Page 8 of Starstruck with the Krampus

Crap. Brandon is a witch, so I would have thought he’s at least partially immune to whatever Mr. Koch is, but it seems that’s not true at all. For a moment, I consider running away. I could pick up my coat and scarf and disappear. If I call the cabbie right now and promise him a massive tip, he might even come back to pick me up.

But then I won’t be able to thank Mr. Koch for saving me. Or tell him that I’m really glad to see him.

Decision made, I plunge into the crowd and follow them. As I pass the table laden with pastries, Stacy waves at me, showing me the platter of cinnamon rolls.

“These are to die for,” she calls.

I greet her and scrunch up my face in the universal gesture that means I need to find the bathroom, and she nods in understanding. I feel a little bad for lying to her, because she would definitely want to know about our boss’ pervert son, but I need to find Mr. Koch before he permanently maims Brandon and makes this evening so much worse.

I round the corner—and find an empty hallway.

“Shit,” I murmur.

I try listening for any clues of where they went, but the music from the party behind me is too loud, as is the chatter of so many people. Then I remember that I have a Koch-radar built into my chest, so I take a deep breath to release some of the tension that has built up inside me and close my eyes.

And there it is, the tug that I’d recognize anywhere.

I turn left and fling open the second door on the right. Mr. Koch’s back appears in front of me. He’s holding Brandon bythe shoulder, as before, muttering something to him, but when I enter, he looks over at me, his dark eyes glittering with gold.

“Hello, Gianna,” he purrs. “Brandon and I were just finishing up our conversation. Would you mind waiting a moment?”

“Dominic.” I swallow, realizing this is the first time I’ve used his given name, then close the door so we’re all shut in the room. “You should let him go.”

His eyebrows draw together. “You don’t know what he’s been thinking.”

And he does?

Clearly. The idea that he can read thoughts is more than a little disturbing. Has he been reading mine, too? For some reason, that doesn’t scare me as much as I thought it would. I haven’t thought of anythingbad, have I?

Despite all my misgivings, I step closer to him and put a hand on his arm. “I have a good idea. But I don’t want you getting into trouble.”

He stares down at my hand, then meets my gaze. He leans in close, until he brushes my temple with his lips. They’re hot, as if he’s running a slight fever. He draws in a long inhale and says, “You don’t smell afraid anymore.”

I stay in place, my hand on his arm. “I’m not afraid of you.”

He hums. “When he grabbed your hand earlier, all I could scent was your panic. I wanted to rip his guts out, then do the same to every guest who allowed this asshole to even breathe in your vicinity.”

“I’m glad you didn’t commit mass murder on my account,” I murmur, only half joking.

Then I focus on Brandon, who is still standing next to us, his expression frozen in terror. He hasn’t made a sound since I entered the room—whatever power Dominic has over him has immobilized him completely.

“What are you doing to him?” I ask, half afraid of the answer, and finally take a step back.

He tilts his head to the side. “Reminding him why it would be a bad idea to even look at you again.”

Brandon’s eyelids twitch, but he doesn’t blink. He’s turning a greenish shade of white, which can’t be good.

“Oh. Do you think you could let him go now?” I keep my voice calm, even as a little thrill goes through me.

I must be mad, but I like having an avenging angel.

Dominic lets out a hoarse laugh. “I’m no angel, sweetheart.”

I whip my head toward him. “So youcanread thoughts!”

He stares at me for a long moment, then lets out a sigh. “This is a private conversation.” He focuses on Brandon and tightens his grip on the witch’s shoulder. “You know what to do, don’t you? And what will happen if you don’t comply?”

Brandon’s head twitches down in a nod. It’s the first movement he’s made since I entered the room, and I step back in case he decides to leap for the door.

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