Oh for Luck's Sake Read online

  “You've met Rowley,” The Leader said. “Let me introduce you to the rest of us. I'm Will.” He jerked his head at the incubus “That's Alain. The big guy is Dex.”

  Dex nodded wordlessly, but Alain inclined his head. “Pleased to make your acquaintance.” His accent was sharp, clipped, and posh. Yum.

  I found myself mimicking his tone. “Likewise.”

  “This place offer any food?” Rowley asked.

  “Nope,” I said. “Only food poisoning.”

  “Rowley,” warned Alain.

  “What?” Rowley raised his shoulders. “It’s been hours since I last ate!”

  “It’s always hours since you last ate,” rumbled Dex. “What about the burrito you destroyed on the drive over?”

  “Barely a snack,” Rowley grumbled.

  “Enough,” Alain said. His schoolmaster looks and firm tone of voice made me bite my lip, partially in amusement at the embarrassed looks on Rowley and Dex’s faces, and partially because, well, the guy made me want to wear a plaid skirt and knee socks.

  Whoa, hormones. Whoa.

  “We were expecting Sonya,” Will said. “Why are you here?”

  The question was not rude, merely straightforward, but something about Will made me bristle. Maybe it was the way he kept shooting glances at my hair, or the way he wrinkled his nose when he spoke to me. Or maybe it was the subtle emphasis he placed on the word ‘you’.

  Either way, I couldn’t help but answer in a less than straightforward way. Really, I just needed to stall until Joe got bored with shooting daggers in my direction and went off to beat his meat to porn in his office. “Sonya was busy. She couldn't make it. So she sent me.”

  Will narrowed his eyes at me. “What are you? Are you capable of handling her business?”

  I blinked at him. Yup, Grade-A Asshole. It wasn’t really the sort of question supernaturals sprang on each other. Sometimes it was easy to tell what species a supe might be, but if you couldn’t tell, you shouldn’t make assumptions until they told you. Especially these days. After the Breaking, people, especially winged-creatures, kept their natures secret. It helped them live longer.

  “That’s a rude question,” I said.

  “We meant no offense. We need to know,” Alain said, his voice soft and low like velvet. The sound curled into my body and set a tingle low in my belly. His apple green eyes met mine, and I saw a gleam of silver in their depths. My tongue darted out to lick my lips…

  “Stop that,” I snapped.

  Alain reared back, his face confused. His hair tumbled across his forehead and I felt an urge to press my fingers into his locks. To fist handfuls of it while I screamed his name.

  “I’m not doing anything,” he said. “I assure you.”

  “Sure you aren’t,” I said. But from where I sat, I saw nobody else in the bar felt the curl of attraction. Shit, he really wasn’t trying to use his powers on me. This guy was just hot, and it had been a long, long time since I’d been laid.

  Rowley gave me a grin. “Don’t worry about it, Ceecee. When Al turns on the charm, you’ll know it.”

  My face grew warm. I shot a glance at the bar where Goblin Joe sipped amber liquid from an ice-filled tumbler. His gaze drifted over the patrons, but even as I watched, he shot a glance in my direction. “Fine. To answer your question, I’m a dragon.”

  It was my standard response, and technically, it was the truth. I was a dragon. I just omitted the ‘luck’ part that went before the ‘dragon’. Same as calling a red panda ‘a panda’. The markings might be different, but they were both pandas. That’s the justification I used, though if you talked to a biologist, they would say a red panda was more like a raccoon, while a giant panda was more like a bear.

  Hey, raccoons can be fierce, and so could I.

  All four men seem to relax slightly as they exchanged glances. I filed away the information. My nature was important to them for some reason.

  “And you’re an associate of Sonya’s?” Alain asked.

  “Sonya and I have worked together many times.” When I was a trainee, I amended in my head. And mostly I got her coffee and picked up her mail.

  “So you can do this job?” Will asked.

  “I have experience,” I sneered, my embarrassment making me brusque. “I’ve worked as a Procurer for twelve years. I’ve-”

  “How old are you?” Will stared at me incredulously.

  This guy. I swear. “What does that matter?”

