Chapter 20

Viv was going back to work. She needed to feel normal again, do normal things, have a routine. Her boss had been very sympathetic and understanding when it came to the whole situation. She hated lying to him, but she couldn’t say a demoness attacked them. They had modified the story, saying the apartment had been broken into and they had kidnapped them to try to get more money through ransom as there wasn’t much in the apartment. Viv thought it was a sketchy explanation, but Liam had talked to both their employers in his police uniform and people were more likely to believe someone in uniform.

Thomas wasn’t going back for another week, waiting until all his bruises and cuts were fully healed. He didn’t want to scare the kids and a walking cast was a familiar enough sight that they wouldn’t question it too much. He was hoping that his fingers would be healed enough that he could get that cast off before he went back.

Mac was driving in with her. He wanted to teleport, but decided on driving in case he got a work call and had to leave. He had put some wards around the library yesterday to help keep her safe. D had done the same thing at Thomas’ school. He didn’t think anyone else would be coming after them, but they did work in punishments so there was a rare possibility it could happen again. Mac was bringing his laptop so he could finish writing some reports and get some research done on a few open cases.

Viv had her brace in case her hand acted up, but she was going to try to use her right hand for the majority of typing. It might be a little slower, but she had already talked to her boss about her new limitations. He had been very understanding. Luckily, it wasn’t her dominant hand, and her job didn’t require paragraphs of typing so she didn’t think it would make a huge difference. If she was still in the running to take over the library when her boss retired, she could always invest in a voice-to-text software if needed. Mac had pointed out all her options last night when she was stressing out about not being able to do her job anymore. Her hand had gone numb, and it had taken a while for feeling to come back to the middle and ring fingers. She had been in tears thinking she wouldn’t be able to do the job she loved. He had patiently held her hand, massaging it, and then laid out all her options. He was right, there were ways she could make it work.

Viv walked into the kitchen, Mac at the stove, Thomas sitting at the table.

“Morning! Are you sure you’re ready to go back?” Thomas asked, concerned.

“I need to. I need to feel normal again, get back into my routine,” Viv said.

“Alright. I packed you a lunch. And some pain meds in case you need them,” Thomas said, giving her a hug.

“Thank you for the lunch.” She grinned.

“Anytime.”

Mac handed her a plate with eggs and buttered toast. “I’ll get your coffee as soon as it’s done brewing. Eat, please.”

Viv sat, looking at her scrambled eggs. She was surprised that he had made her breakfast.

“Thomas, here’s a plate for you too,” Mac said, bringing another one over.

Thomas looked at her, waggling his eyebrows. She stuck her tongue out at him. Yes, a man who could cook was sexy. He gave a tiny nod in Mac’s direction, quirking an eyebrow. She shook her head. No, she was not ready to give him a romantic chance just yet. She was taking this time to get to know him and to make sure he wouldn’t run scared again.

Although cooking for her and her bestie definitely got him bonus points.

Viv let Mac drive, worried her hand would flare up again, even though she usually used her right hand the most. It could have been so much worse; she was just grateful that she had grabbed her phone that night with her left hand. She was extremely right-hand dominate and it would have been horrible to lose mobility in it. At least this way she could compensate a lot easier. Mac parked in the front, turning to her as soon as the car stopped.

“I know employee parking is in the back, but there’s better lights and public visibility out here and if we can get you to a closer spot, then it’s less of a walk for you.”

Viv nodded. It made sense. The employee lot required them to walk to a side entrance or the front entrance, there wasn’t a separate door that led to the back lot. There were lights, but not quite as many as the front, and the front entrance faced the main streets.

Mac smiled. “Thank you. I’ll be working on my computer, but if something comes up and I have to go, I’ll let you know before I leave,” he promised, handing her the car keys.

He followed her in, already blending into the background. Her boss was waiting for her at the desk.

“Viv! I’m so glad you’re okay. Now, if I know you, you don’t want to talk about it and want to get back to your routine, but if you want to talk, I’m here. Okay?” he said, giving her a hug.

Viv smiled, hugging him back. He knew her well. Of course, she had been working here since college and they had had many conversations over the years.

“I added a stool so you can sit but still reach the computer easily,” he said, pointing out the barstool. “I’m only here for opening but call my cell phone if you need anything. And welcome back,” he said handing her a small bag.

“Thank you, Ted,” she said, opening it to find a cannoli from the bakery down the street and a new coffee tumbler that had an image of three towering and leaning stacks of books with the words ‘I like big stacks, I cannot lie.’ “I love it, thank you,” she said, smiling at her boss.

“I just made a new pot of coffee, if you want to get some before you start and eat the cannoli.”

“I will, thanks.”

