Page 118 of Dark Endures

“He means metaphorically.”

She looks him up and down. “I doubt that.”

“Are you in need of an army?” Kyle raises an eyebrow at Winnie.

“They’re always nice to have.”

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a card. “If you’re ever in need, call this number.”

Really? Did sweet Kyle just hand one of my best friends a card to hire a personal army? There’s no doubt Winnie will take it. She likes to collect power.

“Thank you.” It slips into her purse like it was meant to be there.

“Kyle, these are my friends Winnie, Cordelia, and Leonie.” If you’re trading armies, you might as well know each other’s names.

“Oh, I know who your friends are, two billionaires and a cop.”

“Detective,” Leonie stands up and offers him her hand.

“I stand corrected.” He winks. “Nice to meet you. You work for Masters in the Fifth, right?”

She nods. “How did you know that?”

“Good guess.” Kyle’s eyes twinkle.

“Doubt that,” Leonie mutters.

Kyle turns to Cordelia, offering his hand.

“I’m a baker, not a billionaire.” She shakes it.

“Good to know. Will your helicopter be picking you up for your flight home?” He grins at her.

“That depends on whether Mindy is coming to stay with me or not.”

“She’s obviously coming to stay with me.” Winnie steps in. “I have plenty of space for her.”

“You have enough space for that army you want to move into that mausoleum that you live in. I have a nice little room overlooking the garden that is just made for rest and recovery.”

“You two ever think Mindy might want to stay in Urbium? She can stay at my place.” Leonie says.

The three women start vocally debating whose place would be a better choice. Kyle comes to sit down next to me and whispers in my ear, “You glad you called them?”

“Yeah.”

“My apartment has a couch that you can crash on if you want to escape them.”

“I might take you up on that.”

There’s a knock on the door.

“Come in,” Winnie shouts before diving right back into the debate.

Greer and Ottilie step in.

“What are we fighting about?” Greer asks.

“Who gets to take care of Mindy? But don’t bother joining in. She’s going to stay with me,” Winnie answers.

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