Page 153 of Love & Heart Braking

“We’d need to have correspondence or a recording of the Arbintos trying to push Shade,” Devereaux said.

“We can’t go to the wedding,” Gug spluttered.

“I agree. Total trap. Maybe we can send someone in under the radar, but I only know one witch who could make us a recording charm, or record something in the moment, and she isn’t eager to put her life on the line.”

“It may be time for another conversation with Vera Calzane,” Devereaux murmured.

“She said you’d spoken with her.”

He looked at me. “I was clear with Vera. I would only remain a bystander in her little run-in with the board if she did right by you. She hasn’t.”

Devereaux had never directed his scary detective side at me, but times like these made me glad he was powerless to resist my sexy-cute appeal.

“What did your source say about digging in the Cinereses’ lab?” Maligni asked him. “Will they help us?”

“The person was horrified by what I had to say about the Shade in food.”

“You told them about the Shade?” Gug’s brows drew together. “What if a siren gets to them? The twelve do that, you know. Why do you think their staff are so ‘loyal?’ They do spot checks.”

“Siren magic doesn’t work on my source.”

Huh. I didn’t know that about brownies. “You think your source was horrified enough to help?”

“I think so,” he said. “This time, the person seemed truly shocked. There was no direct answer, but that tends to be the way with this source. They deliver at random.”

“What about Bain?” I asked the couple opposite. “Anyone heard from him?”

Everyone shook their heads.

Frustration curled around me. It wasn’t like we weren’t making headway, but the headway wasn’t fast enough. We didn’t have enough on the twelve to do anything with it.

I rubbed my temples. “I’m going to check the email if there’s nothing more to discuss.”

“I’ll come with you,” Devereaux said. “Are you two okay here?”

Maligni nodded. “Gug is writing. I’m researching and recovering.” He fixed his gaze on me. “My strength is returning. A little over a week and I will make good on my promise.”

In a little over a week, I may be fertilizing the ground. “That’s great to hear. Night, guys.”

Devereaux called a carriage, and we rode back into the center of Nepos, hopping out not far from Yearning Hearts. I whispered the deactivation phrase for the securities, and locked the door behind us, only turning on the light in the printer room.

Firing up Soleil’s computer, I smothered a yawn.

“You need rest.” Devereaux’s large hands kneaded my shoulders.

I groaned. “That feels so good.”

He continued, strong fingers working my neck and down my arms. I was jelly in his grip and half asleep by the time Soleil’s desktop flickered to life. Devereaux kissed up my neck, and I groaned for a different reason.

Swinging around on the seat, I gripped either side of his face and kissed him. “What do you think our chances of going further are?” I couldn’t wait to be naked with this man. And touching him. Though looking was enough of a thrill too. I wonder if he’d agree to get naked and just wear his long coat… Or should I lobby for the baseball uniform first? That seemed like the real prize.

“I’d be happy to test out the new limits.” He drew one of my fingers into his mouth and sucked.

My eyes widened at the jolt between my thighs.

Devereaux rumbled at my reaction. “Check your email, sweetheart. We need to get home.”

That we did.

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