Dead to Me (The Harry Russo Diaries Book 5)

by Lisa Emme

  Trying to keep the smile from my face, I shook my head. “Nope. I can’t remember the last time she went out on a date.”

  “Oh, well, do you think she’d want to then?" Max looked at me hopefully. “Go on a date, I mean. With me.”

  “I don’t know, why don’t you ask her?”

  “Ask who, what?” Tess’s voice rang out across the studio, causing Max and I to both jump guiltily.

  Before either of us could answer, Tess flipped on the bright overhead lights. “Why are you standing around in the dark?”

  “Ugh, Tess! Turn them off, turn them off.” I threw my arm over my eyes to block the harsh light.

  Tess snapped off the lights, crossing the studio to stand beside me, a look of concern on her face. “Are you okay, Harry?”

  “Yeah, it’s just too early in the morning for bright lights. I feel like I have a hangover from lack of sleep.”

  “I heard you both had quite the adventure last night,” Max said. He may have been talking to me, but he was eyeing up Tess who was dressed in her Zumba clothes – a tight-fitting, racerback tank top and low-slung cargo capris.

  “You heard about it already?" Tess gaped at Max in surprise.

  “I make it my job to keep up with the news within the supernatural community.”

  “Uh-huh,” I replied, fixing Max with a narrowed-eyed stare. “News about the community or one supernatural in particular?”

  Max straightened his posture and readjusted the bag slung over his shoulder. “As leader of the Witch community, I feel it’s important to keep abreast of all matters concerning the Cimmerian.”

  Tess and I traded a grin. Some guys are so easy to rile up.

  “Well, la-di-dah,” I replied. I gave him my best wide-eyed innocent look. “So, what were you asking me a few minutes ago?”

  Max raised an eyebrow at me as if accepting the challenge and turned to Tess. “Actually,” he said. “My question is for you, Tess. I was wondering if you would like to join me for dinner?”

  Tess blinked, going very still. For a minute, I thought she was going to bolt, but then she smiled hesitantly and replied, “Sure. I’d like that.”

  Max beamed. “Fantastic. Tonight?" He paused, losing a bit of his bravado. “Or another night is good, too. It’s kind of short notice–”

  “No!” Tess shook her head. “Tonight’s good.”

  “Great! I’ll pick you up around eight? I thought we could try that new steakhouse, Meat.”

  I laughed. “Taking a werewolf to a steakhouse. Way to play it safe, Max.”

  Tess threw me nasty look as if to say, “Butt out,” and then turned to Max, grabbing him by the elbow and pulling him away from me. “Don’t listen to Harry. Meat sounds perfect. I’ve been wanting to try it ever since it opened.”

  “Me, too.” Max glanced at his watch. “I guess it’s a date, then. I’d stay and chat, but I have to shower and get to a meeting.” He bent down swiftly and gave Tess a quick peck on the cheek. “See you tonight.” He started towards the door and then stopped to look over his shoulder at me. “And Harry, you and I need to have a little chat soon about some cherry blossoms.”

  Damn. Busted.

  I watched Max stride from the studio and then turned to Tess, who had frozen, her hands clenched at her sides. The hair on her arms stood on end and if I wasn’t mistaken, appeared thicker than usual.

  “Tess? Are you all right?”

  Tess took several deep breaths before turning to me, her face strained. “Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just my wolf recognizes Max as her mate and she’s pretty vocal about it.”

  “She talks to you?” I gaped at Tess. Up until recently, talking about all things wolfy had been forbidden – and it was the one rule Tess refused to push the line on – so I’d never had a chance to grill her on what it was like to be a werewolf. Things changed once I was officially welcomed into the pack, but the last few months had been hectic to say the least – down-right crazy if I was going for more accuracy – and there never seemed to be the right time get the werewolf 4-1-1.

  “No, she doesn’t talk, not in words at least. But we do communicate and when she wants something she can be a downright pushy bitch.” Tess suddenly turned and looked at me, excitement on her face. “That’s it!”

  “What’s it?”

  “I know why Nash is being such a dick.” Tess grabbed me and gave me a happy hug.

