Page 71 of Séance

I am shocked to see that instead of winding James up, her acceptance calms him to a degree where he could almost pass for normal.

It’s not long before we’re pulling up behind the large shopping mall. Normally, I avoid shopping like the plague. Shopping with my brother is a nightmare. We usually tell him to order his shit online, but he is an extreme extrovert, and that will only hold him off for so long.

When in public, we take all his credit cards, hand him five hundred dollars cash, then stick a couple of trackers on him and unleash him on the unsuspecting public. We try to go during off-peak hours to mitigate how much trouble he attracts or stick him with a group of girls. He won’t risk putting a girl in danger, so they can usually keep him shackled well enough.

As I turn off the engine, James is unusually quiet, and I pin him with a harsh look. “No shenanigans. We get in and out. Understand?”

He bobs his head, slings an arm around Rue’s shoulders, and drags her close, kissing her temple. “Whatever my pookie wants.”

When I don’t receive a firm confirmation, I sigh in exasperation, but I guess that’s as good as I’m going to get. If I push him, he’ll only dig his heels in and put up an even bigger fuss.

Throwing open my door, I climb out, and the others follow. I take the lead and head directly toward the jewelry store I researched yesterday. We are right on time for our appointment. I don’t bother heading for the front door, instead taking the private entrance at the back of the shop.

It opens easily under my grip, and I hold the door open for the rest of them, bringing up the rear. We walk down a bright hallway and enter a small, discrete showroom. Instead of cases under glass, select pieces of expensive jewelry are sitting out, waiting for us.

As we step into the room, a chime sounds. Not even a minute later, a second door immediately opens, admitting a stunning woman in her early thirties. She’s dressed in a sparkling black dress that shows off her curves, her cleavage practically falling out of her dress. Her blonde hair is swept up in some fancy hairdo with a few strands hanging down to emphasize her heart-shaped face.

I mentally groan when her gaze scans us like we’re a side of beef ready to be consumed.

Thankfully, when her gaze lands on Rue, her expression turns professional. “You must be my ten o’clock appointment.”

Rue is busy surveying the rings on the table, but she turns at the sound of the shopgirl’s voice. Her eyes widen when she takes in the woman, then they narrow, and her lips purse. “We were. Unfortunately, I’m not seeing much that I like here. While I said I wanted plain jewelry, I didn’t mean crappy pieces. I need durable metal for men to wear that won’t crush their fingers if they give a good handshake.”

The businesswoman’s eyes sharpen, then her smile becomes more natural. “My name is Monica. You’re buying pieces for your men?”

Rue barely pauses for a second, her shoulders going back as she nods. “Yes. I need two pieces now, and possibly more later. They need to be engraved today. Is that something you can do?”

“Of course,” Monica replies, picking up the few trays sitting on the table. “Let me bring you a better selection.”

It’s only then that I glance at the items on display, and I nearly swallow my tongue when I see the prices range anywhere from three hundred to three thousand dollars. I wait for Monica to leave, then whirl on Rue. “You don’t need to spend so much on a simple ring. I don’t need?—”

“Actually, yes, I do. The rings need to contain a certain combination of metals for it to be effective. The pieces I wear are custom items crafted by a metalsmith hundreds of years ago, while the pieces created today are factory made by machines and bent into form. The metal won’t be able to hold the runes well. The inscription might remain, but not the intent behind it. Understand?”

Fuck me.

There is something hot about the no-nonsense way she spouted off the facts while looking through a catalog. She doesn’t even look up at me, and it’s all I can do not to lean over and nip the base of her neck.

I bet my bite would look good on her skin, and my teeth ache with the need to mark her. I’m not even aware that I’m stepping toward her until the door opens behind me, and I whirl, putting myself between Rue and the threat.

It’s only when Monica steps into the room then halts, her eyes wide, that I realize I’m practically snarling at her. With a scowl in her direction, I step back and turn my focus to Rue.

If she noticed my misstep, she doesn’t show it. She walks past me, close enough that she brushes against my chest, and something inside me relaxes under that small touch. As she takes a seat in front of the table, I come to stand behind her, which gives me a view of her perfect breasts.

Gunner nudges me hard enough that I almost fall to the floor. When I glance at him, I expect a scowl, but he’s watching the room and the guard who accompanied Monica.

James takes a seat next to Rue, looking over the offerings, but I know he’s hyperaware of her safety. If anything, he would go completely berserk if anyone tried to touch his precious pookie.

For once, we’re in complete agreement.

Rue bends over the three trays spread out before her. Unsurprisingly, none of the items have price tags. To my naked eye, they just look like plain rings, even cheaper than the first batch, without the silver, gold, or bling that usually accompanies jewelry.

Rue pushes two trays away, barely glancing at them. I notice when her gaze finally locks on her prize. She picks up the ring and turns it carefully, testing the weight in her fingers. She slipsit over her thumb, rubbing the metal almost worshipfully, then she gives a sharp nod. “Two of these.”

She sets the ring on the table, then points toward me and my twin. “Measure them. I’d also like the bracelet and matching necklace in your catalog.” She rattles off the numbers by memory, even as she pushes me forward.

She lifts her shirt, revealing the top of her skirt and the tiny little wallet tucked in the waistband. The sight of the pale, toned skin of her stomach has my fingers twitching to touch her, and I quickly turn so the fucktard of a guard doesn’t steal a view of what’s mine. Completely oblivious, Rue pulls out a card and a tiny piece of paper and hands them over without blinking. “The instructions for the engraving are enclosed. Add them to each piece of jewelry.”

Monica accepts both without pause, glances at the instructions, then nods. “We can do that. As long as we have the sizes in stock, it will take about three hours to complete. If we don’t, we’ll have them done by tomorrow morning.”

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