by J. N. Colon
“Dad, let him go.” I grabbed a hoodie and slammed it over my head. “He didn’t do anything wrong.”
My father’s head whipped in my direction, violet eyes burning twin holes in me. “Didn’t do anything wrong? He’s taking advantage of you in my own home. He’s ruining you.”
Before I could even respond to that load of crap, a deep growl exited Etie. “Don’t make this something it’s not.” The voodoo caster’s eyes began to glow, and he lifted his hands, easily shoving my father’s magic off. He dropped from the wall. “Your daughter is my alimèt. I’d never hurt her, and you know that.”
My father’s nostrils flared. “You’re not allowed in my house.”
“Dad!” Had he lost his mind? He knew Etie and I didn’t do well with too much time apart because of the gwo-bon lyen.
“What is going on?” My mother burst into my room, her kitten scrubs rumpled and auburn hair falling out of her ponytail. She must have gotten home late and fallen asleep in her clothes.
“Ay, dios mío.” Abuela marched into the room, clutching a wooden spoon. The scent of bacon and eggs wafted in behind her.
“I just caught this troublemaker in our daughter’s bed, Erica.” My dad crossed his arms against his chest and widened his stance. “He’s not allowed in my house anymore.”
I shot my mother a look. “This is ridiculous for so many reasons.”
She sighed and rubbed her temples. “Cris, you can’t ban him from the house.”
“And he’s not a troublemaker,” I added. “Did you forget he saved my life again just a few days ago when you were ready to give up?” At Liseria’s, my dad had been about to throw in the towel. He thought it was too late, and I was as good as dead.
Etie knew better.
My dad’s dark eyes narrowed. “That still doesn’t give him the right to be in here.” He motioned toward Etie’s nearly naked form. “Like that.”
“As much as I don’t like it, Angel is eighteen and they are, well, soul mates.” My mother shrugged. “We can’t really keep them apart.”
Color me surprised. Not long ago, she was on the dump Etie for Lucas bandwagon, and now she was defending our relationship.
“Are you condoning this, Erica?” His hard gaze drifted from my mom to Abuela. “And what about you? Are you okay with Angel having sleepovers with her boyfriend?”
“Oh, hijo, lighten up.” She motioned between Etie and me with the wooden spoon. “There’s nothing we can do to stop them from being together. Etie has proven he always has Evangeline’s best interest at heart.”
Excuse me while I pick my jaw off the floor.
Etie grabbed his jeans and quickly slipped them on. I tried to keep my tongue from hanging out at the way his muscles moved. “It’s okay, Milagro,” he said. “I don’t need his approval to be with Angeline. Just hers.”
Ouch. That was a total burn to my dad.
Anger simmered from the coven leader. “My house, my rules. Angel is not allowed to see Etie.” His accent became thicker. Any moment he was going to go full on Spanish.
I shot him a hard glare. I wasn’t eight years old anymore. His angry Spanish voice wasn’t as intimidating. “One: you know that’s impossible. And two: I don’t have to live in your house.” Ohmygod. I did not just say that. Where would I live?
“She’s always welcomed at my house.” Etie slipped his shirt over his head, not even bothering to hide his smirk.
Color drained from my father’s face. “You wouldn’t.”
“I would.” Yikes! I just threatened my own father. I grabbed Etie’s hand and pulled him into the hall. “I’ll walk you out.”
His hand tightened around mine as we headed down the stairs. “Don’t freak out, cher. It’ll be okay.”
“I’m not freaking out.” My high-pitched voice said otherwise.
Etie chuckled. “Your father will come around. I’m sure it was a shock seeing his baby in bed with a man, especially one as dangerous as me.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
I shook my head as we stopped at the front door. “You’re impossible.” And ridiculously hot.
He shrugged and dropped a soft kiss on my lips. “I’ll see you later, yeah?”
“Yeah,” I breathed against his mouth, already missing the taste of him. I watched Etie walk out the door, paying close attention to the way those jeans cupped his ass.
