In Sickness and In Elf (Paranormal Wedding Planners Book 1)

by AE Jones

  “Do we have an audience, darlin’?”

  “Sheila’s here with me.”

  “And what is it the two of you want to know?”

  Alex hesitated for a moment. “Julia Davis.”

  Charlie made an odd sound, but just before Alex asked if he was okay she could hear what sounded like stifled laughter.

  “What’s so daggone funny?” Alex snapped.

  “I’m sometimes astounded at my own brilliance. Here’s the only thing you need to know. They’re not a couple.”

  Alex blurted. “They seem awful chummy to me.”

  “Julia is Devin’s sister-in-law.”

  Alex shook her head. “How did you know that was even my question?”

  “Brilliant, remember?”

  Alex ended the call, and Sheila smiled. “See? I told you.”

  Alex forced herself to grin back at her. Maybe Sheila was right. She had spent so much time feeling hurt and angry that she hadn’t let anyone get close to her romantically since the wedding debacle. Was her fear of weddings really an excuse to avoid relationships?

  And the more important question—was she finally willing to risk her heart again with Devin?

  Lorinda’s Wedding Tip: A healthy bride and groom are a happy bride and groom. Remind them to exercise, eat right, and, most of all, relieve stress.

  Chapter 23

  He just wanted to get it over with.

  “Don’t forget your hearing before the Tribunal is next Monday, Devin. I still can’t believe they didn’t dismiss the charges. We need to discuss your testimony,” Julia announced from the front seat of Devin’s car. They had talked over a quick breakfast, and he was about to drop her back off at the courthouse.

  “I won’t badmouth Marina.”

  “I’m not asking you to. But the Tribunal has to learn the truth. Tobin’s charges claim that you ordered Marina into a dangerous situation. Tell them your side of the story.”

  Devin shook his head. “I did order her into a dangerous situation.”

  “Semantics, Devin. You told Marina not to go into the bar that night, but she did anyhow. Do you know why?”

  He clenched the leather steering wheel. No way was he going to tell Julia that Marina disobeyed his orders believing she could prove herself and earn her way back into his bed.

  “Anything you tell me could help with the case, Devin,” she pushed.

  “I don’t know why she did it. Maybe she didn’t believe there was any threat.”

  “Let’s get together later this week. I’ll have the actual questions to go over with you by then.”

  “I have a wedding to secure this Saturday, and then I’m all yours.”

  * * *

  As soon as Devin entered the house, Charlie called from the dining room. He found Charlie and Gizmo sitting in front of a laptop. The cat sat on the chair on the other side of Giz, staring at the monitor like he was a human. When Devin moved to the table, the cat growled.

  Giz frowned. “Knock it off, Monster.”

  “What’s up?”

  “Godfrey just sent us a drawing of the woman from his wedding.” Gizmo clicked on the screen.

  Devin peered over his shoulder. The woman was exotic-looking, but Devin didn’t recognize her. “Send this through the various databases and see if we can get a hit.”

  “Already on it.”

  Devin sat down next to him. “Have we gotten any hits on the simian or the human?”

  Gizmo shook his head. “Nothing yet. I’m currently running all three images through every database I can find.”

  “At least we can hand out the drawings to the security team so they’re on the lookout at the wedding,” Charlie added. “I wish we knew why they’re doing this.”

  Devin nodded. “If we can grab one of them and get them to talk or lead us to whoever is orchestrating the sabotage, we can stop it. Alex could have died last time. I don’t want anyone else hurt because of this.”

  * * *

  She was surrounded by gorgeous men. Alex looked around at the team gathered in the living room. Connor and Charlie sat on the couch, while Jack hovered quietly in the corner. Gizmo was in an armchair, pulling wires out of some sort of circuit box, and Monster was perched on the back of the chair, periodically swiping his paw at the wiring.

  “I want to hear the details,” she repeated, followed by a chorus of male groans.

