Page 23 of Demon Hunger
Drevan made a face as if to suggest Benjamin needed to catch up and quickly. “No one will see the limousine, just like no one will see Lucia’s Queller.”
“Oh, cool.” Benjamin smiled and knocked on his head with his knuckles to indicate he was being slow.
“Ladies first,” Drevan opened the door, while his usual driver, Giuseppe, stood behind him, frowning at the loss of his duties.
I waved at him and instead of climbing through the open door, I walked up to him. “Hello, Giuseppe. Do you mind if I ride with you in the front?”
He blinked rapidly, his dark mustache twitching and his attention flicking back and forth between Drevan and me.
“I… I…” he stammered, unable to give an answer.
Clearly, I had put him in a tough spot. “Mr. Morningstar doesn’t mind at all, right?” I glanced up at the demon, one eyebrow raised.
“Of course, I don’t mind.Ms. Sundermay do as she pleases.” He pressed a hand to his chest, his chiseled lips stretching into a sad smile. As he inclined his head respectfully, he kept eye contact, and I could almost hear what was left unsaid… that I could do whatever I pleased with his heart. “Though if you prefer, I can ride in the front while you ride with your friends.”
I try not to let his gallantry move me. “No, thank you. I’d like to catch up with Giuseppe.”
Once on the road, I tried to ignore the chatter coming through the partition, but it was impossible. There was a current of excitement running through my friends, and it didn’t help that Drevan was being his charming self, regaling them with jokes and even champagne. Jenna had offered me a crystal flute filled with a sparkling bubbly, but I refused it, and instead—like a party pooper—admonished everyone not to drink too much.
“Hey, this isn’t a pleasure trip. We’re on duty,” I’d told them.
Even Benjamin shook his head at my comment.
Next to me, Giuseppe smiled at every joke, a clear indication he was intent on what was going on back there. I hated to spoil his fun, but I needed to clear my head. I was still worried and scared about that damn angel appearing out of nowhere to spoilmyfun.
“Giuseppe, can you please close the partition?” I said, searching for disappointment in his expression but finding none. He pressed the button and the tinted glass slid up, muffling everyone’s laughter.
“Things can get pretty rowdy back there sometimes,” he offered with a smile.
I opened my mouth to ask what he meant as the image of Drevan with a host of call girls draped over him invaded my mind. I shook it off. He could do whatever he wanted.
“Not Mr. Morningstar, mind you,” he hurriedly clarified. “He always rides by himself… Or with you.” He added as an afterthought. “I was referring to Khargon and some of his other helpers. They’re a rowdy bunch.”
I stared at the Queller at my feet—I’d taken it off to be able to sit comfortably—determined to turn the focus of the conversation in a different direction. “How is your wife?”
“She’s doing great. Thank you for asking, Ms. Sunder. She’s very happy in our new home. Busy, busy, putting everything in order, just the way she likes it.”
“That’s wonderful.”
The last time I’d talk to Giuseppe, he’d told me they’d put an offer on a little house in Queens.
“And…” he added with giddy excitement, “we’re pregnant.”
“What? Really?!”
He nodded several times, wearing a huge grin.
“Oh, Giuseppe, that’s wonderful. How far along is she?”
“Five weeks.”
“Do you know what you’re having?”
“Oh, no, it’s too early to tell. I think in a couple of months or so, we’ll be able to find out.”
“But you want to find out?”
“Yes, Rita—that’s my wife—she’s a planner. She likes to have everything ready and perfect, so I see some pink or blue paint in my near future.” He laughed fondly, and I was reminded why I was doing this.