I was in so much trouble—and I wasn’t talking about my father. I was talking about how much I loved that annoying Cajun.
With a long sigh, I spun around and stomped up the stairs. My dad had yanked away the wonderful morning haze faster than Marisol ate a piece of pizza. My family was still standing in my room arguing.
Great. There went my chance of going back to sleep. I could have at least dreamed my morning with the Cajun Casanova hadn’t ended.
“I don’t know why you’re so dead set on hating Etie.” I crossed my arms against my chest, glaring at my father.
He turned from Abuela, pinning me with his own dark look. “He’s no good for you, Angel.”
I rolled my eyes. “That is the farthest thing from the truth ever.” I marched to my bed and began yanking the pillows off. “You hate that he’s a voodoo caster and not a witch.”
“That’s not true,” he protested. “I don’t like him because he’s a bad influence.”
I choked on a laugh. “You do realize this is the same guy that’s already gone against a voodoo deity to save me once, and he’s willing to do it again—to save me and Marisol.” What more did he want?
To be fair, Etie’s reputation wasn’t spotless. It painted him a brooding, sexy swashbuckler. I’d give my dad a pass for his crappy, judgmental behavior if he didn’t already know there was way more to the pouvior bokor than town talk.
“He’s just not the type of young man I think is good for you,” he continued. “He’s not the type of person I envisioned you with.”
The corner of the blanket fell from my fingertips. And there it was, the reason my father was such a douche canoe to Etie.
Lucas.
I whipped around. “I’m sorry your arrangement with Lucas and me didn’t work out.” Acid dripped off the end of every word. “It’s not going to happen. It’s never going to happen.”
The air around my dad kicked up, gently tousling his dark waves. “I picked Lucas to be paired with you for a reason. He’s a much better—”
“And I picked Etie for a reason,” I interrupted. “I love him.” The lights in the room began to flicker. Two could play at this magic game. My powers were a little—okay a lot—temperamental, but they were definitely impressive.
“Okay, you two. Let’s not get into a whose broom is bigger than whose fight.” My mom stepped between us. “We don’t need to run from any flying debris today.”
I sucked my powers back in, and the lights stopped strobing. “Fine. Just don’t expect me to come downstairs for breakfast.”
“Oh, niña.” My grandmother waved the wooden spatula around like a magic wand. “I’ll bring a plate up to you.”
My father gave me one more disappointed look before marching out the door.
“If he doesn’t let this Lucas thing go, I’m seriously going to consider moving out.” The thought of it terrified me. I’d been sheltered by Abuela and Mom my whole life. Could I survive on my own?
Of course, I’d be with Etie. So then the question would be could I survive living with the multiple-personality pouvior bokor with an affinity for pissing me off, and a pair of bedroom eyes that could make me melt in seconds?
I slipped my other foot into the snug leather sandal, buckling the strap behind my heel. Etie said no flip flops. These weren’t flip flops. They didn’t flip or flop. A smile teased my lips. He was going to be annoyed, more than he already was.
He and Bastien were going to an ancient, hidden graveyard right outside of Carrefour to call upon a voodoo loa named Maman Brigitte. She was known as Guardian of Graves. They thought she might have some information on Baro
n Samedi. If she did, hopefully she’d be willing to part with it.
Etie had gotten it in his head this was a Benoit-brothers-only expedition. He was sadly mistaken. I wasn’t taking no for an answer. This was my mess—as usual—and I needed to be there to help. It wasn’t like I was asking to watch a ritual to raise the dead. That didn’t turn out so well last time.
The hot-headed Cajun finally relented.
A knock resonated on my door. My lips pursed, and I tossed my brush on my bed. It wasn’t Etie. My toujou didn’t tingle.
I opened the door and immediately had the urge to slam it in the beautiful face greeting me.
Lucas’s hands lifted in surrender. “I just want to talk.”
“Etie’s on his way to pick me up,” I said, propping my hands on my hips.
“I’ll be fast then.” He flashed a sweet, dimpled smile that used to fool me. Lies swirled beneath the brujo’s charming exterior.
