She sat up. “I can leave?”
“You’re not a prisoner here, Hannah. You’re my guest. Enjoy yourself.”
I took a quick shower, leaving the door open in case she wanted to join me, but she didn’t move from beneath the covers. Probably a good thing, because we both knew where that would lead.
After I’d wrapped a towel around my waist and walked back into the bedroom, I pulled a suit out of the closet and began to dress. She put her hands behind her head and continued watching me as I looped a tie around my neck. The comforter dipped to her waist, baring her naked breasts, and I averted my gaze before my cock thickened too much to ignore.
“Have you decided what you’ll do today?” I asked. Knowing Hannah, she wouldn’t spend much, but if she wanted to, she could.
“I don’t know.” She tapped her lips mischievously like she really did know. “Maybe I’ll drag my favorite Fallen bodyguard out to do something touristy and fun. Like ride the roller coaster at New York-New York or something.”
I laughed heartily as I sat on the bed and drew on my socks and shoes. Perhaps she had some of my predilection for torture after all. “That sounds perfect.”
Then I leaned over and captured her mouth for a long kiss that I hated to end. Too many years had passed with a hole in my heart, but for the first time in ages I felt alive. I only ever felt this way when I was with her. The rest of the time, during the many long years alone, I was empty, a husk of a man simply waiting for the next time I would be with her. When she brought me back to life again.
But this happiness wouldn’t last. It never did. I had to do whatever I could to defend what we’d just reclaimed. To stop her from being lost again.
I had to somehow delay the inevitable.
Damn this curse.
I touched her cheek lightly as I pulled away. “I’ll see you after your adventures with Azazel.”
She sat back against my pillows. “Have fun doing…whatever it is you do. Things I probably don’t want to know about.”
I gave her a wink. “Oh, I definitely will.”
In the kitchen, I poured myself a cup of coffee, as strong and dark as my soul. Azazel was already there, and she gave me a salute as she drank her own black coffee.
On the way out, I found Gadreel perched outside the penthouse door, guarding it. He straightened to attention as soon as I approached.
“Good morning, my lord.”
I paused a moment as I took a sip of my coffee, then addressed him. “Please stay with Hannah today. I want to make sure no harm comes to her.”
He bowed his head in submission to me. “I will protect her with my life.”
As I knew he would. I nodded in acknowledgement and headed straight for my war room to find Samael. Last night Gadreel had mentioned a captured shifter, and by now Samael should have questioned Asmodeus too. Someone had better have some fucking answers for me.
“Report,” I barked as soon as I walked in the room.
As always, lights flickered over giant screens and cameras showed various views of the city, but I wasn’t interested in any of that. Demons and Fallen scurried all over the place, some to get out of my way, and others simply to showcase how busy they were.
Samael walked toward me and gestured for us to enter the conference room, then shut the door. “Good morning.”
“You have news?”
“We’ve captured an imp, a shifter, and a gargoyle, all of whom we believe were connected to the attacks.”
I sat at the head of the conference table. “And?”
“Nothing. They won’t talk.” He drew up a chair, joining me as he spoke again. “Perhaps you can persuade them.”
I steepled my fingers. I could be very persuasive. “And Asmodeus?”
Tension tightened around the corners of Samael’s mouth, the only sign he was angry. “My son knows very little, unfortunately. He was investigating rumors spreading among the Lilim about some demons turning against you, and he thinks that’s why he was kidnapped. The shifters tortured him for information on you while he was being held hostage, but he doesn’t know who they’re working for.”
“How is he doing now?”
“He is…refusing to feed completely.” Samael shook his head with a hint of disgust. “I think he has feelings for that mortal woman.”
My eyebrows shot up as I leaned back in my chair. “That won’t end well for either of them.”
“Obviously.” Samael grimaced, but then he returned to being all business. “He also claimed to receive a text from me ordering him to seduce this woman, but I never sent it. I suspect someone is trying to overthrow you again. Possibly one of the Archdemons.”
