Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 131708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 527(@250wpm)___ 439(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 527(@250wpm)___ 439(@300wpm)
Luka, too, had tried. So had Mia. Neither had had any luck.
The note had been typed, not written by hand. The paper it was printed on was standard paper you could buy anywhere. As such, there was no way to trace it back to a particular person.
“Luka agrees with you that it’s likely from the mugger, which only made him more furious.” Ella grimaced. “I’m still not convinced you’re both right. The note wasn’t addressed to me, it could have been an idiotic joke that was meant for anyone.”
“Why would a prankster choose your car at random when it wasn’t parked in a spot that would be easy for some passer-by to reach? They had to go through the trouble of smashing CCTV cameras just to get near it. Why go that extra mile?”
“Why would the mugger write that note?” Ella shot back.
“All the digging that Luka’s doing has to worry him. I mean, who wouldn’t be worried that a demonic crime boss was on their ass? Especially since they have to know that he won’t let it go easily. They might be thinking you can convince him to back off, so they put a snare in their note that was designed to compel you to do it—I don’t know. But you have to admit it’s possible.”
“Yes, it’s possible.”
Mia nodded, placated. “I have faith in Luka. He’ll flush out the shithead eventually.”
“Speaking of psi-mates, what’s happening with you and Joe?”
Mia grimaced. “He’s still being a tool. I should never have slept with him. In my defense, it was only supposed to happen once. I didn’t think we’d topple into a full-on fling.”
Possessiveness easily came into play with anchors, so it wasn’t uncommon for them to do the dirty. In fact, Ella had years ago spent the night with Luka. It hadn’t in any way tainted their friendship, but not all demons were so lucky.
“I texted Joe earlier asking how much longer he planned to be all weird and distant,” Mia told her. “He hasn’t replied yet, so I’m thinking it’s gonna be a while.”
Hating the hurt lacing her sister’s voice, Ella gave Mia’s wrist a supportive squeeze. “He cares for you.”
“But not in a way that would sustain a relationship. It’s the same for me. I love him, but not in a I need him to be mine, I can’t live without him way. That’s why I wasn’t upset when he chose to end the fling. I would have eventually done it if he hadn’t.”
“Maybe he doesn’t know that. Maybe he’s avoiding you because he worries he’s hurt you but doesn’t know what to say.”
Mia let out a haughty hmph. “I’m sure he’ll enlighten me when he finally deigns to contact me. I’m not going to reach out to him again. He’ll have to make that move.”
Just then, the waitress reappeared with their food.
Ella and Mia talked as they ate, laughing at this or that. Despite herself, Ella repeatedly found her gaze flitting to the Black Saints. Or, more specifically, to Viper—she couldn’t help it.
She almost choked on her hot dog when his eyes abruptly locked with hers, an intensity glimmering there that made the hairs on her nape stand up.
A loud shout made her look to her far right just as two males dived at each other, arms swinging, meaty fists smacking flesh hard. Not pretty.
Two of the Black Saints hurried over and dragged the brawlers apart, not hesitating to get up in their face. A few harsh words were exchanged, and then both fighters were ordered to leave. There were complaints and curses, but both fast-bruising demons stormed out.
“That’s the third fight to have broken out since I got here,” said Mia, before taking a bite of her burger.
It did happen a lot in the pool hall these days. In fact, it also occurred often at the dive bar that the club purchased. “It’s almost as if the demons are sending a snarky, We were here first and we’ll do what we want whether you now own the place or not message to the Black Saints. Or something like that.” Ella shrugged. “Whatever the case, it’s pretty reckless of them.”
Mia nodded. “The Fallen are as dangerous as any demon.”
They talked about lighter stuff as they finished their food. Fresh drinks in hand, they then claimed a pool table. Ella deliberately chose one that wasn’t close to where Viper stood. He unnerved her enough from a distance.
Twenty minutes into their game, Mia frowned and asked, “Are we losing our touch?”
Ella bent over the table, careful not to knock her head on a low-hanging light. “What?”
“Once upon a time, we’d have guys come over, offering to buy us drinks, asking to play with or against us, and watching our asses each time we bent over to take a shot. They leave us alone nowadays. Those two goofballs standing at the ATM would always flirt with us. Now they won’t even glance our way.”