Page 97 of Hand-Fasting and Other Hazards
Mira
Mira was an ex-mark turned friend. Years ago, Nia had tried to extort the witch, convinced she was running underground fights and selling black market potions tied to a string of deaths. But Mira hadn’t been the culprit, just a daughter cleaning up her family’s mess. As the new head of her community, Mira had begun quietly dismantling the criminal empire her mother left behind.
Now she was a donor. And, occasionally, a source of news and names. When Mira caught wind of terrible things planned or done, she passed along the intel and the identities of those responsible—marks for Nia to bother.
Normally, Nia made the ride out to Darkwood where Mira lived. She rarely came to Stella Rune unless she was checking on Salt, a club she owned in town. But the trip was three hours each way by motorcycle, and Nia hadn’t felt great about leaving Jade alone for so long.
That morning, she’d texted Lochlan:
Me
Can Jade come to work with me today?
Lochlan
Yes, you can take Jade. What did you eat this morning?
Me
Coffee.
Lochlan
…and?
Me
Coffee.
Lochlan
I’m going to start hiding snacks in your purse.
Me
You’re ridiculous.
Lochlan
Maybe. But I’m also serious. Let me take care of you.
She’d blushed the whole way to work. Even Jade chasing floating fairies through the morning light couldn’t distract her.
Not because Lochlan had said anything explicit. But that quiet insistence, the certainty… it felt like he’d spoken the words into her skin.
Let me take care of you.
And he did. After they’d had sex for the first time, she’d drifted off. He must have gone downstairs, because when her bladder woke her, he was gone. When she came out of the bathroom, he was back—with food. A perfect, thoughtful plate: strawberries, cheese, crackers, chocolate. No questions. No big declarations. Just his warm, steady care.
And then he’d left for Dover.
Logically, Nia knew he had every right, and she trusted there was a good reason. But goddess, she hated it.
Her phone had buzzed again, just before she’d reached Charis.
Lochlan
Food will be waiting for you at work.
