Page 70 of Infernal Hearts

Levi rolls his eyes. “Give me a break. It’s cold in the mountains.”

Revulsion coats the sharp features of her face. “Let me rephrase. Where are your clothes?” She pauses for a moment, squinting, before she rolls her eyes. “Oh my god. You’re wearing his clothes and you’re avoiding talking about him. You—”

Before I can say anything to defend myself, Andrew starts hyperventilating. His eyes dart between us all for the briefest second but then zero in on me. This isn’t good.

Rani holds her finger up, pausing and taking a whiff of the air. “Is there a fairy back there?”

“Fairy?” I go deadpan, leaving no reaction on my face whatsoever. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Rani, however, isn’t as easily convinced by my lie. “Oh, please, I can smell it from over here.” She grits her teeth. “This place reeks of magic.”

Andrew tugs on my sleeve, a flush rushing though his face. “Fairies? Magic? What is she talking about, Dr. Blackwell?”

Silence falls over the room. She clearly thought everyone here was in on the secret. She’s furious, I’m at a loss for words, and poor Andrew is in the middle of a spiral. Levi, however, is completely over it.

“For fuck’s sake. I’ll clean up this mess.” Levi walks over to the counter and gently touches the side of Andrew’s cheek, bringing his eyes to his. Purple light floods from Levi’s irises, coating Andrew’s face in violet. “Forget everything you just heard, darlin’. It’s just another boring day at work.”

His face slips into a calm smile as he leans his smooth face forward into his palm. “Just another day. I’m glad you’re here, though.”

“Atta boy.” Levi ruffles his thick black hair and looks at me with a smile. “There we go. All fixed.”

“Just like an incubus,” Rani cuts in. “Swapping human memories for raging hard-ons.”

My hands ball into fists. “You, out.”

“Like fuck I’m going anywhere without him.” She stands tall, not moving an inch.

“Like fuck I’m going to let you come in here and abuse my staff. Leave.” I point to the door. “Levi, a word?”

He makes to speak but stop himself, instead glancing at Rani and giving her a reassuring smile. “I’ll meet you outside.”

She looks him over for a moment before giving Levi a sharp nod and going outside. I leave Andrew dazed while Levi follows me to the exam room.

I flip on the fluorescent lights and slam the door shut behind me. “I’m assuming that’s your best friend. And best friend or not, she can’t just come in here and harass my secretary.”

“That’s just her way of saying hi?”

“No, Levi. This is my fucking livelihood, and I don’t need that shit in my office. It’s not okay.”

He grimaces. “I know, I know. She was a bit…much. I’m sorry. But just go with? She grows on you.”

I blow out a deep breath, still fuming but giving him a chance. “You’re impossible.”

He smirks sweetly. “I know.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I don’t even know what to say.”

“Oh, Levi, you’re so charming, and you’re such a good lay.” He shoots me a quick wink and kisses me on the cheek. “Now, if you don’t mind, I should have a nice chat with Rani before she really loses her temper.”

I usher him out. “Be my guest.”

…

Levi

Out on the front porch, I find her biting her lip with her fangs. Of course, Rani can’t watch her fucking mouth when she goes ballistic. It’s one of her worst qualities—a mouth that moves faster than goddamn logic. I’ve had to clean up so many of her messes over the years—every time she lets on something supernatural might be happening below the surface.

I lean against the white post by the side of the stairs. “Not that I’m not happy to see you, babe, but you could have just waited for me to call you back.”

---