Only Skin Deep: Paranormal MMM Romance, page 25
“Ships in the night, Pauley. I’ve been around.”
“Sure, sure,” the detective said. He hitched a hip on the desk behind Ash’s. “Who’s your friend here?”
“Colby. He’s doing a ride-along and shadowing me today.”
Pauley’s brow rose. “Luca know about that?”
Ash turned, glaring. “Meaning?”
“Well, I can see the guy’s sweet on you from the look he keeps giving you. Noticed it from across the precinct.”
Colby’s face flamed.
“Yeah. Luca knows. Approved of it himself. You satisfied?”
Pauley lifted his hands in surrender. “My bad.” He frowned as he rose and walked to his own desk.
Ash turned to glare at him. Colby noticed something in Ash’s gaze that hadn’t been there before Pauley’s comment. What was it? Shame for them being found out?
Colby felt a bit embarrassed himself, so he couldn’t necessarily be mad, yet the thought that Ash felt bad for others to know didn’t sit well, either.
“Almost done.”
“K.” Colby turned his attention away from Ash to prevent another remark. He observed the inside of the station, something he’d attempted to avoid his entire life—at least he was there as a visitor versus as a suspect.
The chaos he’d expected suddenly hit. Screaming erupted from closer to the front door. Colby swiveled in the seat and surveyed the situation. He heard the words structure and fire—and his ears perked.
“Let’s get out of here,” Ash said, rising.
“A fire? Is that what I heard?”
“Yeah. Large structure fire. We should go peek and check if there’s any connection.” Ash pocketed two of the messages and hit a few buttons on his phone before turning to Colby. “Ready?”
“Fuck yeah. Let’s go be cops.”
“I am a cop.”
“You know what I mean.”
He jumped into the passenger seat of Ash’s car. They were soon raced down Essex Street with flashers going. They parked a block from a large building aflame, a shiver raced down Colby’s spine. The memory of his own fire was still too fresh.
“You okay?”
Colby met the stare of a very attentive Ash. “Yeah.”
“Let’s go. I want to see if there're any signs of demon activity.”
It was in that moment that Colby wished he had Daniel’s ability. He looked about and noticed absolutely nothing out of the ordinary. Ash spoke to one firefighter and then returned to Colby.
“There doesn't appear to be any demons in the vicinity. No sulphur scent clinging in the air.” He turned to scan the fire. “Nothing from out here that leads me to think they’re involved.”
A couple of uniformed cops worked the crowd. A couple more seemed to handle traffic, while others were talking with bystanders and taking notes.
“I’d say this was a bust. I’ll check the notes later. For now, we have other points of interest. Let’s go.”
Before they got far, a dispatcher call over the radio got Ash’s notice. “We’ve got a missing person reported in South Salem,” she said. “Please advise.”
“Location?” Ash asked, one hand tensing on the wheel.
The dispatcher gave him an address before Ash signed off. He flipped on his flashers, but no siren as he hit the gas. Once they arrived, Colby followed Ash in, listening to the many questions asked and answers given.
When they returned to the car, he struggled to stifle his yawn.
“Not as glamorous as it appears on TV, hmm?”
Colby chuckled. “No, but I also didn’t sleep well last night. Haven’t really slept in a few nights, truth be told.”
“Want to head back to the apartment?”
“Maybe in a little while. If that’s okay? I’m not quite ready to go back.”
Ash grinned. “Of course, it’s okay.”
“That missing guy. Do you think it’s connected to the demons?”
“Might be. We’ve had an uptick in missing person cases in the past few years, but then the population of Salem has grown, too. The tourist trade brings unsavories into the area, looking for easy marks with out-of-towners. Not sure if it’s connected or not. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was.”
“Do you find many?”
“Nationally, the majority are found—or were never missing. Here? Less than ten percent. That’s unusual. It’s hard to disappear with the advent of social media and the fact nearly every living human has a camera and recording device in their pocket.”
“I was nearly another missing person case.”
“I don’t know that you would’ve been,” Ash said. He relayed the story of the melting man, noting Colby’s horrified expression. “So, yeah… you might’ve simply withered away with no one even remembering you existed.”