  “You do? Why?”

  “Don’t you see? He’s fighting his wolf.” Tess released me and put her hands on her hips.

  “Why would he have to fight his wolf about me?”

  Tess wrinkled up her face in thought. “Well, I don’t know exactly, but I bet it has something to do with the wolf wanting to protect you. After all, Nash has come to your rescue enough times, the wolf would see you as weaker.”

  “He hasn’t had to rescue me that much,” I complained. “And I rescused him – I saved his life for Pete’s sake – when Navarre was after us. That should count for something.”

  Tess shook her head at me. “It doesn’t work that way. There’s no scorecard or tit-for-tat. Nash is an alpha. He could be the alpha if he chose.”

  “He could?" That was news to me.

  “Of course he could, if he wanted to challenge his own mother for the job, but Nash has never been interested in running the pack and always abstains when there is a shift in power. He only fights for rank to keep his status quo.”

  “How am I supposed to fit in then? I’m not a wolf. I can’t fight for my position in the pack.”

  Tess shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ll think about it and see if I can come up with an idea. In the meantime, try not to need any rescuing.”

  Chapter Seven

  “Help!”

  I looked up in surprise as Tess burst through my door.

  “I have nothing to wear,” she continued, flopping down on my bed dramatically. She rolled onto her side, propping her chin on her hand and gave me a once-over. “Is that what you’re wearing tonight?”

  I glanced down at my dress. The knee-length, little number was a like a shout-out to the seventies with its paisley and peace sign pattern, collared neck-line and button-down front. The smoky-red, silk crepe felt divine against my skin. I planned on finishing off the ensemble with my new leather jacket, a pair of ankle-height, shit-kickers, and of course, my katana strapped across my back. I hardly ever leave home without it these days.

  “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?" I twirled to survey myself in the mirror.

  “Nothing, I guess. It’s sort of casual for Salvador though, isn’t it? Didn’t he send you some jewel-encrusted designer dress that costs more than a small car to wear tonight?”

  I snorted and shook my head. “No. It’s not an audience night or dinner out, it’s supposed to be ‘a quiet night in.’” I air-quoted the last part. “I think Salvador said something about wanting to teach me to play chess.”

  “Sounds fun,” Tess replied distractedly, pushing herself off the bed. “Now, enough about you. I need your help.” She strode to my closet and threw open the doors. “I need to borrow a dress. I should wear a dress, right?" She began rifling through my clothes, sending the hangers zipping across the rod. “Maybe a skirt and top? I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard. But then again, it is an upscale restaurant, so a dress would probably be expected.”

  “Geez, Tess. Are you nervous? It’s only Max.” I looked at her in surprise. “You two have been hanging out for weeks.”

  “That’s different. We’ve been sparring at the gym. The relationship has been professional. Dinner is…” She frowned, biting her lip. “Dinner is dangerous.”

  “Dangerous?" I laughed. “It’s just steak, Tess.”

  “You don’t get it.” Tess sat down on the bed with a sigh. “Max is my mate. When I’m near him, it can be intoxicating, if I let it. The need to claim him is almost overwhelming.”

  “Well, in that case, we should find you something to wear that’s e
asy to get off when you jump his bones.”

  Tess looked at me in shock. “I’m not going to jump his bones. I won’t do to Max what Nash did to you.”

  I sucked in a breath.

  Tess leapt to her feet. “I’m sorry, Harry. I didn’t mean…”

  “It’s okay. You’re right. Nash didn’t ask me or give me a choice when he marked me as his mate. Max should have the right to make a choice.”

  “Besides, I don’t know Max well enough to saddle myself with him for the rest of our lives.” Tess elbowed me playfully. “Maybe he chews with his mouth open or clips his toenails in bed.”

  “Or he secretly collects kitty-kat knick-knacks.”

  “Or he brings home mice and leaves them on his lover’s pillow.”

  “Ewww.” I screwed up my nose at the thought and walked over to the closet. “So, I used the box joke on Max today,” I said, pulling out a couple of dresses.

  “You did? And how’d that go?”

