Shadow Kissed 03 - Shadowman

it much better when he was driving and relished the heat the vehicle offered on frigid nights. He took it through the field set aside for the barrows. Climbed onto the mountain road that led to the security gate.
    Talia had settled back into her seat. She pulled her woolen cap off her head, and her hair frizzed. “Umm . . .” she began, tucking stray locks behind her ears. “I feel like I should warn you . . . Adam wants to get you under contract for special services to Segue.”
    Khan slid his gaze to his daughter. Contract. He didn’t think so.
    â€œNot that he wants any kind of obligation from you or anything,” she said. “He just wants to make sure you are compensated for your work.”
    â€œHe wants to give me money,” Khan clarified. Adam had already hired Layla as Segue’s new director of public relations, ostensibly to deal with the “mess” (Adam’s word) she created when she sent her article to her former editor. Khan didn’t know for sure, but he suspected that Layla’s salary was well above the standard. But then, she was worth every penny.
    Talia huffed a sigh. “No. In the real world people get paid for their work.”
    â€œMy work is pro bono.” He smiled over at her.
    She shrugged. “Okay, but eventually you might want a house of your own.”
    He laughed aloud. Had to. “Have we overstayed our welcome, then?”
    â€œNo. Of course not. Stay as long as you like.” Now she was flustered. “And never mind. I’ll tell Adam that you said no.”
    She went quiet, but another quick glance and he could see the small line of worry between her brows.
    â€œHave no fear,” Khan said. “I’ll find my own way in this world, as the work with the wraiths and wights permit.” He smiled to himself, hope for the future glowing bright and warm within him. “In fact, I relish the opportunity.”
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    Layla was staring at her ringing phone when Khan got back from the barrow field. Her new supertechy mobile was ringing, but she couldn’t reach it. The thing was probably lost forever, even though she could see it right in front of her.
    She knew Khan threw his keys on the table, his coat over the arm of the couch, but kept her eyes glued on the phone. His arms came around her waist as he, too, regarded Kathleen’s wall-high painting. In the foreground, in front of Twilight’s magnificent trees, was her mobile. And the number on screen? Her conference call with the Japanese Minister of Defense. Wraith attacks were rising in Tokyo, but the Japanese were slow to accept Segue’s counsel as to how to deal with them. That call was a major breakthrough.
    â€œTook a week to set up this meeting,” she said. If she looked away, she knew it would disappear altogether.
    â€œWhich one of the boys did it?” Khan gathered her close. She rested her head against his chest.
    Of Talia’s children, everyone thought that Michael was the most troublesome, with his black eyes and his obvious delight in Shadow, but Cole, quiet Cole, could be just as mischievous. And they were still infants.
    â€œI have no idea,” Layla answered. She couldn’t turn her back on them for a minute. They’d gone from rolling over to scooting within weeks. Exactly how one of them managed to get her phone off the table, she couldn’t imagine.
    â€œThe call is important?” Khan’s voice lowered, and she felt the vibration in her blood. Khan. He’d chosen the name for day-to-day use, but he’d always be her Shadowman.
    Layla closed her eyes as he skimmed his mouth up her neck and tugged on her ear with his teeth. Happy tingles spread from the contact, and she didn’t think he’d even put magic into it. This was not the way to get work done.
    â€œI’d better go hunt down another phone,” she said.
    â€œThis late at night?”
    â€œIt’s morning in Japan.”
    â€œAh.”
    She turned in his arms. Looked up into his fae black eyes. “Unless you can reach in and grab it for me?”
    Khan’s magery was expanding fast, probably faster than she knew, which worried her a bit. She’d seen him make a spider bend its legs in death, and then snap, reanimate again.
    â€œAnd why would I want to get that thing?” His hand slipped underneath her shirt.
    â€œI’ll plan tomorrow’s date,” she offered. The dates were her