Page 16 of Charmed By Destiny

He’d had to lie about a nonexistent childhood and adolescence. Many of the details he’d stolen from what he knew of Foxe’s upbringing because he wasn’t a creative fibber, nor did he like to deceive anyone. Luke was already dreading life away from the kind inspirits he now called neighbors and coworkers.

At least Luke had heard from Foxe. The messages were brief and had mostly been questions about Luke’s first paycheck, but he refused to judge. Unlike Luke, who was in paradise, Foxe was likely running from motel to motel. Luke didn’t even know how he was getting from place to place without a car. The necromancer’s future was murky, and Luke would feel better once he had some money to send to Foxe.

What would Foxe think of Richard?

The car took a slow turn, and Luke ripped his gaze away from Richard to watch a mansion come into view. It was like much of the other southwestern architecture in the area—muted earthy tones that went well with the desert landscape found in Vegas. Terracotta tiles adorned the raised roof, and large windows were everywhere, which probably brought in plenty of bright Nevada sun.

Richard’s head popped up from his phone as the limousine cruised to a stop, and Luke forgot the house existed as the necromancer aimed a smile at him.

“It’s okay to yell for help,” Richard commented. “Gabriel can sneak you back out to the car and get you home.”

“Why would he need help?” Clark asked.

“You never know,” Richard replied to his father. “Douglas should be here in about ten minutes. He had to stop for gas.”

In the past week, Luke had seen for himself that Douglas and Richard not only led conference services with efficiency but shared what appeared to be a tight friendship. It made for a welcoming atmosphere, and Luke had yet to hear any complaints from his coworkers. Maybe once he’d earned the trust of his fellow employees, the tongues would loosen and they’d gossip freely, but he hoped everyone was as content as they appeared.

“There’s no need for him to rush,” Clark commented. “We aren’t going to start dinner without him.”

“I already told him that, Dad.”

Gabe unfolded his brawny frame from the car, and Luke tried in vain not to notice the round curve of Richard’s bottom as the necromancer climbed out in front of him. Luke mentally slapped himself and exited the vehicle. If Luke didn’t know better, he’d swear Richard was a siren. And he was losing his desire to fight the urge to lust after the stunning man.

Luke followed the Marwoods through the tall front door of the mansion, and he noted the dramatic black-and-white interior reminiscent of the hotel, but he was soon enchanted by exquisite piano music. Then he stepped into an elegant great room dripping with silver accents and his special talent pinged so loud in his mind he halted in his tracks.

The dark-haired man bent over the piano keys was destiny-touched and a powerful one at that. Foxe’s warnings screamed through his head. Luke needed to run far and fast. Trouble followed the destiny-touched.

“Everything okay?” Richard asked.

Luke gathered his scattered wits and noted that the music had stopped. “Yes. Yeah. Sorry. The music was incredible. Really moving.”

Richard’s gaze narrowed, but he didn’t comment. The destiny-touched necromancer was hauled up against Gabe. That meant the man in question was the youngest Marwood sibling and Gabe’s soulmate. No wonder Gabe was jacked and had a green gaze constantly scanning for danger.

“Eric Marwood, this is Luke Wynnter,” Gabe said, bringing his soulmate close to where Luke still stood like an idiot.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lucas,” Eric said. Luke wondered why Eric chose to use his full name despite Gabe’s choice to shorten it in his introduction, but he wasn’t fussy. The Marwoods could call him whatever they wanted.

With a genuine smile for the man who’d be hunted for eternity, Luke shook his hand and noted he’d tattooed his skin on the arm without the mark of destiny. Had Richard chosen to add similar artwork to his skin to fool necros pursuing innocent people like his brother? If so, Luke appreciated the instinct to protect.

Eric resembled his brother and parents. But unlike Richard’s sharp blue eyes, Eric’s had a dreamy quality. He also had several inches of height on his brother. He was a handsome willowy man who glanced at Gabe with such love written on his face that Luke immediately envied him.

Soulmates were real. That was becoming abundantly clear. So, how the hell could Luke find his?

“The pleasure is mine,” Luke answered honestly. Eric had not been given an easy path, and Luke hoped there was enough security built around him to ensure that no one would harm him. It was unfair for anyone to be chosen for death because of who they were.

“Do you hate working for Richard yet?” Eric asked with a mischievous smile.

“Nope, not yet,” Luke replied.

“Well, if his persnicketiness gets on your nerves, you can call any of us to vent,” Eric said.

“That is not a word,” Richard countered as he tugged his brother into a tight hug. “And at work, my perfectionism is an asset.”

“Wait until he decides to work from home one day,” Eric told Luke. “He’ll call everyone a hundred times. Turn your phone off and wait for Douglas to update you on whatever detail Richard is obsessed with.”

Luke smiled. “Will I get fired if I take your advice?”

“Absolutely not, few people on the planet can deal with Richard when he’s in a snit,” Rosalind remarked as she sauntered to them with an inspirit at her side. “Lucas, this is our dear David. David Marwood, this is Lucas Wynnter.”

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