Page 267 of Warlords, Witches & Wolves

Lust pulsed through the bond and Kass wanted to adjust his jeans, but he didn’t dare drop his hands below the table to do it. Not with so many eyes watching.

“But seriously, stay away from my family. They bind people like you.”

“Noted. I won’t go near them again.” He sighed, needing to come clean. “You should know there was an accident on the freeway with two fatalities.” He should feel guilty, but it was his job to take out the bad guys and the men who’d stitched up Bailey were definitely bad.

Bailey’s eyes widened. “You…what?”

“It’s physics. Objects in motion only need to be nudged to change course.”

“I understand physics, I’m not an idiot. But they will be pissed.”

“They weren’t like us.”

“No… I’d tell you more, but…” Bailey shrugged and glanced up at the ceiling.

“Same.” He wanted to explain how the Coven worked and go on a proper date. “How about we go out sometime? I know a great bakery. Their Danishes can solve any problem.”

Bailey tilted his head. “Even mine?”

“They’ll be able to answer any questions you have.”

“You don’t have to bribe me to go out with you.”

Kass smiled. The earlier awkwardness had vanished, but they were running out of time. “Why didn’t you turn witness?”

Bailey drew in a breath. “They threatened Gran, and I couldn’t do it. Maybe they were lying, maybe they weren’t, but she honestly believes that she did the right thing raising me this way. I don’t share her paranoia about the government and such.” He nodded at Kass.

“And your mum and dad?”

“I have no idea who my dad is. Mum’s dead. I used to imagine that she run off and would come back for me.” His lips turned down. “She probably tried to live her own life and paid a higher price than me. Tell me about your family.”

“Mum is, dad isn’t. They hated me joining the army, said I could do better, and that I was wasting my brain. But I wanted to use my other talent.”

“What do you do?”

“Sniper.” He couldn’t help but feel a little pride. Yes, he used magic to be the best, but everyone used their skills, and made the most of their abilities, so why shouldn’t he?

Bailey gave him that grin again, like he was ready for so much more than talking. “I’d like to see you in uniform…and out.”

Kass lowered his gaze to the table, remembering Bailey’s earlier confession. “Have you ever even—”

“Dated? No, a bit hard with my family. So that’s a no to your next question. But I didn’t lie in the club.”

Kass frowned for a heartbeat, sifting through the few words they said before the night had fractured under the weight of the magic.

Bailey rolled his eyes. “You seem to have a preference.”

“Ohh.” He did, and every time he’d shared those thoughts with Bailey, he’d made it clear he was a top. Okay, so that was something he could try next time they got together through the bond.

“Every second Friday work for you?” Bailey said with a lift of his eyebrow.

“What?”

“I like…never mind.”

“No, I do mind. It’s too late to shut me off, so we have to deal.” They were getting the wind up. “Whatever we do strengthens the bond.”

“I figured.”

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