Charmingly Wicked

by Teresa Gabelman

  Charmingly Wicked

  Teresa Gabelman

  Contents

  Acknowledgments

  Foreword

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  About the Author

  Copyright © 2021 by Teresa Gabelman

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is coincidental.

  This book contains content that may not be suitable for young readers 17 and under.

  The Author of this Book has been granted permission by Robyn Peterman to use the copyrighted characters and/or worlds created by Robyn Peterman in this book. All copyright protection to the original characters and/or worlds of the Magic and Mayhem series is retained by Robyn Peterman.

  Created with Vellum

  Acknowledgments

  Once again, thank you so much, Robyn, for allowing me and my characters to come into your wonderful universe. You ROCK!

  To all the readers, thank you so much. Without you, there is no story. Hugs!

  Foreword

  Blast Off with us into the Magic and Mayhem Universe!

  I’m Robyn Peterman, the creator of the Magic and Mayhem Series and I’d like to invite you to my Magic and Mayhem Universe.

  What is the Magic and Mayhem Universe, you may ask?

  Well, let me explain…

  It’s basically authorized fan fiction written by some amazing authors that I stalked and blackmailed! KIDDING! I was lucky and blessed to have some brilliant authors say yes! They have written brand new stories using my world and some of my characters. And let me tell you…the results are hilarious!

  So here it is! Blast off with us into the hilarious Magic and Mayhem Universe. Side splitting books by fantabulous authors! Check out each and every one. You will laugh your way to a magical HEA!

  For all the stories, go to https://magicandmayhemuniverse.com/. Grab your copy today!

  And if you would like to read the book that started all the madness, Switching Hour is FREE!

  https://robynpeterman.com/switching-hour/

  Chapter 1

  Angel stared at the key in her hand, her heart thumped with excitement as her mind swirled with disbelief. Slowly her fingers curled closed, holding the key tightly in her hand as if she was afraid it would disappear.

  Slowly her eyes rose to the door the key would open, they roamed over the house, her house, their house. A real home for her and her father as well as Rook. Tears teased the back of her eyes, but she refused to let them flow. She had shed enough tears in her lifetime, but not today. Not even happy ones would flow today.

  “A match would quickly take care of that mess.” Rook said as he flapped down on an old fence post.

  Angel gasped glaring at her familiar. “And you might find yourself in a cold metal birdhouse outside.”

  Rook cawed with a flap of his wings. “You wouldn’t.”

  “Oh, I so would.” Angel glared then glanced back at the house as a smile replaced her frown. “It’s perfect and just needs a little tender loving care.”

  “And a bulldozer.” Bruce said under his breath, but Angel heard him choosing to ignore his barb toward her new home.

  “I told you I had much better properties.” Thorne who remained silent until now spoke up.

  Angel shook her head still staring at the house, her excited mind flowing with ideas of what needed to be done.

  “Ah, what’s the big deal anyway.” Bruce snorted. “She can just snap her fingers, wiggle her nose or whatever she does to fix this place up exactly how she wants it.”

  Angel frowned with a shake of her head. “Nope. I want to do this without magic. I want to get my hands dirty.”

  “Hope you’ve had your tetanus shot.” Bruce snorted, then rolled his eyes. “What is it with you witches not wanting to use your magic? I don’t get it.”

  “Sometimes doing things without magic is very satisfying.” Angel replied, then gave Rook a warning glare. Only her dad and Rook knew that her magic was, well, somewhat wonky. Sometimes the outcome of her spells were perfect, other times not so much. More times not so much. Deciding to change the subject real quick she turned her attention to Thorne. “Do you know anyone in need of a job that is a sufficient handyman?”

  “Sufficient?” Bruce coughed. “They better be a master handyman for that mess.”

  “Ah, I think you better shut up, Bruce.” Rook warned watching Angel closely. “You can only push Angel so far.”

  “I do know a few good men. I’ll give them a call.” Thorne said before Angel tore into Bruce. “Wicked just texted and said dinner would be ready soon. You ready to go?”

  “No, you go ahead.” Angel glanced back at the house. “I think I’ll stay here for a while and get some ideas.”

  When Thorne didn’t reply she glanced his way to see his expression. “I don’t think that would be a good idea. It’s getting dark.”

  Angel narrowed her eyes in confusion. “I’m going to be living here, Thorne. I’m sure I’ll be fine. I have a light on my phone. I’ll transport back to the house as soon as I’m done.”

  “I’ll wait.” Thorne crossed his arms not breaking eye contact with her.

  Angel had never won a stare down in her life so her thinking she could win one with this man was hilarious, yet she tried and failed miserably by looking away first.

  “I’ll come back.” Angel gave in realizing that she would make dinner late for everyone. Angel didn’t like to cause problems. She would rather give in than fight. More times than not she felt that was one of her biggest downfalls since people seemed to like to take advantage of her niceness. “I am getting hungry.”

