Page 89 of Extra Witchy

Calvin:Unexpected. I usually get mine done at Buffalo Brothers Ink.

Trevor:Thanks, I’ll let her know.

They texted a little more, as Trev figured it’d be rude to get the info and go silent. He found out about Calvin’s holiday plans—lucky dude was leaving for Costa Rica tomorrow—and shared his own. Just like Dante, it seemed that Calvin liked him fine. Trev had been getting in his own way when it came to making friends. If he messaged Miguel, the guy would help him out, and he’d probably be game to get a beer if he didn’t have family plans already.

Trev had a session with his therapist, then he got to work on the socials, creating content and scheduling posts. Next, he designed a home page for Hazel Jeffords’s cat Goliath, who’d gotten a bit popular after Trev’s “fat cats” political post went viral. Most days, he couldn’t believe he was getting paid to do this. Leanne even said he wasn’t charging enough for his time, but he felt weird about that when he was still taking classes online. He would have a certificate when he finished, but for someone who didn’t even complete his degree…well, it was hard for him to imagine the word “expert” applied to him.

As he wrapped up with work, there was a knock at the door. He wasn’t expecting any visitors, and they usually had to be buzzed in, so maybe it was a neighbor? Trev opened the door to find a man and woman, both wearing black suits.

“Trevor Montgomery?”

“Vanderpol-Montgomery,” he corrected, mostly because he had done the paperwork. These two gave him such a bad feeling with their blank expressions. Trev added, “Who’s asking?”

“No questions. You need to come with us.”

Raising a brow, he folded his arms. “Nah, I don’t think I will.”

Chapter 28

Leanne was driving when Trev’s protective charm activated.

She was on her way home already, thinking of stopping at the supermarket to pick up a few last-minute items for the holiday feast since they were hosting Junie, Noodles, and Blair, but then the backlash of energy swept toward her, and she stepped on the gas. It wouldn’t do her any good if she got into a police chase, but she didn’t give a damn. This was a speed first, ask questions later situation.

From the way her spell had snapped, her husband might freaking disappear if she didn’t arrive in time. As it was, she nearly chewed her lower lip off as she waited for the gate arm to raise and allow her access to the parking lot. She left her car half sideways in the parking spot.

Leanne pulled off her heels and raced upstairs, unable to wait for the elevator.But shit, what if I miss them? What if they’re dragging him into the—no, I’ve got this.

Her hands shook as she keyed the pin. When she dashed into the condo, she stopped short, silently stunned and desperately circling for a reasonable explanation—only there wasnothingshe could say that would negate what she—and Trev—were seeing. A bright protective shield shimmered around him, activated the moment council enforcers tried to take him against his will. Steely-eyed agents in black suits conferred nearby, probably discussing Trev’s fate.

Fuck. FUCK. Looks like this is happening now.

She shut the door behind her and called Gladys. “We need an emergency council meeting. The agenda has just been moved up.”

“What’s wrong?” the older witch asked immediately.

“I have two heavies in my apartment, and I’m not losing this fight. But it needs to go through official channels. Right now, I haven’t violated any of the tenets. Technically,theydid by pushing the matter, and my magic reacted. If they’d left well enough alone, the breach wouldn’t have occurred, but the time for this bullshit has passed. You want me on the new council? Get them all online. Now.”

“I’ll send word,” Gladys said. “You should have a link in your inbox within ten minutes. Can you keep things calm for that long?”

“I have to, don’t I?” After hanging up, she took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and faced the intruders. “Did you hear that?” she added.

“What the hell is going on?” Trev asked.

Frankly, he sounded calmer than she probably would be under these circumstances. “I’ll tell you everything soon,” she promised. “I’m sure you can put some of it together, but if you can’t, it will be resolved today.”

“Leanne Vanderpol-Montgomery, you have violated—”

“I havenot. In fact, you precipitated this whole situation with your incautious behavior. But since you started this,I’llfinish it. I just spoke to a current council member, who’s convening an emergency meeting. Now sit the fuck down and wait.”

To her astonishment, both enforcers took seats at the dining room table, keeping a wary eye on the room. Leanne crossed to Trev, and as expected, the shield allowed her to phase through it.Such a relief.She hugged him because she could, feeling the warm pulse of protective energy around them.

“I’m super confused right now,” Trev said. “But first, I want to say that was absurdly hot. Next, I have some theories, but most of them are, like, pretty out there.”

“How far?” Leanne asked.

“Like, Salem the talking cat?”

“Huh. You’re in the ballpark. That’s all I can say now, though. Otherwise, I’ll be guilty of what they’re currently trying to pin on me. And that’s not happening.”

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