Page 5

L uke had walked for miles thanks to the thorough tour Gabe had provided. He’d also met countless people. Faces and names were a blur in his mind.

Except for one.

Richard Marwood was exquisite. The necromancer had features bordering on delicate, but his pale blue eyes blazed with a warrior’s strength. Luke had noticed everything about him—from his finely arched brows to the tattoos on his hands. They mimicked the mark given to a destiny-touched, but Luke would’ve sensed if he’d been born one.

Plus, the destiny-touched were only given a skull on the back of one hand. Richard’s ink was on both, and Luke wondered how far up his arms the designs went. And if the rest of Richard’s body was as gorgeous as his pretty face. Luke had noted the liner and mascara Richard used to enhance his looks, and he appreciated anyone brave enough to defy convention.

“Luke?” Gabe asked in a strangely concerned voice.

Luke’s eyes darted around the nearly empty food court where they stood, searching for danger. “What’s wrong?”

“That’s what I asked you. Did we overwhelm you?”

Chuckling awkwardly, Luke shook his head. “No, sorry, I was lost in thought.”

There was no way in hell Luke would admit that he’d been mooning over an unobtainable man whose father now paid his bills and was literally handing him everything on a platter.

“No apology is necessary, you undoubtedly have a lot on your mind. Our tour is done, do you have any questions for me?”

Since it was inappropriate to ask anything about the stunning Richard, Luke shook his head. “None that I can think of right now.”

“Give me your initial impression, what stands out to you? Is there any office you’re being pulled toward? We can give you additional information to help you decide if you’d like.”

Luke wanted to make intelligent decisions, and he needed to gain some professional skills so he would be able to support himself in the future. Perhaps if he worked for casino security, he’d be a better protector for Foxe. The last thing he wanted was for anything to happen to his necromancer, and trouble followed him.

“Conference services was intriguing,” Luke said. A second later, he nearly slapped himself on the forehead. That wasn’t what he’d meant to say. Yes, events were interesting, but his dick was far too interested in Richard Marwood for his own peace of mind. Apparently his hormones were in charge because the words were already out.

Gabe smiled. “Great. Richard and Douglas can always use more people on their team. How about we start you there and if you discover it’s not for you, we can reassign you?”

“Sure,” Luke replied, his pulse picking up at the thought of working in the vicinity of the mysterious and fascinating Richard.

He wasn’t sure what skills he’d gain working for conference services, but he reminded himself that anything was better than nothing. What Luke had now was a blank résumé, and he liked the idea of adding to it. Building some safety and security for himself was incredibly enticing. And Foxe would be proud of him for getting started quickly. The sooner they had money, the better.

“Okay, let’s go downstairs and get you checked into a room. You can relax the rest of the day or explore any of the Marwood properties. I’ll speak with Richard tonight, and he’ll get you started in the morning. Report to his office. Do you remember where it is, or should we swing by there to refresh your memory?”

Thankfully, Luke had excellent recall, and he’d already gained a sense of where most things were in the resort.

“I remember where to go.”

“Wonderful, let’s head to the lobby then. I’ll work on arrangements for a permanent address for you unless you’d like to consider purchasing a house instead of renting a condo?”

Luke blinked heavily. Having the Marwoods buy him a house was out of the question. He wasn’t staying. “No, I’m not ready for that kind of commitment.”

“Understandable. We’ll work on a lease for you for now. Since you aren’t prepared to make a long-term commitment to a home, I don’t like the idea of sticking you with a condo mortgage right out of the gate. You should get a feel for what kind of space suits you.”

“I’m still blown away that you’re going to find me a place to live.”

“It’s our pleasure. I know it’s hard to believe since everything is being dumped into your lap, but you can trust the Marwoods.”

The sincerity in Gabe’s green gaze did little to settle the nerves hopping in Luke’s belly. So much had changed, and Luke was adrift. It didn’t help that Foxe wasn’t answering his damn phone either. Luke didn’t know where Foxe was or how he was coping.

