Mal turned to Tori. “Tori, I’d like you to stay with Cece while Briggs is off, if you’re good with that?”
“I am,” Tori said.
“I’d prefer it to be Hudson,” Briggs said. “No offense, Tori.”
“Oh, all the offense taken, buddy,” Tori said before giving him the bird and an amused grin.
“I appreciate your input, but Hudson is on another job, and Tori is available,” Mal said.
“Ronin, then,” Briggs said.
“The fuck, dude?” Tori said.
“Ronin isn’t working this week,” Mal said.
Cece glanced at Briggs, her stomach tightening at the look of anger edged with embarrassment on his face. Shit, she hated that he was in conflict with his boss because of her. She needed to fix this asap.
Plastering a big smile on her face, she said, “I’m happy to have Tori stay with me for a couple of days, thank you, Mal. I do need to warn you that it’s pretty cold in my house, though, Tori.”
“I’ll layer,” Tori said cheerfully.
“Cece, were you able to take some time off from work?” Mal asked.
Cece shook her head. “I’m sorry, I can’t. I don’t have any vacation time left, and I can’t afford to take unpaid time off. I’ve already told my boss I’ll be back to work tomorrow.”
“Okay.” Mal turned to Garth and Fenton. “We’ll add the two of you to keep an eye on Cece while she’s at the greenhouse, along with Tori.”
“What? No,” Cece said quickly. “I don’t need extra security.”
“It’s a big greenhouse, and -”
“No,” Cece said. “I’m not using more of your resources for free, Mal.”
Briggs frowned at her. “Little witch, it’s for -”
“I said no,” she snapped. “In fact, with the protection spell now, and the fact that it’s doubtful that the witch who is after me would try anything in public, security while I’m working won’t be necessary.”
“That’s not fucking happening,” Briggs growled.
“Look, my boss is a good guy, but he’ll find it weird if you or Tori or whoever are following me around the greenhouse my entire shift.”
“Not my problem,” Briggs said. “I’m not leaving you alone at the greenhouse. Any one of the customers in there could be the witch trying to hurt you.”
“The protection spell will keep me safe,” Cece said.
“You know that’s not completely true, Cece.” Monroe joined them.
“What do you mean?” Briggs asked.
Cece had never wanted to hex someone into silence more than she did Monroe.
“Like I told Mal when we were discussing the protection spells, it will work to harm and prevent death from an attack, but repeated attacks can chip away at it, weaken it and make it less effective. Eventually, a powerful enough witch can break the spell completely,” Monroe said.
“Like the fight between Elora and that insane dark witch,” Ronin said. “Elora had a protection spell on Jonah, and that crazy ass witch broke it and nearly killed him. You were there, Cece. I’m sure you remember.”
“Ronin, hush,” she said.
“Just being helpful,” he said with a grin.
