They woke the next morning wrapped in each other’s arms after a night filled with passion. Pryce reluctantly left his side to get ready for a field trip.
Guidry dressed also. “I’m going with you.”
“Are you sure you want to go? It’s your last day.”
He kissed her quiet. “No place that I’d rather be.”
Don’t think about it. Enjoy the day, enjoy the time we have left.
Toby stayed close to Guidry as they entered the petting zoo. She heard the boy explaining the animals lived there because of abuse and neglect and had been saved, like the kids at La Petite.
I am breaking so many rules letting a complete stranger chaperone a field trip. Or get anywhere near the kids at all. Luckily the teachers all like him so I don’t think anyone is going to bust me. Her brow furrowed. Or he’s using a demon skill and I don’t have to worry about it anyhow.
Guidry seemed amused when Toby went to feed a goat. “You realize that in my time, kids his age would already be hunting for food. And eating the very thing he’s currently feeding as a pet.”
She pegged him with a stern look. “No goat barbeques. This is all for fun.”
“I’m a demon, not a barbarian. I don’t hunt for my own food.”
“I love you.”
They searched each other’s eyes. Did he just say what I think I heard?
He took her hand. “Did you just say—”
“I love you.”
Behind them sat a parrot, straight out of a pirate story. Pryce burst out laughing at the expression on Guidry’s face.
“Blasted bird. I guess next it’ll want a cracker.”
“I love you.”
Guidry grinned that sexy smile. “Shut up, beak face.”
How easy it would be to say.
Guidry squeezed her hand and winked.
If reading minds is a demon skill, I’m screwed.
Pryce glanced back at the goats. Toby no longer fed them. She glanced around, but he was nowhere to be seen. “Now where did that kid go?”
Guidry left the parrot. “Maybe he went off with the other group.”
They gathered the kids and hurried after the others. They caught up at the emu pen and Pryce did a head check. Toby was still missing.
She caught Guidry’s attention. “If he ran away again, so help me.”
“He had no reason to.”
“Can you do your little demony thing again?”
He raised a brow. “Demony thing? Really?”
He closed his eyes and concentrated. Then frowned. “Shit.”
Pryce grabbed his arm. “Shit? What’s shit?”
“He’s in danger. Come with me.”
She grabbed the nearest teacher to explain, then followed him toward the back of the facility where the barns were located. As they passed the buildings, they saw Toby being dragged by a large man at the far end of the parking lot, about a football field away. The boy struggled but couldn’t free himself from his captor.
Pryce drew in a sharp breath. “That’s his Uncle Derek.”
“The one who abused him?”
She started to run as she dialed 911. “Yeah. That one.”
The distance seemed to stretch as she ran. She watched Derek attempting to put Toby in a car. Then all of a sudden, Toby was in Guidry’s arms twenty feet away.
She reached Derek before he recovered enough to challenge Guidry. “What the hell do you think you were doing?”
“That little brat belongs with me. I’m taking him home.”
“NO!” Toby cried, before turning his face into Guidry’s neck.
Temper sparked. “He will never live with you again. Maybe you’ll find a punching bag in prison more your size.”
He pushed her out of his way. “Screw you.” He advanced on Guidry. “Give me the kid.”
Derek flew backwards and landed on the hood of his car.
She nodded at Guidry with admiration. “You got skills.”
Sirens sounded in the distance. Derek groaned, then slid from the car. Before she could move, he grabbed her and put a knife to her throat.
“I ain’t going to jail, you bitch. I’m taking that kid, and you’ll never see us again.”
She caught Guidry’s eye. “I got this.”
She stomped on Derek’s foot and shoved his elbow, pushing the knife away from her neck. At the same time, she headed butted him with the back of her head. He cried out as she spun around and punched him right in the face, doing further damage to his nose. He went down, whimpering as blood poured through his hands that cupped his face.
Guidry moved next to her, still holding Toby. “Nice work, Ms. McIntyre.”
“Your demon skills are handy, but sometimes it’s more satisfying to get your hands dirty.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “You are quite a woman, my love.”
She smirked as warmth flowed from her heart. My love. If only he meant it that way.
Toby watched the flashing lights approach. “I told him you’d come.”
Pryce tousled his hair. “I always have your back.”
“I know you do, Ms. Pryce, but I meant him.” He poked Guidry in the shoulder.
“You knew I’d come?”
“Yeah. Cause you’re a demon and know stuff.”
“Ah, right. My demony thing.”
They both laughed as Toby said, “yeah, that.
The first cop pulled up and loaded Derek into the back seat after providing a roll of paper towels. Pryce gave her statement, as well as Toby.
So much for not getting busted having Guidry around.
Law enforcement pulled out without interviewing him. He winked over Toby’s head.
Demony thing. Got it.
Toby walked between them. He reached up and took Guidry’s hand. “Thank you for saving me. I was really scared.”
“Any time, buddy.”
They were almost to the barns when the air ahead of them turned hazy and misty.
Before Pryce could say anything, Guidry stopped. “Well, sonofabitch.”