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“Yeah, yeah,” I cut her off. “That doesn’t even happen to you anymore, by the way. And Dima took your little ability. You’re on easy street, dear sister.”

“Except for being La Madrina,” Dima adds.

I let out a long sigh. “Fine. I concede being the Godmother of the Mancini Mafia is a shitty job.”

“Thank you,” Kristie says perkily. “So, to what do we owe the pleasure? I haven’t needed your services for a few days.”

“I know you’re cutting me slack because of the whole explosion thing.”

“Well, yeah. Gotta keep my main soul sender happy.”

I snort at that. She’s called me that ever since we were kids. I would send souls on to their final resting places while she was cursed to lose anyone close to her and hear their deepest darkest secrets while they went. But it wasn't always like that. I didn't know that was my purpose until Mama Celene found me. I just thought I was cursed to talk to the dead and maybe give their loved ones messages. Now I know it’s my calling to help them finish their business earthside so they can move on.

Turning my head, I take in Grammy. Her eyes are alight as she watches Dima and Kristie interact. Dima is the opposite of my sister. Thoughtful. Quiet. Gentle in a way my sister isn't. The best way to describe Kristie is she’s a blunt instrument. She has carved out a place for herself in an unforgiving world and Dima is there to protect her heart. The one I know she has deep, deep, deeeeeep down.

“So, what can we do ya for?” Kristie asks, hopping off the desk to sit on Dima’s knee. He instinctively wraps an arm around her, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

“Tell me about Grammy.”

“Who?” Kristie’s head tilts but I know it’s one of her tells. She’s keeping secrets and getting them out of her is going to be a pain in the ass.

My gaze flicks from my sister to Dima. His face is passive, stony in comparison to Kristie’s. Luckily for me I know the guy is a pushover.

“You know who I’m talking about.” I stare her down. She squirms slightly, and Dima bands his arm tighter around her.

I wonder what it would be like to have someone have your back like that?

“Oh, that Grammy,” Kristie says, snapping her fingers. “OK. Look. Grammy came to me around six months before her death. Somehow she knew that I was getting close to Brenna.”

“Brenna said you visit her.”

“Look, it’s not that weird. Women visit their friends all the time,” Kristie says, a frown marring her face.

“Didn’t say it was weird. Was just shocked because you don’t have friends.”

“I didn’t have friends. I do now you giant dick bag.” I hold up my hands to placate her. And hopefully get her talking. “Anyway, I’ve always liked Brenna. I feel nice in her company. Lighter. More relaxed. But for obvious reasons I couldn’t hang out with her like I wanted. Not until Dima cured me.” She looks over her shoulder, holding Dima’s gaze for so long I start getting jittery.

“I think you’ll find it was me who cured you,” I cough and mutter under my breath.

Kristie’s head snaps in my direction and she narrows her eyes at me. “Anyway we started hanging out and that’s how I met Grammy.”

“Thats true you know,” Grammy says, holding a weird horse sculpture in her hand.

“Put that back,” I grumble.

Grammy juggles the horse in the air and I feel like screaming. Everyone is a fucking comedian. Between her and my sister and their secrets it’s going to take me a fucking age to find out what’s going on and I don’t have an age. Not when I know there’s a little redhead out there befriending every fucking weirdo in NOLA. I know her kindness is what makes her who she is, but I also know there are fuckers out there who would use that against her.

“What did Grammy want from you?” I ask my sister, cutting all the crap.

Kristie frowns down at Dima’s desk, staring at nothing in particular. “She had a weird feeling.” Her gaze meets mine. “You and I both know you gotta listen to weird feelings.”

“Yeah,” I agree.

“Anyway, I tried to grill her about this feeling, but she just kept saying that she needed to protect Brenna. That the two of them weren't going to be strong enough.” Kristie shrugs. “Oh, she also mentioned a man. He knows Brenna but Brenna doesn’t know him. But when it was time Brenna needed someone to protect her. That’s where you come in.”

“Protect her from what? If it's this…guy, I saw him today. He’s not really a threat to anyone.”

“Looks can be deceiving,” Grammy sings. “You should know that more than anyone.” She raises a white brow.