Page 56 of Married to the Devil

I sigh. “They’re for good causes, but it’s not me. There’s not a single thing that I’d be more equipped to handle than someone else who has more passion and experience for the role.”

I look at my friend’s pregnancy belly. “She also thinks having a baby will help things along.”

“Whoa!” Katarina’s eyes bug out. “Okay, time out. You guys haven’t even slept together like that.”

“I know! But at least that’s a way to ease the fears of the territory that only I can provide.”

The concept has circled my thoughts and won’t leave them. I could do it. It would help everyone settle down and solidify the safety of the territory.

Katarina tilts her head bringing me back to our conversation. “Is easing the fear of others solely your responsibility?”

“Shouldn’t it be? People are relying on me.”

Katarina holds up a finger, and her brows crease in thought. She’s good at thinking about the big picture. She’d have to be with her history of pulling off heists from well secured places.

The silence of letting her think through things gives me a moment to breathe. This is all happening so quickly.

My phone starts to buzz, and my eyes widen when I see who it is. “Fuck, it’s my mom.”

“You haven’t told her yet?” Katarina’s question is nearly a screech. “And you’re sitting here contemplating having a baby? She can’t stay on a cruise forever.”

“I’m waiting until she gets back!” I wince. The guilt I’ve been ignoring peeks its head up. I have three days until she gets back. I’d hoped that things would be more settled by the time she returned, but I had no idea what actually went into being a key player in a territory take over.

“Well answer it!” Katarina says.

I take a moment to calm myself so that the perceptive woman on the other end of the line doesn’t pick up on it. She’s always been too good at that.

“Hi, Mom,” I say brightly.

“Hey, sweetie, I missed your voice and just wanted to check in while we had good service.”

“I’m just hanging out with Kat. How is your trip going?”

“You should see the flowers here! I know you had to stay home for work, but I really wish you could have come with me.”

I huff a laugh. “I don’t think I would be into analyzing all the greenery like you are.”

My mother’s specialty is plants. They always do as she instructs, and the garden at our townhouse is otherworldly. It’s a good thing it’s on a watering timer because if I was supposed to keep it alive while she was gone, it would have died by now.

“No. You’re quite right. The sights have been lovely though, and there’s all types of jewelry stands about,” she says, andmy lips twitch. Just as I don’t have an affinity for plants, Mom doesn’t care a wit for jewelry or the materials.

“We’ll have to plan another trip sometime,” I say before thinking it through. My smile falls. How exactly would I go on vacation now? Would I need to take security with me?

My mother agrees, not picking up my thoughts through the phone, and continues to gush about all the activities and the food, and for a few minutes I give soft sounds of input for each one.

“That sounds so amazing,” I hum. “I bet you’re bummed that you’ll be coming home soon.”

“Actually, about that…I’ve sort of met someone. Well, someone we know.”

My eyes widen. “What?”

“You remember Carl?”

I’m at a loss for a minute with all the new names and faces I’ve met since my wedding, but finally it clicks.

“Carl the wolf shifter?” I ask, frowning, and she hums in confirmation.

Carl is the landlord of the building my shop was in. I had been nervous when he’d bought the property a couple of years ago, but he’s been amazing to work with and sorted out an annoying zoning issue with the Council for me a year ago.

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