Between Good and Evil

by Jasmine Wylder

  Angelina froze. She looked up suspiciously, a can of some sort of spray in one hand, halfway out of her purse. “How do you know about my son?”

  “The universe told me. I know it’s hard to accept. If I didn’t have drums going off in my head, I’m sure I wouldn’t believe it either. But this is important. I need to help you get a job. Actually, I think I know exactly who you can get a job with, too. You want to be a reporter, and I have ties with Rainer Weiman. He’s a media mogul—”

  “What the hell?” Angelina yanked out the spray can. It wasn’t mace at all. It was hairspray. All the same, Rune didn’t want that in her eyes. “You attack me on the street and then say you’re going to get a billionaire to hire me? Get the hell away from me.”

  “But—”

  “I said get away!”

  Rune backed up a few steps. The clashing symbols in her head were starting to quiet, and she hunched her shoulders. There had to be something she could do… but right now, she was only driving Angelina further away from her.

  “Sorry,” she muttered. “I… can I give you my card at least?”

  “No.”

  Rune flinched. A bus pulled up and, with Angelina still glaring at her suspiciously, Rune climbed on. She paid her fare and took the first spot available. Outside, Angelina watched to make sure she stayed on the retreating bus. Rune sighed as she leaned back in her seat. Well. Now what?

  She got home quickly. Dane and Isaac were both there already, putting up baby gates and looking generally excited. Rune smiled at them, even though the gates were premature, but couldn’t manage to respond to their greetings. She slumped into a chair and let out a heavy sigh as she leaned her head back.

  “Was the grocery store closed?” Isaac asked with an arched brow.

  Oh. Right. That’s what she had been doing.

  Rune grimaced. She explained what had happened, which had driven her errand completely from her mind. She shook her head when she was finished and looked between her mates, her hands clasped over her knees. “I need to help her, but I don’t know how. And I’m pretty sure this is in a time crunch, it needs to happen today.”

  “The agency is coming to talk with us in just six hours.” Isaac frowned at her. “In this case… is it something you can put aside for your own happiness?”

  Rune looked at him in horror.

  “I didn’t think so.” Isaac sighed.

  “She’ll lose her child if I don’t help her,” Rune repeated. “And I don’t know if it’s the ‘people will come and take the child away’ sort of loss or if it’s ‘her baby will die’ sort of loss. I can’t take that risk.”

  Dane glanced at Isaac and lowered his tools. “None of us can. If I go with Rune, I might be able to set something up with Rainer quickly. He’s in town, so there’s a possibility that this could happen today. As for the agency… Well, the house is clean. Everything is put in its place. Isaac, you can hold down the fort, right? You can go get the groceries while we take care of Rune’s thing. We’ll be back by six.”

  “Five-thirty.” Isaac pointed at him. “In case they’re early.”

  Rune nodded her promise. She wrapped her arms around Isaac and gave him a great big kiss of gratitude. She knew it couldn’t be easy to have to deal with all of her stuff. This was a big day for them, and her heart pounded at the thought that the universe would trip her up because of the woman she happened to meet on the street.

  They were so looking forward to having this baby in their lives. Rune had been reading every book she could get her hands on. She was determined to dazzle those adoption people with her breadth of knowledge.

  Right now, though, the big thing was to find Angelina again. Find her and help her. Rune might have messed up her first chance, but Dane was very persuasive. Hell, maybe they’d even be able to get Rainer to seek Angelina out. Maybe he already had her resume on file or something and all Rune had to do was nudge him in the right direction.

  Whatever it was, she was certain this was going to work—they just had to get home in time for the agency. Then their baby would be one step closer to them.

  Rune grinned as she imagined the little thing in her arms. Feeding him, rocking him to sleep. It was so real that sometimes when she woke up at night, she could almost hear him crying. And soon it was going to happen. Soon, she’d have her complete happiness.

  But… what if it didn’t happen the way she thought?

