Page 44 of Incurably Cupid

He chuckled softly. “I’m not making any promises. It comes with the job—learning to sleep when and where you can.”

I could relate to that.

“What made you want to become a bodyguard?”

“It’s a family business. Both my dad and my grandad were bodyguards, and both served King Draven. When each of them retired, the next generation took their place.” He turned his head without lifting it off the seat back. “Draven is a good man, a goodboss, and a good friend. That’s why it’s so difficult for me to hand over his security to someone else. I feel like I need to be there for him.”

Wow, a multi-generational protection detail. That could only happen with paranormals, and only among the longest-lived of us.

“I heard what he said in the hospital to you,” I said, twisting a bracelet around my wrist. “But I also saw something in person that no one else could see.”

He looked confused for a moment, until I saw the realization dawn in his gray eyes that I’m a cupid and can see bonds between people.

I nodded. “Yeah, when he said you’re a brother, he meant it, Mes. And that means he loves you too.” I smirked. “He also knows how hard-headed you can be. I mean, he had to send you to another realm to get you to take a break.” And then I laughed. “And you’re still investigating!”

Mesmer looked sheepish, then shrugged. “Bodyguard is not a job title you can just discard at the end of the day. It’s like your cupid powers—it’s always a part of us.”

Back at the hotel, they each pulled out their keycards and swiped them.

“Get some actual sleep, Mes,” I said, worried about the exhaustion under his eyes.

He turned, a small, tired smile on his lips. “I’ll try. You too.”

I gave him a mock salute and shut the door behind me, then leaned against it and closed my eyes.

I was in so much trouble.

I spentmuch of the next morning in my pajamas, flipping through TV channels without really settling on anything. A soft knock came at my door, and I opened it to find Mes and Lance. Mes looked significantly better than he had yesterday and last night. The dark circles under his eyes were fading, and his eyes were clearer.

“Hey,” he said with a faint smile. “Want some company? My TV is probably just as boring as yours. We might as well be bored together.”

I laughed and opened the door wider, so he and Lance could roll in. “Don’t ever go into sales. You’d be poorer than a church mouse.”

I helped Mesmer settle on my couch, and we scrolled through the TV channels until we found something we were both interested in and settled in to watch.

It was a show about house hunting on the island of Oahu. I had to admit, the island was beautiful. I’d been there several times in the course of my job and always loved spending time there.

“You ever travel, Mesmer?”

“Hmm?” He eyes kept drifting closed. He was clearly fighting sleep again.

“You ever travel?”

He nodded. “Yeah, all over the world. Mostly with Draven, but I’ve done some solo trips too. I actually really like this part of the world. It’s one of my favorite places to visit.”

It really was beautiful.

“Do you have a favorite destination?”

He thought for a moment. “I don’t think I do. I find something to love about almost everywhere and every culture.” He chuckled. “Especially the food. I love trying all the different cuisines.”

That checked out. I was the same. Paranormal metabolisms were a blessing. We could eat almost anything without consequence.

Shortly after, he started nodding off, and I covered him with the comforter from the unused bed. It was plush and warm.

He smiled sleepily at me. “Thanks, Indie,” he murmured.

I didn’t respond, since he was already asleep. I just stood there for a moment, staring at him, then shook my head and went to get ready for the day. When he woke up, we needed a quick lunch, some sunshine, and then dinner—in that order.

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