Page 47 of Deadly Deception
“I love you.” I realized I hardly ever said the words first. Typically, I repeated them after Momma or Pops said them.
“I love you too. Never forget or doubt that, Erasmus. Be safe and goodnight.”
I watched my phone screen darken never realizing just how long ago the shower turned off or the fact Franklin stood there, leaning against the bathroom door in nothing but a damp towel tied around his waist.
For some odd reason, I felt embarrassed, and my face flushed. “Hey,” I managed.
“Hey,” Franklin repeated back. His arms were crossed over his broad chest as he stared at me. “How’s Holland?”
“Good,” I said, swallowing hard. “How much did you hear?”
Franklin shrugged. “Enough, I think. Is he going to get a list of the necromancer mothers?”
“He’s going to try. I guess he has to get special permission from the Warlock Council first. I have no idea if that will be difficult or not.”
“I’m sure if anyone can do it, your pops can.”
I chuckled. “You’re probably right. And if they say no, he’ll just badger them until they’re tired of hearing his voice.”
Franklin moved, his towel sliding off as he slipped a pair of navy boxer briefs on. He tossed the damp towel back into the bathroom before slipping into bed beside me. “Lights on or off?”
“Off,” I decided easily.
Franklin hit the side light and eased under the covers. As soon as he was settled, I crawled over him, clinging like a monkey. “This okay?”
“Always,” Franklin answered. His fingers slipped into my hair, massaging my scalp and easing the stress from my body.
“I was all sleepy and relaxed, and then Pops called. On the plus side, it reminded me to activate the alarm charm. Probably should have done that before we took our clothes off.” That would have been the wise action. It would also have been a cockblock. Sometimes, chances had to be taken.
“Hmm…probably. Looks like we’re still in one piece, so no regrets on my part.”
“Me either.” My pulse calmed. Skin-to-skin contact with Franklin often settled me in ways nothing else could.
“Get some sleep, Boone. Tomorrow promises to be a busy day.”
“That’s what you said last night. I don’t like thebusytoday was.”
“Nor I, but tomorrow will take care of itself. Let it wait until then. Rest now, fight later.”
Words to live—and hopefully not die—by. Considering I couldn’t argue the sentiment, I closed my eyes and did asFranklin suggested, allowing the day to slip off my shoulders and welcoming night’s comforting embrace.
Chapter
Sixteen
Franklin
Considering we weren’t shot at, attacked, or otherwise accosted on our way to the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office, today was definitely getting off to a better start. I’d guess the commuters who’d gotten caught up in the action yesterday agreed.
Sara was at the front desk again, and I wondered if the woman ever took a day off. Her smile was bright when she greeted us. “Detective O’Hare and Necromancer Boone, it’s good to have you back again. I trust today’s drive was less eventful?”
“Blissfully boring,” Boone answered with a grin.
“Good to hear.”
I looked around the lobby. It was fairly quiet, but a lot of police precincts were quiet this early in the morning. “How are things here? Could you get Navarre to eat this morning?” I wasn’t certain if Sara knew Navarre was staying with her uncle or not. Henson said that information wasn’t to leave the room, but this was Tompkins’s niece.
Sara gave me a conspiratorial wink making me think Tompkins had spoken with her. Warm smile vanishing, Sara said, “Sounds like you didn’t hear, but we released Navarre lastnight. Since he didn’t have a residence, we just opened up the doors and let him walk out.” Sara shook her head, playing her part well. “I hope he’s okay. I worry about him. I argued with Sheriff Henson, not that it did a lot of good. Don’t get me wrong, I get it. It’s not like we could keep housing the guy in the jail, it’s just…” Sara sighed. “I don’t know what it is. I just don’t like the way it sits, you know?”
