Forever Charmed (The Halloween LaVeau Series, Book 1) by Rose Pressey Read Free Book Online Page A

She didn’t glance up from her bottles.
Ouch. That hurt.
“Why were you so late anyway?” she asked.
“I was working around the manor.” I moved a couple bottles across the counter out of her way.
She snorted, but didn’t ask for more of an explanation.
“Can you label those soaps and place them on the shelf?” She pointed.
“Sure.” I let out a deep breath, picked up the soap and wrapped it in the paper.
Without warning, that strange vibe took over again. I had to steady myself with a hand on the counter. Was I coming down with something? Why had I been feeling so strangely? If I didn’t know better, I’d swear it had something to do with Nicolas Marcos. I hadn’t felt this way until he’d shown up. But he was gone now, so shouldn’t I be feeling better?
The bell over the door chimed and I looked up. My heart rate increased when I saw who was walking my way.
“Oh my,” my mother said.
This was not going to end well. I felt it.
“Hello, Mr. Marcos,” I said without looking at my mother.
I knew her mouth must have dropped open. The wheels were turning wildly in her head.
“Nice to see you, Hallie. This is a lovely shop.” He looked around the room.
“Thank you,” I said.
“I need to talk to you.” He leaned in close over the counter.
“How did you find me? And by the way, you left without paying.” I frowned. “You owe me for the night.”
My mother let out a little gasp, but I refused to look in her direction.
“I asked around town and was told how to find you.”
Great. All of Enchantment Pointe would be flapping their gums about me. I could only imagine how those conversations had gone.
My mother was pretending not to listen, but if she leaned in any closer she’d fall right on her face.
“What is it, Mr. Marcos?” I placed my arms across my chest.
He glanced over at my mother again, maybe looking at her one eyebrow.
“Is there some place private where we can talk?”
After the way he’d acted around Liam this morning, I wasn’t sure I felt safe being alone with this man.
“We can talk here.”
My mother would question me relentlessly after he left anyway. Might as well save myself the time and talk out in the open right in front of her.
He stepped to the side and motioned for me to join him.
I looked him up and down, then slowly moved over to his side. Damn him. He still looked gorgeous and smelled just as enticing.
“Now are you going to tell me what’s so important?”
If he dared to complain about my breakfast I’d tell him off right there in front of my mother.
“You need to get rid of Mr. Rankin. Your life is in danger if you don’t.”
The words had barely left Nicolas’ lips when Liam burst through the door. The bell over the door jingled so hard I thought it would fall off.
“Don’t listen to a word he says!” Liam pointed at Nicolas with venom in his eyes.
I’d gotten myself into a real pickle this time. My mother wasn’t going to let this one go for months.

Chapter Nine
     
     
“Whatever he says, don’t believe a word of it.” Nicolas pointed at Liam.
The men stared at each other in a showdown.
I stepped between them. “Nicolas hasn’t told me anything yet. But I think it’s about time someone tells me what’s going on around here.”
Nicolas folded his arms in front of his chest and flashed a smug smile at Liam. If he thought I was only talking to Liam, he was dead wrong.
The men continued to stare at each other, neither one budging on giving me an answer. I glanced over at my mother. She looked quite awkward with her mouth gaping open and one eyebrow.
Who was I supposed to believe since both men were warning me about the other? If Nicolas wouldn’t tell me why he felt this way, and Liam’s lips were sealed too, then what was I supposed to do?
“I won’t ask Liam to leave.” I glared at Nicolas. “If you can’t tell me why he is so dangerous, then I can’t ask him to leave.”
“You told her I was dangerous?” A look of utter disbelief covered