Damned and Cursed (Book 2): Witch's Kurse (64 page)

"Yeah.
 
I've been away from Tiffany too long.
 
I need to get home.
 
That witch probably has cauldrons all over my house.
 
And who knows where the cat's been shitting."

"The next time you're in town, then."

Jack nodded, and went to walk past her to the limousine.
 
She grabbed his arm and leaned her nose into his neck, not caring who was watching.
 
She wanted to get one last sniff of his intoxicating scent.

"Thank you.
 
For this," she said, gesturing to the bar.
 
"For saving my life.
 
For everything."

He took her hand, which she imagined was a big step for him.

"You're a beautiful, intriguing, fun woman, and I enjoyed killing mortals with you.
 
I hope we can do it another time.
 
I look forward to meeting again.
 
But next time, keep squirrel off the menu."

She giggled and held up a hand.
 
"I promise.
 
And the bar will be great.
 
Don't worry."

"I'm not.
 
I trust you."

Jack headed to the limousine, turning back once to look at Marie.
 
She waved and even blew a playful kiss.
 
He never took his eyes off her as the limousine drove away.

She turned to the bar.
 
So much work lay ahead of her.
 
Calling her old employees, hiring new ones, advertising, getting the bar completely ready to go.

Jack entered her thoughts.
 
She could only imagine what was waiting for her, getting into business with him, having him in her life.

She had the feeling she didn't have her last adventure with Jack Kursed.

*****

Jack wasn't surprised to see Tiffany sitting on the front steps of their home, but it warmed his heart just the same.
 
As the limousine slowed down, she perked up.
 
She stood up and ran down the sidewalk when the limousine came to a stop.
 
He waited patiently,
 
and doubt crept across her face as Jack watched her through the tinted window.
 
He lowered the window only a few inches, just enough to reveal his eyes.

"Hello there," he said.
 
"I think I might have the wrong address."

"Daddy!"

She tackled him as soon as he opened the door, not even letting him climb out.
 
He laughed and held her close.
 
Emotions blew through him he didn't expect, and he found it difficult to let go.
 
He was in luck, as Tiffany also didn't release her death grip.
 
His daughter was crying, tears of joy, and that triggered Jack's own waterworks.
 
His crying was followed by a poke of anger at the thought of crying.
 
He was an emotional puzzle.

A conversation on a tablet, as much as he loved technology, didn't compare to holding his daughter.

"I missed you," Tiffany said.
 
"Don't go away again."

"I won't.
 
I'm not doing any business for a long time."

"Did you get your
business
done?"

Her stressing of the word surprised him, and he wondered what else had happened while he was gone.

"Yeah.
 
Everything's all good."

She released her hold and backed up.
 
Jack finally climbed out of the car and knelt in front of her.

"It was crazy while you were gone," she said.
 
"I didn't like Kevin at first, but now he's my best friend.
 
And I had a sleepover.
 
And then Kevin and Leese fought, but now they kiss all the time.
 
It's gross.
 
And then those people took me from school, but Kevin came and got me.
 
I saw Aunt Victoria!
 
She says hello.
 
And then—"

"Whoa!
 
Breathe, Tiff."

Tiffany did so, pausing to catch her breath.
 
She smiled, a beautiful, pure smile.
 
Not saying anything else, she simply reached out for another hug, which Jack happily obliged.
 
The driver had the trunk to the limousine open, setting luggage on the ground.

"Oh!" Tiffany shouted.
 
"I'll help!"

She grabbed the handle and rolled the bag to the house.
 
Jack tipped his driver and sent him on his way.
 
He stayed on the sidewalk, taking in his home, appreciating his life, when the front door opened as Tiffany neared.

Kevin held the door open for her, and then walked down the sidewalk.
 
Jack nodded in greeting as the witch approached.

"Glinda."

"Jack."

The two stood side by side, watching the house.
 
Kevin shoved his hands in his pockets and stared at the ground.

"Thanks for the job," he said.

"Thank you for saving my daughter's life.
 
I'll never be able to repay you, but I'll try."

"We're even.
 
You saved Leese's life not too long ago, and even Cindy's."

"Yeah, but that's not really even.
 
Tiffany's life is worth more than both of theirs combined."

Kevin said nothing.
 
He simply shook his head.

Jack watched his daughter through the living room windows.
 
She ran back and forth, excited, from the front door to the living room, peeking and waving.
 
He forced a smile, but an overwhelming sadness gripped him.

"Erica was right," Jack said.
 
"Tiffany's not safe with me."

"What?
 
Who's Erica?"

"My ex-girlfriend.
 
We split up because she found out what I was.
 
She told me Tiffany would be a target.
 
I didn't listen.
 
And my daughter was nearly taken from me."

"Whoa, now," Kevin said.
 
"I think you're being crazy.
 
How often do people come after you?"

He glared at the witch.
 
