“Yes, Amor.” He should stop shortening her name, but he needed to let her know how he felt. He couldn’t say it. It would make it real, breaking every rule he lived by, but he needed her to understand she wasn’t some meaningless hookup. That this wasn’t a spell that ended at midnight. No, this was something true and strong and lasting, and he hoped she understood why he kept abbreviating her name.
“I’ve broken so many rules with you,” he continued. “As a human, you are the one thing forbidden for me, yet you are the only thing I can’t stay away from.”
“Why don’t the Fae interact with humans?” She asked, leaning her cheek against his back as he weaved in and out of the holiday traffic.
“They do. There are plenty of hybrid couples,” he answered. “It’s because I’m a Cupid. My position can manipulate love, and if I get involved with a human emotionally, I ruin their chances of finding a soulmate. I disrupt their minds and affections, causing them to doubt themselves, and eventually, my presence stops them from finding love. I worry it’s too late for you. I’ve meddled too much.”
“Oh…” she trailed off, and Valentin berated himself for making her assume this was a one-day affair.
“I merely meant, I’ve changed your future irrevocably, that’s all.” He released the throttle with one hand to pat her fingers comfortingly. “I’ll never willingly abandon or harm you, but I fear there will be a price to pay for my involvement today.”
“I wasn’t having luck with men anyway,” she said, but he still detected the nerves in her voice. He wanted to assure her he wasn’t leaving, but when the day was over, he would have to face the backlash of his actions. Valentin didn’t know what that would mean for them. He would fight for Amorette, though. That much he knew, but would it be enough?
“Is that why you stopped getting coffee three weeks ago?” she asked, and he could tell her mind was trying to fit the puzzle pieces together. “Doug and I had a huge argument, and instead of breaking up like we should have, I stayed. I felt so odd, like I didn’t recognize my own body or emotions. My decision confused me, and then you stopped coming, which left me in a tailspin I didn’t understand. I couldn’t stay with Doug, but I couldn’t leave. Was that your power?”
“Yes.” Valentin felt ashamed. If he hadn’t been so selfish, Amorette would’ve had the presence of mind to leave, saving her from Cavitto’s wrath. “I thought if I stayed away, the damage would be minimal and you would heal.”
“I didn’t want you to stay away,” she admitted. “I missed you. It was strange to miss someone I didn’t talk to often, but it was as if my spirit recognized you.”
“I missed you painfully. It’s why I kept an eye on your shop, and I’m glad I did. If I hadn’t been there…” Valentin shuddered, shoving those escaped possibilities from his thoughts.
“But you were there.” Amorette hugged him tighter, and it struck him how easily they shifted from sex on the bathroom counter to an emotional conversation.
“You’re Cupid,” she blurted, jerking him from his admiration. “Why did you always order black coffee? You’re the defender of love. There’s an entire holiday dedicated to you. How do you not like chocolate?”
“I’m ex-special forces, Amor,” he laughed. “I like the simple things. A good cup of coffee, a beautiful road to ride my bike, and a gorgeous woman screaming in pleasure beneath me. You can enjoy chocolate for the both of us. We complement each other.”
“Shit.” Valentin’s boot hit the pavement as he steadied the bike, and Amorette stared wide-eyed at the monstrosity hiding behind an impenetrable gate at the end of the lane.
“Are we at the right address?” she asked, and Valentin nodded. “Cavitto’s in there?” Her voice was incredulous. “He’s in that mansion? The house taking up half the property in plain and obvious sight, and the authorities can’t find him? Howcould they miss him coming and going from that? It’s the most obnoxious mansion I’ve ever seen.”
“It is.” Valentin settled back in his seat, leaning into her chest. His arms folded over hers on his stomach in a decidedly comfortable yet intimate hold. “But it makes sense if you know who owns it.”
“Who?” She peered around his mountain of a torso to study his chiseled profile.
“Otis Gaynes.” Valentin felt her shrug behind him. “You haven’t heard of him?”
“You saw my parent’s very suburban home,” she said, looking back at the mansion. “We definitely don’t travel in the same circles, and I’m usually too busy running the café to pay attention to the news… the café I’ve abandoned on its busiest day of the year.”
“If it’ll make you happy, I’ll eat one chocolate and then buy the rest to make up for today.” Valentin nudged her, drawing her eyes back to him. “Your safety is more important.”
“I know.” She kissed his cheek softly, and once again, he was struck by how seamlessly they slipped between the different aspects of a normal relationship. An hour ago, she’d been riding his face as his filthy words filled the bathroom, and now she was kissing his cheek and talking about finances. If only they had a lifetime together. How many more moments like this could they have? Conversations where she held him tight and told him everything.
“So?” she squeezed him impatiently. “Who is he?”
“Otis Gaynes is a multi-millionaire philanthropist and flamboyant entertainer. He’s well known for his humanitarian charities and over-the-top fundraisers. They say his excessive parties and ridiculous personality are the reason so many financiers flock to his causes. His events are always a spectacle.”
“Why would the mafia give us his address?” Amorette asked, and Valentin could almost hear the wheels in her brain spinning as she tried to solve the problem. “That man at The Rye was telling the truth. I saw it when your power flooded the room, so there must be a reason we’re here. Can you scent anything?”
He shook his head. “There’s too much going on in that estate. Everything is blurred.”
Amorette peeled herself off the bike and walked down the lane. The trees hid them inside their shadows, but every step she took injected worry into his heart. He didn’t like her out in the open.
“Amor?”
“The Rye.” She ignored his gentle warning. “Upscale, unassuming, a desired Valentine’s Day date spot. Not the location one would expect the mafia to have their claws in.” She started pacing, and Valentin pulled the bow off his back, holding it at the ready in case he needed to defend her.
“Millionaire philanthropist,” she said, stopping in her tracks to stare at him. “Not someone you would associate with the criminal underworld. Cavitto isn’t often seen in the flesh, but I saw him. He never meant to leave me as a witness or expected me to overpower my guard. I’m one of the few who’ve seen him and survived, and the thing that stuck out was his suit.” She moved closer to Valentin until she stood before him with anticipation. “It was designer. I was too worried about keeping my head to memorize his outfit, but it’s hard to miss a designer suit. What if Mr. Gaynes isn’t the philanthropist the world thinks he is? What if he’s a front like The Rye? Just like the suit?” Her voice escalated with excitement. “People wouldn’t question a millionaire devoting his time and money to charities, but why the excessive parties? Because the best way to get away with a crime is not to hide it but to turn everyone’s attention to something else.”
