Chapter Four
She thought he was hot.
Hot damn.
Not that he would be taking whatever pinged between them to the next level. The kiss had been a mistake.
Her hugging Chad...nope, not jealous of Chad. The guy adored his wife, who’d cut Chad’s nuts off if he cheated.
Merck’s priority needed to be to figure out why magic-wielding deviants like the warlock he’d just deep-sixed wanted her. If he tried to ask her, she’d want to discuss what happened with the warlock. He didn’t want her knowing about that or the death stench inside the house. He wanted her to remain innocent of the filth he dealt with as a part of being the Enforcer.
There’d been no question the warlock had caused more than a handful of deaths over the past few days. This was an unfortunate and common sight when dealing with those who practiced black magic, but he wished he could forget visions of the bloody aftermath of the death rituals. The demented being hadn’t been interested in explanations, and Merck hadn’t the time to wrangle from him what his presence here had to do with Shannon, not with a child’s life on the line. He worried the warlock kidnapping Chad’s daughter from school wasn’t a random coincidence. The warlock might’ve known he had Shannon and knew Chad’s connection to Merck.
Several miles down the road, he asked, “What’s rolling around in your head?”
“Nothing.” She clenched her hands together, but he hadn’t missed their trembling.
“It’s over. The warlock is dead and gone.”
Her gaze darted to his. “Maybe I’m not as okay as I thought I was. It’d be nice to forget rotting dead things trying to touch me. I’ve seen weird stuff, but that was disgusting.”
Not as disgusting as what was inside the house. “I find the best way to deal with this kind of thing is to force my brain to move on. I dealt with it and now it’s over.”
“Aren’t I supposed to think happy thoughts like teddy bears and rainbows?”
“That’s bullshit. If rejecting it doesn’t work, try pot.”
She giggled. “Seriously? Getting high is the ultimate temporary out.”
“Worked for me in high school.” Before I got used to it.
“You have some here?”
“Nah. I haven’t smoked in years. I know a guy, though, if you want me to give him a call...”
She shook her head. “You’re a badass. Hunting warlocks, saving kids, getting tattoos...” She grinned at him. “You were a badass in high school. I’d never seen anyone our age smoke anything, but you were always lighting up.”
A smile nudged his lips, but didn’t quite happen. “I’d just started this type of stuff—the chasing black-magic people—in high school. Drugs and smoking helped me handle things.” Back then when they’d ridden the bus together, she’d been a gangly teen much too young for him and too easy to shock. They’d waited for the bus on the porch of an abandoned house at the end of what used to be a dirt road between their properties. He’d been riveted by her from the first moment he met her because beyond any drug or alcoholic drink, only she made him forget the vileness he’d been forced to contend with.
“I didn’t realize you were doing this kind of thing. I knew you had some sort of after-school job, but never imagined… That must’ve been awful. Back then I was worried about school and clothes, whereas you were dealing with all this?” She touched his arm. “I’m sorry. It’s no wonder you were always cramming homework before school and studying on the bus.”
He shrugged. “It was what it was. My life didn’t hinge on my ability to graduate high school, although I did. Barely. I appreciated your help.”
“No kid should have to deal with this sort of thing. I wished you’d told me. I would’ve… I don’t know what I would’ve done, but maybe try to make your life better.”
Her smile killed him. Shannon had always been a do-gooder for anyone in need. She would’ve tried to help him, if she’d known. And gotten in big trouble. Her father had forbidden her to speak with him, an edict she violated at the bus stop and on the bus. He wondered if she told her father they rode the same bus. Probably not.
She asked, “What about your mom? Didn’t she care what you were up to and why you were smoking?”
He snorted out a sarcastic laugh. “That woman only cared that I was scarce when she brought over a boyfriend or had one of her pot parties. Me gone to do whatever…well, it worked for her. I always wondered why your parents let you ride the bus with me.”
“I never thought about it. Not sure they knew. There was a good-sized group of kids. Maybe they figured it was safe. I pitched a fit about how uncool it was to have a bodyguard on my tail at all times in high school. That’s probably the only time in my life someone wasn’t looming behind me, ready to take a bullet or kill a witch hunter.”
“They were overprotective.”
