arms. “She won’t tell us even that. We tried bribing her, but nothing. My magic doesn’t work on shifters to help coax the truth. Tomorrow we’re going to have to get more serious with her. Oliver is going to want you there. He wants to introduce you to the more high level intel extraction methods.”
He didn’t like the sound of that. “I’m supposed to be a part of this?”
“You’re involved in the Eden Riley case already. If she talks to you, it won’t be too bad for her.”
Ben watched her carefully. “And you’re okay with that? With these high level intel extraction methods?”
It was a nice, fancy way to describe torture.
She met his serious gaze and he saw nothing in her eyes to indicate any doubt or worry. “It’s all for the greater good, Ben.”
“Right. The greater good.” Ben couldn’t believe he’d felt something for this woman who stood before him. It was as if the curtain had been pulled back from in front of his eyes showing the messy stage behind it. He’d thought Sandy was one of the good guys—one of the best of them all, actually.
But maybe she was just another hammer.
What the hell had he gotten himself into?
He had no friends, no one to confide in. A brand on his arm that still itched, that bound him to an organization he’d quickly come to doubt—one that used medieval methods in modern times to prove their way was the right way. The only way.
The greater good.
Ben wanted to do the right thing. He did. He wanted to help others more than anything in the world.
But this—it felt wrong to him. So wrong.
“I’ll be there, too,” Sandy assured him. “For moral support.”
“Thanks. I—I appreciate that.”
“Eat your soup. Know that I made it with love in my heart.”
He nodded. “Can’t wait.”
“I’ll call you later.” She went up on tiptoe and brushed her lips against his. Then, with a last flash of a bright smile, she slipped through the front door.
It only took Ben a minute to pour the soup down his garbage disposal.
He’d definitely lost his appetite.
SIX
After he left Eden to her busy office-workings, Darrak was a bit surprised to see Stanley sitting at a table at Hot Stuff. Although it did make sense. After all, his brand-new fiancée worked behind the counter.
Two words: free coffee.
Stanley spotted Darrak and immediately turned to study the wall as if looking for a crack to crawl into.
“Relax,” Darrak said as he approached the nervous-looking man. Other than Stanley there were a half dozen other customers in the small, delicious-smelling café. “I come in peace.”
“Sure. Great.” Stanley ran a hand through his thinning hair. “Glad to hear it. Hey, Darrak, how are tricks?”
“Tricks are for kids. Or wizards.”
“Oh, right. You—you saw Maksim earlier, didn’t you?”
“I did indeed. Believe it or not, he helped us. More than I even thought possible.”
“Thank God.”
“Or whomever.” Darrak cast a glance over at Nancy behind the glass counter filled with pastries, who in turn was sending a look of love and devotion toward Stanley. “So you and Nancy are tying the knot, huh?”
Stanley gripped his coffee mug tighter and leaned back in his seat. “We are.”
“Your idea or hers?”
“Mine.”
“Really? I didn’t think you were that into her.”
“Things change quickly. I love her. I know it’s crazy and fast, but that’s just the way it is. I’m an old-fashioned guy.”
“I never would have thought it.”
“Maybe you should do the same with Eden.”
Darrak frowned. “What?”
Stanley shrugged. “Ask her to marry you. Why not? I get the feeling you’re into each other.”
That was a thought. A completely insane—if vaguely intriguing—thought. Ask Eden to marry him? Stanley had been drinking one too many espressos today.
“Not so sure about that, but thanks for your opinion.”
“When I found the right girl, I knew I’d want to spend the rest of my life with her. Whammo. That girl is Nancy. And here we are.”
“Here we are.”
“I’m going to leave.” Stanley cast a plaintive look toward the exit.
“Don’t go on my account.”
“Oh, no. This has nothing to do with you. I, uh, have a bunch of things I need to take care of.”
“I’m not going to hurt you, Stanley. Seriously. Just chill. What’s your problem, anyway?” Darrak was starting to get a complex. If he wanted someone to be scared of him, then that was one thing. A flash of talon or horn from his demonic visage usually did the trick. But this was . . . weird.
So much for making friends and influencing people without