Wickedest Witch (6 page)

“Funny, last I heard being evil didn’t elevate a person to the rank of great. I hear he kill
s anyone he thinks is a threat. Even those he was sworn to protect.”

“He did not,” Evangeline shrieked
, losing her temper again. “Those are lies. You are so lucky you are a shifter or I’d turn you into a bug and squish you flat for your insults.”

“That’s it, use magic because you’re too chicken to face people on equal footing.”

“Equal footing? That’s rich coming from a giant goon like you. Do you enjoy using your size to intimidate people? Well, guess what, you don’t scare me.”

Somehow, she found herself
out of the chair, standing toe-to-toe with him—tiptoe because of his height. He crouched down so they could glare at each other nose to nose. Evangeline couldn’t help noticing once again the daunting size of him, a titillating girth that dwarfed her. So much muscle…

“Enough!”
With a clap of hands that reverberated like thunder, Mr. Rumpelstiltskin drew their attention. “While I am enjoying this sparring match immensely, now is not the time. I have hired you both to accomplish a task and when I say both, I mean it. I am not chancing anything with the treasure I need you to guard. Do I make myself clear, or do I need to hire somebody more professional?”

The rebuke stung and she drew up all of her five and a half feet—five
-foot-eight when under glamor—and replied indignantly. “If you insist, I will work with this creature, but only because of my respect for you. However, the pay better be worth it.”

“Yeah, Rumpelstiltskin
,” the cat said with his rumble of a voice. “If I gotta work with the uptight witch, then I’m going to expect a little something extra.”

“Oh you will be amply rewarded
, never fear.”

“I must also insist on having proof that the animal is up to date on his shots.”
Evangeline shot him a nasty smile.

“It’s not my teeth you should worry about.
And the name,” he said, turning to her with dangerous eyes, “is Ryker.”

It figured he’d have a disgustingly masculine name—one that suited him.
She ignored him to face their employer. “What exactly do you need to protect that requires the two of us?”

“I need you to
guard my most precious possession,” said Rumpelstiltskin.

Evangeline wondered what it could be—gigantic gem, magically imbued talisman, priceless scroll...

“Why not use a safe?” asked Ryker.

“Somehow
, I don’t think she’d enjoy that. Princess, you can come in now.”

Evangeline swiveled to look behind her and saw a slip of a girl entering the office with dainty steps. She moved to stand beside Rumpelstiltskin.

“This is my most precious possession. My first born and only daughter, Princess Tina Rumpelstiltskin.”

He wants us to babysit?
Evangeline had met Tina before at her birthday party, a shy girl who adored her father.

“I am not cut out to be a nanny,” growled Ryker.

“Of course you aren’t,” said the ugly dwarf. “I need you as bodyguards for an upcoming event. Actually, Evangeline, you’re already slated to attend, so this will work out well.”

Evangeline frowned as she tried to decipher his words.
What upcoming event? I don’t go out. The only thing I’m going to anytime soon is...
“Ah, bloody hell, you can’t be serious,” she blurted. “My sister’s wedding?”

Rumpelstiltskin bobbed his head and beamed. “Yes
. Did you know they’re already calling it the wedding of the century? Rasputin’s granddaughter and the prince of Hell, what a match up.”

“Your sister is marrying Lucifer’s son?” asked an incredulous Ryker. “Talk about ensuring an evil bloodline.”

“Shut up,” hissed Evangeline. “He’s not that bad. Actually, he’s surprisingly decent given his parentage. And besides, it’s none of your damn business.”

Ryker just smirked at her, then turned to face Rumpelstiltskin again. “Why on earth would your daughter need protection at a wedding?”

“Princess, why don’t you run along and see if cook has finished those pastries. Papa will be done shortly.” With a kiss on his gnarled cheek and a smile, the girl skipped off. Rumpelstiltskin waited until the door shut before speaking. “My daughter needs protection because my cow of an ex-wife,” said the dwarf with narrowed eyes, “is supposed to be attending. She still hasn’t forgiven me for getting custody of our daughter in the divorce. Claims I tricked her into giving up her first-born. Bullshit, of course. Heidi only ever married me for my money. Just like she only had Tina for more money. But she pissed through her divorce settlement, so now she’s crying foul. I’ve had a seer looking into the paths of the future, and in one of the possibilities she saw Tina being kidnapped at your sister’s wedding and used to blackmail me into giving my ex more money. Unacceptable,” said the little man, thumping the marbled surface of his desk hard enough that a crack appeared in its polished surface. Despite his diminutive stature, the little man controlled an impressive amount of power. Her patron had started more than one legend, and her troublemaking side enjoyed seeing he hadn’t lost his keen edge or strength.

As to the task, it sounded easy enough except for one thing. “Um, I’d love to help, Rumpel
stiltskin, but you do know I’m part of the bridal party? My mother would have a fit if I told her I was backing out now.” Money or not, Evangeline knew better than to cross her mother, who was in full wedding fever.

“Already taken care of. You’ll only be needed by your sister for the ceremony itself and
a few pictures. Since they’ve asked my darling Tina to sing at the ceremony—she has the voice of an angel, you know—she’ll be close by for that span of time.”

“So what am I needed for?” Ryker interrupted.

“You’ll go as Evangeline’s escort, of course. The groom’s side had a lack of male relatives with all the killing of those in line for the throne of Hell. Therefore, my old friend Lucifer was more than happy to make you a groomsman. He says to tell you he’s been watching you with great interest and looks forward to finally meeting you in person.” Rumpelstiltskin grinned mischievously as Ryker shifted his feet, looking distinctly discomfited.

The arrangements seemed too neat
, too easy. Evangeline didn’t trust it one bit. “Wait a second, what if I said I already have a date?”

