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“My sweet, I do not think that is the best idea.”
“Don’t you get it, Leo? If I stay hidden, she wins. I can’t let that happen. I’m better than that.”
He grabbed my hands. “Karli, I was not implying any weakness on your part. I simply want you safe.”
“Leo, I’ll be fine. I swear. I’m not entirely defenseless, you know. I’m getting pretty good at combat magic. The only reason they were able to get me before was because I was caught off guard. That won’t happen again. Trust me.”
He kissed my hand. “Your wish is my command, my dearest.”
Twenty-three
Erica showed up at Voyeur-Gasm the next morning. I unlocked the back door to meet her, only to find Vance standing right beside her. I glared at him. “What is he doing here?” I asked her.
I thought it was pretty obvious who the question was directed at, but Vance decided to reply anyway. “Erica told me you two were going on a shopping trip so I insisted on riding along.”
“Nuh uh,” I said. “No way.” I looked at Erica. “You couldn’t have called to warn me?”
She blushed. “I’m sorry, K, but I would actually feel safer with him here. I know Maria can’t do anything to us during the daytime, but what about someone working for her?” She looked down. “What about Jake?”
Seeing the utter despair on her face, I grudgingly agreed. “Fine,” I huffed as I walked out the door. Vance tried grabbing my hand. I didn’t like how good his touch felt. It just reminded me of what I’d lost so I conjured a little dust and shocked him.
He jumped back, shaking his hand. “Fuck! What the hell was that for?” he shouted.
“Don’t touch me,” I said and glared.
Vance was driving and I rode in the back seat of his Beamer so I could stay as far away from him as possible. Erica tried breaking the ice by making small talk but I wasn’t biting.
“Goddammit, Karli,” Vance barked. “You’re being ridiculous. You can’t just pretend I’m not here.”
I looked out the window proving to him that I could.
Erica sighed. “Okay, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. I can do this alone, Karli.”
I looked up and was met with big puppy dog eyes. Oh shit, here comes the guilt. Now it was my turn to sigh. “No, Eri, I want to be here for you. You’re my best friend. I’ll behave.”
“About damn time,” Vance said.
I glared at him again. “Watch it. You’re treading on very thin ice here. I said I’d behave. You should too.”
He rolled his eyes in the rear view mirror. “Whatever.”
I jumped out of the car as soon as we arrived at the drug store. Eri got out and started walking into the building with me. Vance followed.
I turned my head to shoot darts at him with my eyes. “Do you really have to follow us in here? This is a private matter.”
Erica grabbed my arm. “Karli, please don’t. He knows everything. I tell him everything.”
I couldn’t mask my surprise. “Everything? What do you mean you tell him everything?”
She blushed. “He’s really easy to talk to. You should know that more than anybody.”
I looked at Vance who just stood there looking uncomfortable. Glaring yet again, I said, “Yeah, I bet.”
We entered through the sliding glass doors and started making our way down the crowded aisles to the one filled with feminine supplies, condoms, pregnancy tests, and diapers. Erica and I browsed through several brands before making a decision. She turned and started walking towards the checkout up front. Vance stood watching me. I looked to my left and out of spite, grabbed a box of K-Y Yours + Mine and followed Eri. I had no intention of using it with anyone but he didn’t need to know that.
Vance’s face turned red. “Why do you need that?” he asked.
“None of your damn business,” I snapped.
