Page 28 of Touch Of Fate

“Liar,” he breathes and squeezes his arm. “I might not show it. I’m calm until I’m not.” He lets me go and reaches around to open the door.

“Same,” I whisper and step into the store. Lace is behind the counter, setting up the register with a little smile. Archer is lounging on one of the couches, flipping through a magazine.

“Do people still buy these?” he asks.

“Yes,” Lace answers, rolling her eyes. Apparently, their silent night spent in the same house has loosened Lace’s quiet nature.

“Aren’t you leaving?” Rome asks Archer.

“Yes.” He throws the magazine on the coffee table. “I was just waiting until you were done with your moment.” He smirks and stands. “I won’t be long. Should I bring breakfast?”

“Yes, please,” Lace says.

“Try not to kill anyone while I’m gone,” Archer sings, slapping Rome on the back on the way out the door.

“He’s great,” Lace announces.

“You’re friends now?” I ask, and she shrugs.

“Turn the sign on, would you?” She disappears into the back. I click the sign to open and move behind the counter.

“So Lace doesn’t only tattoo shifters?” Rome asks, leaning across the counter to me.

“She has a steady stream of human customers. Shifters and vampires come in by referral only. The first shifter she inked is the go-between.” I lay a stack of bags out. “He makes surehe sends the supernatural that aren’t going to talk and take advantage of their knowledge of a witch in the area. Lace doesn’t do it to make money, and she would hate to be exploited by those who think they can get something from her.”

“Has that happened before?” He frowns.

“Unfortunately, you can’t weed out all the bad.”

“Did the shifter teach him a lesson?”

“No.” I look into his eyes. “I did. He won’t be back.” I hadn’t used much of my magic, so it was eager to come out and play. Archer joked about harming Jerry’s dick. Well, the shifter who fucked with my sister won’t be getting it up for years.

“Your calmness reached a limit,” he says.

“It did.” I was thrilled to cast that spell.

“My Mara.” He smiles slowly. “I want to strip off the layers of calm.”

“It seems it doesn’t take much when it comes to those I love,” I say.

“Love,” he hums. He opens his mouth, but the door opens.

“Holy shit, I love it,” a gorgeous woman says.

“Fuck,” Rome says, dropping his head.

“Books,” screeches another stunning woman. Rome slowly turns, leaning his back against the counter, glaring in their direction.

“You just couldn’t help it,” he says.

“Son, we didn’t show up first thing,” she says.

“Close enough,” he growls.

“We had to pop by and meet her.” The other woman must be Adeline. “You are just as breathtaking as in my vision.” She glides over, staring at me over the counter. She has light brown hair just past her shoulders and green eyes. Her jeans fit like a second skin. Her tank top shows off her toned arms and numerous tattoos that show her power.

“Mara,” Rome sighs. “This is my mom, Margarete, and my aunt Adeline.”