  “About what you’d expect.” I chuckled. “He was a good sport.”

  I held up one of the dresses, a sleeveless English country toile that tied at the waist. Tess made a face and shook her head at it.

  I shrugged, putting the dress back in the closet. “He’s a great guy.”

  “I know. That’s why I don’t want to mess it up.”

  I held up the second dress. It was a cute navy georgette with a delicate flower pattern, rounded neck and reverse pleats at the front. It was a rather short dress on me, but the extra length it would have on Tess, who was five inches shorter, would still look nice.

  “Perfect!” Tess grabbed the dress and held it up to herself in the mirror. “I can wear it with my new strappy sandals.”

  “So, what happens if it doesn’t work out between you and Max?" A werewolf soul mate was a rare occurrence and once mated, it was for life. “I thought once you found your mate you were pretty much screwed if you tried to be with anyone else.”

  “Only if I let my wolf claim Max and make the mark.”

  “And if you don’t claim him?”

  Tess shrugged. “It would be difficult at first, but over time I think the wolf would accept it.” She frowned. “I don’t really know. I’ve never heard of anyone repudiating a mate before.” She lay the dress on the bed and then stepped back to the mirror, gathering her hair and pulling it up off her neck. “Maybe I should wear my hair up?” She asked, changing the subject.

  “No, wear it down. Like you said, you don’t want to look like you’re trying too hard.”

  “Good point.”

  ***

  Half an hour later, Tess and I were in the living room waiting for our rides. I was waiting for Henry, Salvador’s chauffeur, to pick me up to go for my weekly visit and Tess was waiting for Max. I think she was secretly hoping my ride would arrive first so I wasn’t there to witness the awkward – do you shake hands? do you kiss? – first date greeting. Although I guess Max had already taken care of the awkwardness by kissing her at the gym earlier.

  When the doorbell rang, Tess all but exploded from her seat, rushing to the door.

  “I got it! I got it!”

  Before reaching the door, she pulled up short and composed herself, running her hands down the front of her dress, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. Then she reached for the knob and opened it.

  “Hi! Oh, Tiffy, it’s you.”

  “Tiffy?" I glanced out the window where the sky was dark. What was she doing out at this time of day? Both she and Mrs. Potts were usually long gone, back to Underhill by the time the sun set.

  “Uh, hi Tess. Hi, Harry. Can I…uh…come in?”

  “What? Yes! Of course. Come in, Tiffy.” Tess jumped back to let the tall, wraith-like Fae in the door.

  “Tiffy, what a surprise. Come in, come in. What are you doing out so late?" I wracked my brain trying to remember Fae etiquette. I was pretty sure I was safe offering her a seat and a drink. “Please, sit down. Can I get you something to drink? I have some of Hilde’s honey mead.”

  Tiffy’s eyes lit up at the word “honey”. “That would be nice, th-thank you, Harry.”

  When I returned with the mead, I joined Tiffy and Tess, sitting in one of the big upholstered chairs across from Tiffy.

  “Thank you for seeing me. I’m sorry to bother you so late. You’re all dressed up, you must have plans.”

  “Don’t worry about it. We always have time for friends. Is everything okay?”

  “Oh, yes. Everything is great. I have begun my Rhyddid.”

  “Your ri-theed? What’s that?” Tess stared at Tiffy in confusion.

  “It’s something many Fae do when they are finally considered adult and first going out in the world. It means “freedom”. For the next year, I have no requirement to return Underhill. I will spend this time here and learn how to live out among the humans.”

  “Kind of like that Amish thing,” Tess replied. “What’s it called, Harry? Remember when we met those two guys?”

  “Rumschpringe, or something like that.” My eyes grew wide as I remembered the two young Amish men we had met once at a bar. They were wild, enjoying the freedom from their religious restrictions and the access to technology. I hope Tiffy didn’t go as crazy. I looked over at the shy, Fae. A few months ago, she could barely say “boo” and now she was going to live on her own for a year?

  “So how can we help you, Tiffy?" I was genuinely curious.

  “Well,” Tiffy said slowly, “I know Tess is moving out and I need a–”

  “You can move in with me,” Tess interrupted. “I have an extra room.”

