Page 136 of Love & Heart Braking

Subject: Venue Deposit

Subject: Security Charm Renewal

What was all this crap? And how did I make it go away? If I couldn’t have Soleil for now, then I needed Austin. Leaning down to rummage in my tote, I pulled out the small black box he’d given me. Taking a breath, I flipped the lid open.

The tiny blue flame still danced in the center, and I exhaled.

Austin was alive.

The doorbell chimed. Yes! I exited the email browser and stood, smiling.

Enzo entered Yearning Hearts, newspaper tucked under his arm. “Morning, Cerys. You doing all right?”

I scrunched my nose. “Not really. But it will work out in the end.” I had to believe that. “How are you?”

The last three days had been a blur, and I felt guilty about not checking in with our staff. They had to be feeling the aftershocks of this mess too.

“Absolutely fine,” he said. “We’re all just worried about you and Soleil. I hope you know you have our full support.”

Warmth nudged my heart. “Thanks, Enzo. How’s Jaeke?”

His face darkened. “Recovering. Physically. He can’t speak about it much with the seal. Doesn’t need to. We see the way he jumps at every sound. He sleeps during the day and stays up at night. I think he’s afraid of the dark now.”

Anger seeped into my chest. “They can’t be allowed to get away with this.”

“No. But Detective Vincori is on it, right?” he asked hopefully. “Even though Jaeke can’t talk? We were talking about how good he is on our cupid chat yesterday.”

I stilled. That was online. “You mentioned Devereaux’s name?”

Enzo’s brows drew in. “Is there a reason we shouldn’t have?”

Yes. Shit. “It’s fine. Just… you remember the article about how the Utatios use the Magi-Web? There are rumors that the twelve watch for people gathering evidence against them using the Magi-Web too. It may be nothing, but could you please spread the word for the other cupids to stop? I’d hate for anything to happen to Devereaux.”

Who I had to warn immediately.

Enzo had paled. “Of course. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”

I hugged the cupid. “Don’t sweat it. You couldn’t know because you’re not evil like them and using the Magi-Web in that way would never occur to you.”

Annya entered, and I left them to it, hurrying to Soleil’s desk before my client came in. I drummed my fingers on the desk impatiently as the phone rang through to my apartment.

Five rings. Six. I waited ten rings before hanging up. His shift hadn’t started yet, but he wasn’t at home. I took a breath. I shouldn’t jump to conclusions.

I called the station next.

The receptionist answered, “What do you want?”

“Hello, how are you? Is Detective Vincori available?”

“No.”

“Has he come in this morning?”

“No.”

I gritted my teeth. “When was he last in?”

“None of your business.”

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