Page 88 of Deadly Deception
Linking my arm through his, I started dragging Pops toward the exit. “Then why don’t you treat us to something yummy?” Although I was tired, I could definitely eat.
“I can do that,” Pops agreed.
“We’ll need to drive separate. Franklin’s car is in the parking lot.”
“Oh, I’ve already taken care of that.” Pops waved me off.
I stopped walking. “What did you do?”
“Nothing so bad as what your accusing look suggests. I simply hired an individual to drive Detective O’Hare’s vehicle back to Mississippi. That way we can all ride back together.” Pops’s grin stretched ear to ear, but his eyes weren’t lit with happiness; they sang with mischievousness.
“My locked vehicle?” Franklin asked. “For which only I have the key?”
“Completely unnecessary.” Pops waved away Franklin’s concern.
“Christ,” Franklin muttered.
“What was that?” Pops asked.
“Clever,” Franklin answered. “Clever as always, Warlock Holland.”
“Aren’t I though?”
I rolled my eyes and prayed to Gaia for patience. I also thanked her for all the blessings she’d sent my way. I’d often wondered what I’d done to deserve winning the necromancer lottery. Gods and goddesses didn’t often feel the need to answer or explain themselves. Gaia was no different, and remained frustratingly silent.
Leaning heavily against Pops’s side, the heavy weight of his arm wrapped around my shoulders while theclick-clackof Momma’s heels sounded close by, her soothing voice fussing over Franklin’s well-being, I realized I didn’t really care about Gaia’s reasoning. I wasn’t about to look a gift goddess in the mouth. That would be beyond rude, and if there was one thing my Momma taught me, it was always to respect a lady.
We reached Momma’s SUV and after our luggage was tucked away, we all piled in. Momma drove while Pops sat in the passenger’s seat. True to his word, Pops took us all out for a lovely meal. Somehow, Franklin and I managed to stay awake through dessert, but by the end, we were both fading. We wound up falling asleep in the back seats. I wasn’t sure when Franklin succumbed to slumber. As for me, I couldn’t quite remember leaving the restaurant parking lot.
Momma’s soft voice woke me when we reached my house. It was well into the wee hours of the morning. The outdoor lights were on and welcomed us home. The sight of Franklin’s vehicle parked in my drive made my heart soar. Pops could be an ass, but he had a soft, gooey middle, at least when it came to me.
Momma and Pops helped Franklin and me with our luggage, hauling it up the steps and parking it on the porch.
“Are you staying here or with Momma?” I asked Pops. Glancing around, I didn’t see a rental vehicle in the drive. That could mean that Momma picked him up at the airport or that he’d stopped by her house and left the vehicle there.
“I’m staying at your momma’s,” Pops answered as his large hands settled on my shoulders. His dark eyes searched mine, and for a moment, I could see the frantic fear he’d suffered as he worried for my safety. Running one of his hands across my temple and through my hair, Pops inhaled deeply before leaning over and pressing a kiss to the crown of my head. “I know you need to live your own life, Erasmus, and I can’t tell you howproud I am of the necromancer you’ve become. Just…try and be a little more cautious. One day in the too-near future, Gaia will pull you from my arms. Please do not hasten her actions.”
Tears stung my eyes and pressure built in my chest as I fought those same tears. I wanted to promise Pops that I would never place my life in danger again. Hell, I wanted to make that promise for both of our benefits. But I tried not to out-and-out lie to Pops, and that would be one hell of a whopper.
And so I said the only thing I could. “I’ll try my best.”
Pops’s watery smile said it all. “I know you will. I also know that you’ll do what needs to be done, what you feel is right, and that will not always align with keeping the wolves at bay. Just remember that I’m here. I may live in a different state, but I will always come when you need me.” Pops’s grin gained strength. “I’ll even come when you don’t need me.” His gaze shifted Franklin’s way as he grumbled, “Much to a particular human’s dismay.”
I smacked Pops on the shoulder and scolded, “Be nice. I love him.”
Pops’s eyelids slowly slid closed, and he inhaled deeply. “I know, Erasmus. Your momma and I both know. I can hardly believe he’s worthy of you, but then again, I can’t see how any living soul would be.”
“He’s worthy, Pops. Franklin is worth everything.”
Pops stared down on me before giving a single nod. “Then I will leave you in his capable hands.”
“Are you staying in town for very long?” While I hadn’t expected Pops to be in Alabama when our flight landed, I wouldn’t deny how good it was to see him, how reassuring.
“For a day or two. I’ll be gone before Halloween. I know that’s one of your busy times.”
I leaned in and gave Pops another hug. Momma took his place when Pops released me. I saw Pops give Franklin ahandshake. I also saw Franklin try and hide his wince when Pops squeezed harder than he should have. I rolled my eyes, but neither one of them saw me.
Franklin and I stood on the porch as we watched Momma and Pops climb back in Momma’s SUV. We remained where we were as we watched her back down the drive and pull out on the road.
