“Hours? Accident?” Okay, Robert might feel a little bad about locking down his luck, but if he suffered from all of that, what were the chances many people would have suffered the same fate or worse while he absorbed everyone’s luck?
“What’s going on?”
“I’m the policeman at the door to his room. Ensuring that he doesn’t leave because he’s wanted for questioning for a string of thefts in Seattle. But Rory’s men are all over the hospital, looking for a way to get their hands on him.”
“Have you seen him yet?”
“No, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t show up at any time.”
“Right, keep an eye on the prick. He’s trying to get to his daughters. He wants to try to turn one against the other. All because he blames her for the disasters he causes just by being near people.”
“Sounds like his luck has broken.”
“More so now than it was. At least he’s not endangering everyone in his path. Call if you need me to take him out of there, but I’m not looking forward to the paperwork if we go that route.”
“If they decide he’s well enough to go I can take him to the Council. That’s always easy enough to manage.”
“We’ll see.” Robert hung up and sat back at his desk. Preston walked in and slid a file across his desk. “You realize Abigail is working against us?”
He snorted. “You didn’t?”
“Not to this extent. Though she’s just proven herself a fool to the inner circle. She still doesn’t seem to get that they want only Mages in a place of power. If she’s not careful, the fact she’s half Fae is going to come out and then she’ll be stripped of any rank. They still don’t want anyone who isn’t pure something on the DSF, not that they could prove who is what. And some of the things in the DSF only happen through certain combinations of powers. But none of them want to see it that way.”
“Of course not. Erik is far too useful to the Council. Mike is quickly proving himself to them as well. But I’m worried what happens when Gwen becomes pregnant.”
Preston drew a slow breath. “They would know what that child would be.”
“Of course. And that will happen eventually. I know it in my bones.”
“We’ll help them when the time comes.”
Preston dropped into a seat. “What do we do about Abigail? She’s trying to stir up trouble.”
“We don’t. She’s going to dig herself into a hole she can’t get out of. Let her.”
“And Finnian?”
“He’s in the hospital. Broken ribs, concussion. Apparently, he was in an accident and left. I’m trying to decide if we bother going to him, or let him dig himself out of his own trouble. Rory Golden has men around the hospital.”
“You’re going to let them destroy the hospital to get to him?”
“Kevin is standing guard. They have to know better. Don’t they?”
“I don’t know, Robert. Seems like we’re gambling on how intelligent his hired thugs are. That’s anything but wise.”
Robert pushed back from the desk. “Want me to go get him? What, lock him in a cell? I’ve already put him in more danger than he knows what to do with. Before, he could just absorb everyone’s luck, screwing them over in the process. Now at least he’ll get what’s coming to him. If he does manage to escape, there is a very good possibility he’s going to get himself killed. And as long as it isn’t in some magical way, we don’t have to do anything.”
“You need a vacation, Robert.”
“Trust me, I know. Now I know why Draecyn has no desire to come back to the Council. I have a stream of never-ending calls. And because I’m willing to listen, I find myself jumping into things that shouldn’t be my problem.”
“Well, take a week off. Take Liz, Tremaine, and Wilhelm, and go somewhere fun and exciting, with less Others. Turn off the phone and just enjoy.”
He snorted. “You going to carry the load for an entire week?”
“You did carry my load while I was on my honeymoon. Something none of you took when you guys tied the knot.”
“True.” He sighed. “But, if you’re truly all right with that, I think we may. I need to talk to them first. Not sure they want to leave the bookstore that long, but I can hope.”
“If they can pull you away from your duties, you bet your ass they’ll take you up on that offer.”
“Hope so. I need the break.”
“Yeah, I get it. Look, you can talk to me, you know that?”
Robert snorted. “I do. The problem is that I don’t consciously think of this stuff. Not until someone drags it out of me. I’ve spent ages throwing myself into work because of everything with Liz while she pretended to be dead.”
Preston shook his head. “I’ll never understand why she did that. I still don’t understand how you let her walk away.”
The question he often asked himself. Robert dropped his gaze. “Simple, she said that’s what she needed. She told me she didn’t love me. I did what I thought she needed. It damn near killed me, but that’s what it comes down to. And maybe we always needed Tremaine. I sure as hell don’t regret where we wound up.”
“Yeah, that’s clear. Why don’t you take a week or two and do something with your family, away from all this chaos?”
“I will.”
“Good. Now, I’m going to call Kevin to make sure he doesn’t need backup.” Preston stood. “On second thought, I’ll head down there.”
“If you need me, call. But I’m sure he’s capable. If he weren’t at a human hospital I may worry.”
Preston cocked a brow. “Not sure about that, Robert. I heard an interesting story about his trip from Charleston to here. Abigail noticed him sneaking out. He was bit by a dog. A kid puked all over him. He got held up on a layover, wound up sneaking out of the airport only to wind up in a crash, then got stuck in an elevator. Now he’s unconscious in the hospital.”
“With a bunch of Others looking for him.” Robert let out a breath. “Call me if you need me. I’ll come straight there.”
“Will do.” Preston left the room.
