Page 176 of Dead Vengeance

“Good. Then you’ll see what I see. Just a lovely, if slightly dodgy guy, giving people like me a hand up.”

We walk a few steps on, and I can tell he wants to say more. I bide my time, waiting, then it’s, “You never have mentioned your father. Is he… around?”

“Oh, he left when I was five.”

“Did he?”

“Yeah. Just up and went. Never heard from him again.”

“Ah.” He says it sharply and pointedly.

“But I don’t have father figure issues if that’s what you’re getting at.”

“I never said a word about that.”

“You said, ‘Ah.’”

“I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“I don’t just fall for any random kindness some older guy throws my way and blindly forgive all sins because I’m searching for the love that was withdrawn from me during such a crucial developmental stage.”

“Would absolutely never suggest it.”

“Good.”

“Good.”

“Okay. So what now?”

“Now…” He turns in the street, threads his fingers through mine, and pulls me close. “Now I take you home. And then we part. For a solid twenty-two hours.”

Just like that? Part? After everything? “I don’t think I can stand it.”

He gives me no more concession than a light chuckle. “You’ll rest and recuperate, spend time with your family, and have a beautiful night.”

I groan as he kisses my cheek. “If I must.”

“Then, you’ll turn up at mine, nine a.m. sharp, for your first day of work.” He drops a kiss on my lips. “Some overtime might be required.”

Christ, I hope that goes in the contract. “If you insist, Mr Gravely.”

Archer moans, the sound deep in his chest. “A lot of overtime if you’re going to be like that.”

“It’s okay, Mr Gravely.” When he leans in for another kiss, I dig my fingers into his back, holding him close. “You can work me just as hard as you like.”

“I will. I promise you.” He kisses me again, then leads me down the street to his car before things get too heated.

I throw one final glance over my shoulder at the ExorSquad office. Gerald’s there in the window. It’s like he can feel he’s been noticed, because he suddenly looks down at me. He grins wide, his golden tooth shining in the sunlight, and he gives me a double thumbs up.

Gerald.

I love that guy.

I give him a thumbs up in return, then slide into Archer’s vintage Aston Martin. It’s quite a step up from my mode of transportation my first time here.

Everything’s changed. For the better. One thing after another.

I take Archer’s hand and let him drive me away into what’s now our shared future. A beautiful future, somewhere between the worlds of the living and the dead, where everything’s possible, even after you thought it was all over.