Page 69 of Hoofin’ It

“Nice fellow named Mark O’Conners with the New York City Italian mafia, probably running a sex trafficking ring taking girls off the streets.”

“Naughty, naughty, naughty. You don’t seem undead to me, so you weren’t killed. Are you going to play nice and show me the scars, or am I going to have to strip you here in the entry?”

Marian’s eyes widened, and she eased her finger away from the trigger guard and reengaged the safety of her Ruger. “Shane, what’s going on?”

Since Kelly wouldn’t leave me alone until I showed her, I grabbed my shirt and pulled it over my head. “Right shoulder.”

“Damn, Miss Marian, you bite hard. What were you trying to do to the poor guy? Brand him for the next hundred years?”

I sighed. “No one said she was the one who did it.”

“She totally did it. She branded you like a stallion up for auction. That’s totally a brand. I’m so jealous. Why couldn’t you find your own incubus? You had to go and take mine, Marian!”

If Marian’s eyes widened any further, I worried they’d pop out of her head. “I’m sorry, did you say incubus?”

“Kelly,” I hissed.

“Oh! You found out? Damn it, I was really hoping I’d nail you with that one. So not fair. Who told you? Did you find out who your incubus relative is?”

“Relatives,” I corrected.

“You’re part incubus?” Marian squeaked.

“This is not how I was hoping this visit would go.”

“He’s incubus enough I can tell.” Kelly sniffed. “Between his kneecapping the boss a few times and his off-limits attitude, we were sure he was dormant.”

I should have known succubi could tell at a glance if someone had incubus blood. Groaning, I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Fine. I’ll tell you some details, but not only do you get me in to see the boss, Marian’s not to be touched. No tricks, no influencing her, no groping, no nothing. I expect perfect angels from the lot of you troublemakers.”

“Now you’re just being mean, Gibby. Come on, she’s kinda cute. I wouldn’t mind a turn with her.”

“No.”

“Gibby!”

“Do you want the details or not?”

“Yes,” she whined.

“Then you make sure everyone leaves her alone.”

“You’re being jealous and possessive. That’s not fair.”

“I’ll toss in a hug, but no funny business.”

At first, I thought she’d refuse my offer, but then she wrinkled her nose and sighed. “Fine. It better be a good hug.”

I paid up, giving her a tight squeeze, and because I did like her when she wasn’t trying to turn me into succubus bait, I kissed her forehead. “I’m sure you’ll land a good incubus for your first time. As agreed, incubus relative number one is one of my grandfathers, and incubus relative number two is one of my great-grandfathers, other side of the family.”

“Two? Two? That’s so unfair. Not a purebred, but that’s better than most. Which one of your parents is the half?”

“Mother.”

“That explains so much,” Marian muttered.

“Bummer. So she won’t be getting her wings?”

“She’s infected with lycanthropy, Kelly. I’ve told you this before.”