least a couple times during the week.
"Well, look who looks like death incarnate tonight." Nathaniel smiled and moved back, holding the door for me.
"You looking for a dark angel to rock your world?" I lifted an eyebrow and paused beside our head guard.
His eyes moved down the length of my body as a sexy smile tugged at his mouth. "You know I would be more than happy to give you anything you wanted, my soul included."
"And what would I do with your soul?" I chuckled and walked out into the late afternoon.
"I hear it's currency in Hell." He laughed as well.
"Are you saying I'm headed to Hell?" I glanced over my shoulder as I turned to walk around the far side of the house.
"Not at all, but if you do end up there, save me a seat?"
I rolled my eyes and kicked a few rocks before moving down the paved path to the garage. Nathaniel was too cute and honestly one of the best guys we could have protecting the house. As an ex-Navy SEAL, he was always alert, fully capable of handling almost anything, and stealthy as hell.
After typing in the code to enter the garage, I walked in to the smell of gasoline, which wasn't unusual.
"Anyone in here?" I called out and moved to my bike as Daniel stood up from the other side of the room.
"Hey Izzy. How are you?" He moved toward me as he wiped his hands on a white cloth and gave me a smile that reminded me almost too much of D.
"I'm good. How are you holding up?" I reached out and gave him a quick hug before moving back. Demetri's cousin was a slicker version of him with a swimmer’s body and long black hair that he kept pulled back in a ponytail. He was the kind of man any woman would give a second and even third glance.
"I'm doing all right." He nodded toward the direction he'd come from. "I was working on your father's Cadillac. I guess he wants to get her running again so he can take her for afternoon drives from time to time."
His words doused me in sadness.
"Why isn't Carlos working on it? I didn't even realize you knew anything about cars." I forced a tight grin.
"Tsk, Tsk. All of us Italian boys know a thing or two about cars." He tilted his head a little. "You all right? Did I say something wrong?"
"No. I was just thinking about how my dad promised my mom that they would start going for drives again soon." I moved over to see the forest-green car sitting idle near the back of the garage. "That one was her favorite."
"Then he does it to honor her." Daniel smiled.
"I guess he does." I lifted my helmet. "I'm headed to Saint Mary's. I'll see you at the meeting at eight?"
"You sure will, and just so you know, I'll be visiting with a few of the homeless guys tomorrow that live in the alley where your mother was found. D said he went over there the other day, but the guy he spoke with wasn't one that stays there all the time. Anyway, I just wanted you to know that we're on it."
"I know you are. Thanks." I turned and pulled my helmet on as I walked toward my bike. The drive would do me good, as would the time alone in the cemetery.
The sunset was beautiful as I moved the bike out into the yard and swung my leg over it. I'd almost made it to the front driveway when Demetri walked out the side door of the house and stopped in the middle of my path.
I killed the engine and lifted the face plate on the helmet. "What's up?"
"You want me to go with you? I could drive." He nodded toward my bike, and I chuckled.
"You can't be serious."
"As a heart attack." He pulled his black coat closer before zipping it up and stopping beside my bike. "Move back, and let me drive."
"I hate you today." I looked up at him as my stomach constricted painfully.
"I know. Move back." He waited patiently beside me as I mulled through whether or not I wanted him to take the few minutes I might get to myself hostage. "Let me go with you. I'll keep my distance."
"And if I don't want you to?" I moved back and turned to watch the sunset.
"We can talk about that too." He got on in front of me and reached