“Already on it.”
* * * *
Trisha O’Driscoll
“Oh, Trisha, I need a refill,” Bart called as he leaned on the bar with his empty glass in his hand. His speech was beginning to slur and his weather-beaten face had dark red splotches that hadn’t been there when he sauntered in a few drinks ago.
“You’re a lightweight, Bart. Why don’t you leave the drinking to the big boys?”
“I’m more than big enough, little lady.”
Bart had to be in his fifties and should be able to hold his liquor better than he does. If nothing else, he tips well. Gotta love the farmer whose wife ran off and left him. I had a few rough years with him, but now he’s one of my best customers.
After refilling his beer, I headed to a few tables in the corner with a pitcher and the glasses the occupants had ordered when they came in. After dropping off the drinks I turned around and ran straight into Bart’s chest.
“How about a dance, Trishy?”
“Not tonight.”
I wrenched myself from his arms and headed to the safety of the bar. I knew how to handle drunks, I just didn’t like to.
“Come on? I’ve been coming in here forever and you never give me the time of day.”
“It’s a quarter to one. Which because it’s a Wednesday means we’re closing in fifteen minutes.”
“Perfect, I’ll help you clean up.”
“No, Bart, head back to your friends.”
“You’re my friend, aren’t you?”
A tingle of fear crept down my spine. Bart had never been more than a harmless flirt, but he had drunk almost twice his normal amount tonight.
“How ’bout I call you a cab?”
“I’m not…drunk.”
“Can I get one before you close?” Jimmy sat down at a stool next to Bart.
“The five other stools too good for you, boy?” Bart slurred.
“The bartender’s right here.”
“Move, kid,” Bart growled.
“Don’t start with me; I’ve had a bad day.”
“Hey, Jimmy,” I said as I placed a cold one in front of him. “You okay, baby?”
“Why you callin’ him ‘baby’?” Bart snapped as he stood up. “All these years. You think I leave you tips because you’re some damn genius. Anyone can pour a beer.”
“Then why don’t you try out another bar?” I suggested, and Bart threw his mug against the back wall. It shattered.
With lightning-fast speed Jimmy had Bart pinned to the wall at his neck. Bart shoved against Jimmy and fists flew. Jimmy’s military training showed immediately as Bart flew across a table. Shit. I have to stop this, but damn Jimmy did look good with his muscles flexed and stretching the T-shirt he was wearing. I gathered Jimmy’s coat and tossed it under the bar so he’d have a reason to stay after the fight.
“Bar’s closed, everyone,” I yelled at the now growing crowd of people circling the two guys.
After a few more punches I hit the bullhorn’s siren and everyone turned to see me standing on the bar.
“The lady asked you to leave,” Jimmy snapped.
“She’s no lady,” Bart growled. “And you’ve just bitten off a little too much, son.”
Jimmy swept Bart onto his back with one quick kick. With his foot on Bart’s chest Jimmy finally looked me in the eye.
“You okay, Trish?”
“Yeah, just have a little mess to clean up.”
He nodded and turned back to Bart. “You need to leave and not come back,” Jimmy warned.
“Everyone out or I’m callin’ the cops.”
“Already did, sugar,” Morris, one of my regulars, yelled from the back corner.
“Morris, why’d ya do that?”
I jumped down and tried to scoop up Jimmy’s coat, but it was already gone and so was he. How the hell? Bart was still picking himself up and holding onto the brass rail when the police came through the door.
“Trisha, we got a call about a fight.”
“Bart fell down a few times. Guess people thought a ghost was beating him up. I was just calling for a cab.”
The patrons looked at me like I was crazy.
“Ah-huh, why don’t I believe you?”
“Come on, Clark, when have I ever lied to you?”
“When you didn’t want your boss to know you let things get a little out of control?”
“That’s never happened to me.” I batted my eyelashes as I held my hand strategically between my breasts.
“Where’s the other guy?” Clark asked.
“What other guy?” I asked innocently.
“Bart’s face is already starting to swell.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Anybody here know what happened to Bart?”
Even Morris stayed silent.
“Call him a cab, Trisha,” Clark sighed.
“Will do,” I said with a salute as I dialed.
“Everyone else out of here,” Clark’s partner called to the room.
When everyone left and I finally clicked the lock, I leaned against the door and closed my eyes. What the fuck? Seriously Jimmy, why had he gone all macho on me? Bart was just being drunk and stupid. The sound of clattering glass made me open my eyes to see Jimmy focused on the floor as he swept up the broken mug.
“Where did you disappear to?”
“I told you I wear camo sometimes.”
“You okay?”
“Fine,” he mumbled.
“Why did you fight him?”
“I had a bad day; he seemed like the right kind of punching bag.”
“You wanna talk about it?”
“Not particularly.”
After sweeping the shards into a dust pan and dumping them in the garbage, Jimmy finally looked up at me.
“You okay here on nights when it’s just you? Why don’t they have a couple people working here?”
