Page 48 of Thunder Road

“Working on it.”

“Do I want to know?”

“Would you prefer plausible deniability?” Vic asked, only partly joking.

“Will it involve explosions?”

“Hopefully not.”

“Do you think the media will catch wind of it? Because there’s nothing they can’t turn into a panic,” Hargrove grumbled.

“I think we can spin it as a New Age Wiccan Halloween blessing if anyone asks,” Vic answered. “With motorcycle gang escort.”

“You’re going.” Hargrove didn’t even make it a question.

“Gotta watch over my guy.” Vic shrugged. “Because he’s got the self-preservation instincts of a brave dodo. He’ll get busy saving the world and forget to live through it unless he’s got me.”

“That would be a great loss. Just do me a favor—try to stay low visibility. I don’t want to explain to the City Council.”

Vic grinned. “I can handle that.”

Hargrove met his gaze. “You think this will work?”

Vic sobered. “I sure as hell hope so. Simon’s got a pretty powerful coalition. And we know the troll was bound before. If they could do it back then, we can do it now. I hope.”

“I like the part about using the motorcycle club for security,” Hargrove said. “They’ve got skin in the game, and if the creature has accomplices, they’ll think twice after they see the backup.”

Vic was amused that the captain didn’t bring himself to say troll but knew better than to make a comment.

“It’s the same reason I’m going along with Simon, even though I’ve got zero magic. When the witches are deep into concentrating on raising the power and directing it toward what they need to do, they can’t pay attention to what’s around them. Despite all that magic, they’re vulnerable,” Vic explained. “It’s really not like in the movies.”

“Be careful,” Hargrove said in a gruff tone. “I don’t have time to recruit a replacement.”

Vic took that as the benediction it was meant to be. “Yes, sir.”

When he got back to the office, Ross made a shooing motion. “Go home. I’ll finish up. Spend some time with your boy before the big showdown. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Vic gave him a wave and a grateful salute, grabbed his messenger bag, and slipped out the door.

Simon wouldn’t be home yet, so Vic stopped to pick up some extra outdoor light strings for the bungalow’s Halloween decorations and called ahead to order dinner so neither of them had to cook. While he walked through the seasonal aisle at the home improvement store, he also spotted a cute Christmas gnome.

“For luck,” he muttered to himself as he tossed it into his basket. Buying a Christmas decoration assumed they would both be here to deck the halls.

Vic had grown up around cops and knew they all had their rituals and superstitions. Since learning more aboutthe supernatural from Simon, Vic came to realize that those protective patterns had some home-spun magic to them and were more than just feel-good busywork.

He hoped the gnome counted.

Simon and I just got married. I want us both to live to a ripe old age and not get sucked into a vortex. Or poofed by a troll.

Vic still beat Simon back home. He set the light strings on top of the box of other decorations that took up space in the dining room and put the bag of Thai food in the middle of the kitchen table, wrapped in dish towels to stay warm.

Just as Vic finished setting out the plates and silverware, Simon arrived. He swept Vic into his arms for a kiss, and held on just a little longer than usual, pressed tight.

“I love coming home to you.” Simon pressed in for another kiss. “And you picked up dinner?”

Vic reluctantly let go. “Figured there was enough going on; someone else could cook.”

“There are so many reasons I love you.” Simon’s voice sounded teasing, but Vic read the emotions in his eyes.

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