  “Twelve years? You can’t be old enough to have been in this line of work for twelve years.”

  “I’m twenty-eight,” I said with great dignity. “How old are you?”

  Two could play the rude game. The question hung in the air for a moment, and the moment grew heavier and heavier. Will narrowed his eyes at me, and I narrowed mine back at him.

  “Whoa! You were born after the Breaking! That’s rare,” chirped Rowley. I got the sense he often had to step in to lighten the mood once his boss darkened it.

  “I am a hundred and forty-seven,” rumbled Dex. Lots of supernaturals lived long lives. Some longer than others.

  “Gentlemen,” Alain said. I shot him a glance. “And lady,” he amended. “Can we focus on the task at hand? We’re here to discuss business.”

  “Are you married?” Will's question came out of left field.

  “What?”

  “Married?”

  “No,” I said. “What kind of—”

  “Kids?”

  I rolled my eyes. “No, I—”

  “Boyfriend?”

  “Girlfriend?” added Rowley.

  “No,” I replied, totally confused by this irritating line of questioning. “And no.”

  “Want one?” asked Rowley with a wink. “A boyfriend, I mean. I’m free.”

  “I think,” Dex muttered, “you mean cheap, not free.”

  “Any major commitments?” Will asked, ignoring them. “Mortgage? Pets? Live with an elderly parent? Health problems? Drug addictions? Sexually transmitted diseases?”

  What the actual fuck?

  I scanned the bar. Joe had ordered a second drink. I exhaled, letting my shoulders drop. Nothing was worth this. I’d face Joe on my own terms. I placed my hands on the table and made to rise, hoping that Rowley and Dex would take the hint. “I think this conversation is over. I—”

  “If you’ve worked with Sonya,” Will interrupted, reaching into his pocket, “then you earn Sonya’s rates.” He slammed a slip of paper onto the table and slid it across to me. “That’s what we’re willing to pay.”

  I hesitated, my ass hovering an inch off the seat. My inner nosy bitch clamored to know how much Sonya earned per job. My knees bent, and I settled back onto the seat. What harm could it do to check the paper?

  With a casual hand, I swept the paper toward me and flipped it up to look at the figure written in neat print on the white square.

  No. Effing. Way.

  A jolt of shock and horror passed down my body, but I forced my face to remain still as I counted the zeroes carefully. Then I counted them again.

  No. Freaking. Way.

  I placed the piece of paper back on the table, the figure hidden by the worn wooden surface. I slid the paper back to Will.

  “You are joking,” I said, my voice flat. “There’s no way—”

  Will interrupted me with a curse. “Fine, I’ll double it.”

  Double? Double?

  My fingers lingered on the paper. A dry heat prickled all over my skin. Slowly, I lifted my fingers from the paper. I leaned back, ignoring the way the fake leather of the booth creaked.

  “So,” I said, my voice light, “tell me about this job.”

  Chapter Three

  CASSIE

  Rowley whined until Will caved and allowed the group to order drinks and nachos. Toni delivered them personally, fluttering her lashes at Alain like she was trying to fan a fire.

  Once she left, Alain performed an elegant, sharp gesture, and my ears popped. The sound in
the bar muffled, like we sat underwater. Even the colors grew softer, the harsh neons fading to a paler hue.

  I swiveled my head around. “What the hell was that?”

  “My apologies,” Alain said. “I felt a privacy shield might be useful due to the delicate nature of this conversation.”

  Rowley elbowed me in the ribs. “It comes in handy when he’s…” He finished the sentence with a suggestive eyebrow waggle. His expression was so ridiculous that I snorted.

  With a satisfied grin, Rowley reached for the plate of nachos. I watched in wonder as he hoovered down the soggy tortilla chips, browning lettuce, and mystery meat that might have once slithered in a dumpster before Sonny, the hash-slinger in Joe’s kitchen, shot the poor thing.

  “So,” I said, dragging my attention back to Will. “Tell me about this job.”

  The two million dollar job. Two million dollar job. Let me say that one more time, just because the number sounded like music to my broke-ass ears: two million dollars.

