Page 31 of Incurably Cupid

Indie slumped into an overstuffed chair opposite Dante, while Lance rolled me so I could see the both of them. “Yeah, youcan’t really use that argument, because I saw it in action not even a few days ago.”

“Mordecai?”

“Yep.”

“Yeah, I’m not so sure he wasn’t raised by rogue wolves.”

Indie pursed her lips in thought. “He likes pretty things too much to have been raised by wolves.”

I laughed, then centered my gaze on one of my best friends in the world. “I’m still not convinced I shouldn’t shoot you.”

Dante scowled at me, exasperated. “I’m trying to catch the shooter! The least you could do, holed up all cushily in the ether, is tell me what you know! I tried calling and texting, but I kept getting dead-air.”

“Again, that’s my fault," Leo's voice said from the nearest smart wall. "I’ve put up a signal around Indie so that any listening devices can’t spy on her. Anywhere Indie is, the signal follows."

“And of course they’re always together,” Dante muttered with an eye roll.

“I got shot seven times in the back. I’m lucky to be alive. And Indie has graciously been taking care of me,” I growled. “Also, you’re breaking orders by being here. King Draven doesn’t want me working right now.”

Dante snorted. “Yeah, and I’m sure you’ve been listening to him. As much as the big boss loves you, I’m sure he’d like to keep his wife alive even more.”

Indie sighed. “Leo, can you order a few pizzas, please? Stuffed crust, extra sauce on the side. One meat lovers, one Canadian bacon and pineapple,” she said, yawning. “It looks like we’re going to be a while.”

“You got it.”

When the pizza arrived, I updated Dante with what Leo and I had been able to find out, which, unfortunately, wasn’t much.

“Correct me if I’m wrong,” Indie said, munching on a cheesy breadstick, “but an assassin that’s so good they get in, take the shot, and get away, with none of your people even having a clue where to find them, is probably not a good thing.”

Dante grunted, finishing his bite before answering. “They were magicked to the gills, so we know they either have a wealthy backer or they make a lot of money on their own. They had a smell null on, which let them get past the shifters, and a shadow-tech suit, which made it impossible to see them unless we knew exactly where to look. They got in, took their shot, and got out without anyone seeing, smelling, or hearing a thing.”

Leo whistled. “Someone had to bankroll that. Those two items cost billions.”

“Or they stole the magic and tech from someone else,” Indie said, finishing off her soda. “Assassins aren’t well known for their moral compass. Also, what kind of plan was that? Shooting through the glass wasn’t exactly foolproof.”

I finally lowered my gun, flicked the safety back on, and set it on a nearby table. “They probably had help with that too. There are several gadgets—magical items—that allow you to see through walls. If I hadn’t been there, the King and Consort would be dead.”

Dante nodded, his face serious. “Good looking out on that one. You did good, boss.” Then he grinned. “Just try not to get shot next time. I’ve had to take care of Lady for you, and she’s been despondent without you. In fact, that’s partly why I’m here. I had to bring her. She stopped eating and she's been pretty depressed.”

I stared at Dante in alarm. “Did you leave her chained up outside?”

Indie growled at him and managed to smack the back of his head as she stalked past him out the front door. The whole roomignored the curse he threw at her. I couldn’t see her and Lady greet each other, but I could hear them.

“Lady? Oh, you’re big! Wow, you’re a big dog. Yes, hi. Yes, yes, you can probably smell him on me, huh? Let’s get you untethered. I seriously can’t believe that idiot wrapped your leash around atree!”

“I don’t think she likes you all that much, Dante.” Which washilariousbecause Dante was well-known as a flirt who dated around a lot. He was handsome, and he used his attractiveness and charm to a lethal extent. I was just glad Indie didn’t seem taken in by any of it.

I might've had to murder one of my best friends if that had been the case.

“She just hasn’t spent much time around me yet,” Dante grumbled, still rubbing his head.

I chuckled darkly. “No, I’m pretty sure she had your number the minute you opened your mouth tonight.”

Lady came bounding in through the door, her paws slipping on the hardwood as she hurried toward me. My eyes widened. My Lady was 140 pounds of fluffy-haired dog, and if she jumped on me in her excitement, I was going tohurttomorrow.

Indie, seeing the disaster in the making from the front door, barked,“Lady! Sit!”in such a firm tone that, had I been standing, I would’ve sat in absolute obedience.

Lady tried to stop her forward momentum by putting her rear end on the floor and ended up skidding the last few feet on her bottom to my chair. I chuckled and ran my fingers lovingly through her fur.

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