Page 31 of Hellfire

“Show me what you’ve got,” I challenged her.

Gable gave me a wink and reached under the table to squeeze my knee. I loved the adoring and appreciative look in his gray eyes, more rain cloud than stormy, giving me aday in bed, readingvibes.

“Speed round before dinner,” Gable announced, dealing us each a hand of eight cards.

I checked my playing hand quickly, putting them in order, holding the set close to my chest, pretending to lean over and inspect Gable’s.

“Cheat!” he laughed, pinching my leg and making me squeal.

“Am not!” I leaned to the other side and played the game with his sister, trying to make her feel comfortable rather than nervous.

“Watch out for this one, Little Bug,” he warned with a smile.

Mary watched us curiously then smiled, clutching her cards close, like she saw her brother do.

“Ready to lose?” I teased them both.

Gable arched a brow. “There’s that competitive spirit I like.”

I studied his sister as she rearranged her hand. Both of us went easy on Mary for the first round, and she knocked me out with a reverse and bomb combo after I used my diffuse card when my man dropped a bomb on me. The oven buzzer went off seconds before she slammed a bomb on Gable’s hand.We cheered and clapped at her win, her smile wide, confidence brimming, making my heart stretch.

“Nice work, Little Bug.” He ruffled her hair. “Stay there. I’ll get dinner.” He shot me another wink and blew me a kiss as he left us.

Mary lifted her eyes to me and quickly flitted them away. “My brother says you study magick at the Guild.” A curious endeavor for mortal enemies.

I leaned my elbow on the table and explained to her how that came about, her eyes meeting mine for brief stints before falling away.

I ended with, “Would you like to study at the Academy?”

I doubted they would go for it when they didn’t extend the offer to Gable, and I was merely a weapon they’d prefer on their side, not against them. Still, it didn’t hurt to ask on her behalf.

She scratched the chipping edge of the table. “No, I don’t have magick. I’d rather be a doctor and do good in this world.”

Neither did Gable, but he harnessed the power of white and dark magick like many witches or warlocks. I respected the fact that she might not want to dabble after her experiences growing up.

“That’s an excellent goal.” I waited for her to look up and patted her arm. Her eyes twitched but she didn’t move. “No less important than being a witch.”

A long wooden tray clonked on the table as my Rock god delivered our dinner—two plates of nachos covered in melted cheese, guacamole, and sour cream. He twisted the wood to allocate a plate with a smaller quantity for Mary and a brimming dish for him and me to share.

“Careful, Little Bug, the plates are hot.” He deposited a dipping bowl half-filled with green-colored peppers. “Do you like jalapenos?”

I waved both hands. “No.” Sweet chili sauce was enough spice for me.

“Are you brave enough to try them, Little Bug?” He held one out to her.

She took it from his fingers and went to place it in her mouth.

“Put it on your corn chip.” He showed her how to do it, using his fork to twirl the cheese over his corn chip, topping it off with two peppers. He took a bite, humming and bopping his head as he chewed.

Mary copied him and coughed, fumbling for her water, gulping it down.

“Too spicy?” Gable asked, and she nodded, panting. He leaped up and poured her a glass of milk. “Drink this.”

I adored the brotherly side of him, when he showed nothing but strength in front of my men, only peeling back his vulnerable side with me.

We waited for the burning in her mouth to subside before we dived into the meal, chatting, getting messy fingers, and even messier plates.

“This is delicious,” I said, sucking the cheddar off the fork.

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