Page 50 of Stone Temptation

It was a platinum band set with rubies and one huge diamond in the center of it. Seriously expensive. Pretty heavy. Something not quite right about the fires in the jewels.

Fires?

Why were there fires? Why did I… Why did I… Why did?—

Glass smashed, ice gleamed, plucking me out of the office for only a moment. I sucked in air, falling on my arse, still clutching the ring.

“Must get out. Must get out,” I whispered, my focus on the ring, unable to move.

Time to move! I yelled from the inside.

The outside didn’t care. “Must get out. Must get out.”

TWELVE

Asher

Bollocks. How did this not twig the moment I met Luke?

He came from Brinecrest. A seaside town. Brought on weird vibes as well as a stiffy. Ta da!

Big bollocky bollocks of the sweatiest kind.

Back on my feet, I darted up the stairs, gathering speed until I slid to a halt outside Carissa’s office, the door open.

Cinnamon and orange filled the air, Luke’s voice coming from inside.

“Must get out. Must get out.”

Yeah. Too right, he had to get out of there.

Braced for a fight, I slipped into the room. Should’ve probably called for backup, but my nosiness wouldn’t let me.

Luke crouched before the boss’s safe, head bowed.

The open safe.

“Luke?”

“Pickles!” he cried, leaping to his feet.

The fuck?

Flustered, face a tomato, he swallowed. That was some heavy throat bobbing.

“What you doing in here?” I asked.

And where are the pickles?

“You can see me?” he sputtered, his closed hands shaking.

“Why wouldn’t I be able to see you?”

His eyes darting between me and the door. “I… I… Oh, God.”

I inched closer to him. “What’s going on?”

“I’m…”