Page 63 of Cash

Good Christ but this girl was so fucking strong.

“Yes.”

“And she needs her King to help her fight them?”

“Yeah, sweetheart. So will you stay with the Dove while the Snake and I go get Lolo?”

She started to shake her head but stopped, then shoved her face back into my neck. “No! I’m scared.”

Fuck.

“That’s why you need the Snake,” I told her. “He can use his magic to help you turn fear into warrior princess power.”

Her head popped up and her eyes went wide. “How?”

Zane held out his arms to her and said, “Come here, Princess Cara, and I’ll show you.”

Cara hesitated for a moment, then she leaned toward Zane. He easily swung her into his arms and hugged her tightly. His head dropped to her ear and he whispered something I couldn’t make out.

“A special guard?”

Zane nodded toward Eric.

“You promise?” Cara asked weakly.

“Yes, Princess Cara, and while we’re away the Dove will be here to watch over you and my wife, Ivy.”

“Mrs. Snake?” Cara gasped.

Holy fuck, Ivy’s going to kill me.

“I’ll bring you back five dollars and an ice cream cone if you call her Mrs. Snake while we’re gone.”

Scratch that, Ivy’s finally going to murder her husband in his sleep, and there will be no talking her down.

“Okay. But Lolo says I have to be kind and share so you have to bring back ice cream for all my friends.”

I heard Zane grunt. Not at the extra ice cream he’d be bringing back for all of the kids. But because the mere thought of Lore telling anyone to be kind did not compute.

Ivy and Nebraska were both walking across the office headed our way. This could get messy.

“Zane—”

“We have a deal. Are you ready?” Zane interrupted me to ask Cara.

“Yep.”

“Okay, here goes.”

Zane tilted his head and gently kissed Cara on the cheek. “Magic,” he whispered when he lifted away.

“Magic!” Cara shouted then threw herself back into my arms. “You’ll be safe, Cashy. The snake promised to sink his fangs into anyone who’s mean to you. Stay with him and you’ll be safe.”

“Here we go again,” Ivy muttered under her breath.

CHAPTER TWENTY

The drive out of downtown Annapolis was blissfully silent. As promised, Kira had sent the blueprint to Damion’s house.