Robert translocated to the bookstore office where he found Liz staring at the laptop.
Chapter 25
Warm fingers trailed over Danika’s cheek. She peeled her eyes open to find Adam lying there with a sad smile. “You okay? Not too tired for tonight?”
She swallowed slightly. “I can sleep in the car.”
Nodding, he took her hand. “After you eat. I made your favorite and called in a favor. Dakota made you soup. Should give you some more energy, help you feel better. Dominique brought it. She’s downstairs, ready for us to go. But you should kiss Makayla after you eat.”
“Of course.” She stretched out then sat up. “What do I wear?”
He chuckled. “Doubt that matters much. You won’t be in it long.”
She rolled her eyes. “Pick something sexy for me to wear?”
“Those holey jeans I love and the Inktastic racerback.”
Rolling her eyes, she went to the closet. “I was thinking something easier to remove.”
“A sundress?” He hopped up and beat her to the closet. He pulled out the blue one covered in tropical flowers and hummingbirds. When she asked why that one, he told her it was as close as he could find to the first tattoo he put on her.
“This one?”
Grinning, she whipped off her shirt and bra, then pulled it over her head.
He stepped closer. “If we don’t get over there, I’ll be tempted to keep you all to myself.”
She wet her lips. “I’d let you.” Making love to Adam, and just Adam, sounded like the best plan.
He sighed. “But I want you with me a long time. This ensures that.”
She opened her jeans and scooted them down her legs before stepping into a pair of sandals. “Not bothering with makeup. Doubt that would last long.”
“You never needed makeup, gorgeous.”
“You wearing this?” She ran her finger along the worn fr
ont pocket of his blue jeans.
He dipped his head. “Not going to need clothes long.”
“Whatever happens tonight, it doesn’t affect us, doesn’t change us. Swear to me this doesn’t change us.”
“You have my word. One time to make sure you’re healthy and you live as long as I do. We enjoy tonight, but that’s all this is.”
She kissed him, delving her fingers into his hair. Pulling back, she met his gaze. “We’re doing this for us.”
“For us.” He took her hand. “Ready?”
“Think so.” Only one way to find out. Nervous, hell yeah. But this was better than months of treatment, and more treatments after that. And Adam wanted what was best for her. He was giving her that by insisting on something she never would have thought of on her own. Not while with Adam. Hell, probably not even if she had never met him.
Her father skewed her view about leprechauns. She’d met a few since her youth, and her view had started to change. And then there was Dominique, who went through her awakening sometime before finding Danika in Seattle. Purely by chance, maybe luck.
Luck wasn’t so bad
But love was so much better.
That’s what she had with Adam. Nothing could separate them, not even death. Wherever they were going in the afterlife, she was sure they’d be together. Only now, that wasn’t happening anytime soon.
He took her hand. “Dominique is downstairs. Eat, then we can say goodbye to Makayla before we drive out to Paavo’s. They’re on Lake Washington and have a beautiful view. Or so I’m told.”
She’d heard plenty, and she’d seen some pictures, courtesy of In Other News. Apparently in their backyard, on the beach.
“You really made blackened salmon Caesar for me?”
“I want you to enjoy everything tonight, Danika.”
He was perfect. He always had been. They used to go to an Irish pub in Renton, but it had closed years ago. And Adam knew she loved that salad, so he learned to make it just for her. It always reminded her of their many nights there, playing pool.
She headed downstairs, and Makayla bounced off the floor and ran to her. Danika scooped her up, hugging her tight. “Hey, baby. You having fun with Dominique?”
“Aunty Dommy play with me.”
She kissed her head. “You be good, okay?”
“Very.”
She kissed her again. “Still hungry?”
“Bite?”
“Sure.” She smiled at Dominique. “Is Dane coming soon?”
“After he’s done at work.”
“He puppy too,” Makayla said.
“Yes, he is. But you’re not going to see him like that tonight, okay?”
“Okay.”
Danika took her to the kitchen island and sat down with Makayla in her lap. “I’ll share, but you don’t get all the salmon, okay, Makayla?”
Her little brows pinched. “A bite, Mama.”
Laughing, she took the fork and gave her girl the first taste, then ate. She didn’t forget the cup of soup sitting next to the plate.
Makayla quickly squirmed and Adam took her. “Want a cookie, Bluebird?”
“Yup.” She hugged Adam as he reached up to the cookie jar to get her one. “Love you, Daddy. Love you, Mommy.”
“Love you too, Bluebird.” He kissed her head, handed her the cookie, and set her down.
Danika took the last bite and groaned. “So good. Let me brush my teeth, and I’ll be ready.”
Before she could take the dishes to the sink, Adam took them. Dominique took her arm when she stepped into the living room. “Questions?”
“Adam tell you?”
“Yeah, what do you want to know?”
“Am I going to have his memories?”
Dominique smirked. “Dad’s? Not like some Fae. You’ll get a few glimpses, but that’s it. At least that’s how it worked for me.”
“Did you pass out?”
She smirked. “Only after I came a few times, and then only because I was exhausted.”
