Demons Prefer Blondes (Demons Unleashed #1)(75)

“Bloody hell!” he bellowed, ripping himself from the comfort of Lucy’s embrace. Maybe he would fail after all.





Chapter 21


Rafe flung himself from the bed and rushed to the door. With a forceful tug, he sent it flying open. With each flash, the light grew stronger, more intense. Like a beacon.

A beacon? Oh shit.

And it was all her fault. She was the one who egged him on. Her and her horny hormones. Lump in throat, she grabbed her robe from the floor and flung it on. Following Rafe, she raced down the hallway. Sitting in the middle of the living room was the chest, the purple styling cape twisted around it on the floor. How could she have been so stupid?

With a shake of his head and a deep breath of air, Rafe reached down and flung the fabric back over the dusty box. She hated that thing. She wanted to kick it and send it flying back to whence it came. Fingers balled into tight fists, she fought her rage. Rage directed at herself.

“This is all my fault,” she muttered, fumbling with the ties to her robe. “I enraptured you. I’m sorry.” Meandering her way to the futon, she slumped into its not-so-comfy recesses. Fingers scraping through strands of hair, she blew out a ragged sigh.

“You didn’t enrapture me.” Despite his firm tone, Rafe’s gaze softened, comforting her. He took seat next to her and grabbed her hand. The heated sparks now replaced by tender warmth. “I would be passed out in bed, otherwise.”

Entwining her fingers in his, she shook her head. Glancing out the window as the snow tapered to a steady fall, she sucked in a racking sigh. “We shouldn’t have done that. I should’ve known better. Karma’s a bitch.”

“Everything happens for a reason.” Despite the urgency of the situation, his voice remained calm, with clear surety.

“So how long do we have until the demons of Connolly Park come busting down my door?”

“I’ve got a protection charm in place, have you forgotten?”

She rolled her eyes. “That charm didn’t stop Belial from waltzing into my shop earlier.”

“True.” Rafe scrubbed a hand across his chin. “But Lilith certainly weakened him. He won’t be doing much poofing any time soon.”

With a slow nod, she curled into Rafe’s arms. “I hope you’re right.” Because she certainly didn’t want to be the cause of another failed mission. She had a connection with him, stronger than any man she’d ever known—besides her father, of course. She sure as hell wouldn’t let some post-coital mishap muck things up.

He lowered his lips to her cheek. “I’ve sworn to protect you, Lucy. That won’t change.”

“I appreciate that, more than you’ll ever know.” Teeth digging into her lower lip, she blew a long breath out her nose. “So how long do we have?”

Rafe swiped a defiant strand of hair from her cheek, the warmth still emanating from his fingertips. “You’ll be safe. I’ll protect you.”

Despite his gentleness, a fire spurred inside her. Gentleness served its purpose, but she’d be damned if she just sat back while Rafe and his demon buddies did all the fighting. Especially if she was the reason all of them were fighting. She wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“I don’t need protection.” Firm with resolve, her gaze met his. “I’m fighting, too.”

Jaw ticking, he shook his head. “You’re royalty. You can’t.”

“Royalty, schmoyalty. I’m good at judo, or did you forget?” With a quick bounce, she bounded up off the futon and flailed her fists. “Hi-yah!”

Rafe blew out a deep breath. “It isn’t done.”

With a tilt to her chin, she slammed her hands to her waist. “It is now. Besides, it’s my fault you’re in this mess.”

“How so?”

Fists tight at her sides, she bit her lip. “I opened the chest.”

“You didn’t know any better.”

“Yes I did. Why don’t you just let me take the blame?”

“Belial is to blame.” Rafe’s mouth remained inches from hers. “Had he not attacked, the chest would still be in Limbo. You. Are. Not. To. Blame. Got it?”

With a silent nod, she unclenched her fists. “I’m still fighting.”

“Your father won’t approve.”

“You’d be surprised.”

“Daddy’s little girl, are you?”

“Pretty much get what I want.”

“Then why did your father threaten eternal damnation on me if any harm befalls you?”

“If.” She waggled her brow. Sucking in a determined breath of air, she reached down and lugged the two-ton book of demon rules onto her lap and flipped it open. “So teach me how to protect myself.”

“Lucy…” His voice firm, he narrowed his gaze. Why did she get the sneaky suspicion that he was hiding something?

Fine, be that way.

“Whatever, I’ll do it myself.” Finger tracing over ancient Latin, she perused the elegant script. Incantation after incantation and a string of spells and rituals filled the deep recesses of her mind. Invocations and potions were cool enough, but where was the section on kicking Infernati ass?

With a growl, she tore through the pages. “A little help?”