Page 23 of The Devil's Reward
“You just lure innocent victims into the coven before they can escape,” Shadow mutters, but still loud enough for us to hear him.
“What’s a coven?” Macy asks.
“Nothing, sweetie,” Rose answers before I can think up an explanation. “Shadow just likes to be silly.” She gives him a cool stare, which he returns, unapologetic. She reaches into her back pocket and pulls out a piece of paper before reaching around Shadow and pulling a pen out of his pocket. He narrows his eyes at her in warning, which she and Sage both ignore. Both of them quickly write on the paper before handing it to me. “Here are our numbers,” Rose tells me. “Text either of us and we’ll set something up. I’m serious, Quinn. I think you’ll be an excellent addition to our group.”
“Um, thank you,” I reply, putting the paper in my purse. “It was nice to see you both again,” I tell Rose and Shadow. “And nice to meet you,” I add to Sage.
“You too,” Sage says cheerfully as she starts moving down the aisle. “Come along, minion, we need to get this done.” Rose snickers as she follows her, leaving Shadow to scowl after them.
“Don’t let them draw you in,” Shadow mutters to me as he passes. “Run, and run far.” Then he grins at Macy and adds, “Keep those boys on their toes, sweetheart. And remember, boys are disgusting until they’re my age.”
She looks up at him wide-eyed. “But you’re so old,” she whispers, shocked. “I don’t want to be ancient before I like someone.”
A small burst of laughter gets past my lips before I can stop it. Instead of being offended, he just grins and says, “Fine, until they’re your mom’s age then.”
Macy moans. “She’s old too,” she huffs. She turns away from him dramatically.
I hide my smile behind my hands when Shadow turns towards me, eyes bright with amusement. “Guess we’re ancient, Ms. Holt,” he tells me with mock sadness. “Hope you’ve picked out a nice plot.”
I pull my hands away and smile at him. “Apparently I better start looking.”
We share a smile and then he looks away and heads off with a nod. I watch him go for a few seconds before I turn around and keep on walking. “He’s cute,” Macy says coyly as I stop to grab a couple things off the shelf. “You should go out with him.”
I pause and look at her. “What?”
“You should go out with him,” she repeats. “Grandma and Aunt Pey say that you need to get out more and meet a man. And something about webs. Mom, are you going to play with spiders or something on a date? I hate spiders.” She shudders in disgust.
I am going to kill my mother and sister for talking like that around Macy. What were they thinking? They know Macy is a sponge who repeats everything. I somehow manage to reply calmly, “No, honey, I’m not going on a date with Shadow. We know each other through my work, that’s all.” I don’t touch the webs part.
Macy shrugs. “Okay. But if you do, he seems nice and I’m okay if you go out with him.”
“Thanks” I say drily. “Let’s finish up and get home, okay? What do we want to have for supper?”
“Chicken nuggets,” she replies instantly.
I nearly sigh. That’s her go-to meal, besides pizza. “We’ll see,” I say. Now to figure out what other healthy things I can stick on her plate.
We take another twenty minutes to finish shopping and get checked out, but by the time we’re heading to the car, Macy is out of the cart and walking beside me, happily chattering away about the projects she’s working on with Parker at school. The two of them are thick as thieves, and I’m glad Macy has a friend. She has another friend at school too, Maddie, but she’s closer with Parker since they spend so much time together.
When we reach the car, I see immediately we’re not alone. Shadow is standing by a motorcycle straddled by another large man, next to a truck that is already holding the two women. I give them all a polite smile as I get Macy settled into the car and then start to load the groceries into the trunk. I stop when a large set of hands reaches around me to grab some more bags. “You don’t have to do that,” I protest to Shadow.
“Rose will have my ass if I don’t at least help a bit,” Shadow replies with a nonchalant shrug.
I blush when he looks down at me, and we stare at each other. He really is good-looking. I can’t help but stare at him, even though I know I shouldn’t. “Um, thank you,” I finally stammer. “I appreciate it.”
He clears his throat and nods, twisting away to grab the rest of the bags and shove them in my trunk. “You’re welcome.” When he finishes, he steps back and lets me close it, but before I can grab the cart to return it, he shakes his head and takes it. “I got it.”
“Thank you, Shadow,” I say with a small smile.
He nods at me and returns it to the cart corral a few feet away. The women in the truck are smiling at me as I climb into the car.
I pull out of the parking lot and head for home. I force myself not to look in the rearview mirror. This has to be the craziest grocery trip I’ve ever had. And I’m not sure if it’s a good thing or a bad thing. If I keep running into Shadow, the chances are good I’m going to do something crazy or stupid.
Neither of which are good options. Especially not with a man like Shadow.
FIFTEEN
SHADOW
