Page 26 of Outlaw Witch

My heart just about stops as I press my face to the window, equal parts desperate and eager to double check I’m not hallucinating from exhausted boredom.

Right there on the dark street is a hooded figure, unlocking the door at ground level. A light then flicks on as they head inside and I grab blindly for my phone and my camera, snapping away despite the terrible lighting. I can’t make it any brighter in here without risking giving us away, so the smudgy, dark shots I’m taking will have to do as proof.

I kick my foot out at Ember as I keep an eye on the street and another on my phone as I quickly text the number I’ve been instructed to contact.

“What?” he grunts out and I nudge him again.

“We have movement,” I hiss, my fingers flying over the phone screen where I keep it tucked against my lap to avoid lighting up the room. “Someone just went in. There’s another couple of people walking up the street right now too.”

Ember jumps up and starts snapping photos while my hands are busy. We then watch together as they continue to come along in dribs and drabs over the next hour. They’re mostly cloaked, keeping to the shadows, and we try to take photos of them all.

“Is it just me, or do they look like—” Ember starts.

“Vamps,” I finish the sentence for him. There’s something about the slow, smooth gait they have. The predatory ease of movement that gives them away.

“I wonder why someone’s got us watching a vamp den,” I mutter.

“Who cares? Do you think we’ll still have to stick around for the next few weeks? No offense, but it’s smelling pretty ripe in here and it’s only been a couple of days.”

I smack him on the shoulder. “Not sure why you’re blaming me for the smell when you’ve been here nearly as long as I have.”

Ember’s smirk is just visible in the dim light, so I smack him again. Honestly, it’s like having a little brother. Despite him being unrelated to me and older than I am since he’s well into his twenties.

A few hours later and the movement outside has died down entirely. It’s now dawn and I’ve diligently noted every vamp that went inside and has messaged the details through.

Thirty vamps. Although all movement has stopped entirely now.

That’s not surprising, considering their sensitivity to daylight and the sun’s rays. It’s not like they burst into flames or anything, but none of them can see too well and their skin burns within minutes.

I’m slumped against the wall, exhausted after a night with zero rest, when my phone buzzes with an incoming message. It takes a minute for my tired eyes to process what I’m reading and I shove the screen into Ember’s face so he can confirm that I’ve read it right.

“We’re done?” he says, sounding about as incredulous as I feel before reading the message again. “Will be paid in full, but no further need for surveillance.”

It’s what we both hoped for, but I don’t think either of us expected it to happen.

“What about the payment?” he asks.

I scan the message again. “Doesn’t mention it. I guess I’ll head over to my contact’s office now. Pick it up first thing.”

And then take a sweet, sweet nap.

“I can help you with that,” a deep voice has me jumping and spinning around like a loon, clutching my chest.

Roscoe stands in the doorway, his dark hair tousled as though he just got out of bed. He’s dressed in gray sweatpants and a hoodie, adding to that impression, and he grins at me as I try not to stare too hard at him.

Or more to the point, his junk, which is clearly outlined in those pants.

It must be the exhaustion stopping my brain from working because it’s like I can’t take my eyes off his very prominent bulge.

Holy hell, he’s dickmatized me.

“What are you doing here?”

His grin widens and my stomach sinks as I let out a helpless groan.

“Hold on. You commissioned the job? Are you the person I’ve been texting for half the night?”

Just like Hanna suggested.

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