Page 47 of Infernal Hearts

“You. Just…you.”

I want so badly to reach out and take his hand, but I’m still hesitant. Maybe I’m getting attached to him. Maybe I’m gettingtooattached to him.

Right outside, I notice a man sitting on the ground and leaning against the building near the corner.

His eyes meet mine with a defeated look. “Spare any change?”

It may not be cold out here, but I can tell by how he’s hunched over that he’s nowhere near comfortable. “Sorry, I don’t have any cash left, but do you need something to eat?”

The man nods, his eyes flitting to the box in my hand. “That would be wonderful. I’m starving.”

“No problem.” I hand over leftovers with a small nod. “Have a good night.”

Levi speaks softly as we get back into the truck. “Conscious and kind.”

“What do you mean?”

He pauses, opening his mouth a couple of times but struggling to find the words. “There are people like that all over L.A., but I can’t tell you how many people just walk by them. I’m ashamed to say that I don’t give them the time of day.”

“They’re still people.” I never thought much of it. “They’re just down on their luck and can use a helping hand sometimes.”

Levi smiles pleasantly as he gazes out the window. It’s amazing how a random act of kindness can send him into such a peaceful place.

It’s not a long drive back to the clinic, but it’s quiet. It’s content aside from my aching to make contact and the warring in my head. But Levi keeps his hands to himself, like a perfect gentleman.

Finally, we arrive and head for the guest house.

“Thank you for a great night.” He kisses me on the cheek, and my heart nearly explodes. I know he hears that small change in beats, but he just smiles and closes the door behind him.

It tingles where his lips made contact on the side of my face. I rub my fingers over it, wanting to go back down and knock on his door.

He’s smart. He’s kind. He’s empathetic, even if he doesn’t always show it in the most overt ways. Levi is everything I’ve ever wanted and more. The only downside? He’s a demon who’s leaving in about a week, unless he dies first. I don’t see a situation where this could ever work out, but I’ll be damned if tonight didn’t make me want it that much more. How awful it is to not be able to have something you want so desperately, especially when it’s so close to the tips of your fingers. It’s torture.

God, I am so fucked.

…

Levi

I have to admit, I’m incredibly into Jason. And I’d be an even worse liar if I said that last night wasn’t one of the best dates I’ve ever had—if you can even call my other hookups and clients dates. But seriously, even though it was just as friends, I don’t think friends look at each other the way Jason and I do. I can tell there’s something here. I know it.

Not to mention how touching it was to see him give his food to that man on the street. It’s something that a lot of people wouldn’t think twice about, but it’s not often in my line of work that I see someone do something selfless without the expectation of anything in return. Everything I see on a daily basis is always so transactional. To see him do that was beyond refreshing. And heartwarming. And oddly sexy.

I’ve spent the entire day researching other creature disappearances from as far as two states over—nothing. But it was a slog the entire time because my thoughts kept going back to the handsome vet less than a football field away right now.

I wonder how his day was. If anything interesting happened. I really do need to get his phone number just to text him questions like this. But in the meantime, I can just walk over. Lord knows I could use it to stretch out my legs a bit.

My phone suddenly rings—it’s Rani. “Hello?”

“So I’ve been doing some research. Did you know Blackwell is the most sought-after magical doctor in this hemisphere?”

I get up, cracking my neck as I do. “How is that news?”

“It’s just strange. If something happened to Dane, then he would have gone to him—right?”

“Yeah, but Dane went missing before Blackwell was born, so the timeline doesn’t track. Didn’t I tell you the doctor went missing, too?”

“Well, fuck me sideways, that makes things even more suspicious. You don’t just kidnap someone with that much arcane knowledge. It’s a weapon in skilled hands. You sure he didn’t just leave it all behind?”

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