Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(16)

His brusque tone sent shivers through her body. Her lower lip trembled. As if she really cared that all he was concerned about was his damn mission. He had made it clear that he didn’t want to be here, any more than she wanted his protection. Why did that thought rip at her insides?

“That wouldn’t be good at all, would it?” she asked, her tone biting. With a little more force than needed, she turned left onto A-Line Road. The SUV’s tires screamed in reply. Good Terrain. Just the response she wanted.

Matthias gritted his teeth and clung to the handle. What was with these demons and their aversion to driving? Even Rafe had a similar reaction to Lucy’s driving, and she wasn’t nearly as bad behind the wheel. Who was she kidding? She was tons better than Serah.

“Damn it, woman,” he said through clenched teeth. “Deleon didn’t mention you needed protection behind the wheel too.”

“Must have slipped his mind.” Just like it slipped his mind to tell her they were hiring a bodyguard—a bodyguard she didn’t need. She yanked on the steering wheel, sending him crashing against the passenger side window. With a grunt, he shook his head.

“Unholy Hades. Who did you bribe to get your license?”

She slid into the right lane. “I got it out of a Cracker Jack box. I wouldn’t talk. You probably learned to drive on a chariot.”

“I’m not that old.”

“Could have fooled me. You sure act like it.” With another hard right, she turned into Green’s Corner. As she drove by the abundance of shops that lined the shopping center, she glanced over at Luscious Locks, Lucy’s salon.

“Is that where you and Lucia unleashed Belial’s minions?”

If that wasn’t a barb, she didn’t know what was. “Yes, that’s where Lucy opened the chest. And for the record, I tried to stop her.”

“I apologize.” He turned to face her, his gaze penetrating into her pores. “I know it wasn’t you who opened the Arca Inferorum. You’re too pure.”

“I’m not a virgin.” Oh, dear. Did she just say that out loud? Like he wanted to know about her sex life, or lack of it for that matter. It was a pretty boring story at that.

Matthias blew out a deep breath, his brow creasing with frustration. “Your soul is pure. Even certain intimacies do not diminish that.”

How about sex with a demon? Not that she would have a chance to find out. He was too uptight and militaristic. Not her type at all. Yep, that was her story and she was sticking to it.

“Fine, whatever you say.” With that, she turned into the nearest parking spot and slammed on the brakes. Matthias pitched forward, then back, and the seat groaned. With a small smile curving her lips, Serah shifted into park and turned the key. “We’re here.”

He shifted in the seat and unhooked his seat belt. “I don’t know what I need to protect you from more—the Infernati or your driving.”

Oh, he had a sense of humor. “Neither,” she said, pulling the keys out of the ignition. “That was for show. I’m not nearly that bad.” But not by that much.

“I’ll do the driving from now on.” With calculated precision, he swung the door open. “The sooner we get this done, the better.”

If he planned on acting this stiff through the entire ordeal, she couldn’t have agreed more.

“My sentiments exactly.” Flinging her seat belt off, she ripped open the door. Shopping with Lucy had always been a chore. This would prove to be pure torture.

A loud hiss rent the air followed by a high-pitched shriek. For God’s sake. Not now! Matthias sprung from car and clutched the dagger strapped to his belt. “Serah! Stay in the car.”

Two balls of fur flew in the air and attached themselves to his T-shirt. Claws flying, they swept at his arms and face. Matthias swung out his arm, sending a black-and-white ball of fur flying.

“Reooooooooooooooow!” came a screech.

The fluffy white Persian lifted her paw, long sharp claws, ready to slice.

Serah flew from the car and pounded her fist on the hood. “Inanna! No!”

Inanna’s long fluffy tail slashed back and forth and her bright green eyes flared. She gave a low menacing hiss.

You are in danger. I sense a darkness about him. Inanna’s Middle Eastern accent sang in her mind.

“It’s okay, Inny. Go home,” Serah said, as she stood tall, hands on her waist.

Mr. Whiskers moaned as he rolled on the ground, dust and dirt coating his black-and-white fur.

“Meowwwwwww,” he groaned out.

Ah thooght Ah was yer new bodyguard! Mr. Whiskers sprang to his paws and shook dirt from his head. “Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrowl.” He angled his head and licked his hind leg. With a reluctant shrug, he sidled next to his Persian kittyfriend and winked.

Matthias swept a piece of shredded fabric from his arm. “Mr. Whiskers, I presume?”

Mr. Whiskers sat on its hind legs and extended a paw. With the swiftness even a normal cat shouldn’t possess, he extended each claw.

“Don’t let the size fool you. Mr. Whiskers is one badass cat.”

With wary steps, Mr. Whiskers slunk toward Matthias. With a predatory gleam flashing in his green eyes, he continued to circle.

“Mr. Whiskers, cut it out. For real, he’s with me.”

Inanna growled low, sliding down Matthias’s chest. Her claws slit the rest of his T-shirt into shreds.