Read The Lariat (Finding Justus Series) for Free Online Page A

Look,” he twirled his hand around. “I would gladly endure any punishment for the touch of your skin. To one day kiss those lips.”
    My mouth hung open. My heart raced. No one, even Orrin, had ever said anything like that to me. Well, maybe he had, but at that moment in time I could not think of a single occurrence.              
    And again Cyrus laughed. “I’ve waited a long time to turn your brain to mush like that.”
    “What does that mean?”
    “I’ll explain when we sit. I have an hour, right?” He laughed again, exceptionally proud at my state of befuddlement.
    “You should know I hate being left in the dark,” I said a few minutes later. My words were not enough to wipe that jolly grin off his lovely face.
    As promised, I directed him fifteen minutes to the south side of San Antonio. He opened the door onto a dirty and industrial corner of the city. The people walking the streets looked as if they had been steamrolled by life. The sides on many buildings were covered in graffiti or dilapidated siding. Cyrus was unfazed. He opened the door to the small white ramshackle taqueria and gestured for me to lead the way.
    “Hi Layla,” Anna, the waitress greeted me by name, “Did you have an order to pick up?”
    “No,” I explained, “I think we’re going to sit for a while and have some coffee .” I eyed Cyrus with a frown, but there wasn’t as much feeling behind that frown as there was an hour ago.
    “Come here often?” Cyrus was a little surprised.
    “It’s my favorite place for coffee. They have great carne asada too.” And tequila , I thought to myself. He heard enough from me. It was time to work on that control I used to have.
    We were the only two patrons in the dining area. I could hear the cooks trading insults in Spanish through the wall. It had been an easy language to learn. It was one of thirty languages I had bothered to learn during my time at Trinity.
    Our time without Orrin, my daemon protested. It didn’t like spending time with an angel. Resentment bubbled forth from that part of me, and instead of aiming it at myself, I aimed it at Cyrus. I knew it wasn’t fair, but my resentment was the only thing preventing me from falling hard for this guy.
    For the first time, I was conflicted. Thoughts of Orrin and feelings for Cyrus assaulted me at once. I looked at Cyrus for a reaction but he chose that moment to give nothing away, which is why I knew his feelings had truly been injured.
    “It’s okay,” he admitted, chagrinned, “Being in love is wonderful, and painful at the same time.”
    I withdrew from the table and folded my arms into my lap, waiting. “You said you had some information on the… events from the Coffee Shack yesterday?”
    “All business, huh?” He sighed, “Okay, we have time.”
    I looked at my watch, “Actually counting drive time, and the fact that I have plans with Bennet, you only have twenty minutes left.”
    “Bennet? Your roommate? What’s she like?”
    “No,” I interrupted his diversion, “Don’t change the subject. I need to know what happened. You say you have information, and you say you aren’t responsible. Then tell me who is to blame and I will kill them.”
    I felt my eyes light up. My tattoo itched and I rolled my neck trying to pacify my daemon. It was in no mood.
    His face fell, “I was right to assume you don’t know what you’re up against. That message the Vagabond brought you was a threat. You’re in danger.”
    “Is it Lillith? I’ve taken her on before,” I said a little too cocky, “but she’s bound in Hell. The only way she can get up here is through her Vagabonds. If that’s what you’re worried about- I can deal with that.”
    “ We,” he corrected.
    “We?” I asked.
    “Absolutely. You are now a We. You won’t have to take on any of this by yourself. We will handle it together.”
    I smiled letting him down easily, “Thanks but I don’t need your help. You’re super-hot, and I realize