Hexed (Never After, #6)

by Emily McIntire

“Good lord, either shut the hell up or actually do what you keep threatening,” I bark at her.

I offer a new trinket for her to add to her collection of gizmos and gadgets, and she melts.

I slip my phone into my pocket. “Well, you seem like a woman who demands my full attention.”

That’s the thing about grief, I guess. It steals the air from your lungs just as you’ve finally figured out how to breathe.

“Watch your mouth,” he says slowly, his New York accent coming through strong, dropping the r and elongating the vowels. “You won’t disrespect yourself to me.”

“Things were hard. We didn’t—she didn’t—take money from the family, so yeah…just one.” I swallow over the sudden knot forming in my throat. “It was my favorite day of the year, though.” “Because it was your birthday?” “Because for that one day, my momma loved me out loud.”

Because fuck her if she thinks I’ll allow her to disappear with another man on her arm when she came here with me.

I roll my neck, trying to ignore the clanking noise of Sean’s chains, and look down at him with a grin. “Shhh.” I pat his cheek. “Adults are talking, sugar.” “Fuck you.” “Hey,” Enzo snaps, his eyes narrowing. “Watch your mouth.”

I’m not sure where we’re headed, but after what just happened, I think I’d follow her anywhere.