Page 25 of Raziel

“See you later, little mob boss,” I muttered, kissing Ezra’s cheek. “Try not to turn out like your daddy, lil’ man. Somebody in the family gotta have clean hands.”

I hugged Miyori.

When I pulled back, I turned to Priest. Held out my arms.

He didn’t move.

I hugged him anyway.

His arms stayed stiff for a second, then came up slow. He patted my back once.

He didn’t push me off.

Didn’t growl.

Didn’t act like I was doing too much.

He loved me.

I stepped back, flashing them both a grin.

“See you later, brother-in-law.” I winked at Priest.

“And when you see your friend, Raziel…”

My eyes cut sideways.

My voice dipped, sweet and low.

“Tell him he gotta be nicer to me.”

Miyori groaned.

He raised a brow. “No.”

“Rude,” I said, and walked off toward the bus stop.

Chapter Eight- Raziel

The fire alarm had been beeping the last time I was at her house.

That was my excuse to go see her. I didn’t want her house burning down.

I came out of the store with batteries in one hand and a case of fake bottled coffee—full of sugar she didn’t need, but I’d seen them in her fridge—in the other. I tossed the drink into the passenger seat and threw the batteries in next.

Then I just sat there in the driver’s seat.

The engine was running. The air was low. I was trying to convince myself not to go to her place.

I grabbed my phone. Alessia had already texted twice.

Can you meet me today at the farmers market?

They’ve got that lemon soap you like.

I didn’t respond. I didn’t like that fucking lemon soap.

I didn’t want to go to some fucking farmers market and stand there holding bags of organic shit while she chatted with vendors about free-range eggs and gluten-free bread.