AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A smile broke out over her face, and warily, I returned her smile, but Orson still seemed oddly ill-at-ease as Etta flopped onto my worn sofa, tucking her shoes under her tiny buttocks to peer up at me with sooty eyes.
“Orson, go on, get us some glasses, baby. You know where the kitchen is.”
I started to move, but Orson was already ahead of me, and I realized that Etta had dragged him to my house for a social call. I almost blew the living room over with a whoosh of relieved breath.
“Come sit, honey,” Etta whispered loudly. “Quick.”
I moved to join her on the sofa.
“I think you’re wrong about Orson,” she rasped in my ear. “About that trafficking business. I put some feelers out, but I really don’t think he’s the type.”
I nodded, swallowing thickly. “Maisie still does odd jobs for him, too, doesn’t she?” I asked just as quietly.
Etta frowned. “Here and there,” she agreed. “But I’m not sure what. Maisie’s pretty close-lipped about her business. You know how she is.”
I did. The fae was uptight and rude at best. But I couldn’t forget the way she had cornered me earlier that morning.
I wonder if she’s been running something off-books, using the Verity Gang as authority.
That really was opening a whole can of worms.
“What happened to your window?”
My head jerked up toward Orson, who stood in the doorway of the living room with three glasses in hand.
“What?”
“There’s a board over the window in your kitchen. What happened?” He stared at me too pointedly, and I felt my complexion waxen.
“Oh…” I wracked my brain for an excuse, any excuse not to escalate the situation. Telling Orson that someone tried to break in would only create more questions.
But I was tired of lying.
“It’s nothing,” I sighed, straightening myself against the cushions. “I… I haven’t been totally truthful with you two lately.”
Etta and Orson glanced at one another, the gargoyle lowering the glasses onto the table.
“This sounds like we’re going to need a drink,” Etta tittered nervously, moving to uncork the bottle of Slush she’d brought.
I bit on my lower lip and eyed my employer. Orson returned my gaze steadfastly, his dark irises burning into me.
Now’s the time to tell him that Elijah’s back. Unburden yourself.
“Well?” Etta said, handing me the glass. “What’s the big secret?”
She giggled, but I sensed her unease as she took a sip. I took a quick swig of my own drink before speaking.
“I’ve been having some personal problems,” I admitted, dropping my eyes to the rug, my chest tightening. The alcohol was beginning to affect my mind and judgment, a fact that I didn’t ignore as I spoke. “Someone from my past has been… haunting me.”
“Who?” Orson demanded. “I’ll take care of him for you.”
I jutted my chin back up and shook my head. “It doesn’t matter now,” I promised, shaking my head. “He won’t be an issue anymore.”
“Are you sure?” Orson growled, the jealousy evident. “He’s breaking your windows? Is he threatening you? Who is this asshole?”
“Honey,” Etta interjected, extending her arm toward him comfortingly. “If Abby says it’s handled, maybe we should stay out of her affairs.”
Orson scowled like he had forgotten his partner was in the room, but he sat back, taking back his Slush in a single gulp before pouring himself another.
