Page 90 of Heal Me

Charlotte surprises me by laughing.

We catch up with Rumel and continue walking until we reach his private quarters. He’s already opened the door, so we miss the honors of a second bagging. Rumel could live like a king, but chooses to go with more modest accommodations. It’s a small minimalist-style one-bedroom—not intentionally minimalist, that’s just Rumel. He leads us to the kitchen where Mexican food is spread out on the center of the table. “Mexican is one of your favorite foods, yes?” Rumel asks Charlotte, and I cringe at him digging his grave deeper.

“Yes.” Charlotte nods. “But of course you already knew that.”

“Please sit and eat.” He motions with his hand to the chairs, and I pull Charlotte’s out for her.

“Before we eat, we have a serious matter to address,” Charlotte announces.

“Charlotte Jasmine Patel. You are upset because I took your therapist’s file,” Rumel says, using his power to distribute the food to our plates.

“Yes. I’m very upset about that,” she says.

“We both are,” I add.

“Then I am sorry,” Rumel says.

“Really?” I ask, arching an eyebrow.

“I do not want unnecessary conflict with your human woman.”

“I accept your apology, but don’t ever do something like that again,” Charlotte says firmly.

“You have more therapists?”

“No,” she says, confused by the question.

“Then I could never do something like that again.” He’s technically correct, but I would like to have sex with my girlfriend again, so I wisely keep my mouth shut. “Why do you have body insecurities? You have a lovely feminine form,” he adds, and I nearly spit out my beer.

“Dad, you’re not helping your case.”

“What case? Law is for demons, not Watchers,” he chides.

“Are you about to ship out as well?” Charlotte changes the subject, giving my hand a squeeze under the table.

“I depart at zero hundred hours,” Rumel replies.

Charlotte looks at me for help. “He leaves at midnight.”

A blaring siren goes off, and I cover my hands over Charlotte’s ears. “Gaberick, I need you to suit up. Code red,” Rumel says.

Don’t get sucked into their drama, I tell myself, but Rumel’s already dressed me out in tactical gear.

* * *

Charlotte

“My love, I’m sorry,” Gabe says, ushering me outside. “Rumel, who’s on house duty?”

“I am,” Sam says, now appearing before us.

“Hang out with Sam, and I’ll be back soon.” Gabe gives me a quick peck, vanishing along with Rumel.

“Did Rumel set it up this way so Gabe would be forced back into this life?”

“Gabe’s a Watcher. And neither you, nor anyone else, can change that fact.” He starts walking, and I run to catch up to him, not knowing what else to do.

We reach the training facility, and he keys in the code. “You expect me to train in this outfit?” I scoff, looking down at my dress and spiky heels.

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