The Curse Keepers Collection
fireworks. Even as a little girl, I’d known their relationship was different than my friends’ parents. What my parents had was special.
    But I didn’t see any men with money waiting to set me ablaze, so when the opportunity presented itself for me to get a look inside the house, I couldn’t resist the temptation.
    The inside was neat and tidy, the walls lined with white wood paneling. Pale blue and white furniture filled the living room. The kitchen in the back had white cabinets and pale gray marble counters. Bookshelves flanked one wall of the living space, stuffed with books and knickknacks. One in particular caught my eye, and I sucked in my breath.
    Collin jerked his head in my direction. “What is it?” But one look at my face told him everything. “You see it? Where?”
    I pointed toward the shelf, second from the top on the right side. The ugly pewter cup sat on the pristine white shelves looking old and out of place.
    He lowered his voice. “Ellie, why don’t you go back to the truck.”
    The hair on the back of my neck stood on end. “Why?”
    “Will you just do as I ask?”
    “No.”
    “ Ellie .”
    “No. What are you going to do?”
    He closed his eyes and ran a hand over his forehead. “You really don’t want to know.”
    I leaned toward him, my eyes wide. “You’re going to steal it!”
    “Shh!” He was next to me in half a second, his hand on my arm. He stepped in close, pressing me back against the door. I was acutely aware of his chest against mine. My body tingled with expectation. Both physically and supernaturally.
    Collin felt it too, his eyes widening, his pupils dilating. His chest expanded as he took a deep breath. He seemed to recover his senses after several seconds but stayed tight against me, his hand still wrapped around my arm. “We need the cup, Ellie. You admitted that you don’t have enough money to pay the woman, and I know that I don’t.”
    I knew we were desperate, but I couldn’t resort to this. “No, Collin. We’re not going to steal it. I’m not stooping to that level.”
    “Be reasonable, Ellie. You know this is the only way.” He leaned close into my ear and his hand reached for my face.
    My heart thudded against my rib cage. “Stop it, Collin.”
    His hand dropped, but he remained inside my personal space. He grinned, but it was fake. “I’m giving you a piece of advice, Ellie, although I’m not sure why, so listen close: I’m not to be trusted. I know what I want and I’ll do anything to get it. Understand?”
    I took a deep breath. “I know you’re not to be trusted. I’ve known since the moment you walked into my restaurant, but like it or not, I’m stuck with your condescending, know-it-all ass. So let me give you a piece of advice: If you ever touch me again, I’ll coldcock you. Understand ?”
    A real grin spread across his face and he lifted his hands in surrender as he took two steps backward.
    “We are not stealing the cup, not until we’ve tried talking to her first. Give me tonight to come up with the money, and we’ll come back tomorrow to pay her. And if that doesn’t work, then we’ll consider other alternatives.”
    He shook his head. “That won’t work. If the cup is stolen after we approach her, she’ll know it was us.”
    “I don’t care. We’ll try it my way first or we won’t do it at all.”
    He took a step closer, but kept a foot between us. “You don’t mean that, Ellie. You won’t turn your back on all of this now that you know the curse is real, and I’m counting on that. Remember those dead birds on the side of the road and on your porch? Guess who’s their ultimate meal of choice? They crave power and energy, and who has more power than anyone else on earth? The Keepers of the curse that sent them away. When they think they’re strong enough, they’ll come looking for you , Ellie Lancaster.”
    My breath came in short pants. “Is that meant to scare me?” If it was, he was doing a really good

Similar Books

Calli Be Gold

Michele Weber Hurwitz

The Duke's Temptation

Addie Jo Ryleigh