  Will shifted in his seat. He leaned forward, clasping his hands in front of him. I echoed his pose. For two million dollars, I could work with this asshole. I waited patiently for him to speak. Only the sound of Rowley crunching his way through gristle broke the silence.

  I took the time to study Will. If he could lose the rotten attitude, he’d be hot.

  “It’s mostly on a need-to-know basis,” Will said.

  “What do I need to know, then?” Even a mouthful of sugar couldn’t have made my tone any sweeter.

  Will must have heard the false edge in my words, because his reply came immediately. “It’s a courier mission. We need an item moved from one point to another.”

  “And you can’t do this yourself because…?”

  Will shot a look at Alain, who sighed. “We have the wrong equipment.”

  The next three seconds passed in silence as I contemplated Alain’s equipment, and, against my better judgement, the other men’s, too.

  “How so?” is what I finally stammered out.

  “Only a woman can handle the artifact we wish to transport,” Alain replied.

  Baby, I am all the woman you need, shouted my inner letch. I shut her up. She wasn’t allowed to make business decisions. With two million dollars, I could buy an endless supply of vibrators. They didn’t break your heart or leave socks on the floor.

  I shot a glance in Joe’s direction. He drank at the bar, his back to us. I could pay him off with a fraction of the money and start my own damn business. A legit business. I could be free of that asswipe. I could help Maura.

  “The pay says there’s a catch,” I said. “So what’s the catch?”

  Alain and Will spoke at the same time.

  “No catch,” Will said.

  “Some catches,” Alain said. “It might be dangerous. There are… factions, who wish to see us fail.”

  “In summary,” I said, “You need my help moving… What exactly?”

  “An artifact,” Alain supplied.

  “An artifact,” I continued, “from one place to another. But you can’t tell me what, or where? And it might be dangerous because there are people who want to stop you moving this… artifact.”

  “Yes,” said Will. “Consider the amount danger pay.”

  Hmm, two million dollars’ worth of danger? My resolve wavered.

  “We will protect you,” Dex rumbled. I craned my neck. He stared down his nose at me with an expression far friendlier than Will's. “The four of us will accompany you. We are accomplished fighters.”

  I watched Rowley wipe a finger across the surface of the plate and lick his finger clean. Then he wiped his hands on a wet-wipe which he dropped onto the table. He smacked his lips and leaned back, rubbing his belly.

  “That was good,” Rowley said. “What’s for dessert?”

  Dex grunted. “Perhaps you should see how that meal settles first.”

  Rowley burped. “Back off, big guy. You’re not my mom.”

  I bit back a laugh. “Accomplished fighters, huh?”

  Rowley straightened, a comical look of indignation crossing his face. “Hey, we totally are! I can kick ass with the best of them.”

  “Don’t let his size fool you.” Alain’s lips twitched in amusement. “He is fierce when riled.”

  Rowley thumped his chest and burped again. “Dynamite comes in small packages.” His cheeks pinkened. “Not that my package is small!”

  “Your package is very nice,” Alain replied.

  “A fine tool,” Dex rumbled. His shoulders shook, and I realized the giant laughed.

  Dex looked like he could punch a mountain. From the long scar running down his grey cheek, I didn’t think he was a stranger to brawling. I could also tell Will and Alain were no slouches in the muscles department. Alain had that incubus magic, and there had to be a reason Will was the leader.

  “We will protect you.” Will's face softened, and for a moment, I saw the potential under the glower.

  “If push comes to shove, I can handle myself,” I said. “Anything else I need to know?”

  Will and Alain spoke simultaneously.

  “No,” said Will.

  “Yes,” said Alain.

  Their eyes locked, and I watched an invisible argument occur. Will must have lost, because he turned back to me, his scowl growing even more surly. “The catch is that we don’t know how long it might take. Could be days. Could be years.”

  Years? I blinked. “For real? Years?”

  “That’s why you wanted to know my marital status.” Will’s leg began to bob under the table, brushing against mine. I moved my leg. My heart sank. “You need someone who can stick with you for as long as it takes.”