Rumpelstiltskin arched a brow at her and
Evangeline’s cheeks warmed.
How does he know I don’t?
Then again, his power came from knowing things that should remain secret.

At the sound of
Ryker’s snort, without turning her head, she shot her foot out sideways and kicked him in the shin. She didn’t even try to hold back a smile at his grunt of pain.

“Now as for your fee...” Rumpelstiltskin named a stupidly obscene amount that had both of them nodding their heads. Hell, for that much money
, she’d work with a whole gang of shifters.

But a verbal agreement was only the first part.
She and Ryker sat down with Rumpelstiltskin to hammer out the remainder of the details. With the wily gnome, it paid to have all the Is dotted and the Ts crossed. Not to mention, they’d have to work fast.

With the wedding only a week or so away, they’d
need to scramble to investigate, find some clues, as well as do some reconnoitering of the event venue. As per custom, the bride’s family had made all the wedding arrangements using the limitless funds of her sister’s impending father-in-law. Given Evangeline’s family’s Russian roots—and to please their grandfather—the whole wedding, from binding ceremony to reception, would be held near St. Petersburg in the Catherine Palace. Grandfather had originally wanted Alexander Palace, home of his old friend Tsar Nicholas II, but her mother had argued it lacked the extra size and presence the Catherine Palace would provide. How they managed to secure it for use Evangeline didn’t ask. Needless to say, the setting would be beyond lavish with the gilded ballroom and expansive with its dozens of rooms and hundreds of invited guests.

This assignment could
end up tricky. What fun!
She did so enjoy a challenge—and the possibility of violence.

“I trust the two of you can work out the rest of the details,” said Rumpelstiltskin, standing up
to the signal their meeting was ended. “I’ll want to speak with you both a day or so before the ceremony itself so you can present your plan of defense. In the meantime, please don’t kill each other. It is so much more fun to watch you spar.” With a snorting laugh, their employer left them, and suddenly, the cavernous office seemed too small, Ryker’s presence crowding her.

Awareness
, once again, of his body made her flush. She tried to keep her gaze away from him, but something about him just drew her eyes and she once again noted how his jeans molded his muscled thighs. The thickness of his arms and width of his chest teased her. The memory of his kiss, burning hot and oh so arousing, kindled a fire low in her belly. Damn it all if she didn’t wet her panties a little at the thought of his agile tongue visiting a place south of her mouth. Good thing her glamor hid her so he couldn’t see her flushed cheeks or poking nipples. But she’d forgotten about his other senses.

He sniffed the air and gave her a slow grin.
“I smell something
good
.”

Fucking shifter can s
cent my arousal. Time to get out of here before I do something stupid.
Like kiss him again. Or worse.

Jeans suddenly too snug, Ryker almost grabbed the witch again so he could see his plump dream goddess. He’d nearly expired of shock when he’d discovered the witch from the bar and his fantasy babe were one and the same. It had taken a lot of will power not to take her right then and there. The mating urge rode him hard once he realized who she was. It still did.

He could even picture it, her delicious body denuded and bent over, welcoming his hard thrusts. If they’d not gotten interrupted
, he wondered just how far he could have seduced her. He could tell by her scent that she desired him, much as it annoyed her. Actually, his lack of control annoyed him too. The woman truly was a witch. But hornier than he’d ever been, he couldn’t seem to help himself. He found himself unwillingly drawn to her like a fly to a Venus fly trap, and when the jaws snapped shut...

Damn, I’ll bet the pleasure
is worth the pain.

Maybe he should
try for another kiss.

As if she’d read his mind, she jumped up from the chair she’d ensconced herself in and
departed with a brisk walk. Ryker followed at her heels, wishing she’d drop the fake image so he could see what her real ass looked like. He bet she possessed a sweet jiggle.

His beast, awake and pacing since he’d walked into
new client’s office and seen her, kept urging him to pounce on her and bite her neck. Not something his inner kitty had ever wanted to do before, probably because he’d never met the woman meant to be his mate.

But a witch? Really? Perhaps he was mistaken and he just suffered from a case of lust. Or intense blue balls.
He’d have to find a way to bang the little witch, get her out of his system, and then see where he and his cat stood. Of course, to do that, he’d have to get her alone. And soon before he died of sexual frustration.

“When do you want to get together and plan our itinerary?”

She whirled without warning and he bumped into her. She stumbled and he shot his hands out to steady her, the skin-to-skin contact breaking her glamor spell again. Cute as a button and plump as a juicy berry, she looked up at him in irritation. He could have kissed her, and would have if she didn’t look like she’d tear his lips off.

Poking him in the chest, she spoke to him through clenched teeth. “Listen, Rumpel
stiltskin might want us to work together for the wedding, but that doesn’t mean I have to put up with you beforehand too. I work
alone.
You take care of your end, I’ll take care of mine, and we’ll meet up at the wedding.”

“Listen
, witch, I’m not crazy about this either. You’re not exactly my ideal partner.” Outside the bedroom at any rate. “But I am not going to mess this up because you can’t control your hormones around me.” He intentionally baited her, not very nice of him probably, but with her real face showing—sweet freckles and all—he quite enjoyed seeing the color rushing to her cheeks and her mouth working soundlessly. He had something else he would have preferred to see her mouth working on, but he’d take what he could get for the moment.

“Of all the conceited things! I am not attracted to you.” She lied without blinking, and really well too. Unfortunately for her, Ryker could smell the truth
, and it was musky, not to mention distracting.

“Okay, let’s pretend for a second you’re not pining for my body
, which we both know is untrue. We still need to work together if this is going to work.”

“Get over yourself. I am not pining for your body!”

“Liar. Tell you what, how about I prove you wrong and kiss you right now? Wanna bet I can get you to drop your panties and beg me to take you?”