Page 78 of Twilight Destiny

It was a sobering thought.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Saintcrow muttered an oath as he sat up. Careful not to wake Kadie, who slept peacefully beside him, he slipped out of bed, tugged on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, and willed himself to the hotel where he found Paul Rhinehart standing at the registration desk.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Saintcrow growled.

“I was hoping you wouldn’t mind if I stayed here for a few days.”

“Don’t you have a home of your own?”

“Yeah, but it’s kinda lonely there right now. I sent Nancy and the kids to Ireland to stay with her grandparents until this mess with Luca is settled.”

Saintcrow grunted. “Weren’t you supposed to sneak off with something that belongs to Luca to give to Kincaid’s witch?”

“Yeah, well … ” Rhinehart shrugged. “He never left me alone. Besides, it occurred to me that having Luca’s property would lead him right to me.”

Saintcrow frowned, wondering why neither the witch or Kincaid had thought of that.

“So, can I stay?”

“I don’t know. The last thing I need is for Luca to come here looking for you.”

Shoulders slumped, Rhinehart picked up his suitcase.

“Shit, I guess you can stay,” Saintcrow decided. “But if Luca shows up, you’re on your own.”

“What about my family? Any chance I can bring them here?”

“I think it might be smarter if you stay away from them until this thing with Luca is resolved.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right.”

“As long as Luca doesn’t have anything that belongs to them, they won’t be easy to find, not with an ocean between them.”

Rhinehart nodded. “Is Kincaid here?”

“If you’re still after his head, you can leave now.”

Rhinehart signed the register and stepped away from the desk.

“What aren’t you telling me?” Saintcrow asked sharply.

“Luca doesn’t want Kincaid’s head anymore. He wants him alive.”

Saintcrow snorted. “If you think you can take him, you’re out of your mind.”

“I’m not foolish enough to try. I came here hoping you could shield me from Luca.”

“Probably not. But I can ward the bridge against him, although as strong as he is, it might not stop him for long.”

“I’m willing to chance it.”

Saintcrow regarded Rhinehart through narrowed eyes as his mind brushed the hunter’s. He was missing something, he thought, but the man seemed sincere. Hoping he wasn’t making a mistake in giving the hunter sanctuary, he said, “I want you out of here by next Friday.”

Rhinehart nodded. “I appreciate your help.”

Saintcrow stared after Rhinehart as the hunter crossed the lobby and stepped into the elevator. Muttering, “I’ve got a bad feeling about this,” he headed back home.