Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(6)
Love. He’d loved once before. He’d be twice damned if he’d do it again. The only thing love brought him was an eternity of anguish and guilt. And the hold Serah SanGermano had on him wasn’t good. He’d felt that way once before. Nearly eight hundred years ago.
He finally found his voice. “Mercenaries don’t generally move in the same social circles. What makes you think I can find this one?”
“I’m sure you have connections, Ambrose. Business and networking contacts?”
“When you’ve done this as long as I have, it’s no longer a business… it’s my life.” Time to lighten the mood. Or at least try to. “And I turned in my DAMN card centuries ago.”
Rafael arched a brow. “DAMN?”
“Demon Assassin and Mercenary Network.”
“Ridiculous.”
“Tell me about it, considering there is a big difference between the two. By the way, I’m a mercenary, not an assassin.”
“Is there really a difference? You’re both paid to kill people.”
Leave it to Deleon to bring him down a few notches. “I’m a hired soldier, not a hired killer.” But not far from it.
“Fair enough. Thank you for the distinction.”
Apparently Deleon wasn’t thrilled about this mission either. Matthias would give him kudos for that. He was pretty damned astute. Two reluctant heroes? This would be interesting, if not suicidal.
“I didn’t sign up to baby-sit a mortal. I’ve over a half century of demonic combat skills. I could be better use elsewhere.”
“I’m not disagreeing, Ambrose.” Rafael flexed as he crossed his arms. “But the Fore-Demons chose this mission for you.” Much to Deleon’s disappointment, it seemed.
“They’ve made mistakes before.”
Rafael shrugged. “True, but the mistakes always managed to work themselves out.” His expression grew stern. “I’d rather have someone else protecting Serah, but the Fore-Demons chose you, so I am bound to honor their decision.”
“So dedicated to the cause.”
“To a fault. Truth is, I don’t trust you. You haven’t chosen a side in over seven hundred years. You’re a mercenary. The only things guiding your decisions have been wealth and self-preservation. Why all of the sudden now?”
“I have my reasons.”
“Are they honorable or just self-serving?”
Matthias returned his answer with stark silence, his jaw ticking with aggravation. The less Rafael knew the better. He drew his lips straight.
“Until you can answer that question, I’ll have my doubts. Make no mistake, I will be watching you… like a hawk.”
“I appreciate that, Deleon. It shows your dedication. Don’t worry. My decisions, although personal, are honorable.”
“Very well. I’ll still be watching you.”
“As my handler, I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
Deleon took a controlled gulp of air. “Good. We’d better get going. The sooner we get you into your duty, the better.” His face turned to stone.
Matthias stifled a groan. Not only did Rafael Deleon not trust him, he didn’t even trust himself. This would prove a tough mission, indeed.
Chapter 3
“You make a good fondue.” Kalli strode into the room, broom in one hand, chocolate-covered strawberry in the other. With a quick lick of her lips, she plopped the remaining strawberry into her mouth. “I wonder if this is what heaven tastes like.”
“Heaven could be closer than you think. With your miraculous cleaning abilities, that has to count for something.” Serah flashed a confident smile. “And I’ll pass your compliments to Edie. It’s her recipe.”
“No wonder she was flipping out,” Kalli replied. “No worries. Your chocolate pot and its heavenly contents are intact. The kitchen is clean.” She turned to Lucy. “Is everything under control?”
“For now.”
“Good.” Kalli turned to glance at the clock. “I have a haircut in an hour. So if everything’s fine?”
“Rafe is due back anytime. We’ll be fine.”
Kalli nodded. “I’ve got a few minor things in the kitchen to take care of and I’ll be on my way.” She spun on the heels of her clunky boots and sauntered out of the room.
Lucy stretched out her legs. “Seriously, though. This is getting tiring. You’re hiding something and I don’t like it.”
“I told you I don’t remember anything. Have I hidden anything before?”
Lucy coughed. “Do you want my honest answer?”
They’d known each other for over twenty years, ever since Nonni and she had moved from Chicago. There wasn’t much they could keep hidden from each other, no matter how hard either of them tried—which was why this was so difficult.
The more Lucy pried, the more she chipped away at the truth. And truth could be scarier than fiction. What if one of the demons Lucy and she had loosed managed to possess her? Maybe that’s how she was able to smell demons. She just hoped she didn’t go Linda Blair on everyone. That stuff only happened in the movies, right?
Then again, so much crazy shit had happened that night, anything was possible. Nonni always warned her that demons existed. Serah always thought she was just babbling a bunch of nonsense. But after that night, she realized how true it was.