Page 21 of Hooked on a Witch
“My bodyguard’s around somewhere. Since my mom died, Dad’s been insane about my safety.”
“Your guard isn’t very good at his job if he let you go off alone last night. Where was he?”
“I didn’t invite him along.”
“What’s the point of having a bodyguard you can send away at whim?”
“You try being locked down your entire life like you’re some sort of princess. We all have an expiration date. Some of us are shorter dated than others. I have things to figure out and having him around isn’t always convenient.” Her face went red. “Sorry. Forget it.”
She worried about dying soon? Anger slid through his brain. This was probably why she was after a scrying glass. Were the gods playing with her life too?
“How do you ask a trained bodyguard, who’s probably got some magical ability, to let you go out on your own?”
“Who said I asked?”
“Sometimes it feels pretty good to take fate in our own hands and flash the gods the middle finger, but last night you would’ve ended up dead if I hadn’t happened along.”
“I’m lucky you were there. I know.”
He rolled down his window, drawing in a deep, calming breath of summer. He loved the smell of the ocean nearby mixed with humidity and heat, both of which heralded the coming of the hot August days. The winding road ended in a circular drive around the front of the plantation’s Colonial-style house. The house could use a good powerwash and a roof sweep to get the pine needles and leaves off, but it still captivated him with its antiquated majesty. His house on the neighboring property, which had probably been the servants’ quarters, might still be Colonial era, but it came off like the poor step-cousin.
“I’ve got to get going,” he said after he opened the car door for her.
“You have to go? Won’t you come in? I made ice tea yesterday.”She gazed up at him, so hopeful. “I make good tea.”
“I’ll bet you do.” He wanted tea and was tempted.
“Bloody hell, Shannon, where’ve you been?” a British-accented male demanded, his big boots crunching gravel toward the car. The Brit targeted Merck with an assessing glare. Stats were catalogued and probabilities weighed. No question this was her bodyguard. A north-to-south scar went from the guy’s forehead to cheek, adding a deadly air to hisdon’t fuck with mevibe.
Shannon’s face lit up with a huge smile. “Eli. I’m so glad to see you.”
Eli’s unblinking gaze narrowed on Merck. “Who the hell are you?”
Merck stepped forward, hand extended. “Jason Merck. Neighbor.” He tossed his chin toward his property. “She slept off last night on my sofa. I brought her home from the bar.”
“Eli Morgan.” He extended his hand.
They shook briefly. He caught the hint of magic from Eli and catalogued him as a druid. The joy of being the Enforcer was instant recognition of exactly what kind of being he faced.
Eli’s brows snapped to a glower, which he targeted on Shannon. “On his sofa, huh?” There was a whole lot ofyeah rightoozing from the words.
“I’m fine. I can take care of myself. You’re not my keeper.” Her gaze darted to Merck. Guess she didn’t want Eli knowing the full story.
“Damn it, Shannon. I swore on my life to your father that I wouldn’t let you out of my sight. That was the only way he’d allow you to come down here without an army of protection. You have to let me do my job.” Eli shook his head and blew out an uneven breath. “I told your father you’re a thrill seeker who’s too wild for any of us to follow you. Always have been. The nightclub shit in New York…drugging your guards up there to go out and do whatever…” He rubbed his hands over his eyes.
“A thrill seeker? Who’re you to judge me Mister I-bolted-from-my-duty-to-join-MI6? You were gone for six years.” Shannon put her hands on her hips. Energy swirled around her, and the wind picked up, ruffling the trees.
The hairs on the back of Merck’s neck rose, charged by ambient static electricity. Her energy had stirred up the air, even though she didn’t seem aware. The power surrounding her awed him with its beauty and ferocity. He’d seen plenty of magicals have this much strength invoked by a death ritual, but never from pure, innate ability.
“You drugged me.” Eli advanced to tower over her, clearly unaware of the dangerous potential within her.
She poked him in the chest. “Back off.”
“You went to a bar? And picked up the first random bloke for a night of crazy like you always do?”
Merck’s brain tripped over the thought of her and random guys. He buried the rising jealousy. Her personal life wasn’t his business.
Her eyes widened. “First, he’s not random and I don’t do one-nighters or crazy. I knew him in high school. Second, it’s not your concern what I do on my own time, especially when it involves figuring shit out.”
