Word had somehow gotten out that tonight’s act at the Venetian Theater was a not-to-be-missed event—Mac’s first and final public performance.
Rose sat down and turned toward him in her chair, lowering her voice. “Why don’t you care? Why aren’t you mad at me? If I hadn’t made you come here, they would never have found you. You would have been safe.”
“I knew it.” Hobie’s sober voice made them both turn in his direction. “As soon as you came into the Belly Up, boy, I knew you were on the run.”
Jolene nodded and covered Hobie’s hand with hers. “He also knew you were good people, An—Mac. Whatever bad things you’re running from?” She lifted her chin. “We want to help. First things first—we have to find a way to leave without drawing any unwanted attention. We need a distraction.”
Mac felt something like amazement tightening his chest. “Jolene, what about the competition? The library for the kids?”
Her eyes misted over with tears. “They’re just books, you silly man. We’ll get them back eventually. You’ve already made it to the finals, which will get us enough of what we need. People…friends are more important any day of the week.”
Rose made a noise that sounded distinctly like a sniffle. Mac leaned toward her to whisper in her ear. “Demons don’t cry, wild Rose.”
“I know that,” she whispered back. “But I feel the need to remind you I’m only half-demon.”
Mac turned back to Jolene and placed a hand over his heart. “I am honored to know the both of you, and I’ll never forget the kindnesses you’ve shown me. Never. And usually, for someone like myself, that is a very long time. I’m proud to call you friends. Which is why we’re still performing tonight and we’re going to win. I’m sure of it.”
And he was. Between Rose’s gifts and his own, by fair means or foul, one small town in Nevada would have the most well-funded school district in the state.
“This is really sweet, Mac,” a sardonic voice said from behind them. “I wish I’d gotten it on camera. Didn’t I tell you that if you got out more you’d make friends? ‘What Saint said’ should really be on a T-shirt by now. I’d make a fortune.”
Gasping, Rose stood abruptly and wrapped her arms around her cousin. “Saint. You came.”
Mac frowned. “Did you tell him to?”
Her expression was all the answer he needed. “He was already on his way when I called, Mac, I swear. He knew you’d need backup, even if you refuse to admit it.”
Mac stood and shook Saint’s hand, lowering his voice. “The whole point of me disappearing was to distract them from you and…” He frowned again and looked over Saint’s shoulder. “…Thomas. I didn’t see you there. Can one of you idiots tell me where Margo is? Ume? Home right? The answer forming on your lips is ‘safe at home, Mac’.”
Thomas wore an alert expression in his gre
en eyes as he took Mac’s hand in a firm shake. “They’re safe, Mac Attack. Liam and a few of our scarier friends are getting them seats as we speak. You, however, are in big, big trouble young man. Running away is never the answer. Esther is such a wreck she’s taken to chain rattling.”
“I was turning their attention away from you and your women,” Mac growled. “You brought them? Both of them?”
Thomas shrugged. “They really wanted to hear you sing, dude. They promised us things.”
“Ume promised not to kick my ass,” Saint snorted. “Because she could. I’m thinking a kitsune and a demon against a room filled with vampires and bounty hunters? Bring it on. We’ll be done in time for dessert.”
Gripping Saint’s arm, Mac snarled, “This isn’t your bloody videogame, friend. And the others don’t have my sense of humor.”
“Thank Hell for that right?” Saint joked, reaching up to cover Mac’s hand with his—a gesture that shocked him. “I am your friend, you walking Scottish tragedy. This started because you wanted Thomas and Margo to be happy. You saved me from myself and sent me after Ume. Are we not allowed to return the favor? You appear to have gotten some of the sticks out of your ass, which must be a relief, but you still haven’t learned to share the glory.”
Thomas winked at Rose. “Mac’s got a thing about—”
“Heroics?” Rose interrupted wryly. “Saving people? Sacrificing himself? Brooding?”
Saint whistled. “That’s my favorite demon girl. Man, she has so got your number. Fast, that one. Smart too. She gets that from me.”
“Rose?”
“Yes, Mac?”
“Stop helping them.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s time for us to head back to the theater and get ready, anyway. Can you take Jolene and Hobie to their seats? Please? I’ll meet you backstage.”
She pursed her lips as though she desperately wanted to argue, then nodded and walked away.
When the trio was out of earshot, Thomas chortled. “Mac has a girlfriend.”