  When she headed toward the car she noticed Thorne hadn’t moved. She stopped to stare at him. “What?”

  “If you want to go through the house again do it, Angel.” Thorne nodded toward the house. “I have no problem waiting for you.”

  “It’s fine, really. I’m just excited.” Angel gave him a smile. “I would just want to start tearing into stuff and I’m sure Wicked worked hard on dinner.”

  Bruce snorted, but remained silent when Thorne snarled his way before turning his attention back to Angel. “I’ll make calls after dinner and get someone out here tomorrow to get started. Fair enough?”

  Angel nodded with a huge grin. “Fair enough.” She agreed. Thorne uncrossed his arms opening the car door for her. Once she was settled, he opened the back door for Rook and Bruce. In all honesty Angel had never met such a gentleman before especially one that looked like Thorne. Tall, dark and dangerously handsome usually in her world meant arrogant assholes. Yeah, her dating game was nothing to be desired. She was happy for her sister for finding such a man who clearly loved Wicked beyond anything Angel had ever seen. Just in this short period of time she witnessed the love they had for each other.

  Once the car began to move she blocked out Rook and Bruce arguing about something in the backseat. Turning
she watched the scenery pass, her stomach clinched as thoughts of how she was going to pay for all the remodeling that was going to need to be done on the house slammed into her mind. She had a little left over, but it wouldn’t be enough. Years and years of saving gave her a nice little savings. Her father’s money had all gone to his treatments and medical bills, at least what insurance wouldn’t cover.

  As a witch many would think she could just snap her fingers and have a fat bank account, but that was far from true. It was against their laws. Though many witches got away with that, Angel never thought to do it for the fear of being caught. It was a mandatory prison term, and she couldn’t chance leaving her father alone. A job was in her future, she just hoped there were plenty of jobs in Assjacket.

  Chapter 2

  “You’ve been quite since dinner.” Wicked mentioned in passing as she put away the plates Angel had just dried.

  “Sorry.” Angel grinned with a roll of her eyes. “I can’t stop thinking about what I want to do to the house.”

  “Bruce said it was a dump.” Wicked didn’t pull any punches.

  “You saw the photos, what do you think?” Angel’s grin faded slightly.

  “It’s a dump.” She replied, then chuckled. “But it’s your dump.”

  “That’s right.” Angel gave a firm nod. “Though I don’t see it that way. I see a future something I’ve never really had before.”

  “With a little bit of magic, it will be as good as new.” Wicked replied as she finished putting the rest of the dishes away.

  “I’ve never owned anything, much less a house.” Angel shrugged. “I think I’m going to do most of it without magic. We’ve only rented. Before dad was sick, he used, with my blessing, most of the money trying to find you by hiring private detectives.”

  Wicked turned with a frown. “Really?”

  “Yes.” Angel replied, then quickly reassured her sister. “And we would do again in a heartbeat.”

  Wicked walked over and hugged her tightly. “I’m glad you found me.”

  Angel squeezed her hard as tears welled in her eyes. “So am I.”

  Wicked pulled away wiping a tear from her own eye just as Thorne and Bruce walked into the room.

  “Oh shit, female tears.” Bruce stopped midstride. “Retreat! Retreat!”

  “What happened?” Thorne’s voice usually deep, went even to a lower dangerous tone.

  “Yeah, who does Thorne need to kill for the tears?” Bruce snorted as he continued and then hopped up on the counter.

  “We were just having a moment.” Angel replied, her eyes on Thorne who visibly relaxed at her words. He really was going to conquer and defeat whatever had Wicked in tears. Wow, men like him really did exist.

  Bruce gasped before jumping off the counter without hesitation. “Yeah, I’m out. Women having a moment is way out of my comfort zone.”

  “Bruce, you best get out of my zone period.” Wicked growled at Bruce’s retreating tail. “I swear I need a new familiar. Speaking of, where is Bruce’s sidekick?”

  “Robert went on up to bed and Rooke went with him.” Thorne answered, then held his hands out in a calming manner when both women’s face became concerned. “He’s fine. He said he wanted to read a little before bed and told me to tell you both goodnight.”

  “Is that normal?” Wicked glanced at Angel.

  “Yeah, it is.” Angel assured her though her father never went to bed without saying goodnight himself. Then again it had always just been her and her father. “But I’ll check on him when I go up.”

  “He’s fine.” Thorne said, then shook his head. “Some time men just need a minute to themselves.”

  “Oh, is that so?” Wicked smirked with a cocked eyebrow. “Are you saying I smother you?”

  Thorne actually laughed. “How in the hell did you come up with that thought from me saying men just need a minute to themselves?”

  “I mean I can arrange for you to have more than a minute.” Wicked added and even Angel could hear the teasing tone in her voice.