“It’s not that lucrative of a place. Especially when the bowling alley closes at ten.”
“I don’t like you working this late.”
“I thought you loved getting last call from me.”
“A woman shouldn’t have to defend herself where she works. It’s not right.”
“What happened today?”
“Nothing.” He set the broom down and tossed his jacket on in a quick swirl that made his T-shirt expose his abs.
“Don’t go.” I’m not sure if my plea was hormone-driven or not, but I know that with the mood he’s in he needs time to calm down.
“I have to get home.”
I grabbed the Jack and poured him two fingers' worth.
“You’re not going to card me?” he asked with a smirk.
“Not this time.”
Jimmy sat on a bar stool and drank the whiskey in one hard gulp.
“Better?”
“No,” he said as he pulled me into his arms and buried his nose in my hair. His lips brushed against my neck and I couldn’t help melting against him. My hands drifted down his sides and under his shirt.
A light moan vibrated against my neck as my fingers inched their way up his back until he jumped in pain.
“Did Bart hurt you?”
“No. Trish, I come to you because you make the world go away. Please don’t push.”
The smart part of my brain instantly thought of drug deals or some underworld dealings. His over protectiveness, late nights, everything was adding up to something bad. Who the hell am I sleeping with? Jimmy cradled my head in his hands and claimed my lips and the stupid part of my brain took over.
As his tongue swept against mine, my head swam and all I could think about was sliding his jacket off his arms then grasping his biceps.
“You cheated,” I whispered against his warm lips as he carried me to a booth in the corner and made sure I knew that no matter how battered or bruised his body was he could make mine sing.
/> Chapter 5
Kiriana Kladshon George
“Gabriel, you son of a bitch, get down here,” I screamed as I entered the library. “I’m serious, jackass. Now!”
Gabriel appeared before me with his hand covering his right eye.
“Is there a reason my name is being screeched across the Heavens?” he asked with exasperation.
“What am I, Gabriel?” I demanded from across the room. “Why is there a demon that looks as if we’re cut from the same damn cloth?”
“What are you talking about?” He sighed and shook his fingers through his hair. “I do not monitor your every moment.”
“Tonight, three Deumos trapped Schmitty and I—were you at a strip club?”
“What would make you ask that?”
“You just dusted glitter from your head. Last I knew you didn’t need pixie dust to fly.”
“Oh.” He looked at the desk, shrugged his shoulders, and dusted the gold flecks from the wood. “Well, see…we have this one gathering—”
“With strippers?”
“No,” he grumbled. “It’s a chance for penance to be paid, but it’s really a waste of time because it never is.”
“Then why do you have it?”
“What about the Deumos?” Gabriel refocused the conversation.
“Right, the attack. Well, the main one, who called herself a princess, looked like my soul-sucking twin.”
“My dearest Kiriana.” He placed his hands on my shoulders and guided me to the couch, then sat in the overstuffed chair. “Your mother and the princess’ mother were sisters.”
“I’m a demon?”
“No.”
“Then how is a demon princess my fucking first cousin?”
“Still having problems controlling your language?”
I glared at him until he shivered and adjusted in his seat. That was odd.
“Because the sisters both fell from Heaven.” He sighed.
“Don’t give me some played out line.”
“The oldest twin, Keir, was seduced by Lucifer. She followed him and became his bride.” Gabriel ran his fingers through his jet-black hair and more glitter fell out like he was in need of Head and Shoulders. “The party I came from…I lost my sister because of it. I’m actually glad you called me down here, the conversations were turning.”
“What about my mother?”
“After many centuries she became distraught. Especially because we have these events where those from below come and meet with those from on high. Your mother didn’t fall for a demon, at least not in the traditional sense. Your father was influenced by a bantling that had matured.”
“My father never said there was another person with him.”
“Someone supplied him with drugs.”
“So my mother was an angel?”
“A very beautiful one. Keir, too, was a beauty.”
“I’ve seen her. She has a haunting beauty.”
“I’m not surprised.”
“You knew my mother?”
“Very well. We grew up together. She could have been an archangel,” he said as he took my hands in his and waited until our eyes locked. “All those in my family are.”
“Family? As in the hierarchy of angels, all are related,” I shook and while my hands trembled he created circular motions on the top of them with his thumb.
“There are four main families with each of their children as archangels. Each are headed by the eldest son. My, what you would call parents, had three children. A son, me, and twin daughters.”
I tried to pull my hands away, but he held firm. I wanted to run. This I couldn’t take. This was too much.
“The Princess LaDressa is my niece.”
“I can’t be…Gabriel…I don’t have family.” My voice was hoarse as I searched for air. “My mother was orphaned before I was born.”
“You have family, child, a highly dysfunctional one, but most royals are, aren’t they?”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked. Finally having my hand free I brought it to my nose and rubbed. Tears stung the edges of my eyes.
