She smiled as she looked up from the book. “Morning, Westley. I just started a pot of coffee if you want some.”
“Thanks,” I walked past her, but paused when I noticed that Gabriella’s computer was on next to her. She was pretty careful with her laptop since she used it for work. She never left it on.
I thought of last night and how Gabriella asked if I’d noticed anything off about Lucia. I hadn’t, or at least I didn’t think I had.
“Did Gabriella leave her computer out?”
Lucia looked away from her book and shrugged. “Maybe. It was here that I sat down. I thought maybe she left it out. The screen turned on when I sat down.”
I knew for a fact that Gabriella hadn’t used it because she was still asleep in bed. Which meant something wasn’t right. I didn’t want to think ill of Lucia, but if Gabriella was concerned, I was going to listen. I headed out for my morning lookout with Asher. He was sitting on the hood of his car when I arrived. I got out of mine and shook my head at him. “You know that’s bad for your car, right?”
“It’s Kaleb’s,” he said with a smirk.
I snorted as we headed into the woods. “I have a quick question. You spent time with Lucia and Hazel over the past few weeks, right?”
Asher nodded. “I stopped in because I’ve been giving extra help with the witches, but I wasn’t spending time with them as a whole. Why do you ask?”
“Well, last night Gabriella brought up a concern about Lucia.”
He paused his steps. “Like? Something we should be concerned about?”
“I’m not sure. I don’t know if it’s maybe the girls are getting a little tired of her in the house, or if it’s something serious.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Gabriella said things have started to go missing, and the house feels tense. I trust Hazel and Gabriella’s intuition, and if they are concerned, I’m going to listen.
“That’s… a little concerning. Do you have proof she’s done anything?”
I shook my head. Everything was just speculation. “No, that’s why I asked if you saw anything off about her.”
He shook his head. “No, but she’s new to the pack. My advice, just watch and monitor. If it becomes a bigger problem, let Brandon handle it.”
“Thanks. And could I ask that you stop by periodically to check on them? Just so there is an extra set of eyes in the house?”
“You want me to spy?”
“No, just… stop in.”
Asher snorted. “What’s another word for that?”
“Oh, shut up.” I punched him. “Just do it.”
“Fine, but you owe me big time.”
Chapter 23 - Gabriella
I was sitting in the living room reading a book, or trying to. Lucia was sitting on the other side of the couch, flipping through the TV channels. The space was quiet between us, a little tense but not like before.
“Do you have any good shows in mind? I can’t seem to find anything good.”
“I like movies more,” I answered, looking over the top of my book. I stared at her, taking in how relaxed she was. I wondered if maybe I had been too rough on her before. Maybe she was innocent and just trying to figure things out.
I heard the doorbell, and Lucia looked away from the TV. “Are you expecting anyone?”
“It’s eight in the morning, what do you think?”
She smirked as she got herself up and walked toward the door. She pulled it open, and I was a little surprised to see Asher. “Hey, ladies.”