  Devin spoke up from his position near the fireplace, where he was overseeing the meeting. “She’s right. Let’s go through it one more time to make sure everything’s in place.”

  Charlie leaned forward. “The venue is secured. We have security covering the estate where the wedding and reception will take place.”

  “But not too secure, right?” Alex checked.

  “No, we’ve left a couple entry points for them to access, but we have control over them.”

  Gizmo twisted several wires together as he spoke. “I have all the entrances set with video and sound. We can watch for anything suspicious.”

  Charlie nodded. “Connor and Jack are vetting the guest list. Since this is a high-profile wedding, people won’t feel suspicious about being interrogated and searched when they arrive.”

  “Charlie is overseeing the logistics and running the security force we’ve hired,” Devin added.

  “Is the security team good?”

  “The best,” Devin assured her. “Their leader owed me a favor, and he’s providing me with an elite team. I’m serving as Julian’s best man, which will allow me to remain close enough to protect both him and Fiona.

  Alex grinned. “That works out, then. I’m Fiona’s maid of honor, so I can help too.”

  Devin scowled at her. “Since when?”

  “Since Fiona asked me.”

  “When were you going to tell me?”

  Alex did some scowling of her own. What was with his constant Conan routine? “I just did.”

  He shook his head. “Absolutely not.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I will not allow you to expose yourself to danger that way.”

  Alex clenched her fists. “Let me get this straight. You’re okay with letting the bride and groom face these maniacs, but not me?”

  “The bride and groom can both take care of themselves. You are another matter altogether.”

  She stood. “I can take care of myself. I don’t need a babysitter.”

  “Is anyone else experiencing déjà vu?” Connor interrupted.

  Charlie chuckled. “They’re in a rut. Somebody needs to shake them out of it.”

  Devin turned toward the couch and roared, “Out! All of you!”

  Gizmo tore himself away from his project and looked at Devin with hurt eyes. “What did I do?”

  “Out!” Devin bellowed. He paced in front of her until the rest of the team cleared out. Next he grabbed her shoulders and glared at her. “We’ll never get anything done if you argue with every word I say.”

  But instead of being intimidated, she was turned on. The heat in his palms radiated up her arms, and she wanted to feel more of that delicious heat.

  “I’m through arguing with you, Devin.” She leaned in, holding her breath. For once she was not going to let fear stop her from going after what she wanted. Would he reject her?

  His pupils flared when she edged closer and settled her lips on the corner of his mouth. She teased him with feather-light kisses before moving across and pressing her lips fully against his.

  The connection was instantaneous and electric. There was no awkwardness or wrestling for position. Their mouths fit together as if they were two parts of a whole. She prayed he wouldn’t push her away when she nipped at his bottom lip.

  Devin yanked her up against him, wrapping his arms around her back. She opened her mouth and he took over, dipping his tongue inside and exploring before teasing her tongue with his own.

  Yes! She moaned faintly, and his grip tightened. It was finally happening. She was taking a risk, the consequences be d
amned. She leaned closer and tunneled her fingers through the curly hair at the back of his neck. She had wanted to touch his hair since she first laid eyes on it. She was just settling into the kiss when Monster hissed at them. Devin stiffened and started to pull away from her.

  No! Don’t stop. That stupid cat had just spoiled everything.

  He backed away from her. “We can’t do this.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I’m working for you.”

  Alex huffed. “You’re working for my grandmother. Don’t use that as an excuse.”

  “I don’t get involved with anyone I work with. It’s too dangerous.”

  “Dangerous? For who?”

  Devin clenched his jaw. “I can’t afford to let emotions cloud my judgment. I send my team into situations that can get them killed. If you want to play in the major league, you have to follow the rules.”

  “A sports metaphor, really? I can follow rules…as long as they aren’t asinine.”

  “There’s too much at stake right now to add this to the equation.”

  Alex gazed into his eyes for a moment, grimaced, and turned toward the front door. “Fine, I’ll play along for now. But I promised Fiona I’d be her maid of honor, so expect to see me at the wedding.”