I sighed and motioned him in. “You can talk while I grab my stuff.”
Lucas entered my room. His eyes instantly fell on my bed—to the spot he’d kissed me. A grumble stirred in my chest. I already regretted inviting him in.
He cleared his throat. “Angel, I’m really sorry I didn’t tell you everything.”
I grabbed a bag from my closet and stomped out. “You already said that.”
“But you don’t believe me.” His head tilted toward the floor, his gaze cast down. “You hate me now, don’t you?”
A long sigh drifted out of my mouth as I shoved a pair of pajama shorts into the bag. “I don’t hate you, Lucas. I don’t trust you.” I motioned toward the hall. “You’re just like the rest of my family. I’ve been told nothing but lies my entire life. How can I be sure anything you say is true?”
His cheeks paled, and it looked like I’d punched his puppy. “I’m not lying about anything now.” He dragged his fingers through his golden-brown hair, the glossy strands flopping back over his forehead. “I made an oath to your father to keep his part in this a secret.”
I dropped the bag on my bed and crossed my arms over my chest. “And what about the whole arranged marriage thing? You conveniently left out the part about me being the girl.”
He shrugged. “It doesn’t make a difference. You’re with Etie. I know that.”
“It does make a difference.” If I had known my parents agreed to some archaic deal with his about our future love life, I wouldn’t have spent so much alone time with him. I wouldn’t have fallen just a little bit for his charms. I wouldn’t have believed his feelings were platonic.
I wouldn’t have let Etie feel any insecurity over him.
“And the worst part is, if there had been a spell strong enough to sever the gwo-bon lyen between Etie and me, you would have gone along with it.” I tossed a few more things in my bag and slung it over my shoulder. “You would have been my dad’s right-hand man in the spell and expected me to be with you afterward.” I stormed past him into the hall.
“Angel, wait.” His fingers curled around my bicep, pulling me to a stop. I shot him a narrowed glare, and he released my arm.
“Are you telling me you would have gone against my father?” I asked, knowing damned well that wouldn’t have happened.
A long breath blew from his soft lips. “Honestly, I don’t know. When I first arrived, before I really knew you, I would have remained loyal to your father. No doubt about it.” He swallowed hard and shoved his hands into his pockets, his expression strained. “After I spent so much time with you, you became more than just this idea. You were real to me, and the last thing I wanted to do was hurt you.”
My jaw clenched. He sounded sincere, but he could be lying again. He did it so easily before. Why not just continue?
“I have no claim on you, Angel.” He gave a tiny shrug. “I just need you to know how sorry I am.”
I surveyed him, wanting to disregard everything he’d said. Unfortunately, a tiny part of me believed him. We’d spent a lot of time together. He’d helped me when I needed it most. Without Lucas, my conduit powers would still be a monster I couldn’t contain.
Could I really fault him for trying to live up to the coven leader’s expectations?
A thought suddenly occurred to me, giving me pause. Was it more than that? Lucas had grown up in Covina de Validus. He’d only vaguely mentioned his parents. Every time I asked him about his life in the coven, they never really came up.
“Are your parents still with the coven in Virginia?” I tilted my head to get a better look at his eyes. They had suddenly darkened.
“My mom is.”
A sinking feeling hit my gut. “Your dad?”
Lucas ran his hand over the uncharacteristic stubble coating his chin. “He died when I was ten. Cris helped me…” he trailed off, his throat convulsing. It was still a painful topic.
My chest ached. I should have known. The way Lucas acted around my father, seeking his approval and hanging on his every word. It was clear something more was going on. The man had raised him for half his life.
I shifted uncomfortably. This information made me see Lucas in a new light. I didn’t trust him, but I could understand some of the reason behind his motives. He wanted to make my dad—his surrogate dad—proud.
Hadn’t I wanted the same thing before I knew Cristóbal De la Mora was a compulsive liar? When I’d thought he was dead, I worried over everything I did. It was why I let my mother and Abuela keep me so sheltered. It was why I never fought them on anything—until the truth began leaking out.
