AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Val winked at Elijah. “You’ve been studying.”
Elijah’s cheeks pinked up. “I like to know stuff.”
Val held out her fist for Elijah to bump. “Me too, kid. Me too.” She pointed to the table. “I put out some more veggies and hummus, Kaj, in case you’re still hungry. Don’t eat too much, though. Patty Hebert says dinner’s at seven thirty.”
Still half-dazed, Kaj followed the group to the dining room table, where Val had laid out a spread of which Genie would definitely approve. There was also an open box of cupcakes.
“I’m sorry about the cupcakes,” he heard MaryBeth say to Elijah. “I didn’t know about your dietary restrictions.”
Elijah shrugged. “It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not,” MaryBeth insisted. “I make a line of sugar-free cake pops. I’ll bring some over.”
Elijah’s smile was shy. “Thank you, ma’am.”
The hairy beast stuck close to Elijah, sitting at his side before curling up on the floor at his feet when Val commanded him to do so.
Kaj had to admit he was impressed. And appreciative, because the pinched look Elijah had worn since the night before had eased. His son seemed more confident already.
He’d have to rethink getting them a dog of their own once Val was gone. He felt an odd pang at the notion of her leaving, because Elijah was laughing at whatever she’d just said, looking happier than he had in a very long time. Possibly even years.
Maybe Val would be willing to visit after all this was over. Elijah would like that.
And you wouldn’t hate it, the little voice in his head said slyly.
Stop. Val was a nice woman. Smart and pretty and far kinder than he’d expected. But what he did or didn’t hate was immaterial. Val was only here until the danger to Elijah had passed—however long that would take.
“Kaj?” Val murmured.
He startled, surprised to see her sitting beside him when she’d been sitting across the table just a moment before. “I’m sorry. I must have zoned out.”
Her expression was kind. “Yeah. You were a million miles away.” She leaned in closer to whisper, “Have they picked up Rick Gates yet?”
He glanced at Elijah, who was in an animated conversation with MaryBeth about roller derby. MaryBeth was demonstrating how to do a shoulder check, using her much taller wife as her target. “No,” he murmured. “Not yet. But I’m off the case.”
Val nodded. “Maybe they’ll turn their attention elsewhere. Until you know for sure, I’ll keep Elijah safe and healthy for as long as you need.”
He met her gaze directly. “I know. Thank you.”
Then all hell broke loose when Czar leapt to his feet and charged the front door, barking loudly enough that Kaj’s ears rang from it. “What’s happening?”
Val was already moving to the door, a sleek automatic pistol in her hand. “Stay back, Elijah. Kaj, call 911.”
7
Mid-City, New Orleans, Louisiana
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 6:00 P.M.
WHERE ARE WE going?” Jace asked, keeping his eyes on the road.
“Mid-City,” Corey told him brusquely.
That was Corey’s don’t-bother-me tone. Jace had learned long ago not to push his brother when he sounded like that, so he didn’t ask why they were going to Mid-City. Although he was afraid he might know.
ADA Cardozo lived in Mid-City with his son. The one they’d tried to steal last night.
Were they going to try again? Jace didn’t think so. Corey had been furious with them for trying to take the child, so that didn’t seem possible.
