Page 38 of Charmed By Destiny

The world around Richard disappeared as he stared up into Lucas’s incredible gray eyes. For a heartbeat, Richard understood why Eric had grown so enamored of his fantasies of a life with Gabriel. If Richard were ever in the market for a romance or a happily ever after, he’d have to admit that Lucas would be his first choice as a costar.

???

Luke slipped into his suit jacket and was surprised by the ringing of his cellphone. Plucking it off the dresser, he slid his thumb across the screen the moment he read Foxe’s name on it.

“Luke?” Foxe shouted into his ear.

“You okay?” Luke asked, immediately concerned. Foxe hadn’t answered his phone in weeks and preferred to communicate in texts. Had something happened? Was he in danger?

Foxe whooped loudly, and the cheers of several other people filtered through the line. “Never been better. I have big news!”

Buoyed by the enthusiasm in Foxe’s voice, Luke smiled. “What’s up?”

“I won, Luke. I won big time. That piddly amount you sent me on Friday is now a small fortune.”

“Wow, congratulations,” Luke replied, trying not to be insulted by Foxe’s insinuation. Luke was funneling half of his paycheck to his necromancer, and the Marwoods were generous. But no matter how much Luke provided for Foxe, it wasn’t enough. In three months, Luke had gone from believing they were best friends to feeling like a cash machine for an often-cranky patron.

“It was bound to happen,” Foxe boasted. “Didn’t I tell you I was skilled at this shit? I finally found an honest casino. A few more days here and I’ll be able to buy my brother’s fucking mansion.”

“You aren’t planning on gambling everything you won, are you?”

“I can’t make money if I don’t spend it. You know that. Think about it. A couple other wins like this and we’ll be set for years. Many years, Luke. Maybe I’ll move to Vegas and live like a high roller. We could hang out that way.”

“Foxe, don’t take everything you’ve won and lose it. Set at least some of it aside so you have money for food and a place to stay.”

“What are you talking about? I’m not going to lose the money. This casino is legit. I’ll be rolling in dough.”

“Do me a favor and save something.”

“Don’t be silly. We don’t have to worry about that stuff. You’ve got a job. If the money goes away, payday is next Friday.”

Luke had woken that morning excited because it was the highly anticipated day of the Wolfebrier-Marwood nuptials and, while Richard would be busy, he’d at least get to see the necromancer. But Foxe was irritating him. His job had started as a temporary one to offer them some stability and allow Luke to build savings. Although he wasn’t interested in quitting, he also didn’t want to be used.

“But you have money, so I don’t need to send you anything more,” Luke said.

“What the fuck? Of course you’ll send me money. That’s why you’re working. We can’t afford to keep running from place to place without an income. That’s the entire point of you getting a job.”

“What’s the plan? I’m supposed to continue to work here until when? And I keep clocking in Monday through Friday to send you half my paycheck so you can do what? Gamble and whatever else pleases you?”

“You told me you like your job,” Foxe exclaimed. “Get a different one if you changed your mind. Didn’t you tell me those Marwoods will let you transfer to another department, business, or whatever?”

“That’s not the point. It doesn’t matter where I work. I shouldn’t have to keep funding your lifestyle. Not if you refuse to be responsible.”

“Now you sound like my fucking father or brother.”

“How many people need to tell you how selfish you’re being until you realize it’s unfair?” Luke demanded. “Did it occur to you to ask what I want?”

“You know what I did for you,” Foxe growled.

Unlike Luke, Foxe was surrounded by humans, so he couldn’t talk freely, but that didn’t matter. Luke got the point. Foxe believed he owed him the money because he’d resurrected Luke. According to the Marwoods, that wasn’t supposed to be how it worked. Inspirits were summoned without ties to any sorcerer. They were individuals with their own hopes and dreams.

“I don’t owe you anything, Foxe.”

“The fuck you don’t.”

Luke closed his eyes. For ten years, he’d lived in limbo and hated it. In the last three months, everything had changed. He appreciated that Foxe had resurrected him, but he couldn’t keep kidding himself. To Foxe, Luke was another means to an end.

A part of him had known that at some point there’d be a reckoning and he’d have to confront Foxe. But that realization did little to assuage Luke’s guilt. Foxe needed to figure out his life without Luke supplying ready cash to feed his dangerous habit.

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