Page 59 of Eye on the Ball
“He surprised me, because he was one of the very few people I’ve ever met who didn’t have a deepest desire. I don’t know why. Maybe during all those years in the vampire wars, he was so sure he wouldn’t survive that he didn’t dare to desire anything.”
My throat was suddenly tight. “Why are you telling me this?”
Her gaze was so warm and gentle. “Because he’s different now, Tess. His deepest desire is you.”
31
Jack
Rose started yawning, and we wrapped up our visit. Tess hugged everybody, and I shook Alejandro’s hand and kissed the top of Rose’s head. The hospital had cleared them to go home in a few hours, with promises to see their doctors at home in Ohio immediately.
“Do you need a plane?”
Alejandro’s eyebrows rose. “You have a plane now?”
I laughed. “Not hardly. But I can swing renting one for you. That Atlantean gold Conlan made me take comes in handy when there are new babies to transport.”
He clapped me on the back. “You are a good man, my friend, but we’re set. Justice and Keely are arriving at any moment to take us through a portal.”
Tess, who’d approached while we were speaking, looked at us. “Justice and Keely? The Justice you named the baby after, I’m guessing?”
“Lord Justice, third—or is it fourth?—in line for the throne of Atlantis. He’s an interesting guy,” Jack said. “I’ll tell you all about him later. We should probably get going and let Rose rest.”
I put my arm around Tess and pulled her close. The sight of her with the baby had made me feel odd. She was going to be a wonderful mother one day. Would it be better for her if I left Dead End, so she could find a nice, normal guy to settle down with?
My mind—and heart—gave the answer in sharp, deadly sure syllables:
Never. She’s mine.
On our way out the door, we met Justice and Keely. Tess’s eyes widened at the warrior’s long, blue-black hair.
Justice grinned at me. “Hey, kitty cat.”
I shook his hand. “Hey, fish breath.”
Keely rolled her eyes. “Men.”
“Hey, Keely.” I’d forgotten her hair was almost as blazing a red as Tess’s.
The two women smiled at each other.
“Hey, nice hair,” Tess said.
“Fellow ginger!” Keely said.
Tess’s gaze dropped to Keely’s gloved hands, and her gaze sharpened.
Keely noticed and gave her a rueful smile. “Not the same as yours. Riley told me about your visions. I’m a touch psychic. I can tell an object’s history from touching it—but only objects.”
“My … gift looks to the future, and yours looks to the past,” Tess said, a little sadly. “I’d trade with you in a heartbeat. Being a touch psychic would come in handy in the pawnshop business. Want a job?”
Keely laughed. “Maybe if I ever leave the archaeology field.”
Justice raised an eyebrow and looked at me. “Clearly this woman is far too beautiful and intelligent for you.”
“Tess Callahan,” she said cheerfully. “Not ‘this woman.’”
Justice gave her a brilliant smile and bowed. “Justice of Atlantis. It is our delight and honor to meet you, Tess Callahan.”