“There’s always someone trying to kill us. It’s understandable, but my parents compromised and placed a teacher at the school who was an undercover druid. He had cameras on me at all times. So, still under lockdown and highly annoying. My only free time was the bus. I’m sure someone put a spell on the stop to guarantee its safety.”
He pulled down the quarter-mile dirt drive to her family house. “You’re really visiting down here alone?”
“My bodyguard’s around somewhere. Since my mom died, Dad’s been insane about my safety.”
“Your guard isn’t very good at his job if he let you go off alone last night. Where was he?”
“I didn’t invite him along.”
“What’s the point of having a bodyguard you can send away at whim?”
“You try being locked down your entire life like you’re some sort of princess. We all have an expiration date. Some of us are shorter dated than others. I have things to figure out and having him around isn’t always convenient.” Her face went red. “Sorry. Forget it.”
She worried about dying soon? Anger slid through his brain. This was probably why she was after a scrying glass. Were the gods playing with her life too?
“How do you ask a trained bodyguard, who’s probably got some magical ability, to let you go out on your own?”
“Who said I asked?”
“Sometimes it feels pretty good to take fate in our own hands and flash the gods the middle finger, but last night you would’ve ended up dead if I hadn’t happened along.”
“I’m lucky you were there. I know.”
He rolled down his window, drawing in a deep, calming breath of summer. He loved the smell of the ocean nearby mixed with humidity and heat, both of which heralded the coming of the hot August days. The winding road ended in a circular drive around the front of the plantation’s Colonial-style house. The house could use a good powerwash and a roof sweep to get the pine needles and leaves off, but it still captivated him with its antiquated majesty. His house on the neighboring property, which had probably been the servants’ quarters, might still be Colonial era, but it came off like the poor step-cousin.
“I’ve got to get going,” he said after he opened the car door for her.
“You have to go? Won’t you come in? I made ice tea yesterday.” She gazed up at him, so hopeful. “I make good tea.”
“I’ll bet you do.” He wanted tea and was tempted.
“Bloody hell, Shannon, where’ve you been?” a British-accented male demanded, his big boots crunching gravel toward the car. The Brit targeted Merck with an assessing glare. Stats were catalogued and probabilities weighed. No question this was her bodyguard. A north-to-south scar went from the guy’s forehead to cheek, adding a deadly air to his don’t fuck with me vibe.
Shannon’s face lit up with a huge smile. “Eli. I’m so glad to see you.”
Eli’s unblinking gaze narrowed on Merck. “Who the hell are you?”
Merck stepped forward, hand extended. “Jason Merck. Neighbor.” He tossed his chin toward his property. “She slept off last night on my sofa. I brought her home from the bar.”
“Eli Morgan.” He extended his hand.
They shook briefly. He caught the hint of magic from Eli and catalogued him as a druid. The joy of being the Enforcer was instant recognition of exactly what kind of being he faced.
Eli’s brows snapped to a glower, which he targeted on Shannon. “On his sofa, huh?” There was a whole lot of yeah right oozing from the words.
“I’m fine. I can take care of myself. You’re not my keeper.” Her gaze darted to Merck. Guess she didn’t want Eli knowing the full story.
“Damn it, Shannon. I swore on my life to your father that I wouldn’t let you out of my sight. That was the only way he’d allow you to come down here without an army of protection. You have to let me do my job.” Eli shook his head and blew out an uneven breath. “I told your father you’re a thrill seeker who’s too wild for any of us to follow you. Always have been. The nightclub shit in New York…drugging your guards up there to go out and do whatever…” He rubbed his hands over his eyes.
“A thrill seeker? Who’re you to judge me Mister I-bolted-from-my-duty-to-join-MI6? You were gone for six years.” Shannon put her hands on her hips. Energy swirled around her, and the wind picked up, ruffling the trees.
The hairs on the back of Merck’s neck rose, charged by ambient static electricity. Her energy had stirred up the air, even though she didn’t seem aware. The power surrounding her awed him with its beauty and ferocity. He’d seen plenty of magicals have this much strength invoked by a death ritual, but never from pure, innate ability.
“You drugged me.” Eli advanced to tower over her, clearly unaware of the dangerous potential within her.
She poked him in the chest. “Back off.”
“You went to a bar? And picked up the first random bloke for a night of crazy like you always do?”
