Page 116 of Dead Heat

Kane waited in the parlor room, seated on the red leather sofa that was almost universally despised by everyone except the two of us.

I flopped on the cushion beside him. “I didn’t expect game night to be so exhausting.”

He gave me a wry smile. “Perhaps if you hadn’t insisted on challenging the two most limber guests to a game of Twister, you would’ve conserved more energy.”

“Gun was only limber because he used a tarot card.”

Kane shrugged. “What did you expect? You failed to implement a ‘no magic’ rule.”

I rubbed my sore shoulder muscle. “I know better for next time.” Assuming, of course, there was a next time.

Kane pressed his forehead against mine. “I’d like to stay with you until you leave.”

I raised my lips to his and kissed him. “I’d like that too.”

We fell asleep entwined on the sofa, rising hours later to watch the sun crest the river from the comfort of the second-floor balcony. Standing behind me, he kept his arms wrapped around my waist for warmth. I ran my hands over his skin, tracing each line and scar and committing them to memory.

“You should let me go in your place,” he said, his breath hot on my neck.

“No last minute jitters. I’m the proxy. It has to be me, or the deal is off.”

“This is my fault. I brought Alessandro’s problem to you.”

“This is Erika’s fault, and none of us could have anticipated the outcome.”

“I should’ve anticipated that you’d sacrifice yourself to save him. It’s very on brand.”

“It wasn’t on brand for Aite, but I wouldn’t be standing here now if it hadn’t been for her.”

“She was making up for lost time. You…” He rubbed my shoulders. “I don’t know why you do it.”

I turned to face him, still in his arms. “What about you?”

“What about me?”

“Those demons in hell aren’t your loved ones. They’re not even your friends.”

“I told Canto no, remember?”

“This time, but you didn’t get on Lucifer’s naughty list by sitting on the sidelines. And what about the guild? You have no obligation to protect anybody.” I thought of Hestia. “Is it oldest child syndrome?”

He barked a laugh. “What?”

“Do you have an intense sense of responsibility toward others? Are you an overachiever? Do you have a Type A personality?”

His mouth twitched with amusement. “I don’t know. Do I?”

“I don’t think you’re Type A. That’s more West.”

He clasped my hands. “Let’s not invoke the werewolf’s name when we’re having a moment.”

“Is this a moment?”

“Kissing at sunrise. Intimate conversation. This most definitely qualifies as a moment.”

“Could be our last one. I guess we should make it count.”

He squeezed my hands. “You’re going to make it, Lorelei. You’re going to find Oskar, escape Helheim, and come back to me all in one magnificent piece.”

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