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I bolt downstairs. The door to the main floor is shut, but old buildings like this are hardly soundproof, and I hear them clearer as I near it. I will never understand how brothel frequenters could do what they did and not care they could probably hear their neighbors.
“Jeffrey!” Mr. Bevilaqua exclaims as I burst out the door. He, Cas, and Odai are gathered around the checkout counter. Odai is wearing the same outfit as last night, and absolutely gorgeous, enough that he makes my breath catch as much as running did. I can barely believe the even hotter incubus version of him had his face between my legs, and his tongue and tail in… places.
Also, because this is insane and really bad that my boss and best friend are talking to an incubus and don’t know it.
“Slow down, kiddo!” Mr. B continues. “Wouldn’t want you taking a tumble down those steps someday. Now, why didn’t you tell me you were hiring a consultant with your own money? You can’t afford that, can you?”
I obviously have no idea what he’s talking about, but Odai’s expression is intense, hinting for me to play along, and, well, playacting is what I do. “Um… we, uh… worked something out! Don’t worry about it.”
Cas looks way too smug about how we “worked something out,” which… isn’t entirely wrong.
I take a breath. It isn’t as if I was going to keep Odai locked away from anyone seeing him, at least not after knowing he could look human, but I did not think about introductions.
“Before we all get pulled in different directions today, let me get your contact info, Mr. Jinn.” Mr. B motions for Odai to join him behind the counter, and I am close to losing my composure again when Odai pulls out a cellphone to provide said info. No idea where that came from, but I have so many more questions than I thought I did.
Mr. Jinn? Really?
Cas sidles up to me and whispers, “That dude is hoooooot.”
“I’m aware,” I whisper back.
“You banged, didn’t you?”
“We… I-I-I mean… well…”
She laughs and shoulders into me with a playful nudge, while we watch Mr. B input Odai’s contact info into his phone. “Did you seriously find this guy after work last night and still managed to get laid? Or did you know him from before?”
As much as I wish—ha, wish—that Odai had filled me in on his cover before being dropped into it, I remember that the easiest way to lie is usually to tell as much of the truth as possible. “I knew of him before. Then things kind of happened unexpectedly last night. I know it’s crazy, but he can help us. This isn’t only about him being hot.”
“Super-hot.”
“Super-hot,” I agree.
Odai tosses the longer side of his hair out of his face and might as well be starring in an Herbal Essences commercial. He sneaks a wink at me.
Super-hot.
“I’m just not ready to say goodbye to this place, you know? We needed some fresh ideas.” And magical powers.
“Try to save this place all you want.” Cas’s next nudge turns into a comfortable lean. “I’m just glad ya got some.”
I sputter my own laugh, and when Cas joins me, it is impossible for Mr. B to miss us giggling. I push her away before he can ask why we are laughing so hard.
“What’s that?” Cas notices the amulet. I tucked it under my shirt, but it must have jostled loose during my sprint. “Not really your style. Something new for Mattie?”
“Yes! Exactly. When I found it, I just had to have it.” I rest my hand over it, and the purple gem feels warm, warmer than just from me sleeping with it, like something alive. Not concerning at all. “It’s a little heavy though. I figured I should wear it around to decide if I’ll actually like having it on for four hours straight, four nights a week.”
Cas gives me a curious side-eye but shrugs. “I like it.”
“Okay, all!” Mr. B grabs our attention with a clap. “Mr. Jinn told me you have all sorts of tricks up your sleeves to discuss this morning, Jeffrey, and you aren’t on the clock until this evening. You have my full blessing with whatever you’d like to try to increase sales, just be sensible, okay? Don’t get your hopes up too much.”
“Mr. Bevilaqua,” Odai says in his captivating voice, “when I am contracted to deliver to an employer, I assure you, I always come through. Shall we start the day with coffee next door?” He turns to me with a devastatingly handsome smile and offers me his hand.
Taking it would somehow feel weirdly intimate and formal at the same time, so I grab him by the arm instead and tug him toward the exit. “See you both later!” I call. So much for not letting an incubus loose on the city, but where else am I going to yell at him for blindsiding me?
I let go as soon as we hit the sidewalk, heading left toward Sage Coffee Shop & Bakery. Trendy and gentrified, but at least it isn’t the Starbucks across the street.
“I can’t believe you did that!” I hiss at him. “I thought you said you wouldn’t make any moves without my say so, and you just introduce yourself to my boss and best friend as… what? A consultant for what?”
