“So, what’s next on my tour of endless interviews? Is there a friend of a cousin’s neighbor we haven’t spoken with yet?”
Ignoring my question, he braved another bite of pie, devouring the entire thing in seconds. I handed him the apple fritter next, and he devoured that too. So much for dessert. The man was a workaholic who didn’t make time for sustenance. I crushed the part of me that was tempted to offer him the rest of my lunch.Don’t swoon over him like every other fawning female in this kingdom. Have some pride. Fake it, if you have to.
“Actually, I have an appointment with the Lockwoods to update them on the case.” He licked icing off his finger. Apparently, my eyes found the activity fascinating. “Come with me. You can interview the friend of a cousin’s neighbor later.”
A flicker of excitement hummed through my veins. Finally, something worthwhile.
I turned toward the street to hail a carriage. When Derrick didn’t follow, I glanced over my shoulder. He was back at the food stall. I’d created a monster. He exchanged a couple of coins for another fritter, then strolled toward the waiting carriage. Extra icing clung to the apple pastry, just the way I liked it. I licked my lips, craving it so badly. He knew it too. His gaze didn’t leave my mouth.
Bringing the fritter up as if to take the first bite, Derrick finally chuckled before changing direction and placing it in my hand instead. His fingers brushed over mine, sending sparks of heat across my skin.
Do. Not. Swoon.
“What are you doing?”
“Winning the war.”
“With a fritter?”
The rough timbre of his voice echoed in my ear as he helped me into the carriage. “Consider it the path of least resistance.”
Ugh.Maybe I’d let him live after all.
***
The carriage swayed over the ruts in the road, and I held on to the armrest to keep from pitching forward. Derrick sat across from me, better able to manage the bumpy ride. He eyed my death grip in amused silence.
“We could have taken horses. It would have been faster.”
I braced against a jolt that made my teeth slam together. “I don’t like to ride. Horses can sense my magic. It spooks them.”
“Are you sure it’s magic and not poor riding skills? Wouldn’t you spook the carriage horses as well?”
My shoulders stiffened. Did he have to investigate all the time? The man wasn’t happy until he’d routed every one of my flaws. I sniffed the air and peered out the window.
“If you must know, it’s horses that spook me.”
“You’re scared of the fastest, most reliable form of transportation?”
“I’d rather walk.”
He made a sound in the back of his throat. “That’s right. I remember. You like to walk alone, at night, through the kingdom’s alleys. It’s extremely dangerous. You’re lucky we found you when we did.”
“Thanks for your concern, but I’ve managed on my own for years, and just because we’re working together does not make me your responsibility.”
“You are my responsibility, Tessa.” He leaned forward in his seat and locked eyes with mine. The depth of his stare made the carriage small. Even flattened against the cushion, I felt overwhelmed by his presence. Spooked, the same way I felt with horses, uncertain what to expect or if I’d get thrown and have the wind knocked out of me.
“Are you about to issue another one of your rules? Let me guess, no walking alone after dark? Well, some people aren’t fortunate enough to waste money hiring expensive carriages.” I crossed my arms. “This one’s on you, by the way. I bought lunch. Don’t even think about adding the cost to my fines.”
He inclined his head and studied me in silence. “How long have you been on your own?”
I broke his stare to examine a hole in the leather cushion. Leave it to a detective to ask the personal questions.
“Seven years. My mother died when I was fifteen. I lived with Vivian and her grandmother for a while, until I was ready to take over the magic shop. I’ve been running it ever since.” Running it into the ground was more accurate, but I couldn’t tell him that. One sob story per carriage ride.
He waited until I returned his gaze, and the look on his face struck me. It wasn’t pity, which I expected, but understanding, as if he were piecing together my character and had stumbled across something important. I shifted in the seat, uncomfortable with the vulnerable tug on my insides.
“Enough about me. Before we meet with Ella’s family, you should tell me about the other girls. The ones whose names are next to the roses in your evidence room. I’ve waited long enough. Days, in fact.”