  I couldn’t accept. I had Maura and Herbert to think of. They depended on me. So many people depended on me. If I took this job, I would leave them in the lurch. The problem was I would risk more than just myself. I wouldn’t bring danger to my friends.

  Two million dollars was a lovely thought, but it would have to stay a daydream. That amount would be forever out of my reach. Instead, I’d have to scramble for crumbs for a while longer. There were safer jobs. Lower-paying jobs, but that was the price you paid for coming home alive.

  Bye-bye, two million dollars.

  At the bar, Joe stood and stomped off to his office, slamming the door behind him. Time to come clean with the guys.

  “Listen,” I said, leaning forward. “About this job…”

  Will rose to his feet, and instantly, the others followed suit. The bubble of silence around us popped, and the noise flooded back. “Let’s go.”

  “Wait, right now?”

  “When else?” Will reached into his wallet and pulled out a hundred-dollar bill. He slapped it on the table. “Time is of the essence.”

  I shot to my feet. “I didn’t say yes.”

  He looked genuinely surprised when he turned back to me. “What else is there to discuss?”

  What the fuck was wrong with this dude?

  “I’m turning down the job,” I practically shouted.

  Will, who had already turned back to the door, glanced over his shoulder. “Why not? You said you had no commitments.”

  “I said no such thing.” I fumbled for a reason. “I-I have rent. I-I have… Clothes! A toothbrush! What about… tampons and things?”

  The arrogant asshole shrugged. “We can provide for you.”

  I raised my hand. “I said no.”

  The guys shared glances.

  “Too bad,” Will said. “You’re hired.”

  His tone brooked no argument. He turned to face the exit again. My jaw dropped. I spluttered a few more times and seized the closest object at hand. How dare he dismiss me?!

  The crumpled up wet-wipe smacked Will in the back of the head, leaving a smear of faux cheese on his hair before it fell.

  Ooops.

  Slowly, he turned to face me, wearing an incredulous expression.

  Rowley gave a low whistle. “Nice aim, Ceecee.” r />
  “Don’t call me that,” I snapped. I turned back to Will. “I don’t know what the fuck your problem is, but I’m telling you no. Maybe you don’t hear it enough, but my answer is no. Enn-ohh. No.”

  The seconds ticked by, and for a moment, I thought Will might walk over and punch me. Alain placed a hand on Will’s arm and whispered into his ear. The rage on Will’s face faded, replaced by a glare of resentment.

  “Fine.” Will spoke through clenched teeth. “Maybe you can’t handle this job.”

  I crossed my arms and ignored the jab at my pride. “Thank you.”

  “But if you throw anything at my head again, you’ll live just long enough to regret it.”

  I squeezed past the guys. “Don’t worry, I intend to never see you assholes again.”

  I stormed out of the bar and stopped short when I encountered the rain. I flinched when the door opened behind me.

  “Do you need a ride?” Alain asked. “We’re parked over there.”

  I glared at Will. “No, thanks.”

  Alain nudged Will, who frowned, then ground out, “It would be no problem, I assure you.”

  My first instinct was to refuse, but I remembered I had other plans for tonight. I fished the business card out of my pocket. It was damp from my walk, but Jyri Altimir’s details were crisp and readable. “Yeah, here.”

  Alain took the card, his fingers brushing mine. “I know this place,” the incubus said. “It’s in the business district.”

  My heart sank. “They’ll be closed at this hour.”

  “Not necessarily,” Alain said. “They’re a supernatural run company.” He gave me a kind smile, and my knees weakened. “Let’s go try our luck.”

  Right. Luck.

  Before we could take another step, I blurted out to Will, “But if you treat me like shit under your boot, you’ll live just long enough to regret that.”

  Will's shoulder stiffened, but he gave a curt nod. “Got it, Ms. Lee.” He flicked his fingers at me. My clothes rustled around me, and when I grabbed at the fabric, they had dried. I reached up to find my hair dry, though the strands crunched under my fingers. Dirt stained my jeans in a crust, but at least I didn’t squish.

  Before I could open my mouth to speak, Will strode off. “Don’t mess up my car. You ride in the back.”