In the next second, the screen lights up with an incoming video call from Sam. Her emerald eyes are all hail and thunder as they fixate on me. “I tried reaching you all fucking day. I was so worried.”
“Sorry.”
“So, will you tell me what happened?” she snaps.
I heave out a weighted sigh before bringing her up to speed. She stares into space for a few seconds as she absorbs everything, eyes wide and lips pressed in a thin line. “Holy Hecate! I don’t know what to say.”
“Yeah. It’s been hours, and I still feel shell-shocked.”
“That shriveled old prune was full of surprises.”
I gasp. “Sam, what the fuck?”
She rolls her eyes. “Oh, c’mon, she called me a prostitute morethan once. But you know I loved her bitchiness.”
“I don’t think that’s the term she used; she said harlot, if I remember correctly.”
“Well, that’s the same thing. Remember when she told the entire building you were hosting orgies in your apartment?”
I snort a very unladylike laugh. “How could I forget? Ms. Smith from the second floor was reciting Bible verses as though she was going to burst into flames by simply passing by me on the stairwell. God, I’m going to miss her cranky ass.”
“I know…I’m sorry she died in such a horrible way.”
“Yeah. Me too.”
“How are you aside from that? I know it must be hard being near K—him again.”
“It’s okay, Sam, you can say his name. Yeah, it’s fucking torture, but I have to see this through, and then we’ll part ways when we know what the prophecy says.”
“Be careful, okay? I don’t want you to fall into the same pit you barely crawled back from.”
“I am.”
“You’ll call me after you speak to that guy?”
“If we find him. ’Kay, I gotta go. Kaiden’s waiting for me downstairs. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
I pocket the phone and mentally prepare myself to face Kaiden again after that insane wet dream while riding the elevator. As soon as I exit the hotel, the humid air slaps me in the face and sticks to my skin. I can’t believe I complained about the heat wave in Ashville when this is a hundred times worse.
“Where’s the car?” I ask as I take in the sleek, black motorcycle Kaiden is standing next to, a lit cigarette between his full lips.
He hikes a shoulder. “I thought it’d be a nice change. We can experience the city better this way.”
“We’re not here on vacation, Kaiden. We have work to do,” Iclip out.
“Relax, angel. It’s only a means of transportation. The car is also too big to find a parking spot near Bourbon District.”
I fold my arms in front of my chest, even though I’m thrilled he somehow got a bike for us. I missed the freedom of riding with him more than I would like to admit. “I’m starting to think you’re hard of hearing. I told you multiple times to stop calling methat. I’m not your angel anymore. Better yet, I never was.”
He cocks an eyebrow in my direction as he stubs the blazing cherry on the side of the trash can before flicking the butt inside. “That so? I don’t think your body or mind got the memo, given how you were begging for my cock in your sleep. I wish I recorded you. It would have made the perfect ringtone.” His eyebrows drop. “Actually, no, that sound is for my ears only.”
Dammit. I’ll never live this down.
The woman passing behind us on the sidewalk trips all over her legs, gawking at Kaiden.Yeah, me and you both, lady.I don’t have to look in a mirror to know my face is as red as a tomato. “Keep your voice down,” I hiss, throwing him a murderous look.
He winks. “You know you love my dirty mouth.”
