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Dean, who I could only guess was the son of the Reid’s, raised his eyebrows. He was dressed in a pair of khakis and a button-up shirt. Sure, I was type casting in my head, but I was pretty sure I was right, and this was the son to a rich family.

A figure came around from behind Dean and I paled. I locked gazes with him, trying not to show any recognition on my face. It was Ren. A better looking, more put together Ren than I’d seen the two times I’d met him before. He didn’t look high on his magic or his girls. He looked like a businessman. I swallowed, knowing he had the power to take me out right there if he wanted to. Hopefully, Randy’s scary ass put enough fear into him that he would keep his mouth shut. “What’s this?” Ren asked. “A new witch in town?”

He smirked at me, and I smiled back, trying to tell him to fuck off with my eyes. He knew exactly what I was doing here. He’s the one who told me about this place to begin with. Dean chuckled. “And I suppose Owen was trying to show you some northern hospitality?”

Owen grimaced. I kind of felt bad for him. He reminded me of Liam in a way, and I hated bullies. “Yeah, he was being really nice. Again, I’m so sorry. I know it’s not cool to just walk into someone else’s house. But did you know it’s like eighty degrees back home, and I definitely didn’t dress for the weather.”

Shameless move to try to distract them. That I had to admit. Even Ren looked his full, and I wanted to punch him in the stomach. I still might yet once I got myself out of this mess.

“I should probably get going.” I walked around them, giving them a wide berth. If I had to, I could use magic if they wanted to stop me, but I hoped it didn’t come to that. I might have to use this connection in the future. Well, until they found out I was an Enforcer. Then, all bets were off.

Owen took a step forward. Dean raised his hand. “You, stay.”

Owen’s jaw snapped shut. His face blushed a fiery red. My heart really did go out to him. “It’s really my fault.”

Dean turned toward me. “My friend Ren is going to show you out.” He looked me up and down. “Just next time, ask for me, okay? I’d be happy to show you around.”

“O-okay.” I turned toward Owen and mouthed ‘sorry’. His face lifted a little, but then Ren’s gross fingers wrapped around my hips to steer me out. When we were out of their line of sight, I twisted and pushed him away from me. “Don’t touch me.”

He peeked back, then moved me forward faster. “Are you stupid? You thought coming here and just waltzing in and getting the book was a good idea?”

“I don’t really have a choice. My friend is worse. He needs it off him.”

Ren shook his head at me like I was a child. “You’re getting mixed up with the wrong people. I know damn well Randy doesn’t know you’re here.”

I lifted my chin. “Randy’s not my boss. Trust me, he’s aware of the fact too.”

“That may be, but show up here again, and you won’t like what happens. These aren’t forgiving people.”

“They don’t know anything about me.”

“Yet,” he said, the word lingering in the air.

“Yet,” I agreed. It wasn’t that Ren was threatening me, it was just we all knew keeping my presence a secret here wasn’t going to last much longer. Red had probably already figured it out.

“I’ll give Randy a call. Let him know he should be expecting you soon.”

I walked down the steps, turning back to give him a sly smile. “I can tell him myself.”

“I’d really love to tell him, though,” he said, his hands moving into his pockets. “I want to be the one to tell him how one of the Reid’s guards, and Dean Reid himself, are now very interested in you. It’ll be a fun conversation, I’m sure.”

I gave him a look, then turned and headed back toward the iron gate. I couldn’t believe I was walking out of there without the fucking book. I’d been so close. So, so close.

I ran back toward the Jeep, hearing my phone ringing from the inside before I even got there. So much for them being able to get ahold of me if they wanted to. I hurried up and unlocked it before answering. “Hello?”

“Norah? What the fuck?” It was Travis. The tension in his voice sliced his words through me. No doubt he woke up still expecting me to be there next to him, and then when I wasn’t…

“I’m sorry.”

He blew out a breath, the receiver crackling as he did so. “Are you coming home now?”

I hopped in and started the Jeep. “On my way.”

“Good.”

Then, he hung up. I threw the phone down in the passenger seat and did a U-turn on the posh road. I slammed my hand down into the steering wheel a couple times. Frustration fueled me. I was so close. Heat gathered behind my eyes. I’d put a lot of hope into this plan and it all ended with nothing. And we were nowhere closer to finding Liam or figuring out how to get the stupid familiar off him. We were running out of time…and plans.

Chapter Seventeen