Page 90 of Charmed By Destiny

“I can train her, Clark,” Gabe commented.

“Share that task with Rhonda,” Clark instructed. “It’ll lessen the burden on you, and it’ll boost Rhonda’s confidence to be directly involved in helping Maribeth learn the necessary skills to properly secure and guard Marwood properties.”

“You’re really going to let me work in security?” Maribeth asked.

“Why not?” Rosalind inquired.

“I don’t know, I thought you’d both object. Tell me it wasn’t safe or something.”

“I think I’ll insist you work with an inspirit partner even after you’re fully trained,” Clark said. “That way you can look out for each other and I won’t worry about you facing a threat alone. Is that acceptable?”

Maribeth grinned. “Depends. Is she my type?”

“Make sure Rhonda is the only female inspirit you leave Maribeth with,” Clark ordered Gabriel.

“No fair, I’ve wanted my soulmate forever,” Maribeth complained. “Eric got his. Richard has one, and he swore off relationships completely.” She pointed at Luke. “Now Richard has this delicious specimen, and you know he’s going to settle into the bragging stage soon. That’s how he’s built. Give me a pretty inspirit to drool over.”

“I told you not to spoil the children, Rosalind,” Clark said. “Look at where we are. Maribeth wants me to find her a soulmate.”

“Find David one too,” Maribeth insisted.

David shook his head. “Oh, no, thank you.”

Richard slid his gaze to Luke. “Uh oh, he better hope destiny isn’t listening. Last time I said that, you showed up and made my entire world better.”

“What a horrible fate,” Maribeth drawled with a sour look for her cousin.

Luke held in a grin and wished hecouldcall in sick; he was having entirely too much fun with the Marwoods. Thankfully, Clark and Gabe were also heading to the office to spur him on his way, so within minutes Luke was kissing Richard goodbye. Hopefully, the hours of his workday would fly by so he could enjoy his weekend with his soulmate.

Chapter 30

Richard sat cross-legged on the area rug in the suite he now shared with Lucas and opened the paper bag in his lap. The enticing aroma of over-salted fast food hit his nose.

“Don’t worry, Dragonfly, nothing in there will bite,” Lucas teased as he mirrored Richard’s position across from him.

With a baleful glance at Lucas, Richard dug into the sack and plucked out a burger. “I’ve eaten from here before. I know that.”

“Marwoods eat fast food?”

“It’s almost like we’re normal people,” Richard said with mock surprise.

Lucas chuckled, and Richard loved the crinkles at the corner of his pure gray eyes. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but there’s nothing normal about your family.”

“You live in this house. You’re my soulmate. Is it still so hard to accept that the Marwoods are your family too?” Richard asked, genuinely concerned about whether Lucas was comfortable. He handed fries to his soulmate and studied his face for any signs of distress. Thankfully, there were none.

“I guess I wasn’t sure if it was okay to call them mine too.”

Richard was grateful he’d applied his cosmetics with a light hand since he was teetering close to a bout of tears. If he cried, he wouldn’t wind up looking like someone had melted crayons on his face as the varied colors oozed together. Lucas was so damn sweet.

“Of course you can,” Richard said. “Anyone would be proud to have you in their family.”

The inspirit sighed deeply. “I wish that was true.”

“Another week without Foxe bothering to at least send you a text to let you know he’s alive?”

The necromancer who’d brought Lucas to life was seriously pissing Richard off. Lucas had spent ten years at the man’s side and loved him. But Foxe was so wrapped up in his feelings that he didn’t bother to consider how his silence was affecting Lucas.

“Don’t get pissed, Dragonfly. He’s mad at me.”

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