  Tiffy gaped at Tess in surprise and then at me. “I, uh…”

  “You don’t want to live here with Harry. Not once she and Nash work things out. Besides, you’re supposed to be moving out and trying new things, not living in the same building where your aunt–”

  “Yes!” Now it was Tiffy’s turn to interrupt. “Yes, that would be perfect. Thank you, Tess.” She jumped to her feet. “I’m so excited. It’s going to be so much fun. And don’t you worry about a thing with your move. I’ll see that everything gets taken care of.” She reached out and grabbed Tess’s hand, giving it a squeeze before disappearing in a flash of sparkling light.

  “Whoa! I didn’t know she could do that. Did you?" Tess looked impressed.

  “I don’t think we see half of what Mrs. P and Tiffy can really do,” I replied. “Mighty nice of you to offer to take her in.” I eyed her suspiciously.

  “Just wanted to help the kid out.”

  “Sure, you did. And it had nothing to do with the fact you’d be getting a built-in maid in the process.”

  “I’d be lying if I said the thought hadn’t crossed my mind.

  “Uh-huh. That’s what I thought.”

  Chapter Eight

  Tess got her wish and my ride arrived first. I had finally convinced Henry, Salvador’s chauffeur, that he didn’t need to climb the stairs – he had bad knees – to come fetch me and instead, he sent me a text to say he was waiting outside.

  When I arrived in the parking lot, Henry was standing beside the long, black Mercedes S550 stretch limo, holding the rear passenger door open for me. As I often did, I ignored the open door and climbed into the front passenger seat instead. I hated being chauffeured around and only took the limo because parking around Dante’s was a pain.

  Henry chuckled good-naturedly and grabbed my open door. “Good evening, Miss Harry.”

  “Evening, Henry. How are you?”

  “Oh, can’t complain.” Henry closed the door and walked around the front of the car to climb into the driver’s side.

  “How’s the Missus? Still planning her new sewing room?” Henry’s youngest daughter – he had five of them! – had finally moved out, and he had mentioned during a previous trip that his wife was wanting to convert the extra space into a craft/sewing room even though Henry wanted to make it into a man-cave.

  “Uh-yup,” he replied, nodding absently as
he maneuvered the tank of a car into traffic on the main thoroughfare leading downtown. He shrugged. “I guess she’ll get her wish. You know what they say…happy wife, happy life.”

  I chuckled. “You’re a smart man, Henry.”

  “Uh-yup. My mama didn’t raise no fool.”

  ***

  When we arrived in front of Dante’s, I placed a hand on Henry’s arm and smiled at him. “I can manage to get out of the car on my own, Henry.”

  “I’m sure you can, Miss Harry, but that wouldn’t be right. You sit yourself there and let me do my job proper.”

  With a sigh, I acquiesced, waiting patiently for Henry to walk around the car and open my door, taking his hand as he helped me out. The line in front of Dante’s was already forming around the block and I received a few catcalls and whistles as the crowd gawked to see what celebrity had arrived in style. Most were disappointed – as evidenced by their bummed-out groans – when I ended up being a nobody, or at least nobody they recognized, but that didn’t stop the paparazzi from jumping in front of me and snapping pictures just in case I ended up being a somebody.

  “Miss! Miss!” they shouted, trying to get my attention. “Are you Salvador’s girlfriend? Why are you here today? Tell us your name.”

  I ignored them as best I could and turned to Henry. “So, I don’t know how long I’ll be.”

  “No worries, Miss. I’ll be waiting. I’ve got my radio and there’s a game on tonight. The missus packed me a lunch, so I’m set.”

  “Thanks, Henry. I’ll text you when I’m getting ready to leave so you can pull the car around.”

  I pushed past the crowd, knocking a camera out of my face – the press had become more aggressive lately, ever since they’d caught me with Salvador and Tomas, Salvador’s right-hand man and presumptive heir, on our way out to dinner several weeks before. Luckily, they had yet to figure out who I was and for some reason – I suspected a spell of some sort on the car – they were never able to follow me home.