Page 63 of I Accidentally Hired a Shadow Walker
“Of course it is.” He paused the massage. “Did you think I would go back on my word?”
“I—” Pretending to struggle to breathe was the perfect mask for hiding how I really felt. I couldn’t tell him I thought he would stay, that after our time on the roof together, I expected him to change his mind and insist on continuing our partnership. Instead of admitting that, I simply said, “No.”
“I will protect you, Jericha. You know that.” His hands warmed against my shoulders. “If that’s what you’re worried about, you can stop. Nothing is going to happen to you.”
“That’s great for you to say, but you and I both know that’s not a promise you can keep. Anything can happen when things really pop off.”
“You’re right,” he conceded.
“Wait, why is it I can feel you coming but Jackie can’t?” I asked. “And I didn’t feel your brother either.”
“Because my brother is rude.” He shook his head, and his locs brushed against my shoulders. “I do that on purpose, like a doorbell to let you know I’m coming.”
“Oh, I thought something was wrong with you!” I chuckled at the feeling of relief. “Man, I was afraid you were sick or something. Tried to keep it from Cufio just in case.”
“Look at you, trying to protect my interests.” He laughed. “I’m good, I promise. Now, tell me what you need to make you feel better.”
I leaned back in my seat and glanced at him. What did I need? For demons to not be threatening my life so I didn’t have to carry my ass to another world and for his hand to be massaging a whole lot more than my shoulders!
“A hot bath and a planner so I can start mapping out things for Natalie.” It made no sense to pretend they weren’t all right. I hadto go with him.
If I didn’t go, not only would I risk being attacked and threaten the safety of my friends, but it would put Raymond in a bad spot. Not only would he be distracted, wondering if I was okay, but if anything happened to me, he would blame himself. Or, at least, I hoped he would. Hell, he better!
“You work on the planner, and I’ll run the bath.” He rubbed my shoulders once more before leaving me.
While Raymond did that, I headed for my office and went to work. There was so much to consider—pending contracts, existing ones, meetings to reschedule, staff changes. Instead of just making a simple checklist, I put together an entire handbook. It was so thorough that even someone who’d never been in my company before could open it and run it flawlessly. At least, that was what I hoped.
“Are you done? I’ve had to run that bath three times now. I don’t think you have enough hot water left for a fourth.”
“Oh.” I looked up from the document on my laptop. Raymond stood in the doorway, arms crossed and waiting impatiently. I hit the print button and stood. “Yeah, I think that’s good. I’ll need to go over it again, but I think it’s all there.”
“Great. Now,” he stepped aside and pointed down the hall to my bathroom, “go.”
“Who do you think you are, my dad?”
“Oh, you can call me daddy if you want, but I never really liked that. It’s weird.” He bit his lip. “I like, sir. Call me sir.”
“I set myself up for that, didn’t I?” I rolled my eyes.
It would be a cold day in hell before I called a man daddy! Now, sir… that was kinda hot.
“Yes, you did.” He chuckled as I passed him. “Surprised you would leave yourself open like that. We both know how much you love to be in charge.”
“We’re talking about this again?”
“Yes.” He followed me. “It’s the only way you’re going to grow and change. Change is good.”
“I’m going to grow by being nagged?” I frowned. “That doesn’t sound right.”
“No, you’ll grow when you let someone else take control.”
I stopped outside the bathroom door and turned to him. “I’m fine with being in control. Now, you can go. I’m going to take this bath and go to bed. There is a lot I have to get done if I’m going to go to hell with you. Also, I need you to put together a presentation for me, an intro to hell so I know what to expect when we get there.”
“You are something else, you know that?” He leaned against the hallway wall.
“It will be helpful, and it will give you something to do until we leave.” I smirked. “Now, step into the shadows and let me have some privacy.”
“You sure you don’t want some company in there?”
