The Lying, the Witch, and the Werewolf (Down & Dirty Supernatural Cleaning Services Book 4) Kate Quinn (read this if txt) 📖

be clear,” she says with a curt nod, “I wouldn’t actually put that near your vagina unless you need to escape. It’s spelled to respond to high intensity situations, and you wouldn’t want to blast off during—”

“Don’t you need to leave, or something?” I ask Hepa, who makes a show of checking her watch.

“Yep, gotta run,” she agrees.

That’s one smartass supe out of my life.

Nico, though, is still in front of me. “I don’t care how you sell the broom thing,” He tells me, looking stern. “Just keep it close. I don’t want you stuck there if things get hot.”

This is a little worrisome. “Do you know something you aren’t telling me? I thought these people were harmless sex fiends?”

“I want to be prepared for the worst,” Nico answers. “Just in case. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you.”

“Yeah, I get that,” I say quietly, thinking of Liam. I swallow hard and take a step back from Nico. “I gotta run out quickly, but I’ll be back in time to leave at noon.”

Nico frowns. “Shit is not riding in my car. It’s a two-seater and the leather seats...” He looks pained to say it, but I know his car is like his baby. But too bad. Shit is mine.

“If Shit doesn’t go, I don’t go,” I shoot back. Pointing to Shit, I add, “Stay. Be good for Nico until Mommy gets back.”

“Paige,” Nico says, a warning in his voice. But following Hepa’s example, I exit like the powerful witch I am.

8

I walk to the donut shop, my Birkenstocks slapping on the pavement. Maybe I’m not actually a powerful witch, but I am a powerful bitch and that’s just as good. My hippie skirts flow around my legs and I’m starting to really like my new fashion choices. Until a woman passes with her toddler and the little girl laughs at me and asks why I’m wearing a sheet for a skirt and that brings me back down to earth.

Through the Dickie’s Donuts window I see McGinnis is already seated at our regular booth, the corner one out of the way. His bad foot is propped on a chair at the end of the table. He broke it the night VSK kidnapped him, and it’s never been the same since. His most recent surgery is meant to repair the damage for good, but McGinnis might have to use a cane for the rest of his life.

He’s scrolling through his phone, waiting for me, and has already ordered me a jelly donut and a coffee. As he looks up and waves to me, I can’t help but smile. The dad vibes are strong in this one.

I head inside, throwing my boho shoulder bag onto the seat and sliding in.

“Hey Kiddo, you look...different. Is this your spa look?” he asks, eyebrows raised.

“I’m just trying something new,” I tell him, taking a bit of the donut and catching the jelly with my napkin as it squishes out. He chuckles.

“You know, I am a detective,” he says. “But I won’t pry.” He adjusts his foot with a grimace, trying to get comfortable. McGinnis had some boundary issues earlier in our relationship, but I think we’ve come to an understanding. As much as I wish my dad were here with me, McGinnis is not him.

I take a swig of coffee. “How are you?” I ask, glancing at his foot.

“Oh, good. Good,” he repeats, though his face says he’s anything but. “I have physical therapy twice a week. My PT says everything is...good,” he finishes lamely.

“That is a lot of goods,” I say.

He shrugs and his face loses its smile. “VSK came to your house again?” he asks.

I nod. “He’s been so quiet, for months.” I pull my bag onto the table and spill out the contents of plastic bags. The glove and the blood sample from my porch. “Why now?”

McGinnis picks them up, examines them. “Why now indeed?”

He looks me up and down. “Something’s changed, other than the way you dress. You’re going to a spa out of town?”

“Yeah,” I blush a little at the lie.

“VSK must be aware that you’re leaving. And he doesn’t like it.” He folds his arms.

“But I barely told anyone. Maybe five people know,” I tell him.

“You texted me, Paige. Your phone could be hacked.”

“Shit.” I had my phone checked for spyware before, but not recently. McGinnis holds out his hand and I hand it over.

“Let me see if there are any hidden apps…” He pulls out his reading glasses and looks down his nose at the phone. It’s so adorably dad-like. While he’s fiddling with my phone I finish off my donut. Today I’ve basically eaten donuts and coffee, but it’s the fuel I need. Sugar and caffeine for the win.

McGinnis pulls off his glasses and hands me back my phone. “It looks good to me. Do you want me to take it in to the tech geeks?”

I shake my head. “Nah. I’ll have my IT person take a look.” I’ll have Hepa do some kind of witchy spell to rid me of malware.

“This glove is a huge break, though,” McGinnis tells me. “It might just be what we need to catch the bastard!”

“Maybe this will help too,” I say, pulling out my phone and the pictures I’ve already texted to him.

“I don’t really know if we can get a handwriting analysis when he’s probably just smearing blood around with his finger—…”

“No!” I shove the phone at him. “VSK used the wrong you’re. He’s clearly not very smart, or maybe he’s a high school dropout…”

McGinnis looks doubtful. “Paige, not everyone cares about grammar as much as you do. I didn’t even notice it was wrong,” he admits.

Oh crap. I hadn’t meant to be a snobby English Major bitch. “You’re right,” I tell him. “It’s a stupid mistake that anyone could make.”

I deflate back into the booth bench. “I just want this to be over. And not have it affect anyone else. My housemates. You. Liam…” I trail