Sentinel Lost (Mind Sweeper Series Book 5) by AE Jones

I slumped and scrubbed my hands over my face.
    “You okay, little one?” Misha watched me warily.
    “He’s…”
    “Demanding?” Talia supplied.
    “That’s an understatement. He was cautious before, but now he’s driven by regulations.”
    “You’re not the only one with demons, Kyle.” Misha laughed at his own joke. “You know what I mean.”
    Jean Luc sat next to me at the table. “Do you remember two years ago, when your car skidded on black ice and ended up in the guardrail?”
    “Of course. But I’m not sure what it has to do with anything.”
    “After the accident, you drove under the speed limit for months.”
    I sat up straighter. “It was cold and icy, and I didn’t want to end up in another guardrail.”
    Jean Luc smiled. “Exactly. You were overly cautious and followed the rules. Misha is right. Joe almost died, and he is still recuperating. Still facing his demons.”
    * * *
    I dumped my dress and shoes on my couch, fully intending to consume the entire quart of mocha swirl I kept in the freezer for emergencies. Today had been a mocha swirl kind of day.
    While I stared into my empty freezer, I bit my lip to keep from bursting into tears. Son of a pup. When had I eaten the emergency quart? And why the h, e, double-hockey-sticks hadn’t I restocked it? Before I could launch into even more colorful expletives, someone knocked.
    I peered through the peephole and did a brief happy dance before opening the door with a straight face. “Hey, Tony. What brings you here tonight?”
    Tony was about my height and twenty years my senior. He owned one of the best Italian restaurants in Little Italy and was part empathic demon, which he used to select perfect dishes for his customers. I had become his pet project, and he brought food to me, or sent his son with it, when I was upset.
    “Kyle. I have a delivery here for you.” He held up a white paper bag, and I gave him a quick one-armed hug.
    “What do you have for me tonight?”
    “Some biscotti and a pint of spumoni.”
    “I could kiss you on your empathic lips, Tony.”
    He chuckled. “I am old enough to be your father, and I don’t think my Anna would approve of you kissing me.”
    “I know. Thanks so much. As usual, you showed up with exactly what I need.”
    Tony gazed at me for a moment before nodding. “Do you also need a friendly ear?”
    I gave him another quick hug. “I’m good, Tony.”
    He raised one eyebrow at me, and I sighed. “Fine. I’m not good. But I’ll be okay. Honest. You better get back to the restaurant before Anna sends out reinforcements.” I hugged my bag of spumoni and biscotti. “Thanks for watching out for me. I’ll come see you if I need to talk.”
    Tony left grudgingly, and I pulled the lid off the spumoni and set it on the counter. Then I shook my head. Who was I kidding? I picked up the lid and flipped it into the trash. There would be no leftovers.
    Back in the living room, I plopped into my comfy chair. Even though I didn’t want to talk to anyone, there was one person who deserved to know Dalton’s whereabouts.
    “Marie!”
    I waited for a second but still got nothing. I scooped up a large spoonful and moaned as the icy goodness exploded in my mouth. Then I took another bite and closed my eyes in bliss.
    “Should I leave you alone with your ice cream, Kyle? It looks like you two are having a moment.”
    I opened my eyes. Marie stood across the room, watching me with a smirk.
    “You’re not funny.”
    She floated over in front of me. “I am funny. Isn’t this how our conversation started the other day?”
    “Not exactly.” I set the ice cream container on the coffee table. “Dalton is back.”
    Her grin faded. “What?”
    “Joe is here, Marie.”
    Her face paled. Which was pretty scary, since she was a ghost and melanin was no longer her friend. “I just checked on him a couple of days ago, and he was working a case in Chicago.”
    My stomach dropped. “Did you talk to him?”
    “Of