“We take a number of pro bono cases each year,” Mal said.
“Okay, but maybe this was just another coincidence,” Cece said. “I mean, people get road rage, right? I was driving kind of slow, maybe he just got pissed off and took it too far.”
Willow squeezed her hand. “Honey, do you really believe that?”
She sighed before shaking her head.
“If these witches are so powerful, why do they keep sending humans to try to kill Cece?” Bishop asked.
“We don’t know for sure it was a human driving the car,” Garth said. “It could have been a witch behind the wheel.”
“It wasn’t,” Cece said.
“How can you be sure?” Garth asked.
“They’re sending humans after me because then I can’t go to the WWC and file a harassment complaint against them,” Cece said. “This family is well known and doesn’t have a single blemish in the witching community. They’re not going to risk that when they can send a human to do their dirty work. They would have done their research on me, right? They’d know my magic abilities are low.”
“So, potentially, if the humans keep failing, they may eventually turn to using magic,” Mal said thoughtfully.
“Maybe,” Cece said.
“Okay.” Mal glanced at Bishop and then at Kat. “So, with what happened last night, I think we should step up the security. With your permission, Cece, I’d like to have Garth stay at your house and -”
“I’m taking over the security detail,” Briggs said.
Mal stared at him, raising one eyebrow. “Is that right?”
“Oh, you missed the fun,” Ronin said with a grin. “Briggs and an army of plant vines convinced old Garth here that Briggs should be watching over the tiny tree witch.”
Mal turned to Garth, who stared at Briggs before nodding briefly.
“All right, Briggs is on security detail,” Mal said.
“If we’re going to be dealing with magic at some point, maybe we should assign Ronin to Cece,” Bishop said. “He’s the only one with some sort of protection against a potentially deadly magic spell.”
“No can do,” Ronin said. “You’ve forgotten that I’m on protection detail for Keegan’s fiancée whenever she’s outside of her home. Her ex is causing some issues and has amped it up ahead of the wedding.”
“I still can’t believe Keegan is getting married,” Bishop said.
“Tell me about it,” Ronin said. “Koren is being a total dick about it and driving Marika crazy.”
“We’ll send someone else for the security detail. Her ex is human, right?” Mal said.
“You know Marika will have a fit if we pull Ronin,” Kat said.
“It’s true,” Ronin said cheerfully. “She fucking loves me. I can’t blame her, but…”
Mal rubbed at his jaw. “We can speak with her and -”
“You pull Ronin, and she’ll retaliate. You know how she is,” Kat said. “She’s responsible for a good sixty percent of our current corporate clients. We’ll lose them all in a heartbeat if Marika starts shit talking us. Which she will.”
“Fuck, you’re right.” Mal glanced at Briggs. “You good with the additional risk and the 24/7?”
“Yes,” Briggs said.
“Okay. Cece, are you good with having Briggs stay at your house with you?” Mal asked.
“I… like some kind of bodyguard, you mean?” Cece could feel the colour rising in her cheeks when she risked a glance at Briggs, who leaned against the counter behind her.