Before leaving Foxe, Luke had handed over his emergency stash of money so his necromancer wouldn’t starve. Luke sincerely hoped Foxe hadn’t taken it to a casino, but the odds were not in his favor. Still, Luke wouldn’t have been able to handle knowing Foxe had nothing. How would he feed himself? Where would he find transportation or a bed to sleep in at night?

Luke needed to speak to him. The Marwoods had encouraged him to talk to his necromancer. They didn’t have to hide, so maybe Luke could convince Foxe to join him at the hotel or move into the condo he was apparently leasing. Was that allowed, or did the Marwoods only aid inspirits living apart from their necros?

With countless troubling questions flying through his mind, Luke trudged along at Gabe’s side toward the hotel entrance where they’d first met.

???

As Richard walked into the house, he allowed his frown to flourish. Usually he’d find Maribeth and they’d chat about their days. But she was now on the other side of the country, rebuilding her life. Which left Richard alone in Nevada feeling sorry for himself.

“You’re in a shitty mood,” Eric noted. They had nearly bumped into each other since Richard was too busy glowering at the floor to notice his brother. Richard glanced up and smiled. He wasn’t alone, and he was being a shithead, even if it was in his own mind.

“Just thinking about Mari,” Richard confided as he hugged Eric.

“She snuck out while I was ghost hunting with Rhonda. It was rude. I wanted another hug.”

The corner of Richard’s mouth quirked into a half-smile. “Did you tell her that?”

“Yes. She sent me a bunch of kissy face emojis. That doesn’t make me feel any better.”

“It’s difficult for us, but she believes it’s best for her, so we’re going to do our best to support her,” their father commented. “That doesn’t mean we have to like any fucking part of it.”

“Everyone get in here so we can eat,” Richard’s mother called out.

As meals were prepared, no one was allowed near the kitchen except for Rosalind and David, so Richard did what he was told without argument. His toes were pinched in his new heeled boots, but taking them off would have to wait. If he delayed dinner, his mother wouldn’t be pleased. And their entire family was upset about Maribeth, not just him. So, he refused to distress anyone, even by doing something minor like rushing out to take off his shoes.

“Gabriel, does Lucas have everything he needs?” Clark asked as they sat down to eat.

“Is that our new inspirit?” Rosalind asked as a perfect picture of Lucas Wynnter flashed into Richard’s head. A little wave of lust swept through him, and he wanted to slap himself for finding another gorgeous man desirable. Richard was done with sex and relationships.

“Yes, he was very polite and nervous,” Clark told his soulmate.

“His worries are understandable,” Richard’s mother commented. “It’s not easy to start over. It was brave of him to contact us.”

“The shock never really faded from his eyes,” Gabriel remarked. “That must’ve been what I looked like when you two handed me a new life on a gleaming golden platter.”

Rosalind winked. “All my platters are silver, Gabriel.”

“I hope we don’t start talking about dishes again,” Eric muttered.

“With all the hard work I put in to get this damn man to notice you, the least you can do is act mildly interested in the aesthetics of your wedding,” Richard jokingly chided his brother.

“I never didn’t notice him,” Gabriel grumbled.

“Of course not, he’s beautiful and your soulmate,” Richard’s mother pointed out pragmatically.

Although Richard refused to say it aloud since he didn’t want to embarrass Gabriel, he thought it was cute the way the inspirit’s cheeks reddened at his own admission that he’d been unable to ignore Eric. One thing his little brother deserved was to have a man who unabashedly adored him, and he’d gotten that in Gabriel.

“Gabriel will pick things too,” Eric stated with an elbow nudge for his fiancé. “Won’t you?”

“We’ll decide everything together,” Gabriel assured him.

“Wait until Richard finds his soulmate, we’ll have the exact opposite problem,” his mother mused. “He’ll know exactly what he wants, and we’ll be scouring the globe to find something to match his vision.”

Richard had been honest with Maribeth and Eric about his desire to stay single forever, but he wasn’t brave enough to inform his parents about that decision. They wouldn’t approve. As soulmates, they believed true happiness for their children would follow that same path. Eric was excellent proof of that theory, but Richard had little in common with his sweet, accommodating, and kind brother.