“What’s to say? That you have an uncle who became wrapped up in his work to avoid the pain of losing his beloved sisters? I didn’t know you existed until you walked into the library and asked permission to marry Nye.”
“Is that why you allow me to talk to you the way I do?”
“In part. This job has worn on me over the years, Kiriana. It’s not like I’m going to get a gold watch after four thousand years of service. I believe your plan can work and I’ve tired of dealing with all I have.”
“Where does this leave us?”
“I’d prefer if you keep this from your Other.”
I sat back and considered everything that I would be keeping from him. The princess, Gabriel…my uncle, that I’m part angel. My head pounded as the information pressed down on my body like a weight I could no longer bare. Gathering what little strength I could I came back to Gabriel.
“About that.”
“Yes.”
“My dearest cousin smacked the taste from my mouth and Nye had no injuries when we came together again.”
“You let her close to you?” he growled.
“When you’re superglued to a garage door you’re not really in the position to do much of anything,” I snapped.
“And your partner?” he raged.
“He became one with a utility pole,” I said indignantly.
Gabriel took my chin in his hand and examined the bruise I had hidden from Nye. He closed his eyes and his hand became warm as he stroked my pained cheek. After a few minutes, the dull pain from the black eye dissipated.
“You’re going to need to change the hunting parties again,” he stated simply after he released me.
“How?”
“I want you in parties of three with one being stationed away from the main hunters. In addition you’ll need to have a way to communicate and call for help.”
The door opened roughly and Nye came into the library. Heat surged through my body until he eyed the close proximity of Gabriel and me.
“Why are you here?” he asked accusingly.
“James discovered some signs tonight. Kiriana was informing me. We will be making changes.”
“What signs?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“I was a Closer at one time. I know how to spot the signs and I haven’t seen any signs of the closing.”
“You’ve been in charge of this compound for close to fifty years. I’m sure your skills have dimmed a little.”
“I’m sharper than I’ve ever been.” Nye’s obsidian eyes glared at Gabriel.
“Has your Other’s lack of manners rubbed off on to you?”
“My apologies. I’m sharper than I’ve ever been…my Lord.”
Gabriel leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms.
“About these changes,” Gabriel continued. “You now will be hunting in groups of three. One will be stationed away from the main hunters.”
“Why?”
“Because I command it.” Rising from his chair, Gabriel stood tall by Nye, but dwarfed him by three inches. “I’ll be sending additional members of the Frozen to you. The newbies can be used as lookouts to start with. This will aide in their training anyway.”
“I don’t understand these changes.”
“I didn’t ask for understanding, I asked for compliance. Don’t assume marriage saves you from punishment. There are other things I can take from you that are worse than erasing a few decades of service and extending your sentence.”
Nye swallowed hard as he took my hand in his and practically dragged me out of the library. He didn’t stop until we were halfway down the hallway and I was spun into his arms.
“What is going on?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Is that why you’re cold as hell?”
Fu
cking Frozen mood indicators.
“I need to get a warmer coat.”
“Because an hour ago you were outside and you’re still cold?” Nye cocked his eyebrow at me.
There are sometimes I wish I married a stupid man instead of Nye.
“Kiri, something’s wrong and I know it.”
“I need you to trust me.” My heart was pounding out of my chest as I clung to Nye’s firm biceps.
“I do trust you. I also know you try to protect me from things that you can’t handle, assuming I can’t either.”
Reaching for his hand I held tight to it so I could attempt to mesmerize him. A little trick I learned when he first captured me. My finger played in his palm while my eyes locked on his.
“Isn’t there a better way to spend our downtime?”
“Don’t, Kiri,” he warned.
“What could I possibly be doing?” I asked innocently, locking my eyes on his and wetting my lips.
“I…Kiri…” Blood rushed to my lips, both northern and southern, as Nye stumbled in an attempt to regain his composure. Fool, I knew every button to push to get my man hard and hungry.
Nye turned his head to the side, but with one finger to his jaw I returned his gaze to mine as if his neck was on a swivel. Maybe Gabriel isn’t crazy; maybe I am an angel’s daughter. My control over Nye is intense considering he outweighs me by almost two hundred pounds and has nothing but sinewy muscles covering every inch of him.
Considering what the princess had done to me I wondered what, if anything, was angel versus demon power. Lucifer was a fallen angel. Sure, the princess had a double dose of angel blood to my half dose, but maybe, just maybe…
“How about you and I go to the apartment? We’ve been locked up in this place for too many weeks.”
“The apartment?” Nye growled with desire. Button pushed.
By the time we got to the apartment Nye and I were giggling with our arms around each other both scratching at the backdoor. Something about using the front door made him nervous and today the last thing I wanted to do was add to his nerves.
“You gonna do that thing again?” I cooed as my legs wrapped around his waist and he kept focused on my lips. Kissing me deeply we fell against the wall and I could feel his hand reaching for the bottom of my shirt. I turned my head and his lips found my neck, but I had to stop him.
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