  ***

  Isaac shook his head as Rune dashed into the bedroom to put on different clothes. She said it might help her get closer to Angelina if she’s not instantly recognizable. As he finished screwing in the last screw in the baby gate, he turned to Dane.

  “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

  Dane shrugged. “It’s important to her.”

  “I know. I just… She has a very optimistic view of what’s going to happen with this agency.” Isaac started cleaning up their work station. “I know that she’s had her visions and I’m sure that what she’s seeing is going to come true, eventually. It’s just… People are still spitting at me when I walk down the street. More people know my face now than when I was at the height of my… my past.”

  Dane gripped his shoulder. “I know. But you have to stay positive. You got that presidential pardon, and you have a huge, huge support in public opinion.”

  “It only takes one person, though…”

  “I know.” Dane sighed heavily. “I know that we have a difficult road ahead of us. Your past is the biggest hurdle we have to overcome with this adoption. But believe me when I say that I don’t think it’s as bad as you think it is. You have worked hard to be a servant to the public since your release. I, for one, would have preferred that the FBI pay you.”

  Isaac had to laugh at that. Talking with Dane had lightened his worries, as it usually did. He just had to do what Rune was always telling him and remain positive. He was a natural worrier, though, and without Dane’s innate ability to simply feel his way out of a problem. No, Isaac’s greatest strength was that he thought of all possibilities and planned accordingly.

  Apparently, though, overthinking was also his greatest weakness. He’d been diagnosed with anxiety. It was odd to him since he’d never thought he showed the symptoms, but when he learned more about it, it made sense.

  Of course, spending years on the run and always looking over his shoulder hadn’t helped him develop a calm mind.

  Dane pulled Isaac into a one-armed hug. “It’s going to be fine, Isaac. I promise. You just go get those groceries and when you get back home, maybe you can mow the lawn or something. I’ll make sure that Rune and I both have our cellphones.”

  Isaac let out a slow breath, trying to reassure himself that it was all going to be alright. Honestly, he would have preferred both of them stay right where they were and check over everything a few more times. Maybe discuss what sort of questions the agency would ask them again. But he had to trust them. Dane and Rune wanted this child as much as he did. Even though none of them had been in a rush to have children, when Rune started the process it had just felt right. If he could trust her with that, he could trust her to get back in time to impress the agency.

  And it felt good to trust, even if in some cases it wasn’t easy.

  “Um…” Both of them turned to find Rune, socks in her hand, wearing nothing but the green panty and bra set Dane had bought her for their first month anniversary. Her cheeks were red and there was a crease in her brow. “What was I doing again?”

  Isaac hurried to her side. “Angelina. You bumped into a woman named Angelina and you have to help her find a job. Dane is going to help you look for her again and try to hook her up with Rainer Weiman. She wants to be a reporter, and she’ll lose her son if she doesn’t get a job soon.”

  Rune closed her eyes briefly, then nodded. “Right. Okay, I remember now. Um… right. Oh, gods. If I’ve forgotten already does it mean that it’s too late?”

  “It might mean she’s got another job,” Dane was quick
to reassure her, but Rune didn’t relax.

  “I started thinking about the agency. About the baby. And then I wondered, maybe it would be better if I stayed home. If we don’t get this baby, what will happen to him? What if I end up losing track of time, and what if I can’t get at Angelina? And then it all sort of snowballed and I forgot everything.” Her hands clenched and she bowed her head, the frustration showing clearly. “I didn’t even write it down.”

  Isaac and Dane both embraced her. It was surprising how often something like this happened. The stakes were never as high as a woman losing her child, but it was clear that Rune had to be in a certain frame of concentration and acting quickly in order to move forward with the promptings she received from the universe.

  “Don’t worry about the inspection,” Isaac told her. Even though he had his own fears, he braced himself against them. He wasn’t going to be the one who stopped Rune from doing what she needed to do. And this one was something important to her. Normally she didn’t even remember that she forgot something. “I’ll handle it all. You just concentrate on finding Angelina and getting her that dream job of hers.”

