Time Jacker by Aaron Crash (nonfiction book recommendations .TXT) 📕

done that morning. If the demon didn’t stop going on spending sprees, Jack would have to rob the Hellfire Club every other weekend.

The sex demon adjusted her hair. “Feathers isn’t wrong. For the bullet, I’m going to use a little bit of enchantment witchcraft I picked up in Salem a few centuries ago. We need something eternal, like mother’s love. The power of friendship would also work, but maybe not as well.”

“I like the power of friendship as well,” the angel murmured from the back. She was still obviously shaken up by the property destruction, theft, and demon murder, though the demon murder definitely bothered her the least.

“You’re sweet back there,” Bailey said. “As for making the hell keys, well, I’ll need blood, but not a bunch. Candles, chalk, some wine, and holy water. Actually, I’ll use all that stuff for both the keys and the bullets.”

Jack pulled onto I-25 and headed south. His moral compass wasn’t bothering him much. On the news, they heard that there had been a fire in Denver, at an old mansion, but no one was hurt. There wasn’t much in the way of details. No, the Wycombe House wouldn’t let the press anywhere near them. That den of sin wanted to keep its existence a secret.

Jack couldn’t wait to see the faces of his mother and aunt when he gave them the cash. Their money problems were over.

Before he headed over, though, he and the girls had to pick up a few of the spell items that Bailey needed. They also had to stop at Jack’s apartment to change clothes. Then they hit a head shop and a store that sold religious items, and, yes, they swung by the church to get some holy water. There was a basin at the front that people dipped their fingers in before making the sign of the cross.

It was dinnertime when they got off the freeway. Jack called and said he’d pick up barbecue from a local joint that got burnt ends just right. They also had some delicious fatty ribs, which Moms liked for whatever reason. Fully loaded with dinner, Jack pulled up outside their duplex.

Jack took the dark sunglasses off the demon’s face. “Bailey, this is my aunt and my mom. I don’t want to know anything about their sex lives, both real and imagined. And if you could be less...demon-y, that would be great. Can you manage that?”

“Less demon-y? What does that even mean?” the succubus asked, offended.

“Avoid cursing and talking about anal sex,” Gabby said with a sigh.

“Can I talk about oral sex then?” Bailey held up a hand. “You two fuckers don’t need to worry about a thing. I can be polite. I’ll just pretend I have a stick up my ass like this one self-righteous angel I know.”

Gabby brightened. “Oh, which angel do you know? Maybe I know them too!”

Bailey laughed and shook her head. “Who do you think, Feathers?”

It took a second, but Gabby got it. “Oh.”

Bailey let out a breath that turned into a groan. “This is going to be the longest evening of my life. Good thing I can cast spells.” The sex demon didn’t ask if she could help with the supplies or carrying in the barbecue. She just waltzed up to the door. “Hello! I’m Bailey, a friend of your son’s. He’s just so nice. Bringing you dinner and money. I hope if I ever have a son, he’ll bring me dinner and money.”

She was being loud, overly friendly, but at least she wasn’t talking about cunnilingus or blow jobs.

Gabby, though, saw Bailey in the best light. “She really is trying to be good. You must know, Jack, that Bailey is the exception to the rule. Demons are terrible creatures that feed off humanity, corrupt them, tempt them to do terrible things, and then laugh at them. However, you’re right. However much you’re changing me, you’re also changing her.”

Jack turned around in his seat and gave the angel a long look. He wanted to tell her that he was glad that she’d joined them, that he hoped she understood that deep down he did have a moral compass. He was an asshole with a heart of gold, though most of the time that meant people just saw him as an asshole. He hoped that Gabby could look beyond his wrongdoings and see the truth.

Gabby gazed into his eyes, and she was kind, innocent, and loving. If a little troubled...

He finally found something to say. “Thanks for helping us find Annie.”

“It’s my pleasure, Jack Masterson. And I hope someday you’ll tell me all about what was behind that look. I hope someday you trust me enough to tell me about the police academy.”

“I trust you enough,” he said softly. “Maybe it’s myself I don’t trust.” He scooped up the duffel bag that held all the Eternity Cannon supplies, and Gabby helped him carry everything inside.

By that time, Bailey was at the kitchen table, already drinking a Milwaukee’s Best.

Jack set the gun stuff on the couch and took the food stuff to the counter. He laid out their dinner while his mom and aunt chatted.

“I am loving this girl!” Moms said enthusiastically from her seat at the kitchen table. “Where did you meet again?”

“She’s a stripper!” Aunt Sue called out from down the hall. She came out and saw Gabby. “And she looks like a tax accountant in a beauty contest.”

“Thank you on both accounts.” The angel’s smile was genuine. “You must be Aunt Sue.”

“Sue is fine.” The old woman started loading up a flowery plastic plate with barbecue. “You have those fatty ribs your mom likes, Jackie. But did you bring me a spicy sausage? I guess not. Looks like we know who’s the popular one around here.”

“He is my son, Susie,” Moms proclaimed. “And, Jack, could you make me a plate? My hip isn’t feeling too well today.”

Bailey sipped, then set her beer on the table. “As for where Jack and I met, we met at