"It only takes one time, Glinda."

"Well, that's why I made her this."

He reached into his pocket.
 
Jack smirked when he pulled out a wristband.
 
In the center was a piece of shale.

"Wow.
 
A rock she can wear on her wrist.
 
You shouldn't have."

"Yeah, just like that pocket-watch on your dresser only tells time.
 
Look, I get it.
 
You want her to be safe.
 
But if we all thought like that, then I'd have to break up with Leese, never talk to my sister, and live in a box somewhere.
 
Alex would have to divorce Cindy.
 
You, Victoria,
all
of us, would have to hide away from everyone."

"I can't protect her all the time."

"So, that's why you have
friends
—"
 
He stretched the word.
 
"Like me."

"We're not friends."

"Yes, we are."

"No.
 
I refuse."

"Whatever.
 
I work in this town now, Jack.
 
I'm going to stop over for dinner, hang out with Tiffany, bring Leese over—"

"Did you pack your shit?
 
It's time for you to leave."

Kevin smiled, undeterred.
 
"The truth is Tiffany needs you, and you need her.
 
She
knows
things about us, and you'll have to deal with that.
 
You'll have to talk with her, take care of her, keep doing the shit you've been doing.
 
Dropping her off with some human family, if that's what you're thinking, that won't work."

"I hate mortals."

"See?
 
There you go.
 
Problem solved."

Jack didn't smile.
 
Kevin put a hand on his shoulder.
 
It took another glare to get the witch to remove it.

"I'm supposed to be the worrier," Kevin said.
 
"And I'm not worried.
 
Hell, Tiffany wasn't even worried.
 
The kid's stronger than you think."

"Believe me, I know."

"The bracelet is just a start.
 
I've got a few other things I'm working on.
 
Just trust me."

He laughed shortly.
 
"Trust you," he said, nearly spitting the words.

His phone vibrated in his pocket, a strange sensation.
 
He didn't get many messages.
 
Pulling it out, he smiled when he saw it was a picture message.

"Now that's what I'm talking about."

Marie was sitting on the bar, taking a self portrait using the mirror behind the alcohol.
 
She was completely naked with the exception of her Wonder Woman underwear.
 
Her feet rested on a barstool, showing off her legs.
 
Her arm was strategically placed to cover her breasts as she gave a flirty smile.

"Who is it?"

He turned the phone so he could see.

"Ah, the werewolf.
 
Is she your new girlfriend?"

"No, just a business partner.
 
And a poke-partner."

"Poke-partner.
 
Nice.
 
You know, I'm not sure if ladies like it when you share pictures—"

"She looks great, doesn't she?
 
One day, after Leese shakes out of her training bra—"

"Leese doesn't wear a training bra."

Jack ignored him.
 
"Maybe she'll be lucky enough to look half as good as Marie."

"Leese looks fine the way she is."

"You just keep telling yourself that, if it helps.
 
Does she send you naked shots?"

"She's walking down the sidewalk right now, Jack.
 
She can hear you."

He looked up to see the blonde approaching.
 
She smiled before leaning into Kevin and kissing him on the lips.
 
Jack wondered if she did it just to irritate him.

"Hey, Jack," she said.
 
"Nice to see you again."

"Do you send the witch naked pictures?"

"All the time."

Kevin's face turned red as Leese laughed.
 
The front door opened, and Tiffany sprinted down the sidewalk to once again tackle Jack around the waist.

"Dad, can Leese and Kevin stay and eat dinner with us?"

"Whoa, I'm not sure if—"

"That's a great idea," Leese said, smiling devilishly.

"I'll cook," Kevin added.

"No," Jack said.
 
"You've damaged my kitchen enough.
 
I'll
cook."

The four headed toward the house, but Jack grabbed Kevin's shoulder to keep him behind.
 
Tiffany and Leese continued on, playfully debating on what to have for dinner.
 
The choices ranged from pizza to chicken to ice cream.

"I don't want anyone else seeing this," Jack said.
 
"And you'd better appreciate this moment."

"What are you talking about?"

Jack extended his hand.
 
Kevin hesitated at first, but then reached out and shook it.

"Keep the girls entertained while I cook dinner.
 
And don't tell anyone we just did that."

I live in Maryland with my wonderful wife and four cats. I love gaming, computer technology, movies, and of course, reading and writing. I love science fiction and especially horror. Ghosts, vampires, werewolves, zombies, anything supernatural, all beautiful subjects.

I've been writing since I was twelve years old. There's just something about creating a story that I like. It's always fun to try to come up with something that hasn't been done, or is unique in some way. It's fun to build a character, give him a personality and background.

Visit my website at http://www.glennbullion.com

Total works by Glenn Bullion:

Demonspawn

Dead Living

Mind Slide

A Witch to Live

Jack Kursed

Soul Insurance

Demon's Doorway

Witch's Kurse