AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My hands closed around something, bringing my attention back to whatever it was Willa had handed me. I opened the bag and dumped the contents out on my desk: two packs of nicotine patches, some Big League Chew, and a handwritten note that read, Sorry, Satan, I couldn’t find any candy cigarettes. I guess Americans finally figured out that shit was really bad parenting.
The dull ache in my face from the other night returned, only this time, both cheeks throbbed. I didn’t bother fighting the grin. Some battles just weren’t worth the trouble.
I’d give Willa’s gifts to Liam when he returned from New York because I wouldn’t be needing them.
It had been thirteen years since I’d had my last cigarette.
Willa
“I guess I know why you’re late. What time zone is hell in anyway?”
The corner of Lucifer’s mouth twitched. “Because I was on a call?” He said it like a question as he shoved his phone into the pocket of his gym shorts.
I lifted my chin toward his bed, which I could see as clear as day from the open doorway. Lucifer paused and turned to follow my gaze. I knew the moment his eyes landed on the set of handcuffs secured to his headboard because his right ear turned bright red.
I’d made the devil blush.
I’d also given myself heartburn in the process apparently. I rubbed my chest as he turned to face me.
“It’s not what you think,” he deadpanned.
“It’s your lair, Devil Boy. You do you, Lucifer Flynn.” I cocked my head. “Well ... actually ... by the looks of it, it’s not you that you’re—”
“Gym. Now.”
I batted my lashes. “I’m not judging you ... everyone knows the devil is a sex fiend—it’s, like, literally in the Bible.” Then I added an eye roll for good measure as I tried to play off my—I don’t know what. “I’m just bummed I didn’t get to say hello to Hannah when you released her from your sex dungeon.”
“Careful, Willa,” he warned, giving me a nudge that was far too gentle to be considered a shove.
With my back to Lucifer, I took a moment to make a very unladylike facial expression, unleashing the feelings that were making me itchy again. I needed to get a grip. Hannah was stunning, and hot sex between two consenting adults probably wasn’t a totally unpleasant way to pass the time. Probably. Not that I’d know.
Lucifer followed me down the hallway and stairs. The sound of the telly told me that Grifin was still parked in front of SportsCenter just like he had been thirty minutes ago when I’d told him I was going to work out and then visit the chapel. Even though I’d managed to resist drinking the glass of whiskey that I’d ordered yesterday, my sobriety was still a daily, if not hourly, struggle at times. I could use all the physical exercise and prayer sessions I could fit in during waking hours.
We passed through the kitchen just as Sosanna offered Cillian something in an extra-tall stainless-steel cup with a straw. She sucked in an audible breath at the same time Cillian sucked in his liquid meal. My brother-in-law probably said something crude or made an attempt at shooting us a nasty glare, but his disfigured face wouldn’t allow it.
I knew Lucifer and I hanging out would go over as well as Yankees fans at Fenway Park, but Lucifer said he’d handle Raphael, and he was the one man I trusted could walk the talk. Time was running out, my wedding date was fast approaching, and I needed to learn as much as I could from the man most people in this city feared more than God himself before he realized he could be charged with aiding and abetting.
Lucifer left me to stretch—I was limited due to my ankle—while he ran on the treadmill. When I’d finished and was taking a water break, he offered me a mouth guard fresh out of the package. “Today we’ll do a light sparring session that won’t risk your ankle. Do you know how to wrap your hands?”
I nodded, slipping off my sweatpants and sweatshirt, aware I was in front of Lucifer in nothing but flex shorts and a sports bra for the first time. I felt his eyes searing me where I stood. How long before I combusted? Under his perusal, every burn mark and scar stamped on my body screamed like it was new.
I glanced up before I’d had a chance to finish wrapping my hands. He hadn’t moved an inch. “Do you know how to wrap your hands?”
He dropped his gaze and nodded. A mixture of guilt and anger moved across his face. It both warmed my heart and mortified me equally. For ten years, only those named Brennan or doctors had seen this much of my body. I’d thought I was prepared for this. I thought I’d be resilient when Lucifer got his first look at my battle scars. A faulty assumption on my part.
“Submitting already, Satan?” I teased nervously, hoping to reset the energy between us and hide how exposed and naive I suddenly felt.
That drew his eyes to mine.
He raised an eyebrow. “Submitting?”
“You dropped my gaze,” I chided, my voice quivering slightly. “Da taught me to never drop your opponent’s gaze unless you’re ...”
Lucifer stepped into me and the words died in the back of my throat.
Emerald irises collided with mine as he gave me the full force of his stare. He reached over his shoulder with one hand, gripped the back of his damp T-shirt, and tugged it over his head before discarding it. He’d taken off his shirt the night I’d stitched him back together, but there was something different in the way he did so now. A leveling of the playing field, so to speak. I’d shown him mine, and now he was showing me his.
He’s unveiling himself to me.
