Demon Hunting with a Dixie Deb - Lexi George Page 0,57
though he could smell the truth of her words.
He turned his attention to Evan. “Who are you?”
“Evan Beck.”
“You look familiar.”
“Guess I got one of them faces.”
Whitsun’s sunglasses remained fixed on Evan, like he was running Evan through his databanks.
“You’re a dead ringer for Beck Damian,” Whitsun said at last. “You that brother I’ve heard so much about?”
“Guilty as charged.” Evan’s mouth twisted. “Has Cookie been talking about me?”
Cookie? The tattoo on Evan’s arm was for his sister? How sweet. A lump formed in Sassy’s throat. Trey never got a tattoo for her. Her brother was a dog; a dead dog. On the positive side, he didn’t shed or have fleas. And he didn’t leave poopy pies in the yard.
He also didn’t talk to her, which was pretty much the same as when he’d been alive.
“Conall asked me to keep an eye out for you,” Whitsun said to Evan. “Your sister’s been worried. You weren’t at the wedding.”
“I wasn’t invited.”
“You and Beck on the outs?”
“None of your damn business.”
“Fair enough.”
Whitsun shifted his attention to Taryn. His expression remained impassive, but he vibrated awareness. Something told Sassy the sheriff had saved the huntress for last.
“Who are you?”
Taryn gave Whitsun a cool stare. “That also is not your affair.”
“My county, my business.”
To Sassy’s surprise, Grim spoke up.
“She is with me,” he said. “Taryn has matters to discuss with Conall.”
“Sounds important.” The sheriff’s attention remained fixed on Taryn. “You Dalvahni?”
“Kirvahni. We are nothing alike.”
Evan made a noise. “Are you kidding? Strap on a dick and you could be twins.”
Glancing in the mirror, Sassy knew the second that Taryn processed Evan’s crudity with her translator, because the huntress stiffened.
“You have a filthy tongue, sir,” she said. “I do not care for vulgarity.”
Oops, someone had their leathers in a bunch. Time to intervene.
Sassy shot Evan a repressive glare. “Sometimes, Evan can be such a card.” She turned back to the sheriff. “What he’s trying to say is that Taryn and Grim have similar goals and interests.”
“The hell I am,” Evan said. “I’m saying they both got a giant stick up their asses.”
Some people could not be helped. Sassy decided to try another tack.
“Taryn’s a demon hunter, too,” she told the sheriff. “Isn’t that cramazing?”
Whitsun grunted. “That explains the outfit.”
Taryn looked down at her vest. “Is something amiss with my apparel?”
“Nothing, Daniella Boone. Except it’s May in Alabama and you’re running around in suede,” Evan said. “Hot in a kinky elvish dominatrix kind of way, but definitely weird.”
Taryn’s lips tightened. “I see.”
“Your clothes are not a problem. Your weapon is,” Whitsun said. “Hunting season is over, so that bow better be for target practice.” He stepped back. “Stay in the vehicle while I check this out.” He jabbed a finger at Grim. “And you—back in the car.”
Unclipping a police radio from his belt, he walked back to the Jeep. “Willa Dean? Get Joel Champion on the horn, pronto. I think I’ve found our missing deb.”
Ten minutes later, Daddy Joel was on the phone.
“How could you do this to your mama, Sassy?” he scolded. “She’s been worried sick.”
The reproach in her stepfather’s voice plunged Sassy into a quicksand of guilt. Daddy Joel was right. Mama must be frantic. Sassy had never spent so much as a night away from home. No slumber parties in elementary school. No trips to church or cheer camp. No out-of-town ballgames.
In college, Sassy lived at home, driving from Fairhope to Mobile for classes at Spring Hill College. She texted Mama when she arrived on campus, and again on the trip back. That was the rule.
Otherwise Mama fretted, and Sassy and Daddy Joel moved heaven and earth to avoid that. Mama was the piper, and they danced to her tune.
“You’re very important to us, Sassy Bug.” Daddy Joel’s voice softened. “You’re our silver and our gold, a treasure beyond measure.”
It was one of Daddy Joel’s favorite sayings, a warm fuzzy that made Sassy light up inside. It was lovely to be wanted and protected.
“I’m sorry Mama got upset.” Sassy’s hand tightened on the phone. “Tell her I’ll be home this afternoon after I meet with the lawyer.”
“Come home now. You can handle the sale of the mill by phone. Your mama needs you.”
Sassy felt a twinge of annoyance. “This afternoon, Daddy Joel.”
“Let Wesley handle it,” Daddy Joel said. “That’s what husbands are for.”
A tiny seed of rebellion germinated inside Sassy. She didn’t want Wes to handle it. She had a business degree and a perfectly good brain.