“I have a feeling I’m going to get to that point.”
“Probably.”
Danika moved to the bathroom, grabbed a toothbrush, and started on her teeth.
“Tonight is going to be fine,” Dominique assured.
Nodding, she glanced over and smiled around the brush.
“Just making sure you know,” Dominique added.
Once done, she rinsed her mouth and hugged Dominique. “This is so weird.”
“You’ll enjoy yourself.”
“What’s weirder is that you’re encouraging me to screw two men, plus my husband.”
“Hey, if Dane were down, I’d jump at the chance to explore something like that just once. Just to know.”
Shaking her head, Danika hugged her. “But you wouldn’t, because I can’t see him going for that.”
“Oh no. Though, he admires Adam for being willing.”
“So do I, to tell the truth.” Danika glanced past her. “We should go. Take care of Makayla for me.”
“Always, sis. Take care of you.” She hugged her. “Love you.”
“Love you too,” Danika answered. She ducked past her and found Adam at the door with the keys. “I’m ready.”
“Me too.”
Chapter 26
Finnian blinked in time with the steady beeping. What the fuck? Bright lights shone down and he pulled his arms to cover his face, but they got nowhere. He tugged again and heard the clank of metal on metal.
Then he realized where he was. A hospital bed, cuffed to the bed. An IV in his arm. His ribs and head throbbed. How’d he wind up there? Last thing he remembered was the elevator that wouldn’t open.
A policeman with magic popping around him stepped inside. “Afternoon, Finnian. Seems you’ve run out of luck.”
“Who are you? Where am I? I demand to be released!”
“Officer Kevin Jones. You’re here because you are the suspect in multiple thefts. There’s enough evidence stacked against you that once you’re cleared, I’m taking you in. Though not to the police station. You’ll be going to the Silver Council.”
“What the fuck for?”
“Abigail Tormley. You stole from her last night.”
“And how would you know that?” He pulled at his arm to rub at his brow, and got nowhere. “You can’t keep me here. Rory Golden’s men are after me.”
“We know. Problem is, being what you are, you should know better than to spend time at a casino run by Others. Especially when everyone else stopped winning while you raked in the cash. Of course that caught his attention.”
“That was ages ago. And my luck isn’t that good.”
“It was. Clearly, it’s not now. Why do you think you’re here? With a concussion, cracked ribs, and black and blue?”
“That’s why they hit the cab?”
Kevin chuckled. “Yeah. Well, whatever you’ve done, seems Karma is catching up. Now, you need to answer for some crimes. We just need to figure out how to get you away from here before Golden’s men do.”
“And how does that work?”
“Well, the doctor needs to clear you to go to jail. Like I said, that’s not where you’ll wind up.”
“Fine.” He’d find a way out of the mess. He always did. Only lately, maybe Kevin was right. Maybe his luck had run out.
* * * *
Preston made it to the hospital and made his way up to Finnian’s floor. Robert may not think much about Golden’s men getting their hands on the leprechaun, but he didn’t trust the prick not to sell out his daughters.
What they had to offer the thugs was beyond Preston, but he knew Golden was into some shady shit and wouldn’t mind getting his hands on all sorts of people in Edenton.
His casino was his official source of money, but the Silver Council had long suspected him of running a trafficking ring. Problem was, there was no evidence. But the rumors were that he sold Other slaves of all forms. Leprechauns were supposed to be in high demand if they could be
kept because they brought the master luck.
How that worked was beyond Preston. He knew just being around Dominique, and on her side, afforded him luck in battle. He’d seen that firsthand. However, if the leprechaun didn’t like you, you were generally fucked.
Then there were the healers that were rumored to be forced into healing those who needed it. Incubus, succubus, siren, and nymphs forced to be sex slaves. The list went on and on.
And they had no damned proof. If they were lucky, this case would give them some kind of lead. He’d love to take the bastard down.
The elevator opened and he stared down the hall. A nurse stopped him. “Who are you here for?”
“Finnian Walsh. He was brought in after being found in an elevator. He’d fled the scene of an accident.”
“He has a severe concussion. He may not have realized what he was doing,” the nurse stated.
Not a surprise. “Can I see him?”
“Are you family?”
“No, special investigator for the FBI.” He produced a badge. All the enforcers had something similar to get them into places they wouldn’t be allowed.
“Sure, he’s in 847. Go on.” Preston dipped his head and headed down the hall, watching the signs. They had to put the prick in the farthest possible room.
The lights flickered as he turned the corner, then went completely out while a fire alarm screeched down the hall. He started running as Kevin was flung against a wall, and a shadow streak flew down the hall.
Fucking hell. He skidded to a stop to check Kevin, who rubbed his head.
Preston crouched by Kevin. “You okay?”
“Hit my head. What the hell just happened?” Kevin answered.
“Don’t know but need to make sure everyone is all right before I call Robert.”
“Let me help.”
* * * *
The door slammed open and darkness filled the room. The cop/mage started casting a spell before slamming into something.
Finnian couldn’t see a damned thing. Nothing at all.
Better Than Luck Page 14