in stock, and I’m a fairly standard-sized woman, so they had a lot of my stuff in stock, too.”
My father popped into existence in a flash of sun-yellow light, and I hung up, as there was zero point in talking on the phone to someone standing right next to me. I showed off my new boots. “Look!”
My father peered at the design on my new boots. “That is an admirable representation. Did she complain much, Samuel?”
“Only that I bought too much of everything.” My gorgon-incubus doohickey regarded our collection of boxes and bags with a raised brow. “She isn’t wrong, but she would have put everything on display without ever wearing any of it if it was the only set she had. The new jackets are bulletproof.”
“Excellent for your line of work. I approve. You definitely require help getting this to your home. When do you plan on returning to New York?”
My husband smiled at me. “As soon as possible, honestly. We have some matters we need to take care of before she begins her training and comes to work with me. To handle that matter you discussed with her.”
“Prudent. I will handle the matter of your gifts and taking these to a safe place for the moment, and I will teleport you home where you belong.”
“I’ll need my laptops! And my box.”
I didn’t want to tell the store’s employee my handguns were in the box, so I stared at my father and hoped he did the thought-reading thing and determined that I needed to go home and sniff—and possibly eat—the roses.
My father chuckled, snapped his fingers, and flicked his hand in the direction of the counter, and both of my computers appeared on the glass with a soft thump, along with the important box of my weapons. A smaller box, which contained my ammunition, also appeared, as did my badge.
“Your dad is pretty cool, Sam, but my dad is so much cooler than your dad.”
My gorgon-incubus doohickey snickered. “I can’t even argue with that one, so I won’t, my beautiful. Put your computers in your bag and grab your boxes. It seems we have a short trip home ahead of us.”
I did as told, making sure everything fit, and I put my new wallet, keyring, and coin purse in, too. To make sure it didn’t get put in storage, I slung my new purse over my shoulder with my other leather bag. I gave my new jacket a pat down, giving a nod when I confirmed everything was where it belonged. I picked up my badge and tucked it into my pocket. “Okay. I’m ready.”
Ra turned to the store employees, who gawked at him. “If you would please watch over their things until my return, it would be appreciated.”
“O-of course, sir.”
“Ra,” he replied.
“The divine?” she blurted.
Ra seemed to enjoy being recognized a little too much, and I rolled my eyes while he preened. “The same. I shall return momentarily.”
Unlike others, who seemed to need to touch to make the teleportation happen, my father chuckled. One instant we were in the store, and the next, we were standing in knee-deep snow in front of Perkette’s house. “Oh fuckshit!” I squealed.
My father laughed. “My gift to your husband, so he might enjoy pampering you to his heart’s content.”
“I might hate the other in-laws, but you more than make up for them, Ra,” Quinn announced. “And since I have a set of keys and the alarm code, I can check on their house while fetching our car.”
“Yes, you will need your car, of that I am certain. Drive safely, enjoy yourselves, and call your mother after the moon goes up, Bailey. It’s now strong enough for her to manifest. Please do tell her I will see her in the morning; we can cross paths for a little while then, but only for an hour or two.”
An hour or two beat not at all, so I nodded. “I’ll do that. Thank you.”
“Now, I need to go reassure those humans. That will take a while. I will take care of making sure your hotel room is handled and all of your things are in safe keeping. I’ll bring them over when your mother can manifest during the day.” My father vanished in a warm yellow light.
“Should I be worried he knows where Perky and Perkette live?”
“That sort of meddling and snooping is child’s play for a divine. When we buy a new house, we need to make sure we have enough garage spots for