Hard Number - Chapter Four

Stuck in the Middle With You

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For as quick as the situation had shifted, Clinton still found the time to think about Chaz. His friend would never let him live this down, even if it wasn’t Clinton’s fault. That part didn’t matter.

Clinton had handed the mage the ring. And now, it was his burden to prove the mage hadn’t paid him.

He stared down the length of the wand pointed at him, slowly raising his hands to show them empty. “You’ll have to forgive me for declining your offer,” he said. “Considering the word ‘business’ suggests that I got something out of the deal, too.”

“But you did, blood feeder,” the mage said. His hold on the wand remained steady, but when Clinton looked him in the eyes, he saw them dance with hatred. Another sorcerer stood by his side, arms crossed against his chest, with the same amount of hate in his eyes. Mage hadn’t wanted to sell his friend the gem, after all. He’d wanted to steal it when the odds were in his favor.

“I’ve got an idea.” Clinton tentatively gestured toward the door. “Why don’t we get Remy to resolve this?”

“You’re going to leave before I claim I had to make you vomit your own heart. You threatened me.”

That part wasn’t wrong. “I didn’t threaten you until you took my fucking ring and pocketed it without paying me. Still think you’re more in the wrong than I am.” He stole another glance at the friend. Sadly, he knew the energy emanating from both meant he might take one of them. Not before the other did exactly what the mage had threatened to do, however. “Let’s exchange payment and be on our way.”