Free Double Booked by CJ Anaya Page B

Six
     
     
    I stared at Bernardo de Galvez long and hard, fearing to utter the question that now begged to be asked. After a moment, I decided it would be better to rip the Band-Aid off all at once. I needed to know exactly what he meant by that confusing comment, rather than continue on in ignorant bliss.
    “My husband? What in the world are you talking about?”
    “You did say that you and my son are sharing a room together, yes?”
    “Yeah, but we’re not married! The receptionist double booked the room on accident, or so I thought.”
    He gasped in horror. “Do you mean to tell me that Miguel not only failed to inform you of why you are here, but has not yet married you?”
    “Why on earth would he marry me?”
    The dead governor of Louisiana harshly rubbed the palms of his hands against his eyelids, letting out an angry string of Spanish. I was grateful I couldn’t understand it.
    “It is part of the process. You two cannot uncover the talisman together unless you are married and your joint powers have combined.”
    I was totally wrong. Ignorance would have been infinitely better than hearing that bit of information.
    Bernardo de Galvez continued, “Miguel is a man of honor. I cannot believe he would spoil your virtue and refuse to marry you.”
    “Whoa, there. Miguel and I have not been intimate with each other on any level. So just get your mind out of the gutter, old man. As far as marriage goes, we’ve known each other less than two days.”
    “Two days!” he tsked. “So much time wasted. You should have been married by now and discussing your next step.”
    “Okay, clearly logic isn’t going to play into this conversation so how about you tell me where this letter is, and I’ll pass the word along to Miguel.”
    He folded his arms as his lips formed a thin, hard line, studying me for a moment. Then he shook his head. “Not until you two are married.”
    My mouth gaped open. “Seriously?”
    “As soon as you marry my son and your powers are linked to one another, I will gladly give you the location of the letter.”
    “First of all, I don’t have any powers.”
    “That you know of, anyway.”
    I waved away his comment. “Second of all, you need me . Don’t you get that? I’m not the one interested in uncovering a dangerous talisman. So threatening to withhold information I’d rather not have is not only counterproductive, but just plain stupid. You don’t have a leg to float on, here.”
    “Are you implying that the safety of this world and the inhabitants that reside upon it are unimportant to you? Do you have any idea what that coven will do to the world if they get their hands on that talisman?”
    “Is there any way to prevent you from telling me?”
    He threw his hands upward in a dramatic gesture. “They could blackmail and ransom entire nations with just the simple threat of a hurricane or tsunami. Thousands will perish while this coven joins with men more tyrannical than King George III.”
    My gut twisted just a little at that. This was one heck of a time for me to decide to turn over a new leaf and give a crap about anything.
    “And another thing, young lady, you need the protection of the coven now. Your identity has recently been discovered. Do you think for one moment you’ll be able to lead a safe and normal life if you turn your back on this predicament and make a run for it?”
    “One can always hope.”
    “You wouldn’t last a day without Miguel’s protection.”
    “So Miguel is supposed to be my husband, bodyguard and partner in crime?”
    “Criminal activities will not play into this.”
    “If witches are involved, there’s no way to avoid criminal activity. I wasn’t born yesterday, old man.”
    “Then you’ll agree to marry my son?”
    I shook my head. “Absolutely not. I don’t even know if your claims of a coven desiring to rule the world with a magical talisman are valid.” Though I suspected they were. “Furthermore, I don’t marry guys I’ve