Page 73 of Hounded
But Joss…
I walked forward again.
Coming into range, I picked up snippets of the conversation in progress. Art terms were being thrown around, and I realized this was another thing Indy hadn’t forgotten. Sully was right: he knew his people. I was almost reluctant to insert myself in the discussion but, when Indy spotted me, he turned my way with a grin.
“Hey, Legs,” he greeted.
Warmth crept up my neck as I closed in and forced atight smile and nod to the man Indy had been visiting with. No sooner was I within reach than did Indy hook his arm around mine and step into my side, casual as could be. Heat blossomed everywhere then, and my fingers twitched, craving the feeling of his hand in mine. But the sight of the presumed stranger now standing across from me silenced all pleasant thoughts.
His hair was shaved in a salt and pepper burr, striking above a field of russet brown skin. He wore a khaki suit with a tie the same powdery blue color as his eyes. Angelic eyes.
He recognized me, too, and his lips fell apart several seconds before he said, “Lorenzo. I should have expected you.”
“Evander.” I left it at that while Indy’s head whipped back and forth between us.
“You guys know each other?” He looked pleased about the fact, but I was far from thrilled.
Evander was one of Indy’s acquaintances and a fixture in our lives over the last several decades. He was homeless, from what I could tell, and made his living doing speed paintings for crowds and garnering commissions from tourists. He was also immortal—an earthbound angel—and everything about him perturbed me.
In response to Indy’s question, I gave a brusque nod while my hound growled so long and low it made my whole body vibrate.
Evander chuckled. “Down, boy,” he said, but my hound only snarled louder. “It’s a free show. Open to the public and everything.”
“And I bet you feel right at home.” I indicated thecollection of trash being sold as art all around us. “Like finds like.”
Indy’s arm cinched around mine. “Geez, you’re spicy tonight,” he muttered.
“His kind always runs a little hot.” Evander motioned to me while smiling smugly. “It comes with the territory, I think.”
I bristled. The angel knew more of my secrets than I’d ever told him, and I didn’t trust the mischievous glint of his cerulean eyes. My apprehension increased as he continued.
“Howisthe territory, by the way?” he asked with meaningful emphasis. “How’s work?”
My lips bent in a menacing scowl. He could out me here and now or make enough leading comments to give Indy questions he shouldn’t have had. I needed to cut this interaction short.
“In progress, actually,” I replied.
Evander arched his pierced brow. “Really?”
“Really,” I grunted. “So, I don’t have time to chat. Come on, Indy.” With a tug on Indy’s elbow, I wheeled him around.
“Find me later, Indigo!” Evander called after us. “I’d love to catch up.”
Indy gave a parting wave as I tugged him through the crowd. Once we’d put some distance between ourselves and the angel, he bumped his elbow into me.
“So, am I supposed to believe you’re repossessing something here?” he asked. “Or are you finally ready to tell me what youreallydo for a living?”
“Repossession is as good a description as any,” Ianswered, and Indy rolled his eyes.
If I hadn’t needed to pin down Joss Foster, the unexpected meetup with Evander would have sent me scurrying home. My hound remained on high alert, pacing and swishing his tail, making me anxious. I spotted a waiter wandering past with a tray of fresh wine glasses and flagged him down for another serving of Merlot, then grabbed some rosé for Indy.
While dodging traffic and people parked in place to marvel over the garbage art, I stole glances at Indy. He was as close as I’d wished he would be, tucked to my side where he belonged, and everything felt right. My hands wanted to roam, to cup his hip or brush along the curve of his waist, to gather him up.
“This is fun,” Indy said as we circulated the room. “Does she have these kinds of events often?”
“Not very.”
Tearing my attention away from him, I sought out the foul odor of Joss’s contaminated soul. The thought of the condemned man made me think of the other unsavory fellow we’d so recently encountered.
