Demons Prefer Blondes (Demons Unleashed #1)(96)

Gerardo was an angel? And if he could keep his disguise around demons, he wasn’t just any angel. “Who are you?” Rafael demanded.

“Gerardo Martinez.” His grin spread wider. “I’m Lucy’s guardian angel.”

“It certainly explains the affinity for feathered shirts but doesn’t explain how you managed to become a guardian angel for a succubus.”

“Without feathers, I feel naked.” Gerardo plucked a feather from his shirt and tossed it into the wind. “And Lucy’s only part succubus. She’s also human, you know. Upon discovering this, I decided she needed more guarding. I wasn’t exactly sure what she was, but the way Lilith, in her Mrs. Gunderson getup, kept lingering around the shop, I had my suspicions.”

Rafael rubbed his jaw, the stubble scratching his fingertips. He had no choice but to trust Gerardo. After all, he’d taken care of Lucy. “Very well. Speaking of Lilith, where is she?”

“With Lilu protecting Lucy’s mom.”

Bloody hell. In his urgency, he’d forgotten Lucy’s mother. With a silent breath of relief, he nodded. “A very awkward family reunion, I suppose.”

Gerardo snorted out a chuckle. “Amazing. You’ve grown a sense of humor.”

“I’ve always had one,” Rafael interjected. “I just seldom show it.”

The sounds of heels clacking against pavement broke their conversation. With a quick shuffle, Kalli came to stand next to him. “I’ve tried opening a portal. The bastard Belial has blocked the entire—” Her eyes widened in shock as she registered Gerardo’s appearance. “What the hell! The Fore-Demons sent an angel?”

Frankie, who lumbered behind, stopped in his tracks as he gazed Gerardo from head to toe. “Where in the hell have you been hiding those things?” Brows arched and eyes wide, he tilted his head to the left.

“They’ve always been here,” Gerardo drawled with a flick of his snow-white wings. “I just chose to keep them hidden… for obvious reasons.”

Frankie arched a manicured brow. “Why?”

“I couldn’t do that to Lucy. Either they would stay away in fear, or come in droves and gawk like the salon was some sort of sideshow exhibit.” He blew out a breath of air. “If you thought the small crowd that followed Lucy was big, it’d be ten times worse.”

Frankie pursed his lips. “I’m still trying to figure this all out. But if you’re a guardian angel, why in tarnation did you allow Belial into the shop?”

“I have a good answer.” Gerardo grinned. “How is it that Lilith arrived at that precise time? I sought her out and told her Belial was near.”

“And why in the name of all that is holy did you do nothing to protect her?” Rafael balled his fists in an attempt to tamp down the sudden desire to throttle the would-be guardian angel. Fingernails digging into palms, he threw Gerardo a dagger-like glare.

“Believe me, I would have if I could, but to show oneself to one’s ward when the time isn’t right goes against angel protocol.” Gerardo’s gaze grew pleading. “She was in capable hands.”

“Whose capable hands? Belial’s or Lilith’s?” Yes, Lilith might have been Lucy’s aunt, but he’d heard stories of her exploits in Las Vegas. She’d done more than drain her victims’ energy. She’d sucked their life force, as well.

“Neither.”

Rafael furrowed his brow. “Whose?”

“Yours.” Gerardo’s lips swept into a wide grin.

He blinked. His? “I don’t understand.”

“Of course you wouldn’t. But there’s no time to explain. You will learn soon enough” He spread his wings, urgency creasing his face. “We need to go. Now.”

“What about him?” Kalli asked, nudging Frankie on the shoulder.

Frankie stood tall, his chin jutting out in determination. “You ain’t leaving me. I may be human, but that don’t mean I can’t fight.”

Everyone’s gazes turned to Frankie. He gripped his hips and stood tall, his face as serious as stone. “Well?”

He’d be damned if he let one of Lucy’s friends get hurt. “If you come with us, you will freeze to death.” Rafael flexed his arms across his chest. “If you think the winter here is cold, the portal is much worse.”

Kalli nodded in agreement. “The human body isn’t made for traveling. You could, quite literally, freeze an appendage off.” She lowered her gaze to his groin.

With a startled gasp, Frankie grabbed himself. “Really?”

Rafael only offered a static nod. Unfortunately, Kalli spoke the truth. There wasn’t any easy way to sugarcoat it. “And that’s not the worst of it.”

Frankie’s eyes sparked. “I don’t care. I need to help Lucy. If that means losing Frankie Jr., then so be it.”

“I won’t put one of Lucy’s friends in danger.”

Frankie stomped his foot, sending snow flying. “It’s not fair. I have to do something!”

“It isn’t safe,” Kalli flipped a knotty lock from her face. “We can’t—”

Gerardo flicked his wings. “I can take him. We angels aren’t as restricted as demons.” Of course, demons were essentially evil creatures. Only those who proved their willingness to repent were chosen for the Paladin, but still there were boundaries even the Paladin couldn’t break. Transporting humans, for one.