  She marched out of the house and managed to resist slamming the door. When she reached in her pocket for her keys, her hands were shaking so hard she almost dropped them. For all her false bravado, it had been a mistake to kiss him, even though the experience was mind-altering. As soon as their lips touched, she was no longer in control of her senses. So much so that she could have sworn she heard cheering coming from the kitchen.

  * * *

  “What the hell was that?” Charlie demanded when the team filed back into the room.

  Devin scowled, “I don’t have to explain myself to you.”

  Charlie shook his head. “We need to talk.” He turned to the others. “Alone.”

  “Shit, not again,” Connor mumbled. “We’re not frickin’ yo-yos.”

  “Just give us a couple of minutes,” Charlie assured them. “And turn off the surveillance equipment.”

  Connor, Jack, and Gizmo trudged out of the room, muttering among themselves.

  Devin growled. “What the hell! You were watching us?”

  “Yes, we got to watch you crash and burn in here. For God’s sake she made the first move, and you still blew it!”

  “I don’t need relationship advice from you.”

  Charlie crossed his arms. “Oh, please, you need all the help you can get. Why did you push her away?”

  “You were obviously listening, so I don’t have to repeat myself.”

  “I was listening but what you said was a crock of shit.”

  “So what should I have done?” Devin demanded.

  “You should have thrown her over your shoulder and hauled her upstairs. You two are combustible together. There’s something real there, you nob. Get with the program.”

  “I can’t get involved in a relationship before my trial. Until then, it’s not fair to the other person.”

  “My momma would say you’re already standing knee-deep in octopus manure. You’re telling me you can’t risk spending time with someone who thinks you’re human and wouldn’t even notice if you don’t get your powers back.”

  Devin glared at him. Charlie never pulled punches, and Devin usually appreciated that about him. However, at the moment he wanted to deck him. And that wasn’t how Devin handled his emotions. He normally locked them away—until he had met Alex, that is, and his tightly controlled world started to collapse.

  Lorinda’s Wedding Tip: Recommend that the bride and groom attend other weddings. This will give them a better idea of what they want and don’t want at their own.

  Chapter 24

  It had been five days, six hours, and twenty-two minutes since The Kiss.

  A very long, awkward five days of last-minute security details, wedding plans, and avoiding being alone with Devin. Who had graduated in her mind from Mr. Cocky Pants to Mr. Cranky Pants, or Mr. Know-It-All Pants, or—

  A throat cleared, and Alex straightened in her chair. She wasn’t sure how long she’d been sitting there spaced out. And if it was anyone but the woman across from her, she might have gotten away with it.

  “I’m sorry, Dr. Jennings, I missed what you said.”

  “I asked you how you’ve been doing since attending the wedding.”

  “Good. I’m actually helping out with my grandmother’s business.”

  “That’s excellent! And you’ve made up with your grandmother?”

  Alex looked down at her hands. “Ah…not really. That’s still a work in progress.”

  Dr. Jennings wrote something on her pad. That was normally not a good sign.

  “Have you told your grandmother about your phobia?”

  “No. But I’m doing much better. I’m the maid of honor for a wedding this evening.”

  Dr. Jennings’ eyebrows rose. “Really? Do you think you’re ready for that?”

  “Yeah. I mean, I’m nervous, but I won’t let my phobia ruin my friend’s wedding.”

  Dr. Jennings nodded. “That’s wonderful, Alex. You’ve made great strides in the past few weeks. And we’ll work on a plan to help you to talk to your grandmother. But you’re facing your fears, which is what these sessions are all about. Then we’ll talk about launching you into the dating scene again.”

  Alex gulped. She couldn’t bring herself to talk about Devin. Heck, she didn’t understand what was going on. On the one hand, Dr. Jennings would be proud that she took the first step with him, but on the other hand, she didn’t want to relate the crash and burn ending after the kiss. Not yet, anyway.

