Page 61 of Nightmare For Hire
The guards don’t pay any attention to what Mick says and drag him to the portal, with him kicking and screaming. My stomach twists and turns. What the hell did they pour down my throat?
I shove a finger down my throat to hopefully get whatever it was out of me before it can take effect. I retch in the trash can and hope Leon and the trash collectors forgive me.
“What did you give him?” Norris gruffs out as he shakes the man in his custody.
“Ro—rose water! It’s not a love spell. I can’t do that. The man was insane out of his head after being rejected by his fated mate. I needed the money.”
I don't think I ever really was Mick's fated mate. Not really. Not anymore. I can't believe fate would put me in the path of someone that would abuse me after everything I went through.
Dani pushes forward. “Are you the same person that sold him the tinsel and called it unicorn hair?”
“Yeah. He was offering a ton of money for ridiculous things. I couldn’t turn down the money.”
“Are you from…” Dani waves towards the portal.
“No. I’m human. He hated monsters, but I used the portal for a few of our transactions. Honest, I just needed the money to keep food on the table for my kids.
“He could be lying,” Devon says.
“I don’t care.” I spit and wipe my mouth. “Let him go. Mick is gone. I don’t think this person is going to bother me anymore. Are you?”
They shake their head.
“He assaulted you, Cy,” Norris points out.
“And I’m not pressing charges. I don’t want to think about them from this day forward. Let them go.”
Norris growls and releases them.
“Thank you. I won’t be a problem ever again. Promise.”
I sigh out as they rush through the portal. “Where’s Nox?” I ask and spin, looking for him. “Nox?” My legs tremble so badly. I thought for a split-second I was going to be taken from everyone I loved. I thought I was going to be sold again.
Sun burns through the shadows surrounding the town and Nox stands in front of me with black eyes and shadows nipping at the edges of his lashes. He pats me down frantically. “He’s never going to hurt you again. I’ll make sure of it. I have a few ins with the bigwigs. He’ll be blacklisted and won’t ever be able to go through a portal ever again. He’s stuck over there.”
I cup Nox’s cheek and lean in. Before I can kiss him, Devon shoves a water bottle into my hand.
“No barf kisses, ‘kay?”
I snort and chug half the bottle before I hand it back and kiss Nox until I’m breathless.
Chapter 28
Nox
Inside Cyrus’s apartment, I look over every inch of his body. One day, I’ll trace each tattoo with my fingertips, then my tongue. But today, I’m making sure he’s in one piece. I’m still shaking after what happened mere hours ago. He assures me he’s fine, but I need to see that with my own eyes. Every five minutes.
I kiss his shoulder. His pec where there’s a tattoo of a butterfly in bright rainbow colors.
“That tickles.” Cyrus threads his fingers through my hair and pulls me up to him. “Kiss me, Nox.”
“I’m not done making sure you’re still here. That could have been poison or acid.” I kiss one pierced nipple, then the other. Graze my fingers over his stomach, making it jump. His penis strains in his boxer briefs.
I run my hands over his biceps, his forearms.
“I’m here, Nox. And I’m yours. Mick can’t get to me anymore, you saw to that.” Cyrus takes my hand and pulls me to him again.
“I was so scared. I thought he really hurt you.”
