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“Yes, it appears she has a type,” Samael said coolly. “Why is it, Liam, that every time we warn you to stay focused on your task, you seem to bungle things up even worse?”
“There’s been no bungling on my part,” Liam said with feeling. “I haven’t done a thing.”
“Obviously. If you’d been doing what you were supposed to do, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“This is all Magnus Blackwell’s fault,” Liam said in frustration. “He swooped in on Cora tonight while I was away, and I have a very bad feeling he’s going to become a problem. She—” He lowered his voice and whispered, “She wants toblow off steamwith him.” There. That would show them the severity of the situation.
Agon looked intrigued, but Samael just sighed and said, “Once again, you’re in a bind, rogue. Cora’s no closer to loving Finn, and now you’ve got a potentially disastrous problem to fix.”
“Perhaps throwing Magnus into the mix was not the best plan,” Agon said to Samael.
“You arranged to have Magnus and Cora meet?” Liam gaped at them. “What kind of angels are you? It’s like you’re working against me.”
“We did not arrange forthemto meet,” Samael said. “But more to the point, we have our reasons, and you need not concern yourself with things you’re not ready to understand.”
“Oh, aye. I’m too much of an imbecile. Fine. Keep your angelic secrets,” Liam said in annoyance. “I can fix this problem myself. I’ve got a plan. I just haven’t figured out the details.”
“Having a plan is a good start,” Agon said with encouragement. “We have faith that you will succeed. Cora has a natural warmth and generosity of spirit. She can be persuaded back onto the right path.”
Liam sighed. Even if Agon was right, it wasn’t going to be easy. “Look, I know Cora’s supposed to love Finn, and I’ll do everything I can to try and make that happen, but let’s be honest.” He held the palms of his hands out, like they were a balancing scale. Then he lifted one. “On this side you’ve got a boring, forgettable man with the personality of a wet mop who probably irons his bedclothes before going to sleep.” Liam lowered that palm and raised the other. “And on this side, you’ve got a thrill-seeking devil like Magnus Blackwell who wants to take Cora for a wild ride, and not just in his sports car. He’ll do whatever it takes to get what he wants. Lie. Cheat. Manipulate.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because I ran with a band of thieves, if you’ll remember. I dealt with shady people all the time. I’m very familiar with the mind of a man who manipulates others into getting what he wants.” Liam kicked at a clump of mud on the grass. “I’ve seen the way Magnus is with women, rotating through them like they’re items on a menu. He can’t be trusted to do right by Cora.”
“Indeed.” Samael gave him a piercing look that Liam couldn’t decipher.
“Magnus is not good for her,” Liam continued. “But Cora doesn’t know that.”
“Then I suppose it’s up to you to show her.” Samael rose from the step and floated into the air.
Agon gave the purring cat one last pat on his head, then followed Samael into the night sky.
Liam watched the angels leave with an odd mixture of determination and hopelessness. “Wait!”
They paused, shimmering against the backdrop of stars.
“I’ll find a way to show Cora how wrong Magnus is,” Liam said. “I’ll think of something. But what about Finn? Is there anything you can do to make him more appealing? I’m not asking for a miracle, here.” Lord knows it would take one. “Just...a bit of a boost.”
“Finn doesn’t need anything from us,” Agon assured him. “He has very fine qualities already.”
“Fineisn’t enough,” Liam said in exasperation. “The man has nospark.Nothing to pique her interest. Cora is a lively, passionate woman with a bright imagination and a deep capacity to love and care for people. She’s got a feisty streak a mile wide, and she needs a man who can appreciate that side of her. The Finn I’ve seen would melt into a puddle at the first sign of trouble. Cora needs a man who’s strong. In both character and body. Someone who loves fiercely and would protect her with his last breath. Someone who—”
“Patience, rogue,” Samael said. “There’s more to Finley Walsh than you know. She will soon see.” With a flick of his hand, a pocket of mist opened up, and the angels disappeared.
10
“So?” Suzette grinned wickedly over the rim of her cocktail as Cora placed her drink order with the bartender. “I’ve waited all day for the juicy details about your date with Magnus. Start talking.”
“Shh,” Cora whispered, tipping her head in the direction of Rob Hopper, Liam and some of the other officers at a nearby table. “I don’t want them to hear.”
It was after hours and Cora had agreed to meet her friend for Thursday night drink specials at Danté’s bar. Over the years the place had become the preferred hangout for Cora and some of her colleagues. There were no pool tables or dartboards, and Danté’s had never hosted live bands or karaoke, but the dark velvet booths, intimate mood lighting and relaxing music made it the perfect place for professionals to unwind after a long day.
“Who cares if they overhear us?” Suzette said, flicking a hand at the guys behind them. “It’s not like anyone expects you to live like a nun. Women go on dates. Women like to have sex.”
“Cheers to that,” a man at the bar said, raising his glass to Suzette.
She smiled, tossed her red hair, then turned back to Cora. “Spill.”
