“Nope.” He lifted the phone to his ear again and dialed. “Hey, Tabi. Can Mariana hang with you for about an hour while I go deal with the sheriff? Yeah? No problem. Thanks.” He tossed the phone on the bed and moved for his duffle on the floor.
Mariana stood. “I don’t need a babysitter. I’ll be fine here.” She twisted to see the marking on her hip. A perfect M with jagged lines. It looked like an intricate tattoo. “Wow.”
His eyes flared. “That’s beautiful.”
It really was. She rocked back on her heels and stretched. “I like it.”
“Good thing.” He yanked on jeans and reached for a shirt.
“I’m staying here, Raine.” She looked around for her nightie but didn’t see it. Oh well. She should get dressed anyway.
“No.” He put on the shirt and padded toward the bathroom. “You’re not immortal yet, and I want the demoness around just in case. We still don’t know who was stalking you.”
Mariana put her hands on her hips. “Is this what you meant about your word being law?”
“It’s a start.” He disappeared into the bathroom.
Well, they were not going to continue in this vein, but for now, she didn’t mind talking to Tabi about this whole immortality situation. So she hurried to dress. After brushing her teeth and putting her hair in a ponytail, she put on a minimum of makeup and met Raine in the living room. “I hope you know I’m going along with this because I want to see Tabi.”
“Okay.” Raine took her out to a new blue truck in the driveway.
She stumbled, and he righted her by the arm. “Where did this come from?”
“I ordered it,” he said, assisting her up into the passenger seat. “We’re very comfortable. I’ll make the accounts joint when I get the chance.”
She held out a hand. “I don’t need your money, Raine.”
“It’s our money.” He shut the door before she could argue.
She rolled her eyes. The truck was pretty nice. They made the drive in the soft sunshine, with the rain having finally stopped.
After buying three lattes, Raine drove her to Tabi’s house and handed over the drinks. “Stay here until I pick you up.” He kissed her on the chin, both cheeks, and then her forehead, making her go all gushy inside. Then he waited until she’d reached the door to Evan’s comfortable home before driving off.
Tabi opened the door and reached for the lattes. “Awesome. Thank you.”
“Sure.” Mariana kept a drink and walked inside, expecting to see Evan. Instead, a pretty blonde with a black eye sat on the sofa and accepted the coffee from Tabi.
Tabi smiled. “Mariana, this is Louise Baker. She’s currently getting divorced from Deputy Johnny Baker, the sheriff’s kid, and is going to need a good shrink.”
Louise sipped her latte. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You, too.” Mariana took a seat. “Raine and I are figuring out what to do, but I’d like to open an office here in town. You’d be my first client.” She remembered hearing that Johnny was an ass who liked to hit. It was good this girl had left him, and Mariana could help her. She wanted to help.
Louise blanched. “I, um, can’t pay you much.”
Mariana waved a hand. “No worries. In fact, if I open an office, I’ll need a receptionist and office manager. What do you say?”
Tabi beamed behind her latte cup.
Louise frowned and then steeled her shoulders. “I’d love to help.”
“Perfect,” Tabi said, nearly hopping in place with her blonde hair flying. “I love it when a plan comes together.” She sniffed the air and then zeroed in on Mariana. “Don’t you? Yep. A good plan. Yay.”
Mariana hid a smile. Obviously Tabi knew that Raine and she had mated. “I have questions for you later,” she said.
“I’m sure,” Tabi said, grinning widely.
Louise’s phone rang, and she pulled it out of a brightly patched purse. “Hello?” She paled. “I know, but…okay. Yes.” She replaced the phone in her bag, and her hand trembled.
