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man’s eyes seemed to frost over. “If you mean, do I know other things about your father, yes I do. I would be happy to discuss anything with you. “
    Leaning over the arm of the chair, James smiled at her. “Make no mistake, Marielle.
    I am here because I want something your father has. I am willing to pay for it. Let me take you out to dinner?”
    She shrank back in her chair. Something about his presence seemed vaguely threatening. And he’d swung so suddenly to asking her out. “I am afraid I can’t do that tonight.”
    The shrug he gave was quite Gallic but his accent was pure American. “Marielle, there are things about your father’s…collection you should know. I know he probably told you not to trust me. But please, come to dinner with me. We will go to a public place. I promise that no harm will come to you from me tonight.”
    The phrasing was almost archaic, but deep down Mari knew he was telling the truth. She’d always been able to tell when people lied to her, something she thought she’d inherited from her mother, but possibly came from her father’s side of the family instead. And she did want to know more about her father, in spite of the fact that James LaPierre might not be the best source for the whole truth. Rosier certainly wasn’t forthcoming with details, though she had to admit, she couldn’t say he’d outright lied to her either.
    “Okay. I will. What time?”
    As they went over the mundane details, Mari tried to erase the feeling of unease.
    Something about this man made her uncomfortable. She would make sure she took her pepper spray with her as well as her cell phone.
    33

    Marilu Mann
    She swept her hair up into a ponytail then let it fall again. His appreciative look made her feel amazingly sensual. Gods. Two men paid her attention and she turned into a sex demon all on her own. Then remembering that she still wore her ancient robe and slippers, she crossed her arms in front of her chest, not believing she’d forgotten her attire.
    “Marielle. I’ll pick you up at seven and we can discuss everything over a nice meal.”
    What could it hurt to just listen to him? She didn’t have to trust him to have dinner with him. Mari gave a nod. Maybe she could get more information out of James about those keys her father had mentioned. He seemed to know an awful lot about her father’s business. And maybe he could tell her how to get rid of her demon problem.
    As if he noticed her hesitancy, James gently touched her knee before withdrawing his hand and rising. He moved to the front door. “Marielle, I know your father probably told you not to trust me. He and I were not enemies. You have to believe that. We were student and teacher and then we were, I am ashamed to admit, rivals. But never enemies. I cared about your father a great deal. I will tell you my side of the story tonight. You can make your decision then.”
    The last words were spoken softly but with such intensity. Mari closed the door gently. She turned away then turned back to make sure she slid the deadbolt into place.
    It didn’t pay to be stupid. And had he said student and teacher? Could he know more than he was saying about her father’s magickal side as well?
    34

    Sex and Trouble

Chapter Three
    Letting water sluice over her body, Mari reviewed her afternoon. If things could have gone more wrong, she wasn’t sure how. Rosier had totally freaked out when she told him who she was meeting for dinner. Her response had been similarly heated.
    How dare he tell her who she could and could not see? His superior “I know him better than you” had truly gotten her goat. She’d admitted to herself that she didn’t truly trust the man, but she also didn’t need Ros making decisions for her. For too long, she’d let men dictate her actions. Her lovers, her bosses, her older brother. There was no way she’d let a demon do the same! She yanked the shower handle to the off position with a frustrated curse.
    “I