Demons Prefer Blondes (Demons Unleashed #1)(33)

“Doesn’t he need to feed?” Serah asked, plopping into a pedicure massage chair. She picked up the controller, pushed some buttons, and relaxed. “Mmm.”

“No,” Rafe paced back and forth. “He absorbs the energy from his subjects. When the Sexubi split, it weakened him. He has not stepped on Earth since.”

So a long distance orgy, Lucy guessed. Kinky. But then again, not being able to walk the Earth must’ve sucked. After all, Hell was… umm… hell? She really felt for this Lilu dude.

“Poor guy, not being able to visit Earth and all.”

Kalli shrugged. “He made the decision on his own.”

“What a king, to forgo his pleasure for his kingdom.” If only some of the world’s leaders would do the same.

“What are you all going on about over there?” Gerardo demanded, stomping over to them.

Crap! In her excitement, she forgot her employees were in the same room. She had to be honest with them. They were loyal and she could trust them with her life. They deserved the truth—as f*cked-up as it sounded.

She turned around and motioned Frankie to join them. Always the dutiful employee, he bounded from his chair and loped across the salon to stand next to Gerardo. “What’s going on, Lucy?”

“Frankie… Gerardo…” With a sigh, she sought out the right words. “Ahh… you better sit down.” Jeez, she sounded like she was about to close the shop. Not on her life!

Guessing from their stricken expressions, that was what they thought she was about to do. “Oh, don’t worry. The salon’s fine. It’s about me.”

“Oh no!” Frankie clutched his chest. Melodrama was his forte. “Tell me you ain’t dying!”

Lucy snorted out a laugh. “No.” She bit back more giggles. Immortality more than likely was included with her succubus powers. “Umm… I’m healthier than ever. Check out the new makeover.”

“I was going to say,” Gerardo replied. “You’re smokin’ hot. So can I take your picture now?”

“No.” It was bad enough dealing with a small crowd of men. Imagine what would happen if she went international. She cringed.

Serah cleared her throat and took the blunt approach. “Lucy’s a succubus.”

Thanks, Serah. Now all hell would break loose.





Chapter 9


“A what?” Gasping for breath, Gerardo threw his head back. Laughter rose from his throat and filled the salon. With a feminine fanning of his hand, he succumbed to a fit of giggles.

Frankie rolled his eyes. “Very funny, Lucy, but we…” He prodded his friend. “…we aren’t buying it.”

Rafe crossed his arms and strode to the sofa where they sat. His silvery gaze intense, he leaned down to face the two. “She speaks the truth.”

Gerardo’s dark eyes flashed and he raised his chin. “Why should I believe you? You waltz into the shop and act like you own us.” He blew out a breath of air. “I recognize you from yesterday. Love your hair.”

“Thanks, I think,” Rafe mumbled.

Lucy rose from the sofa and pulled Rafe to the side. “Does he remember you trying to kill him?”

“I did not try to kill your friend,” he said through gritted teeth. “And, no, he doesn’t remember. The only thing he recalls is to ask for permission.”

“Mind control. Cool.”

Rafe’s eyes flashed. “We do not control thoughts. We alter perception. Infernati are the ones who misuse mortal minds.”

“Oh sorry, I didn’t mean to offend. I’m a newbie, you know.”

Rafe’s expression softened. “No offense taken.”

Smiling, she glanced up at him. Beautiful dark hair danced around his face and silver eyes sparked at her perusal. She laid a gentle hand on his gloriously ripped chest, reveling in the feel of hard muscle pressed against the tight cotton T-shirt he wore. If only they were alone and… ahh… naked. Perhaps she should close shop and send everyone home. Everyone except Rafe.

The thudding of his heart increased, yet his gaze remained steady. Talk about control. Could she ever break through? From the way his heart raced, he had to feel something.

The door chimes jingled, announcing the arrival of their first customer. Alas, alone time with Rafe wasn’t meant to be—for now.

“Lucia!” Her mom’s frantic voice grated in her ears. “Please help me.”

Not now! She wasn’t ready to foist this woman onto some poor unsuspecting demons. She couldn’t spring the news of her demonic destiny to her either. If her shop was bad after she opened the chest, she didn’t want to see the fury of mommy dearest.

Her mother scanned the shop. “I love what you’ve done here. Business must be doing well.”

Props to Kalli for that. The only time her mom had been impressed by anything regarding her job, and it wasn’t she who’d done it. At least she’d gotten somewhat of a compliment.

“Uhh… thanks Mom.” She replied lamely. “What do you need help with?”

Her mother’s eyes widened with panic. “Tammy overbooked. I need my hair done for the Christmas party tonight.”

Not the family Christmas party. It would take a small miracle to get out of this one. “Oh.”