But after that… I have nothing to do.
Well, except save the world, but is that really a full-time job? Especially when it’s not like I can go out and do anything. At least not without a bodyguard.
“I’ve got to go into the office today,” Carrick says, knocking me out of my thoughts. I turn to face him. “I’m going to wrap some things up so I can work from home for the foreseeable future.”
“You know,” I say with a scowl. “I don’t even know where you work. Or even what you do other than give grants to new business owners and slay Dark Fae.”
Carrick smiles. “I’ll fill you in on it sometime.” His expression then turns deadly serious. “You are not to leave this condo. Zaid will be here with you, and Titus is coming to train.”
“And what about Rainey and Myles?” I query sweetly. They’re returning from Arizona tonight, and I’d really like them to come over tomorrow so I can update them on everything.
I can tell Carrick doesn’t like it, but since he’s basically made me a prisoner, he gives a curt nod. “They’re welcome to visit you here.”
“Can I show them the library?” I ask, excitement bubbling within me. They’re going to spaz out when they see it.
“Of course,” he replies, then stands from his stool. “But given that Fallon is going to be coming hard for you, I think you should urge them to get out of town again. It makes them a bigger target.”
He makes a good point, and it’s actually crossed my mind a time or two since I escaped death at Fallon’s hands. I nod and promise, “I’ll have a serious talk with them.”
Because, once again, my life has changed drastically. It’s become more perilous than ever before, and it could put them in danger, too.
Yes, I will talk to them, but I’m fairly sure I know what they’re going to say… and it’s not going to be what either Carrick or I want to hear.
CHAPTER 3
Finley
I walk back and forth the length of Carrick’s home gym, performing my dynamic stretches before Titus gets here. Currently, I’m doing stretch lunges past the whip practice dummies Carrick had moved here today from the downtown gym we’d been using. He, of course, nixed the idea of us going back there again.
Which I thought was a little odd since Titus would be with me and I would hope between the two of us, we could handle the creature who had taken over my sister’s body if she tracked us down there. But he was adamant, and I frankly didn’t want to argue with him.
Truth be told, Dark Fae Fallon burning down One Bean and trying to kill me—and very nearly succeeding—left me a bit shaken. I didn’t even mind hanging at the condo with Zaid in residence, although he stayed in his office the entire time. Still not sure what he does, but he’s not here to protect me today.
Carrick took care of that by having Maddox hang out in the lobby while he wrapped things up at his office.
Wherever that may be.
I make a long lunge, hold it while placing my hands behind my head and then leaning to arch my back. Groaning at how good the stretch feels, I marvel I don’t feel a single side effect from my injuries this morning. Stan may be an asshole, but he’s an amazing healer. Maybe I should send him a cake in gratitude or something.
Despite hiding out in Carrick’s condo, my day has been quite busy. I called Rainey and Myles to inform them One Bean had burned down. That couldn’t wait for when they came over to visit as they were going to hear it once I sent the newsletter to my patrons since they were subscribers, not to mention they have friends and coworkers who go there as well.
I wanted them to hear that jarring news personally from me, but I purposely withheld what happened, only telling them I’d fill them in on the details tomorrow. They were flying in late tonight, and we’ve made plans for them to come here tomorrow. I have so much to tell them that’s happened in such a short time.
I’ve been to Faere, found out Carrick is a demi-god, learned I have a real twin sister trapped in the Underworld, Fallon is a changeling, and, oh yeah… she is the one who burned One Bean down and tried to kill me. Plus, Carrick miraculously saved me, and I might be falling mightily hard for him, but he doesn’t return the feelings.
Phew… it’s a lot.
Sucking in a huge breath, I let it out slowly. A thousand worries on my plate, and not many I can control. I’m going to be glad to share all of this with my besties tomorrow before hopefully convincing them to leave.
I managed to contact all of my vendors for One Bean, stop auto ships, and send out a personal email to the staff, who had been apprised early this morning that there was a fire and we were closed. But I wanted to have them hear from me personally that they would be taken care of until we can rebuild.
Carrick is being tremendously generous in covering everyone’s salaries. Before he left this morning, I asked him to add the cost of those salaries onto the original loan he’d given me, and I would pay it all back to him.
I was surprised he looked a bit offended, especially since he made it clear earlier that he was only helping to rebuild because it was a business investment.
“I’ve got more money than I know what to do with,” he said drolly as he refused my offer to pay him back for the salaries. “Don’t worry about it.”
Of course, I jokingly replied, “Why don’t you just waive the loan I owe you then?”
Carrick didn’t laugh, only gave me one of those looks that said he was in full business mode. “Oh, no, Miss Porter. You’re going to work to pay that back; otherwise, you won’t appreciate it.”
That didn’t bother me in the slightest. I wasn’t serious about my request, and I always believe in paying my debts. Not sure I liked him calling me Miss Porter as it seems like that’s his way to keep things professional with us since we had “the kiss”.
Regardless, it took me half a day to do all those things and put in a claim with the insurance company. They will have an adjuster come out to evaluate it but not until after the arson investigation is done.
I do wonder what they’ll find. It won’t be an electrical issue or a grease fire, nor will they find any accelerant. It will most likely look like spontaneous combustion, but I doubt that will go on the report. It certainly won’t say “fire due to Dark Fae fireballs”.
Most likely, it will be inconclusive and as long as the insurance processes quickly, we can start the rebuild. Carrick has assured me he can get crews working immediately because, as it turns out, his conglomerate includes a commercial construction division. He explained they normally do the high rises that seem to be going up all the time, but they’ll slum it for a little coffee shop.
He was teasing, of course.
About the slumming-it part.
“There you are,” I hear Titus call as he enters the gym. I release the stretch on my back and pull out of my lunge, turning to face him. He grins, giving a slow sweep of his gaze up and down. “Back from Faere, and you don’t look any worse for wear.”
I frown. “You mean I’m no worse for wear after Dark Fae Fallon tried to kill me today, don’t you?”
Titus’ eyes bug out. “Say what?”