“Daniel?”
“I don’t know,” Ash murmured.
“Luca truly saved me from the unimaginable, didn’t he?”
“Being cursed?” Ash opened his mouth but closed it. He shivered, shaking his head.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
Colby groaned. “Don’t. What were you thinking?”
Ash watched him a moment, silent. “My gut tells me the melted man ended up in hell. He’d been cursed. Where else would he have gone?”
“So… had Luca not saved me… I might’ve ended up in hell?”
Ash shrugged. “We can’t know for sure.”
The next shiver to come raced through Colby’s body.
Ash leaned closer, linking his hand through Colby’s. “But that didn’t happen to you. I was able to get you to Luca—and he stopped it from progressing any farther. And he will break it. It’s just a matter of time.”
Something about the eternal optimism Ash seemed to have buoyed his hopes. Having seen so much evil, Ash had every right to be jaded, yet he had full confidence in Luca. Even though the witch’s magic was gone. “What if his power doesn’t return?”
“It will,” Ash said.
“What if it doesn’t?”
Ash turned to fully face him. “I’m a witch’s familiar. I can sense his magic, and it’s not gone. Not completely. It’ll return.”
Colby searched his face, seeing nothing but love and optimism shining back at him. He smiled, stealing a little of it for himself. “It’ll return.”
Ash grinned seconds before a call came over the radio informing him of a disturbance on Essex Street. Flashers going, they rushed there—only to find four tourists in a line to get into the Witch Museum in a fistfight over who’d gotten there first. All four ended up banned from going inside, and by the end, none pressed charges. Only tossed ugly words.
Colby covered another yawn.
“We’re close to Enchanted Ink if you want to head back?”
Colby nodded. “Yeah. I could use a nap.” He chuckled. “Like I’m a four-year-old in daycare all over again.”
Ash snorted. “Want me to stop by and get you a boxed lunch before we go home, little boy?”
“Ugh,” Colby said, chuckling. “Stop.”
Ash howled with laughter. The sound brought a smile to Colby’s lips. Canting his gaze, he spied the laugh lines around Ash’s mouth and eyes… and really noticed how sexy the man was. Especially when he was amused. Colby’s heart skipped a beat before it sped a little. Ash turned, catching him in the act of peeking.
Colby turned away, heat filling his face. Ash slid his hand into Colby’s, linking their fingers.
“I will take some lunch from the café, though. If that’s okay?”
“Why wouldn’t it be okay? I’ve noticed your appetite is terrible. You need to eat better.”
“It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions lately. Food isn’t at the forefront of my mind.”
“I realize that,” Ash murmured. He smiled, those little laugh lines appearing again. Colby sighed inwardly. “I’m glad you’re hungry.”
Colby hadn’t eaten well in days. Not since the curse. “I’m feeling a bit more myself today.”
“Then let’s get you some lunch,” Ash said.
“And… you can join me?”
Ash grinned. “Wild horses wouldn’t keep me away.” He sighed. “Though a call from the department might.”
Colby chuckled.
Ash lifted their joined hand and kissed the back of Colby’s before sliding away, hitting the turn blinker. Ash sent a smile his way before pulling into traffic.
“Dang it, Daniel!” Luca yelled, tossing his controller to the coffee table. “You’re too good at this. I can’t beat you.”
Daniel snickered wickedly, a smile spreading across his face.
“I’m getting hungry. You?”
“I want a cupcake from the café.”
“Sure,” Luca said. “But I was thinking about proper food.”
“Cupcakes are food.”
Luca grinned. “Yes, they are, but—healthy food.”
Daniel made a gagging noise.
“How about this? You eat a healthy lunch, and you and I will have a cupcake for dessert.”
“One cupcake each or one to share?” Daniel asked. “Because I don’t want to share.”
“Stingy, bro?”
Daniel grinned. “With cupcakes? Yes.”
Luca couldn’t help but laugh. A few minutes later, they stood in line at the café. When it was their turn, Graham gave them both a big grin. “Daniel! Back again?”
