Not Your Ex's Hexes (Supernatural Singles, #2)(61)
First, find his brother.
Then, kick his ass.
And only when he’d gotten his point across—and his boot wedged so far up Julius’s bum that his toe tickled his tonsils—he’d make sure his brother rescinded Rose’s job offer. Would she be pissed if or when she found out?
Absolutely.
Was it worth the risk of her never talking to him again?
Maybe … but he couldn’t let that stop him from trying.
Damian cased the penthouse, vaguely recognizing Terrance’s favorite actors mixed in with a handful of politicians—both Supernatural and Norm. Julius’s master plan had always involved making nice with everyone because, according to him, “You never know when you’ll need a favor only one person can help you with.”
“You look like a man with a mission, and I hope that mission is me.” A sultry brunette succubus glided his way, her eyes glowing as if she’d finished one hell of a soul-sucking bender and was looking for another.
“You’ll have to find your midnight snack somewhere else because I’m immune.” Literally one of the only perks to having a demon side. “I’m looking for Julius.”
“Hmm.” She tapped her bright red-tipped finger against her full lips. “The last I saw him, he was upstairs in the rooftop solarium, but he was a bit preoccupied with a pretty blonde. They could’ve long since abandoned this meat market for a more private space. Get me a drink and we can wait for him together? I’m sure I could find a few acceptable ways to pass the time.”
“Immune,” Damian reminded her. “And also not interested.”
She shrugged her slender shoulders and moved on, locking her gaze onto her next target across the room, the poor bastard.
Damian headed toward the balcony, and to the outside stairs that would take him up another level to Julius’s little slice of nature.
Despite the cool temps, people loitered in the outdoor space, which included a cobblestoned patio and on the east end, a large, flourishing greenhouse that housed the only demon portal in the city. The DP network could get anyone with demon blood anywhere in less than a wink.
The only problem was that in order to travel, you needed to pull a Darth Vader and embrace your dark side. He’d only used one a handful of times, and after each time, he’d worked like hell to put his demon back in his box because despite being a badass, he was also claustrophobic and always put up one hell of a fight.
Damian found his brother in the largest crowd as he held court on the east patio. Mid-laugh, Julius’s gaze locked on his approach. He hid his surprise with a wide smile. “If it isn’t my elusive younger brother. What brings you to this part of town?”
Damian ignored the curious looks from Julius’s friends. “We need to talk, and this isn’t a conversation you’ll want people hearing … brother.”
Julius’s grin melted away as he turned to his fan club. “If you’ll excuse me. I better see to this family matter. This way,” he said to Damian.
Damian followed Jules through the party to his main-level office. The second he closed the door, his brother helped himself to a drink at a corner wet bar. “Can I get you anything? Scotch? Bourbon?”
“Answers.”
“You don’t mind if I have a drink then?” He poured himself a few fingers of scotch, downed it, and helped himself to another before turning around, casually leaning against his desk. “I’ll take a wild stab in the dark and say the answers for which you’re looking have something to do with a certain gorgeously headstrong witch.”
Damian’s inner demon growled. “That witch has a name, and she also has no interest in anything you’re offering … and that includes Hunting.”
“Interesting, because it sure as hell seemed like she was interested when I presented the idea to her.”
“Was that before or after you told her about Cal?” Damian demanded.
Saying his ex’s name after so many years felt unnatural, but he didn’t let it stop him because as furious as he was with Julius for putting Rose’s life in jeopardy with this asinine job offer, Damian was equally pissed that his brother had opened his mouth at all.
“How was I to know you never brought up your little affliction?” Julius defended himself. “The two of you are involved, are you not? Your scent sure was all over her the other night, and not in a way that meant you spent the time playing Parcheesi. Unless it was naked Parcheesi.”
“What Rose Maxwell and I do or don’t do together is absolutely none of your business.”
“You’re right. It’s not, but I would’ve thought that something as importance as a Soul Hex would be brought up at least once with one you’ve played naked board games with.”
“Rose and I have an understanding. There was never a reason to discuss it.” Damian’s jaw ached from clenching his teeth.
“No strings, huh?” Julius chuckled, swirling his drink before sipping it. “Let me know how that goes for you. As for the job offer I presented to Rose, it still stands … especially since she called me thirty minutes ago and accepted.”
Damian froze. “She did what?”
His brother chuckled. “It’s cute you believe you have a say in what a Maxwell witch does or doesn’t do, little brother. They’re a spirited bunch. They do what they want, and evidently Rose Maxwell wants to try her hand at Hunting.”