Page 40

Otis launched himself up onto Gabriel’s shoulder.

Lucy went back to the counter and sat down. “Tell Joe he’s welcome to a cup of coffee.”

Gabriel paused in the kitchen doorway and looked at her. His blood heated a little. This morning she was dressed for Underworld work in cargo trousers and a loose-fitting denim work shirt. The glamorous, mysterious witch from the night before was gone, but the cool, determined professional weather channeler was just as fascinating, just as compelling. Regardless of what she wore, the seductive power of her aura called to his senses.

He had to make himself continue toward the door.

Joe was standing in the hall. He had a pair of boots in one hand and a duffel bag in the other. “Your change of clothes, Boss. When I went into your apartment, I noticed you didn’t have much in the way of furniture yet.”

“I’ve been busy,” Gabriel said.

“Right. The rest of your Underworld gear is in the back of your vehicle.”

“Thanks.” Gabriel stepped back and opened the door. “Come on in. Did Aiden pull up any information on those three guys who tried to get in our way last night?”

“Yep.” Joe shook his head in disgust. “Low-rent, out-of-town muscle. The cops didn’t recognize them. Definitely ex-Guild men, though. Freelancers who do contract work for anyone who will hire them.”

“Who were they working for last night?”

“They claim they don’t know. It was a brokered job as far as they’re concerned, and the police believe them. I agree. Locating the brokerwon’t be easy. You know how it is with those guys. They’re very good at staying in the shadows. It’s going to take a while to find whoever put the deal together, but there can’t be a lot of guys who would take the risk of arranging the kidnapping and murder of a Guild boss.”

“This is Illusion Town,” Gabriel said. “I’m told the rules are a little different here.”

Joe took the folded newspaper out from under his arm. “Thought you might want to take a look at this. You’re famous. Again. So is Ms. Bell.”

He thrust the papers into Gabriel’s hand and reached up to give Otis a friendly pat.

“How’s it going, little guy?” he asked. “You’re famous, too.”

Otis chortled a greeting.

Gabriel read the headline on theCurtain.New Guild Boss Dating Woman He Rescued. A Real-Life Love Story in the Works?

“Well, hell,” he said. “Lucy is not going to be happy.”

The front-page photo showed Lucy and himself emerging from the limo in front of the Amber Palace. They looked like any other formally dressed couple out for an evening on the town, except for the dust bunny in a sequined tux under her arm.

“Aiden said to tell you not to worry, Boss,” Joe said. “This town loves a good celebrity story.”

“How bad is it?” Lucy asked from the end of the short entry hall.

“It depends on your point of view,” Gabriel said.

He held out theCurtainso she could see the headline and the photo.

“Crap.” Lucy groaned. “When I was in the shower this morning I got a wild flash of optimism. I thought the press might go with something along the lines ofNew Guild Boss Hires Local Weather Channeler for High-Priority Investigation. But I suppose that was too much to expect.”

Gabriel tossed the paper aside on an end table. “I was afraid you would take that particular point of view.”

Lucy picked up the newspaper, unfolded it, and turned to the second page. “Guess what. There’s another photo.”

“Of us?” Gabriel asked.

“No.” Lucy raised her eyes to meet his. She looked more grim than ever. “Of Otis.”

She handed the paper back to him. The photo showed Otis in his snazzy little tux. He was perched on top of the massive engagement cake, munching on the sugar roses.

Gabriel tossed the paper aside for the second time. “Forget the headlines. We’ve got a job to do, remember?”