Daniel offered his fist to Graham, who happily fist-bumped him. Luca understood then that his new little brother was a sponge. He’d need to be careful with the things he said and did.
“Luca’s getting me a cupcake.”
“After lunch,” Luca added, leaning a hip on the counter. “I’ll take my usual.”
Daniel copied Luca. “My usual, too.”
“What’s that? You’ve eaten something different every day,” Graham murmured.
“Oh,” Daniel said. “I’ll have Luca’s usual.”
“Two Luca Specials,” Graham called out to his apprentices behind the counter. He refocused on Daniel. “Want to pick out your cupcake now, or wait for later?”
“Now!” Daniel wandered closer to the pastry case. He pointed at a big, fluffy purple cupcake. “I want that one. It’s the same color as Luca’s hair.”
Luca ran a hand through his purple locks as Graham removed the tray and placed two cupcakes into a box. “I hear through the grapevine that you have some experience making cupcakes, Daniel.”
“Yeah, boy, do I! I decorate cookies, too.”
“Well, maybe you can come show me a thing or two sometime soon. Maybe I can even get you a job as Head Cupcake Decorator if you’re interested?”
“Head Cupcake Decorator?” Daniel asked. He looked at Luca, wide-eyed. “My dream job.” His face fell. “But I work with my friends at the bakery.”
“I know you do, and I’m sure you miss them.” Luca sighed. “It’s not safe for you to go there right now. Not with the demons out there, right?”
“Yeah,” Daniel said.
“Maybe it could be temporary,” Graham said. “Just for a while until you can go back to work there.”
“And you could make some new friends here while you’re at it,” Luca offered.
“I like new friends.” His face scrunched up. “I should talk to Coby first?”
“I think that’s a great idea,” Luca murmured as Graham handed over the box. He offered it to Daniel. “Why don’t you hold on to these?”
Daniel nearly snatched them. “Thanks, Graham!”
“No problem, Daniel.” He eyed Luca. “Sandwiches are ready at the pickup counter.”
“Thanks, man.”
He gathered the sandwiches, drinks, and napkins before ambling over to a table near the big plate-glass window. Halloween would soon arrive, and the streets of Salem grew heavier with tourists the closer it came. There were still a few weeks yet, but the sidewalks were already quite laden with sightseers, many dressed like a reject from the Hocus Pocus movies. Luckily for the coven, many tourists saw their building as empty. Only those with a little witch blood in them noticed them. Enchanted Ink was the only exception. They took on all comers, witch blood or not.
Daniel opened his turkey sandwich and lifted the top of the bread. “What is this?”
“Turkey, lettuce, tomato, light mayo, spinach, and avocado on whole grain seeded bread.”
Daniel cringed.
He scanned his own sandwich. “Oh, and bacon.”
“I like bacon,” Daniel said. “Can I just eat that?”
Luca lifted his sandwich and took a huge bite. He moaned as he chewed. “So good.”
Daniel didn’t look impressed.
“Just try a bite. If you don’t like it, we can get you something else.”
Daniel sighed dramatically. “Not going to like it.” He took a small bite and chewed. His frowned disappeared more with every chew. “I like it.”
“See?” Luca said. “New things can surprise you sometimes.”
Daniel took a heartier bite, grinning. “I’m eating a healthy lunch.” He poked at the cupcake box. “I get one of those next.”
“Yup.” Luca took another bite. Once swallowed, he met Daniel’s gaze. “What should we do this afternoon?”
“More video games?”
“How about you help me reorganize my inks and tools in my studio?”
Daniel considered that for a minute. “Where you do the tattoos?”
“Yup.”
“Can I get one?”
Luca tightened his jaw. “I’m working on Colby to okay that one. You should have one for protection.”
“Badassed,” Daniel said.
Luca roared with laughter, offering his fist. “Badassed is right.”
Daniel fist-bumped him with a wide grin.
Once Daniel was finished with his sandwich, he grabbed the cupcake box. Opening it, he spied them.
“Not going to eat one?” Luca asked.
