Page 69 of That Mafioso Magic
He blushed, and that gave him away. “Getting back to what I was saying… we can give Lacey her life back.”
I allowed him to change the subject and finished the slice of pizza as he was talking to me, then nodded. “All right, then. We’ll check the market, but if they aren’t available… are you willing to kill a griezel to get the heart and a werewolf to save this girl?” I asked him.
“I…” he paused, because now he had to question how far he was willing to go. “I don’t know.”
“How important is it to you that you restore this child’s soul?” I asked, then took another slice of pizza. Jewel was already on her third slice. We shifters did have hearty appetites. The two of us alone could finish off this whole pizza and it was a supersized one. Lucky for Xavier and Adrian, there were three other huge boxes of pizza left.
Adrian walked over to the chair and sat down, then ran his hand through his hair. “I failed her, Sage. I failed those other children too. But her, Lacey I can save. She’s still in there, the spirit is riding it until the body is fully bonded with it. It may be shredded, but we still have time to restore her, but not much more. She doesn’t deserve to lose everything.”
I finished my pizza and walked over to him, sitting on the edge of the cocktail table before him. “I’ll take care of procuring the remaining ingredients. You just focus on finding the girl. Okay?”
“What are you going to do?” Adrian asked me.
“I’ll take care of it. That’s all you need to know. There’s a reason that book has the spells in it that it does. Why it requires us to blur the lines or outright cross them. The spell you’re talking about is one that is powerful and you’ll need me to make it work. It’s in the gray zone, so to speak. Noble in its purpose, but not without some dark undertones.”
Adrian sighed. “This what it’s going to be like when we use that book? You doing all the dirty work?”
“The book knows that I don’t mind.” I leaned forward and kissed him. “And if it keeps your hands clean, all the better.” I rose, then held my hand out to him. “Come on, let me show you the office suite really quick. Then we can get to work.”
He took my hand and I helped him rise from the chair. “Just doesn’t seem fair.”
“Let me protect you, Adrian. Protect what makes you—you. Don’t worry about it. We will save that little girl.” I kissed him again and each time our lips met, I could sense him giving himself to me more and more. I could smell his desire for me growing. He needed me just as much as I needed him. I would take on the whole griezel army to get a heart to save that child if it meant Adrian could fill the ache in his heart with joy that he was able to save her. There was a reason why the book brought us together and why certain spells, for me, were dark magic. I could kill a motherfucker and sleep like a baby that same night.
~*~
We stood in front of the empty office. I only had two available spaces. Both were on this level and across from each other. I was giving Adrian the smaller of the spaces, because I didn’t think he needed a huge office space, one that was appropriate for multiple employees. It was just him and Xavier, maybe a secretary and Jewel. It would suffice. “You can use a keycard to open it, or the code,” I said as I slid the keycard through the slot.
“What’s the code?” Adrian asked.
Xavier was also standing behind him waiting to check out the new space. He had a different attitude since seeing his all of the amenities that went with his luxury condo. Equipped with stainless steel appliances, all state-of-the-art. In unit washer and dryer, central air and heating. Floor-to-ceiling windows, jacuzzi garden tub, quartz and granite countertops throughout. Marble floors and carpet in the bedrooms. Not to mention, in unit sauna with hot tub. Being a resident also granted him access to the gym, basketball and tennis courts, and pool on the top floor. Membership at the country club and golf course across the street. Discounts at the stores and restaurants and the movie theater that was also located in my building. Because this was my stronghold, I wanted to make sure to have as many amenities for my pride and soldiers as I could.
“Four-nine-one-seven,” I said, giving them both the code to the office. “But you can change it if you like. I’ll give you the instructions.” I opened the door, then stood back and allowed them to enter first.
“Holy shit,” I heard Adrian say.
“Fuck,” Xavier followed.
I entered behind them with Shi at my side. Still, I stood back and let them explore. It was a wide-open space when you entered. The hallway led to four private offices, two bathrooms, each with three stalls and sinks. There was also a storage room, lunch space with a kitchen, and an adjoining rec room. There was plenty of natural light to shine through. Unlike their last location.
Adrian turned to me. “You’re serious about giving us this space?”
I smiled and nodded. “It’s yours.”
“For how much?” Xavier asked.
I shrugged. “Your current rent is eighteen hundred… which just tells me you were getting ripped off.”
“Well, we were living there, too. I thought it was fair,” Adrian said.
I made a face that said I disagreed.
“Snob,” Adrian said, smiling at me.
“So, sue me. As for how much it will cost you. How about…” I paused, because I had to take Xavier’s feelings into account. They didn’t want to be insulted by the price, but I also wanted to keep my word that it would be less than what they were already barely paying. “Five-hundred. So, it works out to be two-fifty from you each. Sound fair?”
“More than fair, especially for all of this,” Adrian said, then started walking toward me.
“Works for me,” Xavier added, then went on to explore more.
