Page 89 of De-Witched

With the current lull in walk-ins, being on reception wasn’t the best job when you didn’t want to wallow in your thoughts. He deliberately turned his attention away from Leah for the fourth time in ten minutes, searching for a distraction. He’d even make small talk with visitors at this point.

He eyed the sagging couch. The place needed new furniture, he thought again. He’d been sidelined by the vandalism and learning the trade and...other things, but it remained as true now as it had been weeks ago. The family manor had many rooms with furniture he and Melly never bothered with. They could certainly spare a couch. Maybe a few other pieces, to make the reception look more welcoming and less desperate. Especially since they’d had a flurry of phone calls after the gala had been mentioned in the society pages and across social media, at least according to Leah. She’d been so happy, beaming all morning, not at all affected by the end to their agreed-upon one night.

Damn it.

He smoothed his thumb over his signet ring, wondering what his parents would have thought of his affair with a human. They likely would’ve been pleased, keen as they’d been to bring their worlds together, to the detriment of any family life.

And although he’d let that bitterness shape his life in ways he wasn’t proud of, he thought he understood now what had drawn them out of society and toward humans. Though they may be whispers to a witch’s shout, humans held their own brand of magic. Potent and real as any other Gabriel had experienced.

Chuck’s tail beat the floor in welcome as the outside door suddenly opened, lurching to his feet. Gabriel snapped a hand out, catching his collar with a murmured command. Chuck looked balefully up at him and lay back down, sighed.

It wasn’t bright-eyed potential adopters. Instead, two uniformed police came in. One was a woman, tan and tall, polished and pressed. The other was a man who matched her in height, brunet, and so white he gleamed like a pearl. He tucked his thumbs into his belt and swaggered up to the reception desk.

Gabriel stood. He had a feeling this wasn’t a social call.

The male officer stopped, lifting his chin. “We’d like to see the owner.”

“He isn’t here.” They’d gotten a call about an abandoned dog on the other side of town and Sonny had headed right over. Gabriel almost said they could talk to him, but hesitated. As much as he’d like to take care of this for her, Leah was the next in charge, and she’d want to handle it. “If you take a seat, I’ll find the next best thing.”

They remained standing.

He found Leah in the cat sanctuary, stroking an amber tabby. He’d seen her throughout the day and each time was another nick to his self-control. He cleared his throat. “You’re needed in reception. Two police officers are asking for the owner, and Sonny’s out.”

She pursed her lips as she gently deposited the cat back in its pen and shut the door. “Did they say what they wanted?”

“I came to get you before asking. I respect you.” He didn’t know why he added it, but it made her grin.

“Duly noted.” She set off in front of him, hips swaying as she strode forward. She’d been magnificent in the pink evening gown, but faded denim definitely had its own appeal.

When they walked into reception, both cops turned to her. “You the manager?”

“Essentially.” She crossed her arms. “Is this about the tagging? Have you found who was doing it?”

“Afraid not, ma’am.” The woman stepped up next to her partner. “Officer Parks,” she continued, motioning to herself. “Officer Franklin. We’re here on reports of dangerous dogs being let loose around the neighborhood from this establishment.”

Leah stared blankly. “Dangerous dogs?”

“Aggressive. Prone to bite.”

Now she bristled. “Who told you that piece of garbage?”

“Anonymous tip.”

“That’s crap.” Leah jammed her hands on her hips. “I’m telling you, we don’t have any vicious dogs. And if we did, we’d never let them loose. Our insurance wouldn’t allow it.”

“Well, then, I guess we’ll just take you at your word.”

Gabriel closed a hand into a fist at his side, wound tight at the sarcasm. “Don’t speak to her like that.”

Officer Franklin puffed up his chest. “We have a duty to investigate threats.”

“Investigate away.” Leah flung her hand wide, angry energy unbottled. “But I’m telling you, that report is trash.”

They insisted on touring the facility, but even after half an hour and turning up nothing, insisted on coming back to speak to Sonny and their neighbors. They’d been aggressive, patronizing and downright rude from the moment they’d arrived, grating along Gabriel’s nerves. For the first time, he understood what Leah meant about basic manners.

“Give Mr. Bradford this card and tell him to call us as soon as he can.” Officer Franklin thrust a card at Leah.

She blew out a breath in obvious frustration. “You’ve just seen we’ve got no vicious dogs. That tip was obviously a prank. I don’t understand why—”

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