Home > The Brimstone Deception (SPI Files #3)(14)

The Brimstone Deception (SPI Files #3)(14)
Author: Lisa Shearin

Ian smiled slightly. “She does. For our first time out, she said she wanted to take me somewhere nice.”

“Aww. Sorry, couldn’t help myself. That’s just so sweet. Does she know you want actual food, not decorative squiggles on a plate?”

He nodded. “She does. Next time, I pick the place.”

“And?”

“I was thinking about Franco’s.”

Italian. Low light. Romantic ambiance. Best of all, good food and lots of it. A carb-loading, meat-lover’s paradise. “Good choice.”

“Really?”

“You wouldn’t know it to look at her, but that girl can put away some food. She can flat out load some carbs. I’ve had lunch with her enough to know. She’ll love Franco’s.”

Ian took a breath and looked down at his plate. He could probably see his reflection in the thing. “I’m sorry about what I said today at lunch about you and Rake Danescu.”

I smiled and gave him a little nudge under the table with the toe of my boot. “No, you’re not.”

He glanced up, his lips twitching at the corners. “You’re right. I’m not. He asked you out again.”

“Yep, lunch tomorrow. He . . . Wait, that wasn’t a question. Unless you sprouted eyes in the back of your head, how did—”

“There was a framed print on the wall of the coffee shop behind Fred. I could see your reflection. Danescu must have been hungry, too. I thought he was going to eat your hand.”

“Just because I haven’t been out before with a goblin millionaire—”

“Billionaire.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Well, dang.” I shrugged. “Okay, all that means is there’s a couple of extra zeros in his bankbook. And yeah, he’s hot, but money and looks don’t impress me.”

“Then why would—”

“He’s interesting,” I said simply. “Intriguing, even. I want to know what makes him tick. That he’s easy on the eyes while I’m trying to find that out is just a side benefit.”

“The stereotypical mystery man.”

“Hey, I’m not embarrassed to admit it.”

“And if you actually find out what makes Rake Danescu tick?”

“That just might be the reason to keep seeing him—or send me screaming in the other direction.”

Ian’s expression went grim. “That’s part of what worries me. He’s a dark mage.”

“I’ve known dark mages, back home and here. Heck, I’m even related to a few. My family’s thick with seers, but that’s not the only magical flavor in the family casserole. A lot of families have colorful relatives in their metaphorical attic. We Southerners take ours out and show ’em off. Dark doesn’t mean evil. Now the big question would be why is he interested in me? I mean, I clean up good, but I’m no beauty.”

Ian started to speak. I held up a hand. “Thank you, but don’t bother. I’m good with how I look, and I don’t need any empty compliments to boost my self-esteem. It’s quite healthy.”

“Any compliment I pay you wouldn’t be empty.”

“Thank you again.” I smiled slightly. “The only reason I can come up with is that I’m probably the only woman who’s ever told him no. And if it turns out that’s his only reason, I’m not interested.”

“There’s your magic. He tried to hire you away from SPI your first night on the job.”

“And he hasn’t tried again since then.”

“Goblins can be patient.”

“Good, because I’m gonna be trying the heck out of his patience, regardless of his reasons for chasing after me. If you’re worried about my safety, don’t be. Ms. Sagadraco knows all about today’s lunch.”

“She does?”

I nodded. “Since Rake’s on the perpetual suspect list, I thought it might be prudent to check in with the boss first.”

“And?”

“She told me to go and have fun. If Ms. Sagadraco isn’t worried, then you shouldn’t be, either. Rake’s not gonna do anything without my say so, and if he’s serious about trying, he’s gonna have to answer to me. He’s well aware that he doesn’t want to piss off the boss.” I gave him a quick grin. “Or my partner.”

“Damn right, he doesn’t.”

“See? All settled.”

“I wouldn’t call it settled.”

“Of course you wouldn’t.”

“But I feel better hearing your side of it.”

“I can assure you, it takes a lot to turn my head—and I have yet to lose it, over anyone.”

“Just know that if he ever hurts you—”

“Honey, you’re gonna have to get in line behind me. Though we both might have to get in line after Vivienne Sagadraco, and once she’s through with him, there might not be enough left to bother with.”

Ian’s grin was ferocious. “I’d gladly relinquish my place in line and pay to see that. Speaking of our bosses, have you heard back from Alain Moreau?”

“Not yet.”

“Maybe you should go straight to the Dragon Lady. It’s not every day one of her agents can see a portal.”

“I just saw one. That doesn’t mean I’ll be able to see any more.”

“But it makes it highly likely.”

   
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