Page 117 of The Flame Game

I considered hiding in the lobby, but after I gathered the flock of pets and my purse, the valet made off with my keys to park my husband’s new baby in the safety of the parking garage. I heaved a sigh, went inside, and waited for the Devil to escort Jeffrey inside.

Even from the lobby, I could hear evidence of a family feud in progress somewhere deeper in the hotel. I gulped, heading to the lobby desk. “Please tell me the Quinn party isn’t destroying the hotel.”

The woman nearest to me grinned. “They aren’t destroying the hotel, Chief Quinn. They’re doing a demonstration. It seems your family has decided to test their skills against your husband’s family, and they’re doing spars. This has resulted in everyone having quite the good time, although it is noisy. None of the guests are complaining, as they have been invited to watch. This kind of entertainment can’t be bought.”

Well, that was something. At least our families were keeping themselves amused before dinner. “And lunch and dinner preparations?”

“The lunch spreads are being prepared right now, and all is going well. Dinner plans are on schedule. The caterers are checking in with us every hour as you asked. There was one issue, but it turns out there is excess food rather than insufficient food.”

“What we don’t eat should be delivered to the nearby soup kitchens.”

“They are expecting to have so much they will overflow. It seems the estimated amount of food was accidentally tripled.”

I frowned. The regular order of food had been deliberately designed to provide meals for the homeless, with various dinners prepackaged to be taken out. At triple the volume, we could feed the homeless in the entire city with extra to spare. “Let me get back to you about that problem in an hour. Just instruct them to package the excess for shelters and the homeless, and I’ll worry about distribution.”

The Devil had minions, and the heavens had its fair share of angels. Given twenty minutes, I bet I could set up a competition for who could get the most food passed around to those in need.

“Excellent. I’ll let them know. Chief Quinn was looking for you earlier. It seems he noticed you had staged an escape.”

Damn it. “I swear. He gets worse separation anxiety than Rabies the Wonder Wolf.”

“Yes, I do,” my husband said from behind me. “I see you’ve been causing mayhem again.

Busted. I turned around and wielded my best smile like a weapon. “Oh, it’s the best husband in the entire world. How are you doing?”

“I’m wondering why my wife ran away.”

“The Devil made me do it!”

“I really did not,” my uncle complained. “Why are you blaming me? I helped you because you’re holding visitation rights over my head.”

“Well, you are the Devil, and as I like my soul where it’s at, and I have what you want. I will ruthlessly use what I have to get what I want. But thank you for cooperating with minimum complaint. I had a good time.”

“You’re teaching her to be extra feisty, Sam,” the Devil muttered.

“Honestly, I’m really pleased with the results. Ah.” My husband chuckled and went to Jeffrey, holding out his hand. “I understand now. It seems my wife has hoodwinked me again.”

“She seems to be quite talented at that,” the commissioner’s uncle replied with a smile. “I really appreciate everything you’ve done.”

“I’ll take the Dowry family to one of the smaller meeting rooms, Bailey. Some things don’t need to be public, so we’ll make the delivery and go watch your father and Anubis pick fights with each other while everybody make bets and laughs. Your mother’s already here, though she won’t be able to manifest until later in the afternoon, so you’ll get to see both of your parents at the same time. Please try not to cry.”

I’d learned one thing: pregnancy hormones meant I was going to cry. Early, often, and without remorse. “That’s not happening, Sam.”

My husband sighed. “A man can dream.”

“Yes, you can. Go get his family gathered.”

“I’ll go with him,” Jeffrey offered. “It’s not as though anyone will recognize me anyway. Time has done its work. I can’t even recognize myself.”

“No,” my husband disagreed, giving the commissioner’s uncle a pat on the shoulder. “Trust me on this one. They’ll see you, and they’ll know. They’ve been waiting for this moment for years. Stay with Bailey until I text her phone, and then we’ll send you in. Your family needs this as much as you do.”

I gave it ten minutes before he managed to herd everyone, as my husband had a talent for making people do what he wanted. “Excited?” I asked.

“Terrified,” he admitted.

I understood that. “Well, do your best. They’re good people, and they’ve been looking for you for a long time.”

“That’s why I’m terrified.”