A long sigh eased from my mouth. “I’m sorry about your dad.”
Lucas gave a quick nod, his lips pinched.
“Look, Lucas, I get it—sort of,” I quickly added. “My dad has a very influential personality even when he’s not around.”
“He means a lot to me,” he whispered. “It’s hard to forget everything he’s done for me.”
I was probably going to regret my next words. “Maybe we can find a way to be friends in the future.”
A smile began to break over his face. “Really?”
My palm lifted. Hold your horses, cowboy. “I said maybe.”
“Of course.”
I spun around and headed toward the stairs, hoping I hadn’t just given Lucas a reason to think he could ever win me over. Geez, when did I become that girl, the one who thought every guy was after her?
“Did you tell Etie I kissed you?” he asked.
“Why?” I avoided my father’s picture at the top of the landing, the one I’d waved to for years.
“I want to know if it’s safe to show my face around him.” He followed me down the stairs. “I’d like to keep all of my body parts.”
“I’m sure you would.” I snorted and glanced over my shoulder. “I haven’t told him. Yet.” I planned on it. Eventually. When the right moment came.
A tiny voice in my head laughed. There was no right moment to tell Etie another guy had kissed me.
Lucas grimaced. “How about you give me a heads up before you do?”
I smiled, finding a tiny bit of pleasure in the brujo’s discomfort. “I guess I could manage that.”
“Thanks.” He took a deep breath, slowly blowing it out. “What about the arrangement?”
“Not yet either.” My fingers curled around the knob, and I twisted just as that familiar tingle rippled over my tattoo.
Oh, hell.
I opened the door to Etie’s scowling face.
I choked back a gasp. Had he heard our conversation? The kiss? The arrangement? “Etie, I didn’t know you were here.”
He was too preoccupied with the guy behind me to notice my tight smile. He removed the sucker from his mouth. “Do you get some sick torture out of following my alimèt around, wishing she was yours and knowing you’ll never have her?”
“Etie!” I elbowed him.
Lucas shot him a droll look. “It’s okay, Angel. I have better things to do than puff my chest out every time someone else gets near you.”
“I’m sure.” Etie’s smile turned feral. “Just keep fantasizing about something you’ll never have.”
“Shut up,” I hissed, my cheeks flaming. I stepped out the door, shoving Etie back. “We’re leaving now, Cajun Neanderthal.” I glanced over my shoulder at Lucas. “If anyone asks, I’m staying at Riley’s.”
Witch’s brows slammed down. “I’m guessing that’s a lie.”
“You guessed right.” Etie possessively threw his arm over my shoulders. “She’ll be with me.”
I rolled my eyes and tugged the jerk down the steps of my front porch, feeling Lucas’s gaze on my back. “Did you really have to be such an ass?” If he was this bad now, I could only imagine what he’d be like if he knew the truth. Thankfully he hadn’t overheard. His fist would be pummeling Lucas’s pretty face right now.
“Does he have to follow you around like a lost puppy?” Etie stuck the sucker back in his mouth, swirling it around.
I wanted to be that little globe of sweet candy.
I shook the wicked thoughts off and focused on the reason for this little outing. “So, is this Maman Brigitte a dark or light loa?”
Lines creased Etie’s forehead as his gaze fell to the ground. “Didn’t I tell you not to wear flip flops?”
“These aren’t flip flops. They’re sandals.” I almost choked at his dumbfounded expression. “There’s a difference.”
He shook his head. “I’m going to end up carrying you through the woods all night.”
“Relax.” I rolled my eyes and held up my bag. “I brought sneakers.”
He took the bag and slung it over his shoulder. “You’ll be putting these on immediately. I’m not going to chance you breaking an ankle in those little scraps of leather.”
I made a face. “They have rubber soles.”
Etie ignored me and opened the passenger side door of the black truck he shared with his brother. “We got to pick up Bastien from Chickarees. He couldn’t resist the gator fry.”
He never could.
I hopped in, and Etie closed the door behind me before getting in on his side. “Maman Brigitte, light or dark?”