“I suppose we’re overdue for another attempted coup.” This happened every century or so, but I’d been the King of Demons for thousands of years for a reason. It would take more than a few pathetic attacks to overthrow me. The only reason this was a problem now was because it put my mate in danger.
Perhaps that was the point.
“The timing of this coup is suspicious,” Samael said, echoing my thoughts. “I believe Brandy was deliberately kidnapped to lure Hannah here and distract you. They likely think Hannah will weaken you, or divide your focus.”
“Nothing weakens me.” I drummed my fingers on the table. “I’ve been thinking the same thing though. Something about this situation seems like a set-up, meant to bring Hannah to me and then take her away again.”
“Do you think it could be her first husband?”
“I’m not sure yet.” Red hot hatred filled my veins at the thought of that monster, but this didn’t seem like his actions. “I want him found though. And we’ll need to set up extra precautions around Hannah either way.”
“I’ll handle it.” Samael paused, his dark eyes judging me silently. “Does she know yet who she really is?”
“I told her some of the truth last night. Not all of it. She isn’t ready to know about the curse yet.”
Samael’s lips pressed into a tight line. “I don’t like this. She is making you weak, even if you don’t see it. The moment she came back into your life, your focus changed.”
I slammed my hands on the table and stood, glaring down at him. “You’re wrong. Hannah makes me strong. I need her by my side.”
He bowed his head. “Where is she now?”
“Last I heard, she was taking Azazel to the roller coaster at New York-New York. I sent Gadreel with them too.”
Samael chuckled low in his throat, the rich sound a welcome relief. “Azazel will hate every second of that.”
“I’ll speak with the prisoners now.” I started to leave, but then paused at the door as my hands tightened into fists. “One last thing. Make sure all the Archdemons are at the masquerade ball on Devil’s Night. I have something special planned for them.”
“As you wish,” Samael said.
I strode from the room to find the prisoners and make them talk. If torture wouldn’t work, my special powers of coercion would.
The devil’s work was never done.
17
Hannah
I spent the day with Zel and Gadreel—who I’d started to call Gad—doing all sorts of touristy things on The Strip I’d never get a chance to do otherwise. Zel grumbled and complained the entire time, saying things like, “Roller coasters are for people who don’t have wings,” but she stuck by my side. I just knew there was a gooey center underneath that hard exterior, and I was determined to find it. Gad, on the other hand, gleefully joined me on every ride and for every silly photo shoot. We rode gondolas at the Venetian, stood at the top of the Eiffel Tower replica at Paris Las Vegas, saw the white lions and dolphins at the Mirage, and so much more. Anything that had a ride? We did it. At least once. Sometimes twice, just to annoy Zel.
I also lost a lot of Lucifer’s money on ridiculously-themed slot machines, but somehow I didn’t think he would miss any of it. Soon most of the day had gone by, and there was still so much more we could have seen and done in Las Vegas, but it was time to meet Lucifer. I’d have to take my two Fallen bodyguards out for another tourist excursion soon.
I met Lucifer at a helicopter pad on the roof of a building that was part of The Celestial’s sprawling resort. When I saw him, standing in another black suit beside the Abaddon Inc helicopter he owned, his face was dark, his mouth set in a grim line, and I guessed his day hadn’t been as fun as mine. Then his eyes landed on me and everything changed, the darkness parting like a curtain to allow the light to shine through, and a devastatingly gorgeous smile spread across his sensual lips.
I had that effect on him. Me.
It was a powerful feeling, knowing I could make the devil smile with my mere presence. I couldn’t help but smile back as I approached. Then his smile shifted, becoming naughty, and he winked. Memories of last night and this morning flooded me, and my thighs clenched with desire, which was probably his intention. The man really was sin and temptation.
Lucifer swept me into his arms and gave me a kiss that ignited every one of my nerves and sent lust racing through my veins. According to him, we were destined to be together, and when he held me like this I began to believe it. The past lives thing? That was a lot harder to accept.