“He’s never going to find his soulmate if he sits around the house every night,” Clark grumbled.

“Dad, I’m taking a break from going out,” Richard countered. “I have a career too, and I can’t do my job if I’m only managing a few hours of sleep every night. More power to those people that can, I have the utmost respect for it, but my body doesn’t run like that.”

“I don’t want you to give up on a social life,” his father replied. “Especially now that Maribeth has moved out.”

“She hasn’t even been gone a full day, Dad. Can we talk about something else?” Richard pleaded.

“Of course,” Rosalind replied. “Did our new inspirit decide yet where he wants to live or where he’d like to start at the casino?”

“We’re setting up a condo lease for him,” Gabriel stated. His green gaze landed on Richard. “Luke is interested in joining your team, Richard. I told him to report to you in the morning.”

A little spurt of excitement bubbled through Richard, which startled him. What was it about a handsome face that immediately had his hormones jumping to attention? Did he have to be that shallow?

“Our office has several open positions, we could use the help,” Richard remarked in what he hoped was a dispassionate tone, but he didn’t miss the way Eric’s eyes darted toward him. Richard did not want his brother studying him. Eric knew him too well and wouldn’t buy into his bullshit. If he sensed Richard had a speck of interest in Lucas, his lovely romantic heart would rev into full gear. Richard didn’t want to have to explain again why having a partner was out of the question.

“Can you squeeze in some time for me tomorrow?” his mother asked. “I’d love to meet Lucas, and we need to work on arrangements for the wedding.”

Eric frowned severely. “Again? So soon?”

“You aren’t invited,” Rosalind replied with pursed lips. “And I want you to show some excitement for this momentous step you’re taking in your life. I know you’re soulmates and that’s forever, so this wedding may seem silly, but it’s not. It’s a chance for us to celebrate the love you’ve found. Think of all the beautiful memories you’ll make together.”

“And the gorgeous pictures we’ll have of the two of you,” Richard added, already knowing his mother would sprinkle them throughout the house. He couldn’t wait.

“The pictures will be wonderful,” Eric conceded as he smiled dreamily at Gabriel.

Richard’s tender heart swelled as Gabriel leaned close and kissed Eric’s temple. What they had was so precious.

“Mom, I can certainly squeeze you in,” Richard said. “And Eric, you and Gabriel aren’t invited. We’re going to narrow down your choices to make things easier on you. We’ll give you some options and you can tell us if we’re heading in the right direction or if we need to start over.”

“Your guidance is appreciated,” Gabriel replied, relief written on his face. “I have no clue how to select things for a wedding.”

“I don’t even pick out my own clothes,” Eric added. “And Mom helped me design our room.”

“Don’t remind me, it was like pulling teeth to get that project finished,” their mother muttered. “No matter how many times we move, you never make it easier on me, Eric. It’s your little nesting spot, it should fill you with a sense of comfort.”

Eric sighed heavily, and Richard nearly chuckled at the distress on his face. His brother didn’t care about interior design or fashion, no matter if it pertained directly to him or not. “I know, Mom.”

“Let’s focus on the pleasant,” Clark threw in. “The wedding is about love and soulmates. It’ll take some work to put it together, but in the end, our family will have a wonderful day with memories that will last forever.”

“Beautifully said, Dad,” Richard remarked. “It’s going to be wonderful.”

“And now you’ll have another person on your team to help out,” Eric commented, his blue eyes meeting Richard’s. “Hopefully Lucas enjoys being involved in events so he stays permanently in your department.”

Richard stabbed a green bean with far more effort than necessary as his stupid brain yet again traveled to the gorgeous face he’d been immediately attracted to earlier that day. Lucas was dangerous to his peace of mind, but Richard would get over it. He was a professional, and Lucas was just another employee.

“Yes, that would be terrific,” Richard said, the calmness of his voice belying the dancing hormones still coursing through him that unfortunately sprang to life whenever Lucas was mentioned.

He’d barely met the guy. What the hell would it be like working with him every day?