Page 2 of Michael
“Yes, it was. And here you’ve found yetanothermeans of torture,” Uriel snaps, “by burying yourself in a shit-load of work!”
My expression goes flat. I don’t want to hear another word. I don’t want to fight my brother, either. Lucky for me, I’m the most powerful angel in Creation.
I slightly tilt my head and fix my tigerish eyes on the ceiling, praying for a bit of help from The Man Above.
My brother flinches. His gaze follows my own. “What is it?” he asks, confused by my sudden behavior.
My prayers are finally answered. A smirk curls the corner of my lips. “D’you hear that?” I tell him, confident and mischievous.
“Hear what?” A puzzled Uriel wrinkles his nose.
“Dr. Michael Angelstone, please present yourself at Shock Trauma.”The sound bursts out of the overhead speakers.
My brother throws me a piercing glare. “Was thatyourdoing?” he asks.
“Such a glorious sound,” I say with a sigh. “Like a choir of angels.” I grin, and patting his shoulder, I walk out of the room.
“Hey. Wait up!” Uriel says, darting after me. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily, Mike. I’m coming with you.”
CHAPTER2
Amanda
Across the swirlsof incense tangling over the coffee table, my client beams with undiluted happiness. The smile that thins her lips is the kind I’ve not seen on my face for years.
“I just had to tell you,” she says, fiddling with the humongous rock brazed to her finger. She throws me an eager stare. “You were right, Amanda. Jeffrey’sThe One!”
Of course, I was right. I’m a witch who knows her craft.
“That’s wonderful news, Molly,” I speak with measured warmth. “Everything worked out for you.”
“All thanks to you, girl!” my client replies, widening her smile into a grin. “You told me to put that trip on hold. Now, I wasn’t too sure. But I did as you said.” She catches her breath. A hand lands on her voluptuous bosom. “Next thing I know, Jeffrey traveled all the way from Japan to see me, and… he finally proposed!”
“Well…” I mumble, gathering the tarot cards spread before me. “The cards never lie.” I stack them up into a neat pile, then lock gazes with her as a wicked smirk curls the corner of my lips.
“Mm-hmm.” She nods, pleased, while she rises from the chair. “You can say that again!”
I follow her lead and do the same. “Thank you for stopping by,” I say as I walk her to the door. “I wish you both all the joy.”
We stand on the threshold. I pull the door open, when suddenly, my client wraps her arms around me in a heartfelt embrace. I hug her back. I’ve got nothing against the woman. I make a living finding true love for others—I just haven’t found my better half yet, andmy soul will burn in hell unless I do. That’s all. No biggie.
Slowly, she steps back. “Thanks, Amanda.” My client heaves a merry sigh. “You must be the best tarot reader in LA, and I’m the luckiest girl to have found you.”
“That’s so sweet of you to say,” I reply.
It doesn’t take long for me to spot the man standing on the sidewalk across Ocean Avenue. He’s waiting by a black Mercedes, handsome in casual jeans and a black pullover. He’s looking our way.
“Uh, yeah. That’s him,” she whispers in mischievous confidence. “Gotta go.”
“See you soon, Molly.” I dip my hands into my jacket’s pockets. It’s getting cold out here and I can’t wait to get back to the store.
The second she turns away to meet her fiancé, I dart back to the comfort of my cozy shop. Through the glass, I see them holding hands. He opens the door and waits for her to slip into the car.
“And people say chivalry is dead...” I muse, and pressing a hand on the cold pane of glass, I let out the deepest sigh.
“I thought she’dneverleave,” a throaty voice says.
I start, rattled at the sound. In a flash, my head whips back as I scan the shop with a desperate glance. And even though I find no one, I know perfectly well who’s in here.
