Women of the Otherworld 10.5 - Counterfeit Magic Read Free

stared at us, nose crinkling.
     
    “What were you doing in there?” Ava said.
     
    “Duh,” Savannah muttered. She passed me a file. “The information on fight clubs you asked for, boss.” The meeting room was wired to her office and she eavesdropped at will. “Did you find a box of toner in there or are we out?”
     
    “Out.”
     
    “Told ya .”
     
    While we’d been talking, Ava had managed to zip between Lucas and me, so fast she seemed to have teleported.
     
    “Ava Cookson, sir. So pleased to meet you.”
     
    She stared up at him with the kind of adoration usually reserved for rock stars. Behind me, Savannah snickered, and I had to admit, it looked very odd. I love my husband dearly, but he’s no rock star. The word most often used to describe Lucas is “geek,” which I happen to think is completely unfair.
     
    Lucas is comfortable with the term, though. He even propagates the image, refusing to wear contacts or more flattering suits, keeping his dark hair in a short, nondescript style any barber can manage. He likes to be unassuming, invisible even. While Ava gazed up at him in adoration, he inched backward, gaze sliding to Savannah and me, as if begging for rescue.
     
    “I was just taking Ava’s case history,” I said. “If you’d care to join us…”
     
    “Oh, we don’t need you.” Ava waved me away, her eyes never leaving Lucas. “He can take it from here.”
     
    Lucas protested. When she insisted, he became visibly annoyed, which for Lucas meant she was seriously pissing him off.
     
    Finally, I said, “Actually, that’s probably best. You can handle it, Lucas. I’ll start a file.”
     
    Lucas asked Ava to excuse us. Savannah practically had to drag her away, but finally they went into the meeting room.
     
    “She’s a twit,” I said. “And she’s got a serious crusader-crush on you. But I think you can handle it.”
     
    Spots of color warmed his cheeks. “Of course I can. It’s not that. It’s—”
     
    “—that you don’t like her insulting me. I get that. But you arguing that I’m important doesn’t make me important.” I lifted onto my tiptoes and kissed his chin. “All things considered, I’m just as happy not dealing with her. I’ll listen in on Savannah’s line and, when she’s gone, we can go look for more toner. I’m sure there’s a box in there somewhere.”
     
    He gave me a long, delicious kiss that promised a very good night to come, and when we parted and I thought I caught a touch of sadness in his eyes, I told myself I was imagining it. I had to be. Everything was fine. Well, we were fine, and that was all that mattered.

Crusader-Crush
     
    I found both Adam and Savannah listening to Lucas and Ava from Savannah’s desk. They didn’t try to hide it. If Savannah wanted to listen in, she did. Adam wouldn’t eavesdrop on his own, but if Savannah did, and the case sounded interesting, he’d be there, too.
     
    Lucas and I didn’t care. If we did, we’d say so, and they’d stop. With such a small office, confidentiality just means we don’t discuss cases with outsiders. Having Savannah and Adam listen to intake sessions just saves us explaining the case later.
     
    We moved into the office I share with Lucas, where the meeting could be broadcast louder on my speakerphone. As I listened, I sat at my desk, and reviewed Ava’s file. Adam stretched out on the divan, jotting notes and exchanging quips and observations with Savannah as she paced.
     
    Ava insisted on retelling her whole story to Lucas. This recital was a lot more emotional. When she spoke of her brother, I could imagine her dabbing moist eyes. When she spoke of his disappearance, she choked up. Yet even in her grief, she managed to flirt outrageously.
     
    She gushed about Lucas’s reputation. Simpered about how honored she’d be if he took her case. Added a few extra heartfelt sobs in hopes that he’d come over and comfort her. He didn’t, of course. His comfort was