“Relax, Fleur. I think my leg can handle a little floor time.”
“If you’re sure.”
His look with his eyes completely hooded sent a shiver down my spine.
The fire in his eyes almost kept me in the kitchen, but I willed myself away, heading into my office. I kept the few board games I owned on the shelf in the closet. As soon as I pulled the Ouija board into my hand, a strange sense of calm washed over me. That wasn’t unusual, but almost instantly, I also felt a kindred spirit.
As if whatever black magic his grandmother dabbled in had kept the world of spirits wide open around him.
I found him exactly where I’d told him to be. His sleeves were rolled up, his shirttail jerked from his jeans and he was sitting cross-legged. A powerful mafia man in the middle of my living room waiting for my instructions. The deep core throb made it difficult to keep my thoughts clean. I also noticed he’d placed his weapon on the table as well.
“Do you always carry your weapon with you no matter where you go?” Even as I sat down, I couldn’t take my eyes off the handgun.
“You know why, Fleur. My weapon is merely an extension of my wardrobe.”
“Entirely different than a hand-crafted watch or diamond cufflinks.”
“Maybe so, but vital to my operations.”
“You mean to your life.” I plunked the board down, no longer certain the game was a good idea. He’d been honest with me, which I appreciated. He wasn’t making excuses for what he waslike so many men would do. He was simply choosing not to provide gory details about the number of lives he’d ended.
“And to those I care about. I will do whatever it takes to keep my friends and family safe and free from predators attempting to destroy who we are and what we’ve created.”
A little lump had formed in my throat. I could only imagine what he did with his enemies.
He studied me as I placed the board in between us. “A Ouija board. You’re serious.”
“Absolutely. You can learn everything you need to know about life or about a person from the spirits beyond.”
“I thought that happened with using tarot cards.”
“This is a much more direct and effective method. Trust me.” I winked, holding my breath for a few seconds as the glimmer of the flameless candles highlighted every carved inch of his handsome face.
“I do trust you.”
“Good. Place your fingers on the planchette. Lightly. Don’t press down.” When he held a quizzical look, I laughed. “The plastic piece.” The moment he touched the piece, another cold shiver startled me. “Not that hard. A light touch. Even your muscular fingers can manage that.”
He snorted, shifting and I could tell he wasn’t used to sitting on the floor. “How does this work?”
“We ask questions and the spirits will guide us. I’ll go first. It helps if you close your eyes and concentrate.” The man was highly difficult, taking his time to close his eyes. I bit back alaugh and closed mine, taking deep breaths as well as a few seconds before I asked a question out loud. “Spirits. Are you with us?”
Other than the music playing softly in the background, there was no other noise. Until a slight scraping sound. Opening one eye, I managed to see his disbelief in his eyes. When the planchette slid to ‘yes,’ he huffed.
“You moved the piece.” His tone was deep, unbelieving.
“I did not. There are spirits walking the earth amongst us. They provide guidance if we allow. Didn’t your grandmother share with you how it works? Weren’t you born with her same gifts?”
“My sister? Definitely. My older brother? Maybe. I’ve been lucky my entire life.”
“I think you’re denying your gifts. The spirits were telling me you’re very powerful.”
His grin was adorable with the way his nose scrunched up. “Maybe so, but not in the way the spirits are leading you to believe.”
“Then let’s ask them. Fingers on the planchette.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Is Montgomery Prince a powerful man?”
