Kas’ head tilts thoughtfully. “Here I thought you were some young gung ho Prince.” I almost inform him that I have no idea what he’s talking about. Instead I let him keep talking. “But you’re pretty passive.”
I grab him by his collar so he stops walking, then box him up against a nearby wall.
“Listen–if you can stop those prancing thoughts of yours and fucking listen.” I lean down, dropping my voice to a hissing whisper. “Do not mistake my approach for kindness. Unlike you, I’m not only fueled by lust–trying to crawl back into the cunt that bore me. I don’t need to take and take until taking loses all meaning. My pride can’t be bruised with one act of denial. There is no room in my plans for other’s ire, and I will not laze about waiting for opportunities to come. I am a Prince, and I am all of the best of sin. I will take whatI wantand make itmineon my own terms. You lot are fodder. Half of what I am, quite literally.”
I start to walk away, Kas sputtering behind me.
As I step out the door, I call over my shoulder, “Let’s go. Leaf needs company.”
CHAPTERTEN
MINNIE
As the bustakes me further and further away from Lucky Witch, I feel more and more helpless. Cursed by long dead witches, Amber and I at odds, my half-brother so desperate for a relationship I can’t comprehend him wanting, and a devil who refuses to make a deal with me. Sure, Rosier is here because I summoned him, and Lance seems nice enough, but I’m not sure what to even do with a brother. I shouldn’t be too upset with Amber. Of course, she knows things I don’t; it comes with the territory of being the daughter of the Supreme. And I can’t fault her for following my dead mom’s wishes. Maybe, if we could stop storming off on each other, we could solve the curse together.
The bus stops a few blocks from my apartment, and I hop out. I wonder if Rosier is still sitting around naked. He better be. Well, the naked part I could go without, even if he’s nice to look at. But if I get back to the apartment and he’s gone again, I don’t know what I’ll do. Chain him to the couch or something, but I picture him turning that into a sex thing. He was pretty keen to sleep with me that first night.
As I fiddle with my keys I keep considering Rosier wrapped in chains, trapped on his knees with his hands behind his back, looking up at me with rage and desire. I drop my keys for the second day in a row and roll my head back to huff.
As I step into my apartment, a chirping meow greets me. Leaf struts over, his tail twitching happily. “Well if you’re looking for attention, then Rosie probably isn’t here.”
I frown, and Leaf meows again. I can’t be mad at him. I get down on my knees and scratch between his ears. Sure he’s a dumpster cat, but he’smydumpster cat. Er, Rosier’s dumpster cat… our dumpster cat.
There’s no point in trying to hunt Rosier down when he could literally be anywhere–especially when he’s got Kas. Plus, it’s nice to pretend like Rosier isn’t my responsibility, my mistake. I grab a random book off my shelf and settle on the couch. Leaf joins me, climbing right into my lap and curling up into a perfect little black ball. It’s hard to focus on my book when he’s being so cute.
I’m not nervous about anything till the sun is gone, and in an instant, the wall I put up in my attempt to be unbothered comes tumbling down. “Screw this–” I grumble and get up off the couch, ready to go out into the night and find a certain devil. But as soon as my hand is on the door, Leaf starts howling. “Oh, right, dinner.”
Right as I turn, the door to my apartment opens and hits me in the butt, causing me to fall forward. Leaf bolts, running back to the couch. I look over my shoulder to find, who else but Rosier. Perfect timing.
I stand up, balling my fists. “What did I tell you about leaving the apartment?”
Rosier cocks a brow. “And what have I told you since I arrived?” He leans down so we’re at eye level. “You. Don’t. Control. Me.” He says it with such gravitas, my whole body shivers.
“Well, I can send you back to Hell–sooner rather than later.”
He snorts. “Here I thought you didn’t know how. Otherwise…” He steps closer so his lips are in my ear and says in a husky voice, “You would have done it already.”
“You’re going back.” I walk away, as if I have anywhere to go. I settle onto the couch, and Leaf hops up, rubbing his head against my knee.
“You’re not going to send me back,” Rosier objects. “You still haven’t made a contract.”
I run my hand along Leaf’s silky black back. “You denied my contract.” I shrug over exaggeratedly. “Oh well. Guess you’ll have to wait for another witch to summon you.”
Rosier flops down on the couch with such force it scares Leaf, who bolts into the bedroom. “Giving up already? I thought you were a smart girl, Minnie. Simply come up with a better contract. I’m surprised you haven’t already.”
“I’ve been busy.” There is no way I’m telling him about the family curse or any of the other troubles my sperm donor has thrown my way. He would probably use it against me, as a way to tease me. “Besides, who says I have to sign a contract withyou?”
“What.” It’s not a question. He seems offended.
I use the sweetest voice I can muster, the one I would use at clubs trying to get guys to buy my friend’s shots—“oh I don’t drink thanks but my girlfriends do.”“There are plenty of devils in Hell, Rosie. I’m sure one or more of them aren’t so picky about revenge. I bet–”
My thought is cut off by Rosier grabbing my chin. He glares at me with molten gold eyes, staring down his long curved nose. “You summonedmefirst. If you’re going to sign a contract, it will be with me.”
“Will it now?”
I try to pull away, but Rosier keeps my chin locked in his hand. He leans down, his eyes level with my eyebrows, his full lips almost touching the tip of my nose.
It’s distracting to say the least but I’m quick to continue, “What are you going to do to me?”
