Page 58 of Highballs & Hexes

As Rose sauntered forward, he did, too, carefully positioning himself in front of Fi, who’d remained unnaturally quiet since his ex-wife shot the hired henchman.

“I heard your caterwauling, Paddy. It’s an embarrassment to the O’Malley name, it is.” Rose gestured toward the pub with her gun, and then frowned at the weapon as if she were surprised she still held it.

“I never claimed to be a rock star.”

Fi’s hand settled on his mid back, and a bit of the tension in his shoulders eased. At least one person appreciated his gesture.

“Why are you here, Rose?” With a nod to the dead man at his feet, he shook his head. “What’s this all about? Are you not done torturing me, then?”

“I came to apologize for my part in Dubheasa’s death and saw these two milling about.” Turning the gun so the grip faced him, she held it out. “I want no more hate between us, Paddy.”

And he’d be buggered if she didn’t appear sincere, but he also knew she couldn’t be trusted. He mentally viewed their situation from all angles, hoping to discover the trick. Nothing came to mind. No reason for her to turn the tables and play the ally.

Accepting the gun and praying it didn’t magically explode in his face, he said, “Then ya shouldn’t be insulting a man’s singing.”

She laughed, and it transformed her face from simply gorgeous to stunning. Not for the first time, he wondered what she ever saw in him. He’d been a fool to believe he could hold on to a rare butterfly like her, and since meeting Fi, he understood a femme fatale the likes of Rose had never been for him. The thing he desired most was a simple life with a woman who truly loved him and was willing to share in that life he wanted so fecking badly.

“In case you didn’t notice, these two didn’t possess magic,” Rose said. “You’ll need to call theGardato sort this mess out in place of the Witches’ Council.”

“Better for you, yeah?” he couldn’t resist taunting.

Rose simply smiled as if his comment was expected.

“Will you be sticking around to make a statement?” Fi asked her, moving to stand beside Patrick.

“Aye.”

“They said a woman hired them,” he felt compelled to add. “I’m sure you know nothing about that, yeah?”

“It wasn’t me, Paddy. I heard that one say it, but I swear on my life it wasn’t me.”

“I believe her.” Fi grimaced, and she watched Rose like a hawk watches a field mouse. “I might be a feckin’ fool for it, but I do.”

He did, too. Rose hadn’t displayed a single one of her standard tells.

“That leaves you with an unknown enemy, Paddy,” Rose said, and her concern appeared genuine. Her caring was discombobulating. “A dangerous one.”

CHAPTER 25

Their group spent the remainder of the night speaking to theGarda. After the tents were erected, the bodies bagged, and the onlookers shooed away, Rose, Fi, and Patrick were separated so their individual statements could be taken. With regret on his visage, one of the officers confiscated the gun and took Rose away.

Patrick would be surprised if they ever made it to the station. His ex-wife had the ability to influence malleable young men like the one who had detained her for the shooting, and she’d come out of this mess smelling like the flower she was named for.

On leaden feet, he escorted Fi up the stairs to his bedroom, where she proceeded to cuddle against him and fall into a slumber. Yet for him, sleep was elusive.

Who wanted them dead?

Dawn came and went, and Fi slept on as he mulled over potential threats. The only conclusion he drew was a victim’s family member. But why not come after him themselves? Why hire non-magical assassins to do their dirty work? Surely they had to know they stood no chance against a warlock with his abilities.

A knock sounded at the door. Other than to snort softly and snuggle down, Fi remained sleeping as Patrick eased from beneath her body to answer.

Grim faced, Dubheasa pulled him into the hall. “We’ve not found the woman responsible.”

“Did you think it would be so easy, then, love?” He grinned in the face of her ire and drew her to him for a tight hug.

“I’m frustrated, Da. Who has the ability to hide from a pair of Guardians?”

“A deity, Aether, or other Guardians?”

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