Billionaire Ghost Tour - Stephanie Fowers Page 0,15

shifted back to Janson, who was taking another drink. She fixed him with a challenging look. “Just be careful where you walk tonight, what you say; you don’t want to anger the Watchers.”

He almost spewed out his water on a laugh. “Really? The Watchers?” Now he knew she was trying to get him.

“Yes, they’re protective of our town—some say they were the first to watch over the powers of the water, to stop it from getting into the wrong hands.”

He shrugged. “Guess they’re not that good at their job.”

“Famous last words... but tonight, don’t look too closely at the shadows down the staircases in the alleys, in the tunnels. The catacombs where we are going are especially dangerous.”

“Oh, the catacombs!” Rosa squealed. “Are there bodies down there?”

“Um, no!” Mollie quickly held up her hands. “We—we just call them the catacombs. They’re tunnels built under the city. First they were made for visitors to reach the springs easier, and then the gangsters used them to smuggle in liquor during Prohibition.”

Now that was interesting. He doubted he’d be able to handle it down there with his fear of being trapped, though he’d at least like to check it out, if from a safe distance. “You’re taking us there?” Janson asked.

“In the end... if you’re good,” she cracked a smile. “Or bad.”

Dwayne looked terrified, but Vin smirked and his lazy gaze traveled all over Mollie appreciatively. Janson stiffened, unexpected anger boiling through him. The last time he’d caught Vin watching her that way, he’d made a fool of himself by throwing himself between them. He hadn’t considered the consequences of bringing an entourage with him, but the last thing Janson had expected was to guard Mollie from them.

“Okay, okay,” Janson said. He just wanted this train wreck of a night over with. “We’ll be good. Now take us ghost hunting.”

“We’re not that kind of ghost tour,” Mollie said.

“You are now. Story time is over. Take us to the catacombs.”

Mollie pinned him with a narrowed look. “Are you the tour guide now? I’d like to see this.” She pushed her red hair behind her shoulder, looking tantalizing in that cute little dress. Man, Mollie was different from any woman he knew, challenging him at every turn. Vin wasn’t the only one under her spell. He shook his head to clear out those thoughts.

Mollie slid her arm into that leather jacket. Vin jumped forward to help her with it. “You want me to take care of Janson for you?” he asked, not bothering to lower his voice.

“Would you?” Mollie accepted Vin’s help, still glaring fiery darts Janson’s way. “I don’t get paid enough.”

“Neither do I, hon.”

At least they were open about their mutiny. Janson rolled his eyes at his bodyguard’s usual cheekiness. As long as he didn’t cross the line with Mollie, Janson was fine with it. Mollie inched away from Vin, straightening her leather jacket, her skirt twisting provocatively around her legs in that spunky way of hers as she hit the cobbled narrow streets. They followed her outside. Everything in historic downtown was within walking distance. Cars were parked everywhere in the darkness, but nobody was driving. The buildings were alive with partygoers. Apparently, everyone in the state had arrived early for the Zombie Parade tomorrow. Janson was beginning to understand that Halloween was a big deal around here. How much had his assistant bought out this ghost tour for? If the amount of benches in the drawing room was anything to go by, the place must be packed on a normal night.

“Ooh, so cold.” Rosa snuggled closer, and he obligingly warmed her in his arms, feeling at odds with himself. He followed Mollie’s sassy figure up the steep cement stairs and across the street to the Basin Spring Park where they found a wishing well next to the Basin Park Hotel. Eerie purple-and-green lights lit up the limestone exterior on the seven-story building. A giant blow-up ghost twisted around the side of the hotel next to balconies full of people. The hotel was where he’d first met Mollie at that ’20s party. If he’d known how she’d cut up his peace, he would’ve turned around and got out of there.

“The settlers first came here to this well to be healed,” Mollie explained. Janson poked his head over the stone structure to see how far down it went. It was a considerable drop.

Rosa squealed out in worry. “Be careful!” Janson jumped, more startled at her shrillness. Before he could attempt to cover up