“I have to pick the best one.” He finally made his choice and set it on his empty plate before rubbing his hands together. “Yay.”
“That’s a lovely lunch,” a voice said behind Daniel.
Luca lifted his gaze and noted Colby walking in, followed by Ash.
“We had turkey sandwiches, on whole grain bread with spinach and avocado,” Luca answered. “That was the trade-off. A healthy lunch and then we could have cupcakes.”
Colby’s eyebrows rose. “Avocado? Spinach? You ate these things, Daniel?”
Daniel nodded happily. “And they were gooood.”
“Who are you?” Colby asked his brother.
“I’m Daniel, silly.”
Colby ruffled his brother’s hair. Daniel offered a fist to Ash, who fist bumped him back, before they headed up to give Graham their order.
The pair returned by the time Daniel had devoured his cupcake.
“How’d you like the ride-along?” Luca asked, noting how close Colby and Ash sat next to one another. A tiny fragment of jealousy whispered through his mind. After years of Ash being his, he was unaccustomed to sharing. His gaze flipped to Colby’s, and the jealousy vanished. I might have to share, but look what I get in return.
“Not as exciting as television and the movies make it appear, as I was warned,” Colby said. “Yet very interesting. It gave me a chance to see what it was Ash does with his time away from here.”
“I don’t know how he does it,” Luca admitted, leaning closer to Colby. “I’d be bored out of my skull.”
“There was yawning involved,” Ash added.
Colby slapped Ash gently on the shoulder. “I had a terrible night of sleep.”
Ash laughed. “Yeah, yeah, yeah…”
“Why didn’t you sleep, Coby?”
Colby inhaled, clearly considering what he said. “I was sad about our house. Losing our neighbors and our neighborhood.”
“Yeah. I was sad, too,” Daniel said. “But we have a new family and a new house. I like it here.”
“Which reminds me,” Luca said. “Do you want to tell Colby about what Graham said?”
Daniel bounced in his seat, eyes wide and a smile on his lips. “Graham said I can come to work here and be the Head Cupcake Decorator. Can I?”
Colby’s gaze flipped to Luca’s.
Luca nodded. “He’d be safer here than his current job. The coven’s protection spell covers the entire building. And once the threat is gone, he can return to his old job and friends if they’d allow it and he wanted to go.”
Colby’s focus turned to Daniel. “Do you want the job?”
“Oh, yes.”
Colby grinned. “Think he’d hire me, too? I can decorate cupcakes with you.”
Daniel sighed. “Maybe, but I’d be the boss.”
“Of course,” Colby said. “You know how to decorate cupcakes a lot better than I do.”
Daniel jumped from his seat. “Can I go tell Graham?”
“Sure,” Luca said, scooting his seat up to allow Daniel to pass. He gazed at Colby. “It’ll give him something productive to do—besides kicking all our asses in video games.”
“Yeah, it’s good for him to have work. He’s lost two jobs this week.” Colby grinned, but it didn’t go all the way to his eyes. “Actually, it might not be a bad idea for me to talk to Graham before we leave. Perhaps he might consider hiring me, too.”
“Daniel will be fine here alone,” Ash said. “The coven will protect him.”
“I need a job,” Colby said. “It has nothing to do with Daniel.”
“Just hold off on making that decision yet,” Ash murmured.
He caught Ash’s gaze. That was the second time Luca had suspected Ash had something up his sleeve. Ash shrugged before leaning forward and swiping some of Luca’s frosting.
“Mmmm… pretty good.”
“Hey, now,” Luca joked.
Ash stole a little more. Colby grabbed Ash’s hand and sucked the frosting off before Ash could get it.
The image of Colby licking icing off Ash’s finger immediately burned into Luca’s brain. His cock jerked, heart quickening. Gaze flicking to Ash for a second, he noted he wasn’t the only one dazed.
Colby looked between them, face aflame, realizing what he’d just done. “Sorry.”
“No need to apologize,” Ash murmured, his voice raspier than usual.
Colby rose from the table, cheeks bright red. “I should go check on Daniel.”
