“Super excited, actually,” he agreed. “I can’t wait to see you guys in action when the cameras are rolling.”
“Did Dev talk to you about possibly being on TV? Give you a waiver to sign?”
“He did. I wasn’t so sure at first, but now I’m totally good with it. He told me that you never knew when and if things would happen, and unless I stayed in Control, it might mean me being caught on film. I’d rather be with you guys, watching what’s going on and ready to take care of any property issues as they arise—and given what I’ve seen, I have a feeling they inevitably will, even though I went a little overboard shoring things up to make sure you’d be safe.”
I couldn’t help but wonder if he meant me specifically or the group as a whole. I decided to let that go, even in my head, just like I glossed over thehomecomment.
“I should probably go figure out what to wear for the show and make sure I have the rest of my gear. I think we’re meeting downstairs for dinner before we all head over there tonight,” I said.
“I heard. I should probably go and grab my stuff from the shop and make sure the truck is full of anything I might need tonight. Are you going to be okay?”
That fear flashed through me again, roiling my stomach. I pushed it down. “Yeah, I’ll be okay. This place is warded, and the magic that Dev and I did will help, too.”
A look of concern crossed his handsome features. “But you said it yourself. What if he doesn’t attack with magic? What if he or one of his lieutenants just comes at you like any stalker?”
I swallowed hard. “That’s definitely a concern,” I agreed. “But I can’t live my life in fear, Kholt. I won’t let him make me a prisoner in my own home. In my city. I won’t let him steal the joy I get from my job and my friends. I’ll just have to be extra careful now that this isn’t only a possibility anymore but rather a probability.”
“You are so damn strong,” he said and leaned forward, cupping my face in his hands and gazing into my eyes before taking my lips in a slow, sweet kiss. “Simply inspiring,” he finished and bussed my forehead.
I may have melted into a puddle right there, the soft, warm feeling giving me strength.
I wouldn’t let Lionel take anything else from me.
Chapter26
~Kholt ~
Igrabbed my things from Sunshine and Shadow and threw it all in the back seat of my truck. I also filled the bed and toolbox with anything I thought I might need for the investigation tonight. Dev had told me that we were focusing on the house and adjoining property with the fire damage for night one, so I knew I had to make sure I had everything we may need.
After one last sweep of the shop, I pulled out my phone to make sure I hadn’t missed anybody calling or texting while I was busy. I generally didn’t have my sound on, so I’d gotten into the habit of checking notifications at random times during the day.
I saw that I had another two missed calls from Judith. I still hadn’t listened to the one from the other day when I was on my way to Arborwood with Turner. What in the world could she want and be so insistent about? Part of me worried that something had happened to Eric, and she was calling to let me know. But the other part, the one that’d had its blinders removed, felt wary of the sudden contact—especially now that I knew Lionel knew where Lark was. He had to know I was here, too, and I wouldn’t put it past his sick and twisted, manipulative mind to use my foster mother to try and get me on his side.
I shoved my phone back into my pocket and decided to worry about it later. It’d taken me longer to do what I needed to do at the shop. I needed to get back to Lark’s andHaunted New Orleans’HQ.
The curb and drive were full of vehicles when I pulled up, so I did a Y-turn and parked on the other side of the street. I decided to leave my personal stuff in my truck for later since I didn’t want to disrupt whatever they were doing. Sure, I could have just taken it upstairs from the outside, but that likely wouldn’t have gone unnoticed either. While I didn’t think Lark would care that the team knew I was staying with her, I still felt a little reserved, not wanting to overstep in any way. Things were too good right now, and I didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize that.
I walked into headquarters to absolute pandemonium—of the best kind. James had Aaron in a headlock, despite the other man’s size, and was trying to shove what looked like a huge radish into the guy’s mouth. Poor Harper was caught on the couch between them, practically smothered by their bulk, laughing and swatting at them playfully. It totally made me laugh.
Hanlen and Sky were play-sparring, Myst dancing around them and barking, acting like the referee, which just made me smile.
Lennie and Van fought over a piece of equipment, arguing like only siblings could and throwing some of the most creative insults I’d ever heard at each other as Turner tried to get between them. It appeared that he was really just trying to save the poor device. He looked almost green with worry.
Pax and Dakota stood near the corner, talking to what looked like the wall. I assumed they were having a discussion with at least one member of the team’s ghost crew—if not several.
And then my gaze flew to hair the color of copper fire. Lark sat at the table with Dev, the two of them going over what looked like blueprints. As if she could sense me, her head lifted, and eyes the color of gold-flecked kiwi clashed with mine. I felt my breath leave my lungs. She hadn’t put her contacts in.
She flashed me the most beatific smile, thrusting me back in time.
I flopped onto Starling’s twin bed, bouncing her book and her portable DVD player.
She turned to me, a look of irritation flashing through eyes the color of green grapes. “Do you mind?” she asked.
“Yeah, I do mind,” I sassed. “You’ve been holed up in here all day, and I’m bored.”
“I am not your personal court jester.”
“Nah, more like partner in crime.”