Page 28 of Infernal Hearts

“Maybe to you.”

I grit my teeth, holding my tongue. I just want to scream at him right now, but it’s not worth it. I turn my focus to searching for clues. But I can’t find anything. I’m sure the cops looked for the run-of-the-mill broken lamps and blood puddles, but I know how to recognize anything magical.

“No supernatural signs?” I pull the curtain away from the wall to inspect the window. The locks are still on tight.

“None. Everything was completely clean when I got here that morning.”

“And no note or anything?”

He scoffs. “You really think I would have called Valerie if he’d let me know he was safe?”

“Sarcasm is so useful in these situations. Thank you for that.”

He shrugs nonchalantly. “My pleasure. Are you done?”

My body is so tense, it’s like it’s made of stone. “Fine, I’m leaving.” I walk out of the room and toward the front door. But then his voice stops me, tentative and gentle.

“Jason… Wait.” Michael hesitates for a moment.

I whip around and face him, wanting to rehash everything and tell him what I really think, but I stop myself. “What?”

“I’m…I’m sorry. I miss you.”

It takes every fiber in my body to not let my jaw drop open. Un-fucking-believable. “You move out, block me, and shut me out for months. Now this? Fuck off, Michael. All the way off.”

I yank the door open, and Levi, thumbing through his phone on the porch, jumps a little when the door hits the wall behind me. I just need to get out of here. I climb into the truck, start the engine, and grip the steering wheel.

Levi jumps in. “What the hell was that?”

It’s hard to listen to the words coming out of his mouth right now. It’s like they’re being muffled by my need to keep fighting with Michael. “My ex.”

“Your…Him?You used to datehim?” He presses his lips together and nods. “Okay then, pickings must be slim up here.”

“Shut up, Levi.”

“Just being honest. You’re way too good for him. He’s a twat.”

That actually makes me chuckle a bit. “Thanks. I think I needed to hear that. He really is.”

“He wouldn’t even shake my hand! What the hell was that?”

I let out a cool breath. “I really know how to pick them.”

“Maybe you should try something new sometime. I can think of a guy from Los Angeles who could show you a good time.”

My laughing immediately slows. “You really aren’t going to give up, are you?”

Levi shrugs. “I’m determined. And for the record, he was insanely jealous. I could practically taste it.”

“What? Why?”

Levi answers plainly. “Probably because he thought you moved on to me. I mean, look at me. I’m a catch and he’s…Michael.”

Of course Michael would think that. He always was the possessive type. I sigh and pull out of the parking lot. “Let’s go back to my place. I need to check on the office, and you could probably do some research.”

What is this feeling I have toward Levi? I spent most of the day with him, and as irritating as he is, he’s kind of funny in an outrageous caricature way. I never know what’s going to come out of his mouth, but he certainly doesn’t shy away from shock value.

I mean, he was even able to calm me down after seeing Michael—and that wasn’t an easy thing to do. He’s not that bad once you get used to him. But there’s the feeling in my gut that he could be dangerous if he wanted to. Things could go wrong with him and me, like what happened to my mom. I’d better keep him at a distance just in case.

---