“No, it’s just…” I attempt a look of innocence. “You said you have something in my size.”
Orfeo tents his eyebrows, lips turning down into a look of faux annoyance. “I suppose you have sung for your supper.”
He circles back toward the living room, ducking under the stairs to pull open a closet door, exposing a frighteninglyorganized, color-coded closet. White T-shirts turn into gray T-shirts turn into perfectly draped jeans. The entire left side is seemingly dedicated to women’s clothing. “I have a dress I think you’ll like.”
“Do I want to know where you got all of this stuff?”
“Nothing stranger than being a Roman vampire, I assure you.” He arches his brows at me. “You know, many women forget their clothing after a night of passion.”
The sentence makes me horny, jealous,anddisgusted. Impressive. “Awesome,” I deadpan. “And you brought this all down from New York with you?”
“When I moved here, I brought my belongings.” He hands over a black dress hanging from a satin hanger and shoos me back into the bathroom.
As much as I want to hate him for his freak-ass one-night stand dress collection, Ican’tbecause this dress fits me like it was made for me. The black fabric drapes perfectly over my chest, nipping in at my waist before flowing down over my hips in dove-tailed layers that move like water when I walk across the bathroom. The fabric separates for a moment, then joins together again, only letting a flash of my thick thighs escape. I grab my black leather belt from my jeans and wrap it around my waist, cinching the fabric in tight.Even better.
I slide my feet back into my high heels and step out of the bathroom.
“Good?” I ask.
His eyes light up, a smile working its way over his features. “Spectacular. Perfection.”
Orfeo opts for a perfectly tailored black suit with no shirt underneath the jacket. Just a triangle of bare, oiled skin. Standing next to each other in the mirror, we look like the Trojan Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
“Promise me you won’t let me die tonight.”
Orfeo nods. “On my soul.” He takes my hand in his and lays it over his heart. It beats. Slowly, faintly. “Tonight, you must be truthful—but not so truthful as to reveal your heart. Listen carefully to what the demons say, okay?”
I nod. The heat of his skin travels through my palm, up my arm, curling around my shoulders. I step closer to him. I’m not sure what Orfeo and I are doing. I’m not sure if we’re friends or if he just wants to be lovers. But I wasn’t lying before; I trust his word and I trust his strength.
He looks deep into my eyes as he says, “And I promise I will not let you die, Diantha.”
Diantha
Orfeo drivesmy shit-ass car back to Echidna, parking a few blocks away from Devil’s Row. All the nerves have finally caught up to me, and we move briskly through town in total silence. I try not to worry at my bottom lip in an effort to keep my lipstick intact.
As we cross the big, empty parking lot behind Hades House toward the back entrance (notably less glamorous than the front), Orfeo takes my hand in his and tangles our fingers, pulling me close to his chest.
“There will be demons on the first floor, near the bar, keeping watch of the front door,” he whispers. “Maybe a few humans will have come down from the party on the second floor to get some fresh air and have a drink. Everyone else is going to be upstairs. Try not to make eye contact.”
I furrow my brow, eyes fixed on our quick-moving feet. “Okay, if you say so.”
“You and I are going to go directly into Alfo’s office, which is to the left of the back door. You will need to lead me, but I will introduce you to everyone. Try not to look surprised at any of the information I share. Remember, they smellallof your emotions. Nisos and Leo will also be there. Nisos is the little rat-facedfuck and Alfo’s most loyal devotee. That dumb son of a bitch is convinced he’s next in line to take over Alfo’s empire. Leo is Alfo’s half-brother and the actual heir. Remember that, but don’t think about it once we’re in the room.” He pauses to catch his breath. Tonight is so bitter cold it’s somehow even getting to him. My teeth chatter and I pull my peacoat tighter around my body. I wish I were in a big sweater and snow boots. “Their relationship is complicated.”
I tug at his hand, and we pick up our pace again. “Got it. What about after we finish our conversation? I take your hand and lead you out of the room?”
“Yes, exactly. I will tell them that we are going upstairs to fuck.”
It takes me a second to recover from my shock and spit out a choked, “What?!”
“Yes, try to contain your enthusiasm,” Orfeo deadpans, sliding his hand up from mine and pulling me into him. His exposed chest still radiates warmth, but not as much as usual. “I’m not allowed to justbearound humans in a casual way. If we’re together, it has to be because you’re using me for pleasure.”
A wave of sadness passes through me. “Right. Got it.” I don’t turn to look at Orfeo; I’m afraid of what emotions might be living in his eyes right now. “We leave and go upstairs. Then what?”
“We will find a safe place for your body, and then I will give you more information. Remember, you have to trust me.”
I blow out a breath. My stomach twists and throbs; my heart starts to race.What the hell have I agreed to?
Orfeo
