence. “Last time I ever try to work after clocking out.”
Some of the amusement fades from his face.
“Maybe it’s for the best. If you hadn’t walked in on that exorcism, there’s a real chance Beliar would have gotten you.
I didn’t suspect his arrival until Krystal went missing and it all started adding up.
That was my first tip-off that something was wrong.
I knew Beliar had been in the underworld, so to get to the overworld, that meant one of two things—there was a tear in the veil, or someone sent him after me. ”
“There it is.” I point at him. “The hero complex. You think this is your fault and that’s why you jumped at the chance to rescue them.”
He side-eyes me. “It probably is my fault. Beliar ending up in the same town as me was definitely not a coincidence. And, like I said, I was making my way back here anyway. It was only a matter of time.”
I frown as something very real hits me. “You’re not coming back to the overworld after we save Krystal and the others, are you?”
His eyes focus back on the road. “Whatever’s wrong with the veil should have been fixed by now. This is bigger than my brother and me, or Beliar, or Krystal.”
“Maybe something’s up at Hell Headquarters,” I suggest, trying to bring some levity to what’s otherwise a horribly dire situation. Stopping Beliar and saving Krystal is one thing. But putting a Band-Aid on a gun wound isn’t going to stop a patient from bleeding out.
Luke nods. “Unfortunately, I think so.”
“I know now why you really let me join you. Of course, I’d love to think it’s for my pleasant company.”
He gives me a look that’s equal parts playful and honest. “More pleasant than I expected.”
I don’t let the words deter me, though they feel like a warm chocolate chip cookie fresh out of the oven.
“You want me to bring Krystal and the others back to the overworld once we save them from Beliar. But you’re not coming with us.
You’re planning to go all the way to Hell Headquarters and fix the veil. ”
The air between us rings with my words. From how he doesn’t immediately refute them, I know I’m right.
“Silicon Valley,” he says after a pause punctuated by more honks as cars pick up speed around us. “That’s where the devil resides. And the veil.”
“So after Beliar’s, I’m supposed to leave you behind?”
“Don’t sound too excited.”
I couldn’t be less. All I can think about is his thumb still rubbing soothing circles on my thigh. His fingers running the length of my neck in the motel room as concern shone in his eyes. His warm body pressed up against mine in the bed. I still haven’t found out if he was dreaming, or what about.
“What about Tarrentown?” I ask around the lemon-sized lump in my throat.
Because what I really mean is, What about me?
“I took care of the demon I tracked there. After fixing the veil, Beliar shouldn’t be an issue. Even if I don’t stay in the underworld, I don’t have a reason to go back to Tarrentown.”
It’s an honest answer, but it hurts. You have me! I want to scream. But it’s not like I’m his. He probably doesn’t even want me. I’m kind of a mess.
Maybe I could believe it if not for last night. My name fanning across the back of my neck. His mouth so close to mine he’d be a liar if he said he hadn’t thought about kissing me, too.
I want to call him out on it, but I’m not brave enough. What comes out isn’t much better.
“Not even for the niece Carol’s trying to set you up with?”
A soft chuckle rumbles out of him as we turn down an open road. “Not even for her, though I’m sure she’s lovely. But I’m not interested.”
“What about Curated Care?”
“Well, I left Ted in charge—”
“A truly demonic thing to do,” I interrupt. “He spends more time flirting than working.”
A smile lifts the corners of Luke’s lips. “Telling you to switch the water cooler has to be top five for worst pick-up tactics.”
I hate that he’s making me grin. “Not to mention the weaponized incompetence at being convinced I’m the only one in the office who can fix the faulty fucking fax machine.”
“You do have a knack for it.”
“God, not you, too!”
His laugh bursts out of him, spurring my own. It’s a beautiful sound, unabashed and infectious, brightening his face to reveal dimples in both his cheeks.
When he glances my way, his eyes reflect something I can almost mistake as fondness. “Well, Brianna, add me to the list.”