Liberty thought back to her time in the kitchen, when she’d tapped into her curse to get a trivet to place the pie upon, and cringed. Had she unknowingly caused other items in the house to float as well? It wasn’t as if she couldn’t do it, and she had been losing control of it all more and more at night. Had that crept over into her waking hours too?
“Gus? Where is he?” she blurted.
“He’s keeping watch for us,” said Bill before glancing at the house across the street. “He’s all set to man the getaway vehicle if we need to make a run for it.” The man’s expression said he was dead serious.
It was difficult to imagine Gus driving anything, let alone a getaway vehicle. She caught sight of slight movement from the front bay window of the demon house and tensed.
“You all right, Liberty Bell?” asked Bill, following her gaze.
Gus appeared in the window, staring directly at the telecommunications van that was now parked in front of the house on Liberty’s side of the street. Maybe that meant they were finally going to get the internet and lack of cell service fixed.
She touched her upper chest gently, running her finger over the American flag apron’s top edge. A small laugh came from her. “Just glad to see Gus and not glowing orange demon eyes.”
“Demon eyes?” asked Rurik.
She snorted. “Long story, but it boils down to Isobel and I thinking your house is totally inhabited by a demon. Daisy thinks we’re nuts, but since she’s always looking for signs of mental illness in others, we don’t really let her have a vote on the matter.”
Bill schooled his expression. “Gus told me all about the orange-eyed demon on our way here.”
“You didn’t tell me anything about any demon,” said Rurik to Bill.
“I would have but you hog-tied me and put that damn ball gag in my mouth,” snapped Bill with a huff. “I was a little too worried about taking a piss than everything Gus was shouting in my head the whole way here. You try remembering what all he says. I wish my brain had a built-in tape recorder. Hey, is that something you all have invented but just ain’t sharing the tech just yet?”
Rurik fixated on his father. “Can you please go back to the house? Gus should have you close by.”
“He’s not a child, son.” Bill stepped forward quickly, putting a hand on Rurik’s upper arm, all while facing Liberty. “Is-it-a-belt still on her hot date? It is hot, right? Have you heard? Nothing worse than a lukewarm date. Not that I have many of those. I’m kind of a chick magnet. I’m sure you’ve noticed.”
Rurik’s brows shot up so quickly that Liberty had to fight to keep from laughing.
She didn’t want to hurt Bill’s feelings. “Hard not to notice.”
Bill nodded. “I know. We all have our crosses to bear.”
She grinned.
“So, your friend, how’s her date going?” he asked. “She call you or anything yet?”
His tone was easy and light but something in his gaze said there was more to the line of questions than he was letting on.
“She’s not back yet, so I’m guessing the date is going well,” admitted Liberty. “She’ll more than likely be back come sunup.”
Bill took his hand from Rurik’s arm and scratched his beard-covered cheek. “Walks of shame are the worst. Had my fair share in my life. You?”
Rurik was suddenly all ears, staring at her. “Well, have you?”
“Have I what?” She felt as though she needed a decoder ring to follow the conversation with Rurik and his father. Linear discussions didn’t seem to be either of their strong suits.
“Had a lot of walks of shame?” asked Rurik, a tightness showing around his eyes as his lips set in a thin line.
Liberty remained calm despite wanting to pull an Isobel and give the man the finger. “That really isn’t any of your business.”
Bill patted Rurik’s back. “That would be a yes, Red Army. She’s had them. Sucks knowing someone else beat you to the prize but hey, look at it this way, once you marry her, you’ll be the only one getting the present.”
“Stop or he might think you’re serious,” said Liberty with a snort.
Rurik cleared his throat and then jutted out his chin more. “Are you saying you wouldn’t want me as a husband?”
She rubbed her temple. “Are you high?”
“I’m always high, Liberty Bell,” inserted Bill before thumbing back in the direction of his house. “Got some good shit over there. Want me to go get it? I’ll share it with you. Not with Sput-Rurik though. He can’t touch my stash.”
“No. I’m good. Thanks for the offer though,” she said, wondering just how many laws the older man broke daily. She looked at Rurik. “Did you really come over here because you thought I was in danger, only to then be pissy that I’ve had some walks of shame in my past?”
“Yes,” he said with a jerk of his head before Bill patted him more on the back. Rurik licked his lips and squared his shoulders. “No. I would never.”
For as irritated as she was with him, she couldn’t help but laugh at how absurd he was being. “Liar.”
His blue gaze twinkled with mischief. “He’s right. When I marry you, this won’t be such a sore point for me. I’ll know you’re mine.”
“When you do what?” she asked, putting a hand on her hip.
“Did I mention danger?” he asked.
“Smooth.” She laughed again.
Bill flashed a wide smile. “He tries. Cut
