Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
While he was waiting, Bain picked up a book off the table next to the couch. It was a spell book, and he thumbed through the pages carefully since the volume was old, the pages yellowed and thin. Spell casting wasn’t something he could do himself, but he’d always found it fascinating. Xavier employed a lot of magical beings who could perform spells that ranged from small forgetting potions to actual warp travel. But Xavier was more powerful than them all combined, had more abilities with magic than anyone Bain had ever known.
Xavier finally looked up from his books, his face impassive as always. “Everything’s wrapped up from your last assignment. I know you left Alisha’s husband for the animals, but I couldn’t risk his body being found, so it’s been taken care of. She really liked you, by the way. Said if she ever marries another psychopath, she wants you to protect her.”
Bain smirked, not surprised Xavier had sent his wizards in for cleanup. He made sure nothing about their business was ever brought into question. “Hopefully, she chooses better next time.”
Xavier gave him a pointed look. “As opposed to you and your choice of partners?”
Bain picked a piece of lint off his shirt sleeve and crossed his legs, leaning back against the uncomfortable couch. He’d always hated this gray monstrosity. “I only fuck the best.” He did go for humans often—they were always unpredictable in bed. Bain absolutely loved them. Loved their intriguing moods, their drive to pack so much into their short lives.
“What about that man in Queensland?” Xavier asked with one lifted brow. “Psychopath would have been a tame description of him.”
“I didn’t marry him.” Bain shrugged, then grinned. “And at least I got laid more than…what was it, six times in ten years?”
“I didn’t keep count.”
Bain hadn’t counted either, but he’d bet he wouldn’t even need both hands to sum up Xavier’s sexual encounters during their ten years of travel. For himself, he’d probably need an army’s worth of hands. His basilisk nature meant his hunger for pleasure was high at all times. “In any case, I make better choices now. No more psychopaths.”
“Nice to know you’ve ruled out one demographic.”
“Two demographics,” Bain said with a wink.
This time, both of Xavier’s eyebrows went up. “What’s the second one?”
“It’s your own rule.”
“Ah, yes. No sex with the clients. However do you cope with it?”
Bain snorted. “Easily. I can pull anytime I want.”
“Which is often.”
“Exactly. Makes not letting myself be attracted to clients easy.”
Xavier nodded in acknowledgment. They’d known each other for so long, Bain knew Xavier trusted him implicitly. It was one reason he got the toughest clients.
“So, what’s my next assignment?”
“Our new client is an accountant who freelances. He recently expanded his business, taking on a bunch of new clients. One of them is dirty. He doesn’t know which one yet, but he’s received death threats, and last night, someone broke into his home. He managed to sneak out the back, but he’s holed up in a hotel, scared out of his mind. He hired us this morning. I want you to take this one.”
“Why me? I thought Alaric was up for the next job.”
“Alaric was called away on family business, and all the others are currently on jobs.” Xavier folded his hands on his desk. “I know you just got off a long assignment and are due for a break from back-to-back jobs, but I need you.”
“Of course.” Bain nodded, tucking an escaped strand of hair behind his ear. “Want me to take him to one of the safe houses?”
Xavier shook his head. “Not yet. Take him back to his home and stay with him there. We’ll draw these people out, find out just what their plan is. After talking to him on the phone, I was able to pull a clear image of his nature. He’s…skittish. Easily rattled. And a homebody. He’ll be more comfortable in a familiar environment.”
Xavier wasn’t a wizard who had learned his magic. He was a sorcerer and had been born with it, coming from ancient bloodlines that could have originated from any magical being. His ability to read humans deeply—even through nothing more than a phone connection—made him fantastic at his chosen work.
And Bain was the only creature who knew why Xavier’s need to help and protect humans was so strong. Though he’d gotten that information after Xavier had indulged in too much wine one night. Unfortunately, Bain hadn’t learned the answer to the biggest question he’d had all these years, one Xavier refused to answer. His surname.
“What’s the client’s name?” Bain asked.
“Clive Manning.” Xavier held out a piece of paper. “Here’s the address of his hotel and also his home.”
Bain slid to his feet and walked across the room to take it. “Anything else you can tell me about him?”