There were too many gaps in their intelligence to identify the grand mastermind behind everything. And that was her and Nico’s assigned mission, to help peel back a few more layers so eventually they might get to the truth.
It was a lot to digest. Tamping down on the urge to whine. This assignment was a little out of Gigi’s wheelhouse. She made chocolates and cookies for a living. However, she was also a resident of the Southern Sanctuary. Sworn to protect and defend against any and all magical and supernatural threats. She didn’t get to pick and choose which battles she fought.
As they wound their way past bookcases and reading nooks, Gigi could only thank the Lady Above that she had her family backing her up, and a partner, who was equally invested in keeping his family and friends safe.
And now they knew how bad things were, they could work together. No more sniping at one another. No more quarrelling. No more secrets. Their cards were all on the table. They were going to team up and help save the world. Yay, team.
Gigi halted abruptly at the edge of the bridge. Nico’s hand held her in place. His grip firm but not painful, wrapped around her wrist. “Let’s just be clear about what’s going to happen next, Cookie. This supposed partnership might be predestined or some such malarkey, that just means I can’t offload you, so you’re going to have to follow my rules. The most important one being, I’m in charge. No wandering off. I already have enough to deal with in my life without having to keep an eye on you every single minute of the day. If something happens, you run. A bad guy turns up, wanting to tangle, you run. Stick to the rules and you’ll live to bake another batch of cupcakes. Understand? Good.”
Gigi watched Nico stride across the small wooden bridge. The idiot appeared to have interpreted her stunned silence as consent to the ridiculous rules he’d just laid out. It really was a pity he had such a stellar butt and that it was a joy to watch him leave.
Asshole.
Chapter Six
“Anger is fuel, use it.” Brodie Buchanan strode back and forth in front of her self-defence class. Giving them one of her helpful Valkyrie pep talks. “You are the sword of vengeance. Your wrath is mighty. You will slay your enemies with one strike. Your head is cool, calculating. But your heart, let it burn with the righteous fury of your slain ancestors. Who will party in the afterlife, raising toasts in your honour after you have obliterated those who would seek to oppose you.” Brodie’s stern expression shifted into a wide grin as she clapped her hands together. “Good class today, Ladies. Great use of your scarf as a makeshift garrot, Daphne. And Gigi, excellent knee work at the punching bag. I think those visualisation exercises you’ve been working on have really begun to pay off.”
Picturing that arrogant jerk Nico Yanez’s face on the punching bag was the secret to her success. Heading for the change room Gigi didn’t bother to hurry. They were down a few numbers today, both Tamara and Shelby missing, there would be shower stalls available for everyone. Changing into her work uniform of white blouse, grey fitted skirt and purple belt was only sensible, though Gigi wasn’t scheduled to work until later this afternoon, she had a pitstop to make. A certain 6.1ft irritating male to confront.
She’d been tossing and turning all night. How dare he! Relegating Gigi to the baby pool in this partnership. As if she were incompetent. Making it sound like she was nothing but a burden. Grrr, he was such an irritating, arrogant, butthole.
Taking one last look at herself in the mirror in the changerooms, Gigi nodded her approval. She looked cool and calm. But inside she was the sword of, what was is again? Oh,right, vengeance. Or at the very least the sword of righteous female fury.
Nico wanted her to run at the first sign of danger? Just because she was a woman? What century was the man living in?
Gigi was skilled, deadly, capable, and in no way squeamish. She would be Nico’s equal in this partnership that had been forced upon them by supernatural circumstances, or they could part ways. And tackle whatever was coming individually. Gigi had two bodies in her freezer that declared how serious she was. From the sound of it, Nico only had one. Which meant she was winning, right?
Making her way to the Transportal, Gigi checked her watch. The bar had only been open for half an hour or so. It was the perfect time to confront Nico. It would be quiet. Few people about. And she could be assured of his undivided attention.
Stepping out of the Transportal, Gigi paused. Had she gotten the time wrong? Or was there some early morning social club event occurring that she was unaware of? Except the vibe was off for a social event. No one seemed particularly friendly. Those standing four deep at the bar kept elbowing, jostling and snarking at one another. Whilst those who had drinks already appeared to be fighting over who got to sit at the tables located closest to the bar.
Weirder still. There were two barmen on duty this morning but every customer present only wanted to be served by one of them. Nico Yanez. Even as she watched, Digby approached a customer to request if he could help them but was unceremoniously rebuffed.
The other important thing that was glaringly strange, was that every single customer present was female.
Hold on, there was Shelby. What was she doing here? Why had she missed self-defence class to come here this morning? And Tamara!
A no nonsense police woman, Tamara normally dressed in practical clothes, and sensibly plaited her hair back. Today she was rocking an almost sheer pink dress and her hair was tumbling in soft curls down to her shoulders.
What, in the name of all the Heavens, was going on? Had Nico Yanez accidently been sprayed with some of Great-Uncle Gard’s rather too successful pheromone perfume? Surely not. The local hazmat team swore they’d disposed of all of it. A screech of anger pulled Gigi’s attention off to the right. Riordan, who took food orders and delivered the meals, was arguing loudly with three seated customers. Who appeared to be arguing right back. One of them banging her plate of clearly frozen solid food against the table top for emphasis.
It was like bizzarro world. Dazed and confused, Gigi took a few steps further into the bar. She should notify the Enforcers and perhaps the hazmat team to bring the mobile decontamination showers just in case.
And another thing, was there something wrong with the lights in here? Why was Nico Yanez glowing golden? She took another step. And with a blink of an eye he was back to normal. Stranger still, the moment she’d taken that last step, Nico’s head shot up, his gaze pinning Gigi in place. As if she’d done or said something to get his attention, which she certainly hadn’t.
The harried irritation on his face shifting abruptly to relief?
He strode up to the empty end of the bar, where Digby stood, too quick for any of the clamouring women to follow. With a graceful leap, Nico jumped up and slid across the bar like an action hero. Hitting the polished wood floors with a thump, he moved with determination and speed. Heading right for Gigi. Ignoring everyone else in the bar as if they didn’t exist.
Gulp.
The fiercely intent expression upon Nico’s face freezing Gigi in place. His eyes, simmering pools of burning amber. That lookshould have unsettled her. Instead, an uncomfortable spark of heat ignited low in her body. Dressed in black trousers, boots and an olive coloured shirt, he reminded her too much of a pirate striding across the deck of a ship. Looking very much like he was about to sweep the heroine of the story into his arms. Which was so ridiculous.
Except suddenly Nico’s arms were around Gigi’s waist, pulling her in close, his body pressing against her entire length, his lips abruptly covering hers.
Goddess. It was like that time she tasted her first spoonful of ganache made with French butter. Shocking. Heady. Addictive. Unconsciously, one of her hands grabbed a fistful of Nico’s shirt, trying to pull him closer. Which was impossible, as they were plastered together so tightly you’d need a spatula to separate them.
Grrrr. Why did the most irritating man in the world have to kiss like he won awards for it?