  Dr. Jennings would have plenty to write down during that discussion, and her hour was almost up. One breakthrough at a time was all she could handle. At least that’s what she told herself over the din of chickens clucking in her head. Maybe her name should be Ms. Scaredy Pants.

  * * *

  Alex studied herself one more time in the hall mirror, and ran her hands down the length of her maid of honor dress. Fiona picked it out, and Alex had been afraid it would be some gothic rendition in black lace. Instead, it was a form-fitting cream dress that flared slightly at her calves. She had to admit, she looked pretty good. Not that she was trying to impress anyone…especially not Devin.

  A knock at her door prompted her to suck in a fortifying breath. She could do this. She wouldn’t let Fiona down today. Heck, after almost becoming a simian demon’s new toy, going to a wedding was pretty low on the freak-out scale.

  She opened the door to Devin. When he caught sight of her, he paused for a moment and stared. She took the time to do a little staring of her own. He was dressed in a designer tuxedo that fit him to a T. He’d gotten a haircut, too, and his shaggy brown hair was now short. How could he be even more handsome than the last time she saw him in a tux? She swallowed hard when he started to smile. She would not fall for that cheeky grin. She was still mad at him.

  “You look amazing, Alex.”

  “So do you,” she gushed, inwardly cursing at how quickly her resolve crumbled. “Is that a new tux?”

  His eyes sparkled. “Yeah. My last one got torn while racing through the woods after a stubborn woman and a simian demon.”

  She shrugged. “It can’t hurt to have a little excitement in your life.”

  Cat meowed from her perch on the back of the couch.

  “Hello, beautiful girl. Are you going to let me pet you today?” Devin moved toward the couch and Cat darted out of the room. “I guess not.”

  “You seem to be striking out with her.”

  He smiled. “You noticed that, huh? I’m starting to get a complex. You ready to go?”

  “Yep.” She smiled in return, happy at their easy banter. She could almost imagine for a moment they were a couple.

  Devin held open the door and lifted his hand slightly, as if to offer it to her, before
awkwardly dropping it back at his side. With that, the bubble burst. But now was not the time to discuss issues. They had a wedding to attend, and bad guys to catch.

  They climbed into the backseat of a limo, where the silence took on a life of its own, looming between them like a 400-pound sumo wrestler.

  After a few minutes, she couldn’t stand the quiet. “Plan still the same?”

  Devin glanced at his watch. “It should be dark in the next thirty minutes, and then we’ll pick up the happy couple.”

  She nodded and then stared out the window again to avoid looking at him. Two could play the silent game. The sumo wrestler started to gain weight and threatened to crush her, but Alex stood her ground. Time inched by, which she measured using the landmarks that scrolled past them along the way.

  Finally, Devin cleared his throat. “We’re almost at Julian’s house. Do you have any questions?”

  She turned from her window distraction to look him in the eye. She had all kinds of questions, but none of them were related to the wedding. Why wasn’t he willing to take the risk with her? Had he been hurt in the past? Was he not attracted to her? He’d definitely responded to her kiss, but men were horn dogs in general. Maybe it meant nothing to him.

  “No, I’m good.”

  The limo pulled through the gates leading to Julian’s house and came to a stop. Before Devin could get out of the car, the heavy wooden front door opened and Julian stepped outside. He reached back and held out his hand while Fiona stepped through the doorway. She was wearing a full black cape that covered her dress and suited her Goth personality.

  Fiona climbed gracefully into the car and smiled when she saw Alex. She ran her eyes over Alex’s dress and nodded. “It’s just as I pictured it. You look great.”

  “Thanks. I can’t wait to see your dress now that you have it on.”

  Julian harrumphed and sat down across from her.

  Fiona chuckled. “Excuse Julian. He’s mad because I won’t let him see the dress. I don’t believe in the whole bad luck thing about seeing the bride before the wedding, but I still want Julian to be surprised when he sees me walking down the aisle.”