Page 78 of The Deception: Hercules Valentine and I

“I’ll pay you more,” I say.

Suddenly, she scoops up Fifi. I wink at my scheming fifth cousin and tell her I’ll call her soon. Then I walk away. I try to go through a door on the opposite side of the courtyard, but it’s locked.Shit.

When I hear Achilles ask Rain if she’s seen me, I plaster my back against the wall and try to stay out of sight.

“Nope. It’s just me and this furry rodent,” she says.

I stifle a laugh as Achilles leaves her be. He probably already figured out her MO and doesn’t care for her much. As soon as I’m sure that he’s gone, I step out of hiding. Achilles is not the only one who has abandoned the scene. Rain has left too.

* * *

I’mon my way home, but I can’t sit still. It’s not yet midnight, which means I have to wait more than eight hours to see Paisley. But I need her now.

I reach for my phone in my coat pocket, and it rings as soon as soon as I have it in my hand. I check the screen. It’s her.