“Think we could continue this touchy-feely fest somewhere else?” he asked. “I’m freezing my dick off out here.”
“Real classy,” I said.
“Hey. No one likes a frozen dick, Cupcake.”
“How doyouknow?” I snapped. “Maybelotsof people like frozen dick.”
“In that case, when’s your birthday?”
That earned him another punch from Ronan. “Fuck off, Ash. Preferably at least fifty feet away.”
Once Asher was out of earshot, I turned back to Ronan and said, “So that’s the guy you want looking out for me, huh?”
“He may be rough around the edges—”
“Not to mention a complete tool.”
“That too.” Ronan smiled, but it was clear our tender moment had passed.
It was also clear I’d need to find a really good hiding place for Asher’s body, because once all this was over, I was going tokillthat demon.
“I trust him with my life,” Ronan said. “And yours.”
I searched his eyes, but there was absolutely no uncertainty there. Whatever I personally thought about Asher, Ronan was vouching for him.
I sighed.
“Give him a chance.” Ronan looped me into another embrace, and I lay my ear against his chest, inhaling his cloves-and-campfire scent, once again finding my safe place in the steady beat of his heart.
“Fine,” I grumbled. “I’ll give him a chance. But you can’t make me like him. I’ve known him all of ten minutes, and I already want to punch him in the nuts.”
Ronan laughed, the deep rumble of it reverberating against my ear as he tightened his arms around me. “Gray Desario, you have no idea how fuckingthrilledI am to hear that.”
Seventeen
Gray
We walked side by side down Pierce Street, me in the middle, flanked by the two demons now tasked with keeping me safe.
Unlike Ronan, I wasn’t ready to assume I had a target on my back, and I certainly wasn’t ready for this to become a permanent arrangement. But for now I took comfort in their imposing presence, and as we walked back toward my neighborhood, I felt a little better than I had this morning.
“So, the witches…” Ronan prompted, picking up where we’d left off in the park.
“They’re definitely hiding something,” I said. “It's so obvious.”
The rain had let up, and in the sudden quiet of the deserted street, my declaration sounded paranoid and shrill.
Didn't mean I was wrong though.
“Everyone in this town is hiding something,” Asher said, scanning the streets as we walked.
“Even you?” I asked.
He turned toward me and smirked, his blue eyes a striking contrast to the dull gray day. “Especiallyme, sweetheart.”
“Well, everyone may be keeping secrets,” I said, “but only one person murdered my best friend. And I'm pretty sure those witches know a hell of a lot more than they’re letting on.”
“Doesn’t add up, Gray.” Ronan shook his head. “You said it yourself—Sophie was basically part of the coven. Their sister. Why would they cover up her murder?”
