Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(84)

“Explain how he kidnapped my best friend and delivered her to one of the high princes of hell?” Lucy snorted. “It better be a damned good one.”

He wasn’t one to air his dirty laundry, but if it got them to understand, he’d hang it from the highest pole. “It started the day I was turned demon.”

And he told the story again. He’d recite the whole bloody history, as much as he had to, if it would make them understand. He watched both Rafe and Lucy cringe as he related what Kalli had told him. How he’d been led to believe the Paladins had done it. How Salome had tried tricking him. But her plan had backfired. Instead of joining the Infernati, he hadn’t chosen a side at all.

Then he talked about Belial. How he blackmailed him into taking the kidnapping assignment. How he used his last descendant as leverage.

“But I swear to you that as soon as I found out what Serah was, I knew what I had to do. I wanted to be a Paladin. And certainly a Paladin would choose to save the world, not just one descendant.”

Rafael nodded. “They would. It is a hard decision to let your family go. One I know well.”

Lucy flashed a sympathetic smile toward her fiancé and wrapped her arms around him. “I always knew something was up. Serah isn’t the type to forget. She remembers the strangest things, like what Fergie wore to the Grammys five years ago. Have you told her?”

Matthias nodded. “I did. I gave her the memories back, but I should have done it sooner. I waited too long.”

Rafael’s gaze narrowed. “You slept with her, didn’t you?”

“Rafe!” Lucy shouted, slapping him on the shoulder. “Jeez!”

Matthias nodded. “I did. We both got caught up in the moment. It was just sex. She has feelings for Daniel.”

“Daniel?”

“They had chemistry. I saw it in the way they worked together.”

“They were cooking. Serah could have chemistry with a turtle if you hand it a whisk. She isn’t the type to just fall in bed on a whim.”

Could have fooled me. Then again, he wasn’t complaining.

“No. This is different. They have a connection.”

Lucy shook her head. “She would have told me if that was the case.”

“What did she tell you?” Matthias asked.

“She said he was friendly and nice but when he started asking questions about her life in Chicago, she felt uncomfortable.”

“I saw what I saw, but it doesn’t matter,” he said with a shrug. “I’m only here for her protection. I’ll be assigned a new mission when this is done.”

Rafael shook his head. “If you say so.”

Lucy smirked. “Protecting Serah is a full-time job, my friend. You’ll be here a while.”

The fresh scent of orchids and spice wafted into the room. God, she smells good, especially after a shower. Heat pounded its way into his body, straight to his cock. He bit his tongue. Not now.

“Very funny, Lucy. I’m learning how to protect myself rather well.” She ran her fingers through her damp curls. “Did Matty-boy here tell you how Edie and I took down the sauce thing all by ourselves?”

“Edie?” Lucy raised an eyebrow.

“I’ll tell you later,” Serah said with a nibble of her lip.

Lucy snorted. “Oh brother. Too bad your demonic cleaning skills aren’t the greatest.” Lucy traced her fingertip through a splash of sauce. She brought it to her nose and winced. “Ick. Poor sauce.”

Serah shrugged and ran her fingers across her necklace. A cocky smile spread across her lips. “Whatever.”

Matthias cringed. He knew one thing. When people became cocky, they became dangerous. “Serah, don’t even think about it.”

“Wow, only a day on the job and he already can read her mind.” Lucy smirked. “Serah, you’ve got your hands full with this one.”

Serah looked at her friends. Rafael’s jaw ticked but Lucy had a lopsided grin. Serah’s gaze widened. “You told them? Jeez! Is nothing private here?”

Rafael crunched his fist in his palm. “I am Matthias’s handler. He is required to tell me everything.”

“Well, don’t worry. It won’t happen again—right, Matthias?”

“Not if I want to stay on Rafael’s good side.” But he wasn’t completely averse to the idea of succumbing to pleasure with her again. Not that he had a chance in hell of it ever happening again. If it kept her safe, he’d do another four centuries of celibacy—if he had to.

“Good answer, Ambrose.” Rafael relaxed his stance.

“I know Matthias told me not to even think about it, but as I was showering an idea hit me and I wanted to try it out.”

Lucy arched a brow. “Some of the best ideas come while in the shower.” She rubbed her chin in thought. “Not sure where I heard that, but it sounded good. So what’s your idea?”

“The necklace helped me vanquish the demon, right?”

Matthias nodded. “Yes, it did.” He was proud of her, yet slightly disappointed. Once she learned how to harness all of her powers, she wouldn’t need him anymore. He’d have to move on to a new mission. He’d probably never see her again. Then again, after what he had done, she probably wouldn’t want to see him anyway.