Viv led Mac to a table where he could see her at the main desk and the employee door leading to the break room and the stacks. “I’m going to wash this and get a cup. Did you want some coffee? We have extra cups,” she offered.

“I’m good for now, thank you though,” Mac replied.

Viv washed her new mug, filling it with coffee and her favorite creamer. She had brought a new bottle from home, thinking the other one had probably gone bad by now. She stuck her lunch in the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water for Mac. She sat next to him at the table, handing him the water. She took a bite of the cannoli, giving a tiny moan of happiness. These were so good and she hadn’t had one in a long time. Mac looked at her out of the corner of his eye.

“You want a bite?” she offered. She could share.

Mac leaned over, opening his mouth. Viv fed him the cannoli, watching as his lips closed around it. He took a small bite, licking his lips when he was done.

“That’s delicious,” he said.

“It’s my favorite bakery,” she replied. “Which is bad since they’re down the street. It’s too tempting to stop in at lunch every day.” She finished the last few bites, wiping her face and her hands before grabbing her coffee cup. “I better get to work,” she said.

Mac nodded, watching her go. Viv headed to the desk, letting her boss clock out and leave for the day. She let the sounds and rhythm of the library flow around her, soothing her. She honestly loved her job, and it was one of her happy places. Not that they didn’t get the occasional jerk, but in general people at the library were pleasant. She loved being surrounded by books. A couple hours into her shift, she was grateful her boss had put a stool there. She rested her butt on it, keeping her left foot on the ground, but allowing her right foot to hang and get the pressure off. It looked like he had also upgraded the mouse to a weird vertical-looking one that was supposed to be more ergonomic. She didn’t have issues with her right hand, but if she was going to be using it more often, it made sense to try to lessen the strain, she supposed. She really did have the best boss.

Her first day back was going better than she even expected. She had a few regulars come in saying they missed seeing her and they hoped she was feeling better. Her boss had told everyone she had been in an accident and had been hurt. It was nice not to have intrusive questions about being abducted.

By the time her scheduled lunch break arrived and the assistant came over to relieve her, Viv was ready to sit down and take a break. Her foot was aching even with the chair and her fingers had tingled as she tried to grab a piece of paper on the other side of the desk.

“I’m going on my break,” she said quietly to Mac. She didn’t want him to look up and not see her.

“Thanks for letting me know.” He smiled at her. He really was handsome when he smiled.

Viv made it to the break room, fixing herself another coffee and grabbing a water. As she opened her lunch, a plethora of food stared back at her. There was a small note on top, reading ‘Ask your mate to lunch. ;) Love ya. Thomas.’ Viv shook her head but smiled at the nod of approval from Thomas. Mac must be winning him over for him to pack him a lunch and encourage her to take a step forward. She closed her lunch up, keeping it cold, and walked out to the main area. Mac was seated at a table near the employee only door. He must have moved to be closer.

Viv cleared her throat. “Would you like to come back and eat lunch with me? Thomas packed a lot of food,” she said.

“I’d love to,” Mac said, shutting his computer and standing up.

Mac sat in the library watching his mate work. She really shone at her job; you could tell she loved it. He stuck to the shadows or worked on any paper or computer work he had. He was actually surprised that she had let him come with her for so long. He had been coming in with her every day this week. He thought that maybe she looked forward to the car ride conversations too, or maybe she simply felt safer when he was there. His phone chimed, using the tone he had assigned for work. He sighed, pulling it out of his pocket.

Sorry to interrupt, but I need you for an assignment. I don’t think it will take long, maybe a day or so. If you’re worried, add a ward to cover the parking lot and her car so she’ll be safe when you’re not there. I hate to give this one to you, but it falls under your specialty. “Dammit,” Mac muttered. It was bound to happen sooner or later, but he was hoping for later. He pulled up the app for his job, logging on to see what the new assignment was. There was an angel going rogue, trying to set up their own religion. He had gotten quite the cult following already and there were signs it was going to take a deadly turn as he was now asking his followers for proof of their devotion.

Mac packed up, heading over to the help desk. “Viv, I have to go. Work just called me in. I’ll be gone a few days at most, I hope. I’ll let you know if it’s going to be longer. If something seems weird, you call D. I’ll try to answer too, but if I’m in the middle of an arrest or a chase, I may not be able to. I’m going to ward the parking lots and your car before I leave. I don’t know why I didn’t think about it sooner, but my boss mentioned it. You’ll be safe.”

“Be careful,” she said, grabbing his hand and giving it a squeeze.

“I will. You too. Make sure you take your Tylenol and ice if you need it.”

Viv nodded. She decided to risk it and leaned over the desk to press a quick kiss to his cheek. “Text me and let me know you’re safe?” she asked.

Mac nodded. His phone dinged again and he gave her a wave as he walked out the door.