“Waiting.”
“Magic’s not around,” the woman repeated.
“So, I’ll wait.”
“Magic’s on a ghost hunt.”
I stared at Alice in amusement and began laughing. “Wow, sweetheart, that’s reaching. I don’t care what you are to Magic. Honestly, I’m not here to cause trouble. I want a key, and then I’ll crawl back into the woodwork.”
“No, seriously, Magic is on a paranormal investigation,” Alice insisted.
“Whatever.” I settled in and held her gaze.
“Babe, is there a problem?”
A tall biker leaned toward the woman.
Alice smiled, leaned over, and gave him a lingering kiss. Okay, possibly I was wrong about her being Magic’s old lady.
“Hey, honey,” Alice cooed, and the guy grinned briefly before losing it as he turned to me. He wore a Hellfire MC cut, and his name was Diesel.
“Magic isn’t here.”
“Then I’ll wait.”
“Be a long time. He’s not even in the state.”
“What? I need something Magic has.” I was shocked. Were they telling the truth? Was Magic really away, or were they lying to protect him? I looked around. Was Magic holed up somewhere, laughing at me?
“Phone Magic,” a man ordered, and I stiffened. It may have been seventeen years, but I recognised that voice.
“You sure?” Diesel asked. He glanced at the figure behind me.
“He’ll want to know she’s here. Call Magic, Alice.” Onyx stared blank-faced. He recognised me, just as I knew him.
Alice pulled out a phone, gave me a look, and punched in a number. She placed it on the loudspeaker so I could hear it.
“Magic,” Alice said.
“Baby girl,” Magic boomed, sounding happy to see her. My heart clenched as I heard his voice for the first time in nearly two decades. As much as I tried, I couldn’t control the flinch.
“There’s a lady here. Says she knows you and needs to talk,” Alice whispered, holding my eyes. Puzzlement crossed her face; she’d seen my reaction.
“Okay, tell her to come back.”
“Magic, she called you—”
“Jefferson Lincoln Carter, get your ass back here,” I ordered, losing my temper. I needed that key, and I was tired of playing games.
“What’s her name?” Magic gritted out.
“You know who I am, asshole,” I retorted, annoyed at these games.
“What’s her name?” Magic roared.
“Jody Srock. Now get your ass here!” I snapped, irritated.
“Alice, baby girl, get Diesel to lock her down until I get home. That woman doesn’t escape me this time!” Magic ordered.
