“It’s my name.” Afraid to meet whatever lurked within his gaze, she slid her focus to Logan’s chin. “I get it. I’m more than prickly—at the best of times.” It was no mystery that she tended to alienate others, particularly her familiars. That was part of the reason why it’d taken her three years to replace Griffin after she’d enlisted him to take over as Jemma’s guardian.
She’d seen the way she’d repeatedly wounded Griffin with her cold, standoffish ways. The idea of inflicting that pain on anyone else hadn’t sat well on her. But when she’d signed the contract with Seven, she couldn’t ignore the necessity of taking on another familiar. Because she wouldn’t be around to guide and train her replacement, the responsibility would fall upon her familiar. Logan.
When he’d knocked on her door seven years ago and arrogantly informed the other prospective familiars that they might as well hit the pavement, she figured that she’d found the perfect successor to Griffin and the answer to her problems. A familiar who was so ridiculously overconfident in his abilities—and himself—that her emotional distance and lack of ego stroking wouldn’t matter.
Obviously she’d been wrong. She swallowed, distant shame cresting to the surface. “I never knew I drove you to brand me into your flesh. I’m sorry if I hurt you that much.”
“Shug, you’re only partly right. I did brand you into my hide.” His lips pressed into her temple when she flinched. “But it wasn’t for the reason you think. I did it because from the moment I saw you, I realized my heart was entangled.” His breath ruffled her hair. “Even then, I knew.”
The raw honesty of his confession whipped up a storm of conflicting emotions. Fear and panic. Happiness and joy. The warning bells in her head were deafening. She scrambled from his arms, almost falling off the mattress in her haste to put some distance between them. And distance from that golden cage of longings.
“Rissa…”
“I—I really need to shower and get going. I’m supposed to have breakfast with my father again.” And check that Janet had kept her word about the restricted visitor list.
“How about if I come with you? My shift doesn’t start ’til three.”
There was no way she could take having him there, the piercing ache of these disturbing feelings still too new and fresh. “I think it’s better if you don’t. He’s not been at his best lately. I don’t want to trigger one of his episodes.”
Logan gazed at her, his expression clearly displaying that he knew the only one suffering any episode at the moment was her. “Okay. Another time then.” Just as relief started to sweep her, he sat up, the sheet riding low on his lap as his shoulders leaned into the headboard. “But you’re damn well still goin’ on that date tomorrow night. You can’t keep runnin’ from me forever.”
That’s where he was mistaken. It wouldn’t be forever.
Only four days.
Chapter Fourteen
Breakfast with her father went better than she’d anticipated. He seemed to have forgotten all about her mother’s previous visit. As for the painful reminiscences that he did recall—the ones that seemed to haunt his fractured memory like overzealous ghosts—fortunately those he kept to a minimum during their chat. By the time she kissed him goodbye and headed out to her car, it was well past noon.
Her cell phone buzzed, and she quickly checked the caller ID, spotting Domino’s private line. Damn. Now what?
She clicked the talk button, and after dispensing with the stiff, mutually grudging pleasantries, was informed that her presence was required at HQ. She hung up, cursing her luck. In her typical fashion, Domino hadn’t elaborated on what the urgent business was pertaining to, but Clarissa had weathered enough meetings with the head guild leader to know she’d likely have a migraine by the time it was over. After ensuring her bottle of Motrin was adequately stocked, she drove to the Italianate mansion housing the Alliance headquarters.
Willa greeted her at the door. The younger witch wore a frazzled expression, and her sable-brown bob looked like it was the victim of repeated finger pulling or a drive-by tornado. Not exactly a surprise. Considering who poor Willa was forced to deal with on a daily basis, it was a freaking miracle she hadn’t gone bald years ago. But what was odd was the harrowed look in Willa’s eyes as she stared at her. “She’s waiting for you in her office.”
“Are you okay?” Clarissa demanded, worried.
“No, probably not. In fact, I’m pretty sure there’s a padded cell somewhere with my name stenciled on it.” With that cryptic comment hanging in the air, she led the way to Domino’s corner suite. After ushering Clarissa inside, Willa exited and shut the door.
Domino eyed Clarissa for a long moment, the sharp angles of her cheekbones adding to the overall hawkish expression she’d perfected. “Thank you for coming. I imagine your schedule must be overloaded, just with the ceaseless hours you’ve obviously put in turning my daughter against me.”
Oh sweet hell. Her temple already giving a dull throb, Clarissa crossed to Domino’s desk and squarely met the woman’s icy glare. “If you’re referring to me helping Marabella follow her dream, then yes, I’m guilty as charged. But I refuse to stand here and let you accuse me of anything more than that.”
“She’s moving out.” Domino’s expression hinted that such an offense should be punishable by death. Not Marabella’s, of course, but Clarissa’s—for the part she’d played in Marabella’s newfound freedom. “She wouldn’t have even fathomed such an idea without your involvement.”
Don’t be so certain. Resisting the urge to roll her eyes at Domino’s obtuseness, she waved her arm. “I don’t know why you’re throwing such a conniption. Marabella is twenty-four years old, for goddess’s sake. Plenty of women her age would have moved out long before now. It’s time for her to spread her wings. Respect that, and stop controlling every aspect of her life.”
“Don’t tell me how to raise my daughter.” Domino’s features tightened, her voice going shrill.
She half-expected Domino’s silk pantsuit to tear to shreds like the Incredible Hulk’s as the woman’s fury detonated. “I’m not. But you’re doing Marabella a grave injustice by encouraging her self-doubts at every turn.”
“Well I don’t want you encouraging her fool idea of pursuing this business. She’ll only fall flat on her face, making a complete embarrassment of herself.”
Before Clarissa could utter a word, the door suddenly banged open behind her. She pivoted as Willa stormed into the room.
The outrage Domino had displayed seconds ago was nothing compared to the lividness riding Willa’s elfin face. “You know what, she’s right.” Willa jabbed a finger in Clarissa’s direction, but her hard focus never left Domino. “You’ve been smothering Marabella her entire life. Here’s an idea—let her live hers and find your own.”
Clarissa didn’t know who was more stunned, her or Domino. Where was the timid Willa who never lifted her voice to anyone?
Domino’s spell of speechlessness splintered, and her frosty eyes pinned Willa in place. “Were you listening at the door?”
“No. Intercom. Much easier.”
Domino’s tongue momentarily failed her again. Finally she shook her head. “Willa, what has gotten into you?”
“I have no damn idea.”
Huffing, Domino smoothed the lapels of her jacket, the expensive diamond solitaire on her ring finger sparkling. “Well, I don’t like it.”
“Tough. Fire me.”
Domino’s jaw dropped. The guild leader rocked in her seat, her obvious agitation showing. “I advise you not to tempt me.”
“Ha! We both know that’s an empty threat. No one else would put up with your ass.” Snorting, Willa turned and stalked from the office.