Page 20 of Shattering Dawn
Gideon’s aura—fierce, powerful, and fascinating—blazed in the shadows. She should have been afraid. Instead, she wasthrilled. There was no other word for her response.
She ignored his question and asked one of her own instead. “Did you really put that man into a coma tonight?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“Trust me, you really do not want to know.”
“Screw it,” she said. “It’s bad enough that I’ve got a beat-up investigator who ought to be in an ER. I don’t need one with a depressing, cryptic attitude.”
“What the hell?”
“Right now the only reason you’ve got my case, Gideon Sweetwater, is because you have apparently condescended to take my claims about the paranormal elements involved seriously. I realize that most professional investigators would not get that far. So, yes, I’m stuck with you. That doesn’t mean I will put up with a bad attitude.”
Gideon pressed the recliner button. The chair brought him to an upright position. “What is your problem?”
“As my Aunt Cybil would say, get over yourself. You’re not the only one who got saddled with a dumbass talent. At least you’ve found a way to make what appears to be a very good living withyours. I, on the other hand, am trying to pay the rent and stay out of an asylum.”
“An asylum?”
“Good night.”
She stalked back into the bedroom, closed the door with some force, got under the covers, and once again opened her senses to the gentle vibes of the three crystals.
I am calm. I am serene. I am centered. I exhale the bad energy and inhale the good.
Chapter Ten
The voluminous, lacy,pearl-studded bridal veil was crumpled into a big, frothy heap on his doorstep.
“Well, shit,” Gideon said. “Talk about lousy timing.” Bracing himself on his cane he leaned down and scooped up as much of the netting as he could grasp in one hand. He held it out to Amelia. “Would you mind holding this while I unlock the door?”
“Uh. Okay.” She stared at the veil for a beat and then looked at him. “Is there anything you want to tell me about your personal life before we leave town?”
“Not right now. Long story. I’ll tell you all about the bride who goes with the veil after we get on the road.”
“Okay,” she said again. “I guess.”
He got the door open and ushered her into the hall. She stepped inside, moving cautiously. The veil spilled over her arms and trailed on the terra-cotta floor.
“Just dump it on a chair,” he instructed. He gestured toward the living room. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. I appreciate the shower atyour place, but now I need to change clothes and pack an overnight bag.”
She looked down at the heap of gossamer netting in her arms. “Okay,” she said.
He hesitated and then reminded himself he did not have time to waste on explanations just then.
He left Amelia standing in the middle of the tiled floor, her arms full of wedding veil, and went down the hall to his bedroom. It didn’t take long to pull on a fresh shirt and trousers. He took a few more minutes to toss some clothes into a duffel bag and grabbed a windbreaker. It could get chilly at night in the desert at this time of year.
He was pleased to note that he was moving fairly well in spite of the scene in the service lane. To his surprise, he had gotten some decent, nightmare-free sleep in the recliner and his pain levels were minimal this morning. There were a few fresh bruises, but evidently he had not done any additional damage to the leg or the ribs.
He was, in fact, feeling better than he had any right to be feeling considering his recent activities. It helped that he had a new, very interesting case, but there was another element in play—the new, very interesting client.
So many questions.
His phone rang. He took it out, saw his uncle’s name, and took the call.
“What have you got?” he asked.