  “I don’t think so.” Thorne growled with a slight snarl. Angel actually grasped when Thorne moved fast pulling Wicked into his arms landing a passionate kiss on her lips. Envy and a tinge of jealously hit Angel shocking her to her core. Feeling like a third wheel she turned away to escape their private moment. Before Angel could disappear, Thorne’s voice stopped her.

  “I have someone coming tomorrow to the house at noon.” Thorne said still holding Wicked in his arms.

  “So soon?” Angel replied in excitement.

  Thorne nodded. “His name is Gavan. He’s efficient and good at what he does. I’ve had him do work for me before. Make a list of where you need him to start and he will write up a quote for you.”

  Her excitement dimmed somewhat. “So how expensive is a handyman?”

  There was a long moment of uncomfortable silence. “Well, it depends on what you need done.”

  “Oh, okay.” Angel glanced at Wicked to see her giving a curious look. “I’ll make sure I have a list ready. Are you going to be there?”

  “Of course.” Thorne answered with a frown. “I will introduce you, go over things. When you feel comfortable then I’ll back off and let you handle it.”

  Relief swarmed over her. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Thorne replied, then kissed Wicked on the cheek. “I have a few calls to make.”

  Wicked smiled with a nod, but her eyes never left Angel and that made her very nervous. She didn’t really want to answer questions right now and she knew Wicked had some. They had done so much for her, Rook and her father…. well, he was Wicked’s dad also, but still Angel didn’t like to feel she owed anyone anything.

  “Guess I’ll head up to bed now. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day.” Angel tried to make a quick getaway, but she should have known that wasn’t going to work.

  “Angel, are you going to have money to fix the house?” Wicked didn’t pull any punches, she went straight to the heart of the problem.

  “To start, yes.” Angel didn’t lie. She did have money to start renovations. “I’m going to start looking for a job first thing tomorrow.”

  Wicked cocked her eyebrow but remained silent.

  “You wouldn’t happen to know anyone hiring, would you?” Angel asked hoping to avert more questions by asking one of her own.

  “Why are you hiring someone to do this when you can just use your magic, and have it done within seconds?” Wicked asked not falling for Angel’s distraction ploy….dammit.

  “Yeah, about that.” Angel bit her lip feeling the heat of embarrassment rise again.

  Chapter 3

  “Let’s just say I would trust a total stranger more than I would my magic.” It took a minute for Angel to start talking again. She hated admitting to her failure and boy did she have many, her lack of skills in the witchcraft department at the very top of the list.

  “Excuse me?” Wicked tilted her head as if she didn’t hear Angel correctly.

  “I was raised by a man who knows nothing about magic. I’m self-taught and sometimes my magic gets a little…wonky.”

  “Wonky?” Wicked’s lip curved into a half smile.

  “Yeah, wonky.” Angel sighed as she walked over and sat down at the counter. “I wasn’t born with the talent you have. I once teleported myself to Alaska on a mountain during a snowstorm. I about froze to death because I kept transporting myself to the same spot. And I turned Rook into an opossum which he has never forgiven me for.”

  Wicked slapped her hand over her mouth, her eyes round in surprise and silent laughter.

  “It’s embarrassing.” Angel groaned shaking her head. “Then there are times that my magic works perfectly, but those times are few and far between.”

  “I’m sorry.” Wicked walked over and sat next to her. “I didn’t mean to laugh, but thinking of Rook as an opossum…”

  Angel felt a grin slip across her face. “He was so mad at me. All he had wanted me to do was
turn him blue, but for some reason he ended up an opossum and not just for a day, but a week. Every time I tried to switch him back only a beak would appear or feathers.”

  “Wait a minute.” Wicked shook her head holding up her hand stopping Angel from continuing. “An opossum with a beak?”

  “And feathers.” Angel added that reminder.

  “Let’s hope Bruce doesn’t find out about that?” Wicked replied in a more serious tone. Then sighed. “Listen Angel, I wasn’t so efficient with my magic. It takes practice. A lot of practice. Bruce actually taught me a lot.”

  “Really?” Angel asked surprised. “Rook only told me a few of the rules, but nothing else.”

  “Rules?” Wicked teased with a smirk. “There are rules?”

  “Unfortunately.” Angel grumbled. “If there weren’t any rules then I would be living high off the hog…”

  “High off the hog.” Wicked laughed shaking her head.

  “Yeah, it means…”

  “I know what it means, Angel.” Wicked cut her off. “I just didn’t expect you to say something like that. That’s a…”

  “Old person’s saying.” Angel sighed with a slow nod. “I know. Sometimes I feel like I’m ancient. The only people I’ve hung out with is dad and Rook.”

  “And dad says that all the time I’m thinking.” Wicked smiled.

  “You called him dad.” Angel replied a little shocked. This was the first time she had heard Wicked address their father as dad instead of Robert.