“I’m serious.The chief and Max owe you a debt.”
I don’t miss him leaving his own name out of that conversation.“I did it because I’m part of the Union now.”When I turn and walk away, he strides next to me.
“Well, we all thank you.”
“Sounds good, Westbrook.”
“Would you stop and let me compliment you?”he asks in an irritated tone, and I grin.
Once we reach the portal, I stop and turn to him.“It’s eating you up inside to say nice things about me, isn’t it?”I smirk at him, and he huffs.
“Credit is where credit is due.It’s not like we’re competing for anything.”
I shake my head.“No, we are not.”
“This case could go sideways.I wouldn’t be surprised if the chief calls you for another hex question.”
“More than that.The High Council and the chief all offered to take me on as a part-time consultant for this case, and I said yes.”
The raised eyebrows on Luther’s pretty face are priceless.“Oh, uh, we-we-well…”
“I guess we’re working together now.”
“Um, cool?”He scratches his head as the portal lights up.“Hey, what are you doing at the portal to Cosmo, Virginia?”
“Oh, they didn’t tell you?”I slowly walk backward past the guard.“I live in Cosmo now.So, I guess we’ll be seeing each other around a lot…neighbor.”
His deer-in-the-headlights expression is adorable.When half my body is through the portal, I shout out, “See you at work, Lulu!”With a simple salute, I’m through the glowing archway and back home in the US.
CHAPTER 4- TAZ
WELL, ISN’T THISmy lucky day?After I took the bus to the mansion that houses the one portal here in Cosmo, I flashed my credentials to get into the building.Now, I’m walking down the steps to see the one and only Luther Westbrook waiting in the basement.It’s an empty room, since the manor is a façade, with almost no one occupying the space.Except, the two of us are here.Alone.
When he sees me, he gives me that signature Luther look of disdain he held for me back when we were teens.He tries to reign it in and be professional?in his big boy trench coat, thigh-hugging trousers, and stylish shirt and tie?but I still recognize his teenage face underneath all that manly stubble.
Naturally, I beam at him.“Morning, Lulu!”He’s always hated that nickname.
The man to my left bristles.“Good morning, Devries.And it’s Agent Westbrook now.”
I nod and grin.“Oh right, Agent Westbrook.My apologies.Can’t forget your hotshot title, can I?”
“No,” he murmurs, adjusting his coat.I know I ought to be more mature, but old habits die hard.Being summoned by the chief to assist them was supposed to be all business.But working with Luther two days ago propelled me back to being a hormone-addled teenager.I’m once again teasing the only guy I’ve ever wanted to get a rise out of.
I don’t miss the way his eyes flick to my body—quick, subtle glances, like he doesn’t want me to catch him.But I’ve always craved his attention, good or bad.So much of me has changed in the last ten years, but apparently not enough when it comes to being near Luther Westbrook.
“I guess the chief called you in, too?”I ask with a smile.
“I’m a lead agent of SPELL, so…”
“Right.”
“He called you to work for us today?”
“Withyou.I’m a hex expert, after all, and I took this assignment.Who knows what you all could face?”
“Of course.A real hexpert,” he says in his most unimpressed tone.
I guffaw.“I don’t remember you being so funny, Westbrook.”
