Demons Prefer Blondes (Demons Unleashed #1)(48)
“I suppose you didn’t tell Lucy about her?” Kalli smirked. “And before you ask, yes, the Sexubis have an affinity for names starting with the letter L.”
Lucy shrugged. “I didn’t pick my name.”
“But you aren’t complaining either, are you?” Lilith punctuated her question with a chuckle.
“I was named after my father. Dr. Louis Gregory.” She crossed her arms, a defiant spark in her hazel eyes. “So I’m very proud of it.”
He allowed his lips to curve upward. She’d give Lilith a run for her money. Rafael hid his smirk. It was about time someone put Lilu’s sister in her place. And from what he’d seen, Lucy would be more than happy to do it.
Sisters. How could he forget Coby? His own sister lay at the mercy of Belial’s men. Belial was becoming stronger. He’d been able to journey to Earth. He’d seen Lucy. He’d be back. Rafael wouldn’t put another death on his conscience.
***
She shook her head. Mrs. Sex-a-lot was the king’s sister? Interesting. Then again, with the arrogance she possessed, she should’ve known better. Lucy steepled her fingers as devious thoughts of comeuppance raced through her mind. She would enjoy knocking the woman down a few notches.
She glanced up at Rafe. His grin had once again straightened and the sparks in his silver eyes faded. His hands balled at his side. What had she done now? Talk about hot and cold.
She had enough. “What the hell is your problem? Do I disgust you that much?” With as much force as she could muster—more than she realized she possessed—she grabbed Rafe’s arms and wrenched him to face her. “Well?” Sure she wasn’t as pretty as Larissa-slash-Amanda-slash-stupid bitch, but she sure as hell wasn’t boring. Her dad always told her she was extraordinary. He even called her his little demon. Maybe he knew something no one else did. He was a smart one, her dad.
She heaved a huge sigh. All the pain came back threefold. Anger, despair, and worst of all, guilt. She always blamed herself for her father’s death. And now to find out he might not even be her father? The pain gripped her heart and twisted. God, how she missed him. Especially in winter. Not because of the holidays, but the kick-ass snowball fights.
“Oh dad,” she muttered under her breath. “I’m so sorry.”
She picked a wonderful time to go all emotional. She refused to cry in front of everyone. Her tears had since dried up. Where’d all this emotion come from? Rafe?
“It’s not your fault, Lucy.” Rafe’s tender voice soothed and comforted. His strong arms wrapped around and pulled her closer to his heated chest. Whoa! Here they went again on the wild roller coaster ride that was Rafe.
She rubbed her eyes. “I just want to get out of here for a while.” She wanted to go somewhere she’d dreaded going for over ten years—her mom’s. If this whole sex demon thing was true, then one thing was certain, her mom felt guilty too. Maybe that’s why she was so overly enthused earlier?
Her decision made, Lucy raised her chin and stalked to the coat rack. With a determined yank, she pulled the coat off the hanger. “I’m going to my mom’s. She needs me.”
“How far is it?” Rafe grabbed her arm, sending shivers of heat racing through her. If he kept it up, she’d be taking him to the privacy of her own home instead.
“Three blocks from my house,” she said, zipping her coat. Living in a small town, it was virtually impossible to avoid family completely. Yeah, she could’ve moved, but then she wouldn’t have the salon, or Frankie, Gerardo, and Serah to harass. She didn’t want it any other way. Besides, her house had a key. She could always lock her mom out.
“You aren’t going alone.” Even though she just met Rafe, there was no mistaking his succinct tone. He wouldn’t take no for an answer. “I’ll go with you.”
Time with Rafe? Yummy! Her internal naughty girl reared her now not-so ugly head. “Fine with me.”
Lilith wrung her hands and gazed around the room. Another person—uhh—demon hiding something? Not surprising in the least. She paced the ceramic tiled floor, tracing a finger along a silver-plated flat iron. How she was supposed to slay a demon with that would remain a mystery to her.
Lilith shrugged then arched her lips in a knowing grin. “Sizzle and burn.”
Did these women enjoy rubbing their demonic talents in her face? Would she ever learn hers? Did she even have any to boast of?
Lucy rolled her eyes. Just what she wanted, all these demons knowing her deep and dark fantasies. Heck, the way Kalli looked like she was ready to burst into chuckles, she already knew.
“Reading thoughts is overrated,” Kalli said, flashing her apparent nemesis a sidelong glare. “I’d rather have the kung fu moves I heard you used on Belial any day.”
“It’s not that I’m jealous or anything.” She bit a fingernail. “It kind of violates my privacy.” Then again, kind of was a big understatement.
“It’s easier to be instructed by someone who isn’t afflicted. Someone like…” She scratched her head, a devious grin spreading across her face. “Rafe.”
Yeah right! She angled a surreptitious gaze his way. He stood ramrod straight, with his lips taut. Any tighter, and he’d pull a muscle in his jaw. It looked like Rafe would rather undergo a root canal than spend any alone time with her.