Page 47 of Legion
Those telepathic words from Luka clutched her chest tight whenever they drifted to the forefront of her brain, which was far too often in her opinion.When he’d first said them, shock had chased away her agitation and left her floundering.She hadn’t known what to say, so she hadn’t responded.
It was well known that Luka was exceedingly protective of his anchor and his honorary niece—any possible threat to them would be instantly marked for death.That was how he rolled.Naomi just hadn’t expected that side of his nature to ever be directed at her.
Luka evidently hadn’t expected it either.
Neither of them had spoken of it since that day, as if in silent mutual agreement that the matter was best left unaddressed so they could keep things uncomplicated.
Initially, she’d worried that perhaps Konstantin might sticktooclose to her, presenting a risk of him uncovering her secrets.But he kept a certain distance from her at all times, and he never entered her home.
Still, Tobe didn’t much like the protective display from Luka.But really, Tobe didn’t like anything the legion did—including breathing.
Jolene, on the other hand, was pleased about Konstantin’s presence.She felt he would make any watchful clerics reluctant to launch another attack—they were careful to move about undetected, so they would notice him for sure.The harder Naomi made things for the clerics’ preternatural helper, the more likely said helper would come out of the metaphorical shadows and involve themselves, thus also exposing their identity.
Metal scraped tile as a large family pushed some tables together.They were clearly celebrating one of the kids’ birthdays, because the youngest was wearing a birthday badge and holding a balloon.Too cute.
Smiling, Naomi took another bite of her now half-eaten burger.Picking up movement at the nearby condiment station, she reflexively looked over ...and froze.
Well, if it wasn’t the PI, Daniel Phillips.
Her demon squinted, irritation skittering through it.Because although he didn’t appear to be paying Naomi any attention, busy gathering up sauces and napkins, it seemed too much a coincidence that he’d be here the same time as her.
Could he have followed her here?She had sensed that she was being watched, but she’d thought it was Konstantin—it hadn’t occurred to her that she had more sets of eyes on her.She wouldn’t make that mistake again.
Daniel turned, seemed to idly glance her way, and did quite a convincing double-take.But not convincing enough for either her or her entity to fail to see through his act.
He boldly approached her table, his lips curved.“Oh, hello again.”He tipped his head to the side.“Remember me?”
“Nope,” she lied.
His friendly smile faltered.“We met at the tattoo studio last week.Urban Ink?”
“Oh.Right.Of course.”She lifted her cup, which was damp from condensation.“You’re the dude who has a secret thing for Tobe.”
“No.No, that genuinely isn’t the case.”He flicked a look at the chair opposite her own.“Mind if I join you?”
She slurped some of her soda through her straw.“Depends what you want.”
“I’d just rather not eat alone.”He sat down without holding out for an invitation.“You waiting for someone?”
She set down her drink.“Nope.So if you were hoping you might bump into Tobe ...”
“Really, I’m not looking to date your anchor,” he stressed with a chuckle, peeling the crackly wrapper from his burger.“I’m honestly mated.Happilymated.”
Such a little liar.She would have thought a PI would be better at it.“Then why are you sitting here with me?”And looking at her with sex in his eyes—something that earned him a sneer from her demon.
He shrugged one shoulder.“No reason in particular.”
A loud thud was followed by a harsh curse.Naomi winced in sympathy as she noticed that a customer had dropped their tray, sending their order scattering over the tiled floor.
“My name’s Ed,” Daniel fibbed, pulling her attention back to him.
“Naomi.”She took another bite out of her burger.
“You live around these parts?”
“Yes.You?”
Shaking his head, he picked up three of his fries and shoveled them into his mouth—classy.“I’m just heading home from work after meeting with a client.”