  Rune nodded. She took a few deep breaths and nodded again. A look of determination came over her face and she seized Dane’s hand. “Come on! We don’t have a moment to waste.”

  Laughing, Dane pulled her back. “We have enough moments for you to put on some clothes.”

  Rune glanced down at herself. She went bright red and dashed back into the bedroom. Both Dane and Isaac chuckled and shook their heads. Dane gripped Isaac’s shoulder once more, the silent promise to get them back here in time for the inspection clear in his eyes. Isaac nodded his thanks.

  “I’d better get going.” He headed for the kitchen to retrieve the second copy of their grocery list. His heart pattered against his chest, but he kept breathing deeply to calm it.

  Everything was going to work out. If he could get out of jail, they could adopt a baby. Everything was going to work out.

  ***

  Once they were on the road, Dane was relieved to see Rune perk up. Everything came rushing back to her, and she eagerly directed Dane to go all over the city, looking for Angelina. Dane wasn’t entirely certain if she was following the vibes of the universe or just making some sort of crazy search pattern, but he didn’t question her, either.

  He could only imagine what it would be like for him if she hadn’t listened to her gut when it came to him and Isaac. Neither of them would have found the peace they had… for that matter, they both might be dead. He didn’t want to steal what chance Angelina had at finding a happy ending just because he didn’t quite understand what Rune was doing.

  They found her in the business district. She carried a thick file with her, wearing a business suit that didn’t quite look right on her. Her hair was pulled back and she wore high heels, and she also looked bone-dead tired. Dane passed by slowly before he turned into an above-ground parking garage.

  As soon as he stopped, Rune got out of the car. She rushed over to one of the windows and peered down. Then, excitedly bouncing on her feet, she rushed back to Dane and seized his hand. Dragging him back to the window, she pointed out the speck that was Angelina.

  “Did you see the folder she was carrying? It must be resumes. We need to get one of them and take it to Rainer. Then he’ll hire her, and it’ll all be good!”

  She turned on her heel and started for the stairs, but Dane caught her elbow. He pulled her close, pressed a kiss to her mouth to quiet her protest, then eased back. “Listen. I love you and I love that you’re doing this. I love that you care so much. In this case, though, maybe it’s better to have a plan?”

  Rune pouted at him. “What’s gotten into you? You never talk about having plans. You just rush in and do what you feel is right.”

  “Which is why you should doubly listen to me right now. If I’m saying that you should have a plan, don’t you think that it’s a good idea to have a plan?”

  “I… Oh. Okay, yeah. That makes a lot of sense.” Rune turned back to the window and frowned at it. “She did look pretty freaked out by me earlier. I came on too strong. Plus, you’re hot.” She perked up as she turned to him. “You’ll be able to get close enough to snatch one of those resumes right out of her hand!”

  “I was thinking a little less crazy person.” Dane chuckled as he kissed her again. “I love you. What I’m going to do is I’m going to go down there and strike up a conversation. I’ll tell her that I’m working with Rainer’s company and that we’re looking for someone in the area she’s looking in. And then I’m going to either take her resume to Rainer or, with any luck, take her to Rainer. He’s working in that building across the street right now.”

  “Really?” Rune pressed her face against the glass like a kid. “Good. I’ll wait up here.”

  Dane smiled, relieved that he hadn’t had to suggest it. “Wait in the car, I don’t like the look of this place, leaving you alone.”

  Rune nodded and he headed down. Angelina was a fair distance away by this time, and Dane reached into his pocket, pulled out a five dollar bill, and jogged after her. When he caught up, he tapped her on the shoulder and held out the money.

  “I think you dropped this.”

  Angelina, looking startled, shook her head. “No, it’s not mine.”

  “You sure?”

  “I don’t carry cash.”

