StrategicLust by Elizabeth Lapthorne Read Free Book Online Page B

Kiera and Hayden can barely go to the toilet unassisted.”
    Kate had to struggle not to smile. Daniel was an incredibly
difficult man to read, and only now did she realize that in his own way he was
teasing, though the wizard was completely serious about retaining the most
stringent Guardian imaginable for Hayden and Kiera’s protection. Not for a
second did Kate doubt Daniel’s intentions. Should Hayden and Kiera change their
minds and stay in Chicago, Daniel would follow through on his threat.
    Yet in his own way, Daniel was being protective and a good
friend. Kate knew better than most the reputation Guardians had for being rigid
rule-followers. Behind their backs, some called them “Automatons”. While not
strictly insulting, the name did express the seeming lack of emotions or other
human qualities Guardians often attempted to convey.
    Being inflexible was a part of their job requirements,
however. If witches and wizards chose to dislike Guardians for such small-minded
reasons, Kate would not argue with them. She saw it as a waste of time and
breath.
    “Well, when you put it like that…” Kiera mumbled as she let
her hands rotate her empty mug. Hayden snorted and pressed a light kiss to his
lover’s temple.
    “Goddess above, Daniel, I didn’t know you cared so deeply,”
Hayden teased his friend. Only the smallest flicker of a smile twitched at the
corner of Daniel’s mouth, betraying the humor he saw in the entire situation.
    “You have no idea how very deeply my love runs, my friend,”
Daniel teased. Even though his face remained completely serene and calm, the
faintly wry tone gave him away. “No idea.”
    Kate snorted and shook her head, amused despite herself. The
bond of friendship between the two wizards was evident in the subtleties of
their teasing.
    “Well that pretty much guarantees neither Hayden nor Kiera
will have a sudden attack of conscience and stay in the city where they will be
in danger,” Josh interjected as he turned slightly in his seat to face Daniel
and Melissa. “So that leaves the four of us meeting up sometime later to
brainstorm once you’ve looked into this wizard, Elijah. How long do you think
it should take?”
    Kate watched as Daniel’s eyes flickered to Melissa for a
moment before he once again let his eyes roam around the café. Constantly
appearing paranoid and on edge, Daniel never let his guard down and surveyed
the entire room for anyone paying undue attention to their conversation.
    “I would think by late this afternoon we could meet again,”
Daniel finally decided. Melissa nodded her agreement.
    “Well then,” Kate said when silence fell around the table.
“We would certainly appreciate any assistance you could give us. Circe knows,
if I can get the identities of even a few of the wizards who’ll be trying to
target Joshua, it will make my life a lot easier.”
    “We haven’t heard anything about any others who want
to fulfill the contract, have we?” Josh interjected, sounding perplexed. Kate
smiled softly at her lover and shook her head.
    “No, but that doesn’t mean I’ll just assume we only have one
band of wizards out to steal your memories and get the reward,” she insisted.
“I’d be a fool to think that.”
    Melissa spoke up. “There’s a busy human bookstore just a
block farther down the street, away from the Enforcers’ headquarters.”
    Kate furrowed her brow in thought, mentally pinpointing
which store the witch spoke of. Her face lightened and she nodded, her ponytail
swinging slightly.
    “Oh yes, I know the one,” she answered. “It has a small coffee
bar and sells cookies and muffins, right?”
    “That’s right.” Melissa nodded. “What say we meet there
around five or so? There will be the usual cram of rush hour. We won’t be
noticed surrounded by so many people browsing while they wait for friends,
partners and lovers or simply look for a gift or a last-minute bit of reading.
We should be able to exchange information