Merck’s brain tripped over the thought of her and random guys. He buried the rising jealousy. Her personal life wasn’t his business.
Her eyes widened. “First, he’s not random and I don’t do one-nighters or crazy. I knew him in high school. Second, it’s not your concern what I do on my own time, especially when it involves figuring shit out.”
“What about us as in you and me?”
“What?” She stepped backward.
What? The exact one-word question detonated in Merck’s brain. She didn’t have a boyfriend. No, she’d said she wasn’t married. They hadn’t gotten into a boyfriend discussion. He’d assumed. And been wrong.
Although he had no right to feel territorial, he didn’t like her being attached to Eli. Or, going on wild nights in New York City.
“Sweetheart, I only followed your attractive ass down here to patch up things,” said Eli in an syrupy tone.
Shannon folded her arms. “Oh, my God. You’re something else. There’s you posturing about protecting me and me doing what I need to do. This is low even for you.” She met Merck’s gaze. “There’s nothing between me and Eli. I’ve known him since he was seven and still peeing in the bed.”
Eli glared, promising retribution for the peeing comment later.
She squared off against Eli again. “I know all your embarrassing little secrets. Don’t push me.”
Eli scowled. “You think I don’t know your secrets?”
She leaned forward and hugged Eli’s stiff body. “I love you and every one of you irritating bullies who try to dictate my life and security. Relax. I’m fine. We’re all going to be fine.” She pulled away and chewed on her lower lip. “Is the cavalry on its way down here?”
“Yes.” Eli’s lips thinned.
“I didn’t want them here.”
“Too late. Your dad went nuclear when he called to check in last night and you weren’t around. Then he couldn’t reach you on your cell phone. I told you not to turn it off.”
“You could’ve covered for me,” she said.
“I would’ve if you’d actually told me where you were going and what you were up to instead of poisoning me.”
“I didn’t poison you. If I had told you, you’d have been glued to my ass.”
“You’re goddamned right I would’ve been.”
Merck pushed the passenger door shut with a loud slam. “Well, it’s been great to catch up, Shannon. I’ve got to get going. Seems like you’ve got a good guy here to watch over you against...whatever. You should let him do his job.”
Merck unclamped his locked jaw as he strolled around the SUV. Her hugging Eli and using the L word while doing so didn’t sit well with him. This woman always pushed him to extremes. He had to get out of here before he did something he’d regret later or that she’d never forgive.
Where did this craziness over her come from? He didn’t think mine when it came to women and then go caveman. Sure, he appreciated women and enjoyed them on occasion, but never with this level of possessiveness.
She met Merck on the driver’s side of the SUV before he shut his door. She touched his hand and whispered, “Thanks for last night. Be careful.”
Her eyes tempted him to test her lips again. How he wanted a brief touch to gauge the softness of those pink contours. He’d prove they had so much more between them than she’d ever experience with Eli.
As if she sensed the direction of his thoughts, her lips parted. It took every ounce of his self-control not to pounce. He could press her against the car and slide his hands beneath her shirt and up her ribs. She wouldn’t protest. Her body was already leaning toward him, drawn by the inexplicable magnetism that drove him wild whenever in her presence.
“We’re not going there. I mean it,” he choked out. Oh, he wanted to. So, so much. But he’d already broken his don’t-touch rule regarding her once today. She belonged with someone like Eli. Someone of her world who could keep her safe and away from the evil assholes who occupied his life. Someone who had longevity potential.
He was going to pass the “pure of heart” test with regard to Shannon, damn it. He’d fucked up so many times in his life that if this was his last chance at redemption to prove to the gods judging him he could be “good,” then he was staying away from her.
He said, “Earlier? I was just reassuring you. You seemed worried I couldn’t take care of myself.”
Her eyes widened, and he almost regretted his words when he saw the hurt she quickly hid. “Going where? Do you mean us as in you and me? If so, totally agree.”
He almost flung liar in her face, but he wasn’t fifteen.
“Hey, you done yet, Shannon?” Eli yelled. “Because I’ve got to get you on the phone with your father.”
“Yeah, we’re good,” she replied.
“Far from it,” Merck muttered to himself as he scooted into the driver’s seat. He still wanted her more than his next breath.