“Wearing and possessing are different,” he explained. “In the realm of the dead, they’re not allowed to possess things from the land of the living. They can’t break the barrier. But we’re between worlds, and so far we can still move things around. We just can’t keep them on our bodies or in our pockets. Look, it’s all new to me too. I know how it works for the spooks, but it seems like we’ve got new rules to figure out.”
Lenore walked to the passenger door. “I’ll sit next to Viktor.”
While Viktor helped Miss Hoity-Toity climb in, I sat in the rear with Christian. Blue and Gem took the seats in front of us.
“Wait a second.” Wyatt poked his head inside the back. “Where doIsit?”
“There’s plenty of room on the roof,” I pointed out.
He glared at me through the open door. “Maybeyoushould ride up there, Miss Evel Knievel. I know how much you like the wind in your hair on the open highway. The way I see it,someone’sgoing to have to sit in my lap.”
Blue shoved him. “Think again, amigo.”
“Sit on Christian’s,” Gem said on a giggle.
Christian twisted around and looked behind us. “Let the wanker squeeze in the back. There’s a good five inches or so.”
Blue sighed. “Just sit between us.”
He frowned. “Why doesn’t Gem sit there? It’s a child-size seat.”
“I’m not moving.” Gem folded her arms and crossed her legs. “Remember that plane ride we took to Colorado? You said next time I could have the window.”
“I meant on a plane.”
While Wyatt climbed in and Blue pummeled him for stepping all over her, I lowered my voice and leaned into Christian. “Where were you during the party?”
He flicked a glance to the front before answering. “I had to go off and rub one out.”
I chortled. “Tell me you’re joking.”
He drummed his fingers on the satchel sitting on his lap.
I shifted toward him, stunned.
“Jaysus, Raven. I couldn’t get that fecking magic out of me. Then right in the middle of things, I saw the wall go up.”
“Did you finish?”
His brows gathered. “What did you ask me?”
“Did. You. Finish? You’re in the middle of satiating a throbbing need, and suddenly a mysterious energy wall goes up around the mansion. I’m just curious what your priorities were.”
Christian put his hand on my leg and wedged his fingers between my thighs. “You’re a bad girl, Miss Black.”
“So my little prank saved your life?”
“Aye. It seems that your sense of humor was well-timed.”
I moved his hand away when I caught Viktor looking at us in the rearview mirror. “Any ideas on where we can sleep for the night?” I said a little louder. “The hotels might be booked since it’s close to the holidays. I vote for getting out of the Breed district.”
“I second that vote,” Gem said.
“I third,” Blue added.
I snapped my head to Christian. “What about your hideaway?”
“No,” he whispered.
