Page 58 of Touch of Evil

The mouse addresses the vampire. “What about you? Did you tell your master how we helped you and Emme?”

The vamp scoffs. “Hell no. The master doesn’t care.”

I make a face. “He really doesn’t,” I agree.

Man, Emme is seriously cute, even when she’s shooting us dirty looks and all but smacking us upside the head. She pauses as she catches everything south of my waist, blushing when she sees me notice.

I do her a solid and tie the towel around my waist. She clears her throat, after another glance my way and speaks quietly to the witches. “I will talk to Misha as well. But it’s Genevieve you’re obliged to meet with first.” She hands the cougar back his phone. “My brother-in-law, Miakoda Lightfoot, and my sister, his mate, Shayna, will meet you and the witches outside Genevieve’s compound. They’re en route now. I apologize, but my family are the only ones permitted onto the premises. Are you available to take Farrah and Merche?”

The cougar grins. “Anything for you,” he says.

Anything for you, I repeat in my head.Asshole.

I shove my way between them, grinning all the while baring my teeth. It’s a rare talent. Feel free to envy me at any time.

I clasp his shoulder, hard enough to almost knock him to the ground. “Looks like you have everything squared away. Great job.” I clamp down again when he starts to rise, making a point to pretend to look around. “Good job team. Way to be heroes.”

Thewerescollectively nod and grunt, seemingly proud and feeling good about themselves. You know who can hype up a crowd? This guy. Right here.

I sling my arm around Emme and lead her toward the walkway, pulling her close when the breeze pics up and she shivers. “Are Shayna and Koda coming for you after they’re done at Vieve’s? Or do you need me to take you back to your place?”

Emme pauses at the end of the dock. She lifts her chin to better see me, her demeanor changing from someone who’s had one hell of a night to someone who doesn’t want her night to end.

“I don’t want to go home to my family,” she tells me. “Bren…I want to go home with you.”

Chapter Sixteen

Bren

I know that look. I see it all the time at the end of last call. It usually comes from awerewho was eyeing me up all night, or on a rare occasion, a human who isn’t put off by the beast within me.

I’veneverseen that look on Emme.

But tonight, I really want to.

Without thinking, I tuck her close against me, just like I would thatwereor woman who wants me.

No.

That’s a goddamn lie.

I ease my hold. Emme is my friend. That sweet gal I’ve known for years. The timid one who’s fine walking behind her sisters so she never has to lead.

It’s not that Emme doesn’t have it in her to charge into battle, or that, like her sisters, she hates that supernatural spotlight that follows them everywhere she goes. It just has everything to do with who she is.

Emme is comfortable in her own skin. She doesn’t need attention, despite the males knocking each other in the skulls ready to give it to her.

Emme…she just needs to be her. It’s why I’ve always liked her. And maybe why I hope I’m reading her right.

Celia is the leader, the protector, the first of the sisters to go balls in with Taran running and swearing at her heels.

Shayna? Damn. For all her perkiness that cheerleader will stake your ass as quick as she flashes a smile. For someone who skips into danger, Shayna is damn scary.

Emme just wants them to be okay. She wants everyone to be okay. She’s the heart, the light, the one who embraces kindness as she would an abandoned kitten left to die on the street.

Shit. This can’t be happening between me and her.

She’s just a kid.

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