Page 10 of Resting Witch Face
“Let this one go, Davon. You were at the wrong place at the wrong time. Just know that the problem was solved, and no innocents were hurt in the process,” I rushed to add the last part when he sucked in a breath to argue, no doubt. “Nothing good will come out of it if you keep poking, trust me.”
“I don’t remember no one being hurt. You seemed banged up pretty good.”
“Yeah, well, someone should tell the almighty alcohol that it does not make a witch invincible.” My attempt to lighten the mood failed a miserable death. “I’ve had worse, and as I said, it all ended well. Know that, and just leave it. You, more than anyone, know humans steer clear of witch business. I don’t need to lecture you there. Go home, Davon. I need a shower and sleep. I’m not good company tonight.”
He followed me step for step as I wobbled to the door, my legs screaming at me to lay down and stretch. It took three tries to get the key in the lock, and just as I turned it, I felt the prickle of the wards wash over me like a breeze. It could’ve been a clean escape knowing Davon couldn’t follow me in even if he tried because the wards would turn him to ash, but the car stopping in the circular driveway messed that up. I fought the urge to scrub a hand over my face so I didn’t smear my makeup, and slowly turned to face my grandmother, whose voice was drifting like a murmur to my ears.
“Just say I wasn’t picking up and you wanted to beg to get back together …” I started saying to Davon, but when my gaze landed on the person leaning on the open door of the limo dropping Danika off, the words abruptly stopped.
River was facing my grandmother, but his nonchalant pose wouldn’t fool an idiot. His shoulders were stiff, and every muscle on his body was poised like he was expecting an attack. Danika was telling him something, but even she noticed judging by the line forming between her brows on her otherwise smooth face. Blackman was paying attention to her words, but his eyes flickered toward the house one too many times to be considered polite, at least when my grandmother was standing there. At the same time, Davon, seeing where my focus was centered, straightened to his full height and squared his shoulders. Both him and River were over six feet tall, give or take an inch, which dwarfed my five nine unless I wore heels.
For some dumb reason, I grabbed Davon’s forearm and yanked him to me, giving him a bone crushing hug. The familiar scent of his cologne—musk with citrusy notes—filled my nose, and it reminded me of all the times I thought he was the answer to end all my torment. Guilt stabbed me because just like then, I used him to hide from things I didn’t want to see or feel. It said nothing nice about me, but I still wrapped my arms around his neck when he stiffened. After a moment, I felt him relax and hug me back, his face tucking in my hair.
It was cruel to do this. I knew it, but it didn’t stop me from glancing over Davon’s shoulder at River. Blondie abandoned any pretense that he was listening to Danika, and he was bluntly staring at me the same way my grandmother was. Unlike her pissed-off glare, he had determination plastered all over his face.
“I’m guessing we are pissing off the dude?” As I said, Davon was too perceptive for his own good.
“Nope.” After the “p” popped through my lips, I tried to pull back. “Danika.”
“If you say so, Hazel.” Davon chuckled and released his hold on me, stepping to the side to allow me to face the vultures walking our way. I guess River was coming in, after all. “And this conversation is not over.”
My stomach flipflopped and plummeted to my feet.
“Ms. Byrne.” Davon inclined his head when my grandmother glided onto the porch with River at her side.
“Davon, was it?” Danika’s intent stare drilled holes in my head before slowly turning on the human.
“It still is,” I muttered under my breath, which earned me a look that promised a lot of scrubbing for me.
“Davon, yes.” The cop glanced between Danika and River before he stuck his hand at blondie as an afterthought.
“River Blackman.” I watched their biceps bunch in their attempts to crush each other’s hand. At least Danika’s expression changed, taking on amusement instead of anger, but I’d had enough.
“Davon was just leaving.” My announcement was a lil’ bit louder than I wanted.
The silence that followed was heavy with unspoken words, but eventually the two men released their grips on each other, then Davon leaned down to kiss my cheek before disappearing from the porch with his head held high. When it was just the three of us there, I had to fight my flight instinct so I didn’t run to my room like a little girl. My grandmother gave me an unexpected opening when she spoke.
“I hope this has nothing to do with the Kishi demon from the other day.”
“That’s why I called him.” The lie fell easily from my lips. “I wanted to make sure everything was covered. He doesn’t remember anything.”
“He had two days to report something amiss if he remembered.” River, ever the helpful, pointed out the hole in my story.
“Davon would never report anything that could come back to hurt me.” I wanted to piss River off, but I knew those words to be true, too. No matter the differences between us, Davon was a good man. One I didn’t deserve then, nor now. Not with all the shit going sideways in my life. “I still wanted to make sure he was okay.” Which I should’ve done instead of him seeking me out.
“He did seem to have a soft spot for you, Miss Byrne.” River’s tone was chilling as his breath whistled through his clenched teeth.
Danika raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment.
What was this guy’s problem anyway?
“I assure you, Mr. Blackman, my granddaughter does not associate with humans that way.”
At the flat way Danika said that, everything me and Sissily discussed hit me like a brick to the head. Instead of trying to show blondie I was off limits by hugging Davon like an idiot, I should’ve remembered he could be a spy sent from another coven to bring Danika down. If I screwed up by acting like an immature idiot, I’d never forgive myself.
“Davon is just a friend.” Swallowing the bile rising from telling another lie, I jutted my chin up. “Plus, he is a good source of information if the coven needs it, not that it’s any of your business.” Turning away from him, I used a very Danika-like behavior to dismiss him. “I’m glad you are home, Grandmother. I’m very tired, and now that I know you are safe, I can sleep without worry.”
River stood stunned and mute when I hugged Danika, which no doubt shocked her too. With one barely there nod aimed his way, I left them on the porch and bolted inside. It was tempting to lurk like a creep and eavesdrop, but I had no energy left in me to do it. I fell asleep soon after I heard my grandmother close her bedroom door with a soft click.
