Page 71 of Love in Unexpected Places

“The opposite. I fucking love it. I’ve never been this close to someone, not even when I thought I was in love with Brooks. This is new, but I enjoy it. Are you sure it will always be like this?”

“Our bond will deepen the longer we are together. It will be like this, multiplied every year, decade, and century that passes.”

My eyes bug out. “Centuries? I’ll live for centuries?”

“You are the mate of a demon. We do not die by natural causes and neither will you. As long as we take care not to have an accident, we will endure for all of eternity.”

A smile spreads across my face. “I’d like that.”

He returns my smile before kissing me lightly on thelips, then on my forehead. “Let’s go, little one. I am ready to get this kill over and done with so the dark cloud over your emotions is gone.”

I nod, stepping to the door. Vernimer holds my hand tight, not letting me walk more than a few paces from him. Turning around, I raise an eyebrow in question. “What’s up?”

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes,” I answer quickly, not having to think about it at all. It might be strange or even stupid to trust someone after what Brooks did to me, but it’s different with Vernimer. He’s my mate, I can feel it in my soul. It’s like the halves of each of our souls have joined and become one. I trust him more than I’ve ever trusted anyone.

His smile is warm. “Take my hands,” he says, holding his palms out to me. “I can get us there in no time at all.”

I slide my hands into his, the warmth from his palms seeping into my trembling hands. I’m ready for this to happen, but I’m nervous. I don’t want us to get caught, but I want to end this chapter in my life.

“Close your eyes,” he whispers. I do what he says, locking my eyes down tight. “Don’t open them until I tell you.”

Out of nowhere, wind whips around me, and heat licks over my skin. It’s sudden but not unpleasant. A laugh bursts from my throat as my hair is blown back and forth. The heat makes my skin feel tight, but I like it. Makes me feel alive.

The wind abates gradually, and the heat is blown away on a frigid breeze. After a beat, Vernimer says, “Open your eyes.”

I do, and I gasp. We’re in an alley two blocks away from the Shore Pines motel, the streets lined with dirtysnow. “How did you get us here?” I ask, even though I know the answer.

“Demons have tricks, remember?” He kisses me quickly then pulls a hat from nowhere and tugs it over my ears. I smile at this thoughtfulness. “Come, let’s finish this.”

Hand in hand, we make our way to the motel.

chapter six

LUCAS

Even though it’s damn near freezing outside, the hotel is seeing a lot of traffic. It’s a hot spot for sex workers, so johns are coming and going. That works in our favor, so no one will recognize us. We’re also dressed for the weather—large jackets and hats on our heads that will conceal our identity.

We locate room 106, and I pound on the door. Vernimer stands to the side so Brooks won’t see him through the peephole.

The door flies open, and Brooks drags me in roughly by the front of my jacket, throwing me to the ground without closing the door behind him.

“Where’s my fucking money, bitch?” His eyes bounce around my body, as if he’s trying to figure out where I’m hiding such a haul. Then his eyebrows dip. “Where did you get those clothes? Did you go shopping with my fucking money? You fucking?—”

Before he can advance on me, Vernimer wraps his arm around Brooks’s throat, cutting off his words. Brooks makes a strangled noise, clawing at Vernimer’s arm. Mysexy fucking demon doesn’t even look flustered, easily holding Brooks at bay.

He starts to flex his arm, but I stop him with a loud “Wait!” Vernimer looks at me questioningly but doesn’t kill Brooks. I stand and walk over to Brooks, and a mix of emotions tumble through me. Love has long since left any thoughts I have about Brooks, but fear, hatred, and anger float around freely.

“Where is the money you’re saving?” I ask in a voice that sounds smaller than I would like. That can’t be helped.

“Fuck you!” Brooks says harshly, spitting in my direction.

Vernimer turns him around and pushes him against the wall, his hand locked around his throat. Leaning close to Brooks, Vernimer says, “Tell him what he wants to know, and I’ll let you go. Fuck with me and I’ll kill you where you stand.”

Brooks nods like a bobblehead, muttering sounds of assent. When Vernimer lets him go, he wheezes, coughing while trying to take a full breath. “Okay. It’s in the ceiling in my room. In the closet, there’s a small hole. It’s in a bag. It’s all there.”

“How much?” I mutter, wrapping my arm around myself.

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