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He blinks at me. “Your car?”
“Yes. You heard me. Get my car.”
While he hurries off, I reach down and gently pull the door handle. It doesn’t open immediately. The car is locked. I have to be pleased about that. I hate the thought of her sleeping here in the public park with the door unlocked. Right now, though, I’m struggling because I also need to get to her. It’s palpable. Physical. I need her in my arms. She’ll never let me, though.
I’m about to ask her to open the door, when a small hand snakes through from the back seat and lifts the lock. The girl gives me a bright grin.
I open the door while Mel looks around at her kid, horrified.
“Please, My Lady. Let me help.”
Her face goes an even deeper red color and she jerks her head at her kids. “Don’t call me that now.”
My eyes widen. God, I’m making a hash of this. “Uh, sorry. Mel.” My heart’s pounding over the stupid name without the honorific. What has she done to me? I clear my throat. “Please. Let me take you home.”
Her face drops its color. “That’s OK. We’re fine.”
My fists clench at my side. Is it me she objects to, or is she worried about going home? That makes me want to gore someone. Letting out a hot huff of breath, I gather my wits. “Then somewhere else. A friend? Family?”
She shakes her head and Clasps her bottom lip between her teeth when it trembles. “No.”
“Then, let me take you to my place.”
She stares at me. “Your place? But you don’t take—I mean you don’t—”
I smile ruefully. “This is different. Please?”
She gives me a brief nod. “Thank you.”
Thankfully, at that moment, Stuart brings the Chrysler round. “That’s my car. Come on.”
She glances to the back seat, then back at my car. “Elsa, Damian, get your things.” She winds up her window and gets out of the car to unbuckle the little boy’s belt. The kids scramble out of the car and she takes one of their hands in each of hers. “This is my friend, Jarradek. He’s going to let us visit for a few hours until I decide what we’re doing next. And I want you to be on your best behavior.”
They nod.
She turns and steers them toward my car. The boy swivels his head to stare intently back at me. I grin. He quickly turns away. It’s all I can do to keep from bursting into laughter when he turns back a moment later to check if I’m still looking.
I give him a wink, then hurry forward and open the back door for them. There are no child seats, but Mel shakes her head when I offer to get hers from her car. “It’s fine. I don’t want to be a hassle.”
“It’s no hassle—”
I’m interrupted when Stuart opens the driver’s door and steps out. “Uh, Mr. Tarvost, should I arrange a driver?”
I shake my head. “No need. I’ll take them myself.”
“But, sir!” He doesn’t need to say it. I’m supposed to be at the park for another two hours before heading downtown for an appearance on a midday television show.
“Clear my schedule as best you can, and let me know what you can’t change. I’ll make the Daily Show, but see if you can arrange to put off everything else. This is important.”
Stuart looks between Mel and her kids and me one more time, then he gives a long suffering sigh. “Sure.”
I clap him on the shoulder. “Good man. I’ll see you at the studio.”
He swallows. “Yes, sir.”
When I turn, Mel has finished buckling her kids in and has climbed into the passenger seat. I get into the car and put on my own seatbelt with an odd sort of satisfaction. I’m going to be of real use to her today. She might not trust me enough to tell me exactly what happened yet, but I’ll get it out of her. Then, I’ll find out how I can really help.
I pull out of the park with high hopes, driving more carefully than I think I’ve ever driven in my life. Today, I’ve got precious cargo. Strange how people all across the city will be voting for or against me as mayor in just a month; how I’m representing the entire supernatural community; yet I’ve never felt the weight of responsibility so heavily as I do on my shoulders in that moment.
