Page 64 of That Mafioso Magic
“Even one with a fat wallet?” Xavier arched his brows.
“That’s not fair.”
He shook his head. “Look, Adrian, I’m just worried about you. I mean, you’re in this really deep. Facing off with vampires and sleeping with mobsters. I just want to make sure you’re not influenced by whatever magic is in that book drawing you two together.”
I licked my lips. “It’s true, the book brought us together. Revealed our lineage and gave us more power than I ever imagined I could have. Even now, I can feel it buzzing inside of me. But what I’m feeling for Sage… it’s real.”
“Maybe you just think it’s real,mi amigo.”
I shook my head. “It’s real, Xavier. Please don’t treat me like I don’t know the difference. You’ve known me for five years, when have I ever been the fool?”
“Not a time that I can remember, and that’s what has me so concerned.”
“I’m not blind to the fact that Sage is a killer. You call him a mob boss, but really, you want to call him a killer.”
He gave a curt nod. “Well, yes.”
“The world we live in, the world of magic and the supernal can’t be only black and white. The book is showing me that. Xavier, there are spells in that book, as you know, that are only for Sage and some are only for me. Then there are spells, extremely powerful ones, that require us both. The spell I think I can use to restore that little girl’s soul back into her body is one of them. I can’t do it without Sage.”
“His darkness to your light, the gray zone of magic?” Xavier asked, putting it quite poetically.
I nodded. “Exactly. We are two sides of the same coin and are meant to be together. The universe has willed it. And honestly, Xavier… I’ve been with men before, but not one has made me feel as cherished and desired as Sage has in these past few days.”
Xavier sighed and crossed his arms over his chest. “Do you love him?”
I bit my bottom lip. “I’m not entirely ready to go there… not yet, at least. But… I won’t fight what I’m feeling for him. I want to see this through.”
“Well, I’m not going to get in your way, you’re a big boy.”
“Thank you. Also, I wanted to ask you how would you feel if we gave up this location and set up shop in Sage’s building? He’s offering us an office suite on the second floor on his property.”
“Damn, I guess he’s got it as bad for you as you have for him. Is he serious? For free?”
“Well, not for free. He knows I wouldn’t feel quite right about that much charity. But he did say it would be for a fraction of the price I’m paying for this dump. Also, we can live there if we want.”
Xavier scoffed, then snorted. “So, he’s offering me a condo in that building.Thatbuilding? He knows I can’t afford the rent, right? Not even a fraction. I’m one week from sleeping in my car.”
“Well, he did pay the rent for this place, getting us up to date. Next month will be another bill. But more importantly, he wants us to be safe. Whoever is after him damn near killed him right in front of here. They may start targeting us too. Hence, the bodyguard and the offer. With us staying there, we’ll not only have the protection of the barrier, but of all the shifters and… I guess mobsters that protect it. And yes, he knows we’re both incredibly broke and can’t afford the rent or mortgage for the condo. He isn’t asking for it from you.”
“And you? I assume you’ll be living with him?” Xavier asked, one eyebrow cocked.
I nodded. “And I want to. I want to be in his life, Xavier.”
“So, you’re comfortable with relying on his generosity completely. What if he changes his mind? What if y’all break up?” Xavier asked. “You’ve always been independent.”
It was true, having a foster mother who’d rather be drunk and drugged out than be loving and doting made me have to depend on myself for my own survival at a young age. My life growing up only made me stronger. But what Sage was offering, I honestly believed it wasn’t going to be fleeting.
“I know how to make it on my own. Been on my own since I was fifteen, Xavier. Hell, ‘Struggle’ is my middle name. Sage…. What he represents right now for me is serenity. I told you already, I’ve never felt more cherished than when I’m with him. Being with him makes me happy, content. He gives me peace of mind and that’s something I’ve never felt before. I need to trust in that, in something. All of my instincts are telling me it’s the right thing to do.”
Xavier pursed his lips in a thoughtful manner and I wondered what he was thinking. I was sure he’d tell me. “I guess I’d have more faith in all this if it wasn’t less than a week that you two have known each other.”
I smirked. “Yeah, I get it. Listen, I’d feel safer if you were with me, Xavier. But I can’t and won’t force you to make the leap just because I am. But I’m going to pursue this. I want to move the business to his location for protection. But not only for that, for a better location like that. High class. We’re sure to attract clientele who can pay. And with us saving money, I can do more pro bono work. We can help more people who need two badass private eyes on their case, but can’t afford it. This is important to me and I want you to join. And hey, if… no, when we solve Sage’s case, if you want to move out, you can. No hard feelings.”
“Wow, you’ve really thought all of this through, haven’t you?”
I was kind of silent in the car ride over, thinking about all of the possibilities and what a future with Sage would look like. “I did.”
“Well, I’ll do it while we’re on these two cases. Then afterward, I’ll think about it. Living where I work is convenient as hell and working out of a fancy office is more appealing than this dreary place. It would attract a richer clientele, I agree. I’m going to leap with you. I just hope that you know what you’re doing.”
