Page 38 of The Devil You Know
“Follow me,” Evan said, heading off at a fast pace.
“Why are we in a hurry? Evan, what’s going on?”
Voices rose behind them, and when Evan glanced over his shoulder, he saw two muscular men hurrying toward them. The truck was in sight but not close enough.
“Run!” Evan ordered. He used the key fob and heard the beep that let him know the truck was unlocked and tossed the keys to Parker. “Get in the truck. Don’t let in anyone but me. Even if they grab me. I’ll explain later. Just go.” He shoved Parker, sending him on his way.
Evan didn’t want a fight, but the goons would be on them before he and Parker could get to the truck, and he needed to protect his brother. Parker had no part in Evan’s problem with the witch disciple except to be born into a cursed family. Evan wanted to send him home safely, none the wiser.
He heard the truck door slam and braced himself for a fight.Maybe I can slow them down and still get away.
“Someone wants to talk to you,” one of the men growled, a big guy who looked like he should be a bouncer at a rough bar.
“We’ve got something you want,” the other taunted. “Don’t you want to see if it’s as pretty as when you lost it?”
Evan’s heart thudded, but he stood his ground and silently began the rote fire spell. He stretched out one hand and called the magic, sending a shaft of flame toward his pursuers.
The two goons threw themselves out of the way of the fire, and behind Evan, the truck’s horn blared and its lights flashed on and off. He heard the crunch of tires, and a glance over his shoulder told him that Parker was behind the wheel, bearing down on them.
The high beams flared, blinding his pursuers.
“Get in!” Parker yelled, and Evan scrambled for the passenger door. Once he was inside with the doors locked, Parker revved the engine, a clear threat to the men who pursued them. Evan chuckled as they fled.
“Thanks,” Evan said as his pursuers disappeared down the alley.
Parker backed up to the street and then turned toward the hotel. “Who were those guys? Why were they after you?”
Evan didn’t answer right away, but he realized he couldn’t hold off Parker’s questions forever.
“They’ve seen that you’re with me. You aren’t safe alone. Let’s stop at your hotel to get your things, and then you can come home with me. I’ll tell you what I can.”
“You’re in danger.”
Evan nodded. “Seth’s been kidnapped. I can’t trust the police. I have friends helping me, but we’re going to have to rescue Seth ourselves. It won’t be easy. You shouldn’t be anywhere near here when that happens.”
“Who kidnapped him?”
“The man who killed his brother.”
Parker stared at him. “What have you gotten yourself into?”
Evan sighed. “It’s a long story. You wouldn’t believe me if I tried to tell you.”
“I saw you throw fire at those men, and I didn’t run away. That should count for something,” Parker challenged.
“You saw that?” Evan thought his body blocked the view.
“So, you’re a gay witch?”
Despite the situation, Evan laughed. “That’s the least of our worries.”
“I can see why you don’t want to go home—although you’d be totally safe. With as much hairspray as the old ladies there use, you could light up the whole town with one fire-bolt.”
“That wouldn’t make them want me around,” Evan countered.
“Maybe not—but they’d be a whole lot nicer to your face.”
They laughed at that, as inappropriate as it was. Before long, Parker pulled up at the hotel. “I don’t have much to grab—I didn’t have time to unpack. Are you coming in?”
