“What’s he doing?” asked Clara. She was still pale and shaky.
“No idea.” I’d figure it out later. Right now, Clara needed hot tea.
I rooted around in the pantry while I waited for the kettle to boil. There was a cookie jar, filled with what looked like home-made cookies. I arranged some on a plate and carried it over to the table. “How do you take your tea?”
Tea made from tea bags wasn’t ideal, but it was better than nothing.
“Not too strong. Almond milk if there’s any.” She looked wistfully at the cookies. “They’re choc chip, I think.”
“Made them myself.” Jett strode back into the room, flinging a bundled-up flannel shirt at me. “Here.”
I caught the shirt, shaking it out and debating if I wanted to wear it or not. I was cold, but I didn’t want to owe him anything. I was missing my leather jacket, which I must have left in the car.
“Just put it on.” Jett grinned. “It won’t bite.”
He still had my spare bandana, so I guessed it was a fair trade. I shrugged my arms into the shirt, tying the ends at my waist. It was soft and smelled like Jett. I’d have to ask him what washing detergent he used. “Thanks.”
I finished making the tea, hoping that Jett took his black, and carried the cups over to the table.
“We need to figure out who was the target.” Jett settled into his chair, reaching forward to take a cup. “Thank you,” he said.
“The witches think I’m dead.” Clara’s voice wobbled. “What if they’ve found me?”
“Could be.” Jett snagged a cookie. “What about you, Liandra? Do you have any enemies?”
“As far as I know I don’t have anyone who wants me dead.” I didn’t want to talk about me and my problems, so I changed the subject. “And where did Shark go? I want my jacket back.”
“He’s gone back to the scene.” He crunched his cookie in one bite and took another. The man had a sweet tooth.
“What about you, Jett?” Clara spoke up. “Could it be you they were after?”
“Yeah, you’re the only one who actually got shot.” I finally succumbed and took a cookie for myself. “You should have one of these, Clara. They’re really good. I’d never have picked Jett as a baker.”
Jett smiled, but kept quiet. A humble baker. I found myself liking that about him. Pity, he was my enemy and I had to remember that.
“Allergic to dairy, remember?” Clara pointed at herself.
I’d forgotten. “I’ll make you a chocolate mug cake later.” If we were here that long. “I can use almond milk, or soy.”
“There’s a carton of almond milk in the pantry,” said Jett. I’d missed it during my search. “Vegan choc chips too.”
He was impossible not to like and it was getting harder to remember why I wasn’t supposed to.
Stop it. I gave myself a mental shake. He already knew too much about me and I couldn’t trust him.
It was time to get things back on track. The conversation had derailed somewhere back at the choc chip cookies.
“So, Jett?” I turned to face him. “Enemies? Do you have any? Someone who might want you dead?”
“Too many to count, but I don’t think any of them would shoot at me in broad daylight. Silent assassins, more like.” His phone buzzed and he glanced at the screen before tapping a reply.
“But the fact is, somebody shot at us. And until we figure out who the target was, you’re both staying here.” He held up a hand when I went to protest. “We’ve got guest rooms, and plenty of food.”
Jett’s phone buzzed again. He put it to his ear.
I didn’t need super hearing to hear Shark. “I’ve found something, Boss. You need to see this.’”
“Be right there.” Jett hung up the phone and stood up.
“I’ve got to go. You two make yourselves at home. Guest rooms are up the hallway on the right. Help yourselves.” He left the room without a backwards glance.
I smiled to myself. This was my opportunity. And he had said to help myself. I intended to do just that. There was a gem here with my name on it.