  Dane sighed, trying to sound disappointed. “Well, I guess there’s someone walking around with five dollars less than before. Do you want to take it anyway? I don’t feel comfortable keeping money I find on the street…”

  Angelina, relaxing, accepted the money. Her file slipped as she did so, and Dane helped her catch it. He slid a finger into the file, bumping up several of the papers. He cocked a brow as he read the title. Angelina Matthews.

  “You’re looking for a job as a receptionist?”

  Angelina shuffled her papers and nodded again. “You wouldn’t happen to know anywhere that’s hiring, would you? I’ll take any hours, I just need something more than what I’ve got now.”

  “Can I see one of your resumes?”

  She handed it over. Dane took a quick look at the resume. It was pitifully lacking in both experience and education relating to the field she was trying to get into. It was clear that she was trying hard, but hard work wasn’t always enough. And when he glanced back up at her, the hope and desperation in equal amounts on her face tugged at his heart.

  This was a woman who deserved a break. Even if he hadn’t known what Rune had told him, he would have thought so.

  “Well, I can introduce you to someone looking for a temp hire,” he said.

  A grin crossed his face. This was a stroke of luck—Rainer’s PA was going on maternity leave, so if he could get Angelina in there… she was very pretty, with long dark hair and crystal blue eyes. If he knew Rainer, then she’d be a sure hire. After all, with a temporary position, it didn’t matter much what skills she did or didn’t have. Rainer liked to do most of his own work himself anyway.

  “He actually works just across the street. Let me make an introduction.”

  It was only twenty minutes later that he was back in the parking garage with Rune. She waited in the car, bouncing with anticipation. He grinned at her eagerness and took his time putting on his seatbelt and turning on the car before he spoke.

  “Rainer took her in to interview her right away. It looks good.”

  “Good!” Rune leaned back, looking satisfied with herself.

  They headed out just as Angelina came out of the building. She looked a little pale but pleased. Dane rose a brow. That wasn’t a very long interview… But before he could mention that to Rune, she’d ripped off her seatbelt and hung halfway out of the window.

  “Have you heard of the paranormal dating agency that’s gone up? Run by Varton Kirk?” she shouted at Angelina. “You should join!”

  Dane sighed. He pulled Rune back inside, rolled up the window and drove off while A
ngelina stood there, slack-jawed.

  ***

  “Well, I had to say something,” Rune mumbled. She unfastened her seatbelt and double-checked the time before she got out of the car. Five o’clock. Plenty of time. “I just got it suddenly. She needed to join. I know that maybe I shouldn’t have shouted like that, but it was just something… you know, I had to say.”

  “I know.” Dane put an arm around her, tugging her closer.

  “Do you think she’ll join?”

  A glance at Dane’s face told her all she needed to know. Not after being yelled at by some crazy woman. Rune sighed. The urge to ensure that Angelina joined up with the agency was no longer there, which either meant that it wasn’t going to happen, or it was. Either way, Rune could no longer change what was going to happen. Which was probably for the best, anyway. Angelina at least got her job…

  Well, hopefully.

  She let out a heavy sigh when they walked into the house. She kicked her shoes off, remembered that the adoption people were coming, and quickly put them where they belonged. With another sigh, she wandered toward the living room.

  “Isaac, we’ve got an hour before the adoption people are supposed to be here, right?” she called. “That’s time for a quick fuck—”

  She cut herself off when she saw there were people in the living room. People wearing clothing that were almost suits. A man and a woman, both holding glasses of lemonade. Heat rushed to her face, and she nearly screamed. She turned and ran smack into Dane’s chest just as Isaac came out of the kitchen.

  For a moment, everything was still and silent. Then, the man stood and extended his hand toward her. “My name is Marshal and this is my partner Anna. We’re here to assess your situation for the adoption agency.”

  Rune made a squeaking noise in her throat.

  “I’m Dane. This is Rune. You’ve met Isaac.” Dane prodded Rune in the back.