Page 80 of Dead Serious: Case 3 Mr Bruce Reyes

“Whoops.”

“Do I even want to know?” I ask Chan.

“Probably not.” She shakes her head with a chuckle. “At least Ruby and Ginger have stopped trying to maul your friend Sam.”

“He probably wasn’t fighting them off too hard,” Danny replies in amusement.

“It’s his own fault.” Chan shrugs. “He’s like catnip, with that long, windswept, black hair and dark piercing eyes. Even the scar just makes him look all sexy and dangerous. He’s got the whole hot-as-fuck John Wick thing going on.”

“I’m sure he can hold his own,” Danny says sagely.

“I’d be more concerned with him holding someone else’s.” Chan rolls her eyes.

I smile and turn my attention back to the room. “I guess we need to try and figure out some temporary furniture until we can make a claim on the insurance.”

“Don’t worry, Auntie Chan has it all under control.” She winks.

“What?”

“It’s a surprise,” she insists. “So, I have you two booked into a hotel for the night. Brandy is going to cat-sit. Sam has found you some dry clothes that should fit until yours are clean and dry. I’ve packed you an overnight bag and he’s going to drop you off.”

“Chan, that’s—” I break off, speechless.

“Hush. It’s my pleasure. We’ll get everything here sorted out and you can come back tomorrow.”

“Chan,” Danny says, and I can tell by his expression how surprised and touched he is. It makes me wonder, not for the first time, exactly what his life in Yorkshire was like.

Making sure he’s steady and balanced on his crutches, I let go of Danny and reach for Chan, pulling her into a tight hug.

“Thank you, Chan. You and the others have been amazing today,” I mutter into her long silky hair, inhaling deeply because she smells amazing.

She laughs. “Stop sniffing me.”

“I can’t help it, you smell too good.” I give another little squeeze and step back.

“I told you, it’s all good, so stop thanking me because you’d do the same for me, wouldn’t you?”

“Of course we would,” I reply immediately.

“There you go then.” She nods.

“Um, Chan.” I chew my lip. “About tonight.”

“What about tonight?” She flips her hair.

“It’s about your date.”

“Yeah, I guessed that.” She tilts her head as she watches me. “What about it?”

“I know I suggested it, but…”

“Aren’t I supposed to be the one having second thoughts, Tris, honey?” she replies in amusement.

“Are you having second thoughts?” I ask, worried. “Because the more I think about it, the more insane it sounds. I don’t for one second think he’d hurt you, but I don’t know Death really at all, and I don’t know what his intentions are.”

“Oh, don’t you worry, honey.” She smirks. “I can handle Death and hisintentions.”

“I just mean…” I blow out a breath, not sure how to articulate my concerns given it was my idea in the first place. “The more I think about it, the more I just worry. I don’t want you doing this because you think you need to or because you think you owe me something because of Dusty.”