Page 118 of Dead Heat

He raised a chunky hand. “I do solemnly swear to leave the heavy lifting to you, unless it’s actual heavy lifting, because I’m fairly strong.”

“You’re a good magma monster, Max.”

He flashed a row of shiny stones. “I know, but it’s nice to hear it out loud.” He clapped his hands together, spraying dirt everywhere. “What’s the plan?”

“We enter Helheim undetected. Find Oskar. Escape. Deliver the love of Erika’s life to her. Everybody lives.”

“Alessandro must be very special to you for you to go to all this trouble.”

I shrugged. “I barely know him.”

Max rubbed the bumps on the side of his head. “Then why are you risking your life for him?”

“Because I can, and because he doesn’t deserve to be in this situation in the first place.”

Max nodded. “They definitely sent me to the right place.”

Outside the gate, a familiar figure paced back and forth. A black hair topper covered the landing strip on his head. It looked better than I would’ve expected.

The gate creaked as I opened it. “What are you doing here, Alessandro?”

His eyes were dark and sunken. “Waiting for you.”

I noticed the dagger attached to his hip and sighed. “The whole point of me going is so you don’t have to. Go home.”

“I shouldn’t have let you take my place. It was wrong.”

I steeled my mind as I patted his shoulder. I didn’t want to risk his heightened emotions triggering a glimpse of his recent nightmares. I needed to stay calm and collected.

“Too late for regrets. Not to worry, though. Max is joining the quest as my wingman.”

“Who’s Max?”

I hooked a thumb over my shoulder. “That cherufe over there. Humanoid creature made of earthly matter.”

Alessandro squinted at him. “Huh. I thought some neighborhood kids had built a fort.”

The fort lumbered over to join us outside the gate.

“Max, meet Alessandro.”

Max waved.

“Are you invincible?” Alessandro asked.

“No, but I’m solid, and nobody wants to get between me and a hard place.”

Alessandro blinked at him. “Right.” His hollow eyes slid to me. “I still think I should come.”

“I appreciate the gesture, but that won’t be necessary. We’ve got this,” I said. If only I felt as certain as I sounded.

“At least let me accompany you as far as the entrance. I’ll wait there until you come out. Then we can go see Erika together.”

It seemed pointless to argue when he’d probably wait there anyway. “Fine, but not a step farther.”

He offered a firm nod. “Deal.”

Alessandro opted for the passenger seat of my truck, whereas Max made himself comfortable in the flatbed. I slowed down over the bumps and potholes. No need to rough Max up prematurely.

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