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CHAPTER12

Trevor sat beside Soleil’s bed as she slept.

Thank the Goddess she’d thought to create the protective bubble. He assumed she’d learned the trick from the Oracle, and it likely saved her life. Other than to say “assault rifles are the devil” before falling asleep, Soleil didn’t discuss her ordeal. The image of her riddled with bullets made his gut churn. He’d meant what he said to her about her fast thinking.

“How is she?”

Trev glanced up to see Gene Stockton hovering in the doorway and grimaced. “She’s fine, but she’ll probably be jumpy for a while until we find the fucker who shot her.”

“I can’t understand why anyone would want to. She’s one of the kindest people I’ve ever met.”

Stockton shuffled closer to the bed and gazed down at Soleil. His brows were drawn together as he pondered over what she might have done to deserve an enemy of this magnitude. Likely, Trev wore the same look.

“She has a simple life, from what I can tell,” Trev replied. “Plants. Her family’s shop. Hell, she even cares for the homeless three times a week. I’m as stumped as you why anyone would target her.”

“But they are. You said it yourself.” Stockton’s expression was grim as he met Trevor’s eyes. “Someone tried to run her down outside the restaurant, and today, they shot her. Thankfully, they were a piss-poor shot.”

“Actually, she conjured a protective shell. Spent bullets littered the sand around her.” After scrubbing his face with his hands, Trevor shook his head. “I don’t get it, but I think this is why I was assigned to her.”

“Like a guardian angel? I thought you were a magical assassin.”

“Yeah. Mostly, I am. But maybe this time, I’m supposed to be on hand to heal her for whatever the Fates have planned.”

Stockton made a face, then eyed her thoughtfully. “I don’t buy it. If she leads such a simple life, what could they possibly need her for?”

“Repopulating the earth with all your black-market plants?”

Gene laughed. “Perhaps, but she isn’t the only earth witch working on the project. She and Spring Thorne have created a collective to restore endangered or extinct plants. Wildlife, too, if I’m not mistaken.”

“Christ. Let’s hope they don’t get it in their heads to Jurassic Park the planet.” Trev muffled a yawn with his palm.

“Why don’t you try to rest? I can watch over her until she wakes.”

His brows shot up. “That’s like leaving a cat with a mouse, man. Not going to happen.”

Stockton chuckled. “As much as I’d love to seduce her, she only has eyes for you, Mr. Blane. You’re a fool if you can’t see it.”

“I see it. But a relationship with me will find her dead within ten years.” Despite how much he might wish differently.

“Looks like she’ll be dead sooner without you around,” Stockton said. “Ah, I can see you hadn’t thought of that. You saved her life today.”

“She saved her own life. I only healed her arm.” Trev shrugged. “If not me, she’d have called her brother-in-law.”

“Do you think you should contact him anyway? It could be these attempts weren’t the first ones, but our mysterious villain is incompetent.”

“Confession?” When Stockton nodded, Trevor continued. “I’m afraid of her brother-in-law. He’s ancient, all-powerful, and scary as fuck when he loses his temper. And I have the feeling he might let loose with his anger if he finds out she’s on some rando’s hit list.”

A half smile twisted Gene Stockton’s lips. “Better to have as many people looking out for her as possible, though. She’s too beautiful a person to succumb to a bullet or the bumper of an SUV, no?”

Trev shot him a sharp glance. “Did I mention it was an SUV?”

“You didn’t. She did. You were too preoccupied watching her to notice what she was saying last night at dinner.” He approached and held out his hand for Trevor to shake. “I’m not your enemy, and I’m certainly not Soleil’s. You saved my daughter today, and I’d lay down my life for either of you.”

Rising to his feet, Trevor accepted the offer of friendship. “I meant what I said. If Lily’s cancer comes back, contact me. Before I go, I’ll give you a list of names as a backup. They can all get the job done.”

“I owe you.”

“No. I don’t hold markers. I have a lot of Karma to fix on my father’s behalf.”