Don't Hex and Drive (Stay a Spell #2) - Juliette Cross Page 0,47

informing the parents of such a family. I’d have the witches on my ass if I tried. Wouldn’t I?” He turned the last question to me. And though his expression was cold and fierce, I knew that look wasn’t for me.

“I’m afraid so,” I admitted. “Questioning him would only tip him off that you’re on his trail anyway. You’ll need to catch them in the act of their next abduction. Having Darren’s testimony isn’t enough.”

“It’s enough for me,” added Devraj, a smirk tilting his mouth up.

I knew people like the Bellingraths. They were the kind I steered clear of. I’d rather be far from the spotlight and live my little life without all the fame and popularity. Which reminded me I was standing next to a man who lived in that kind of world. A pang squeezed inside my chest. Even knowing that, I had to admit a frightening truth to myself. I wanted him.

Glancing up at his chiseled profile, his close-cropped beard shaped nicely around that sensuous mouth. His strength and power was a potent force still resonating in a halo around him, eking from his fingertips, tingling my shoulder.

Yes. No denying it anymore. I wanted him.

“They have huge political connections,” I went on. “They could say Darren’s memory was tampered with by another supernatural. A witch, Influencer, who has a vendetta against the family in the political arena. No.” I shook my head emphatically. “The only way is to catch Bellingrath in the act.”

Smiling down, he gave me a wink. “Smart witch, aren’t you?”

I couldn’t stop staring, wanting to press my palm to my chest and try to force my heart to stop racing. Despite everything I knew about Devraj, and he was nothing like the man I should be with, I couldn’t help but be lured into his magnetic orbit.

“What is it?” he asked, a worried line creasing between his brows.

I shook my head.

“She’s right.” Ruben sidled toward the door to the interrogation room. I had to wonder who else the overlord of the vampires had needed to hold and question in that room. “I need you to give him the order to pretend none of this happened and to let us know the next time they go scouting for the next target. Like Isadora said, our only hope to make this stick is to catch him in the act. Circumstantial evidence and memory reading by a Stygorn won’t hold up against this family.”

Devraj dipped his chin. “Fine. I’ll be back shortly to take care of him. I want to get Isadora home first.”

With that, he ushered me back through the back halls of The Green Light, his hand on my back. We walked in silence back to my house. He’d suggested they take his car, but it was a short walk and I didn’t want to confess my crazy fears of riding in cars.

The streets were busy with nightlife. Friends and couples sashaying down the sidewalk from one restaurant or pub to another. The lightness of the energy fed me somehow, lifting away the anxiety of my recent discovery. That I not only admired Devraj’s glorious face and body, but I admired the man as well.

His level of control during the interrogation and his obvious compassion about helping these young women showed me a side I was too blind to see when I first met him. I’d erroneously categorized him into the materialistic playboy category when there was much more depth beneath the charming veneer.

“You’re awfully quiet,” he commented as he opened the front gate leading to our porch.

“Just thinking.”

“I gathered that.” He chuckled.

Before I could step up to the porch, he grabbed my hand and pulled me to face him. Those rich mahogany eyes burned, flaming over my cheeks and down my neck then back up to meet my gaze.

“Are you upset?” he asked softly. Sweetly.

“No.” His tender tone made something ache beneath my ribcage.

“You seem so.”

“And you’re an expert on my moods now?”

“I’m an observant man.” His hand slipped from mine to wrap around my neck. “And observing what makes you laugh or frown, what makes your heart beat faster.” His thumb brushed my pulse. “It’s one of my favorite pastimes.” He eased closer, his voice dropping to an intimate caress. He slid his hand at my nape to cup my jaw, his thumb trailing along my bottom lip. “And you tend to fidget with the hem of your skirt when you’re anxious.” His other hand gripped mine where I did indeed have hold