Page 49 of Trust the Fall

“Is this really the time for all that?” Zeke says, sounding disgusted.

Embarrassment washes over me, knowing they all likely heard every word shared between Luke and me. It was a private moment, shared in an entirely nonprivate location, and if it’s possible, my cheeks heat even more.

“Don’t be shy, love. They’re just jealous of what we have.”

I smile up at Luke and allow all of my emotions to bubble over. Love, happiness … it all comes pouring out of me, and I feel revitalized. Love isn’t weak. It’s a bond that makes me stronger. Makes us stronger.

Leanna steps forward. “Lucifer, we need to act while we have the element of surprise.”

Lucifer grunts. “You’re right. We can’t stand around here, waiting for the menagerie to show up.”

“What can we do to help?” Julian asks, side-eyeing the angels in the room. “We’ll join this fight if you’ll help us get out of here when it’s over.”

Zeke and Leeanna both wear matching frowns, likely trying to uncover any hidden agenda. Eventually, Leeanna addresses the king of vampires, asking the one question likely to piss him off.

“What’s in it for you?”

He pulls a face. “Did I not just say it? We need to get out of here too. My price is our freedom for our help. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“What do you think, Zeke?” she asks.

“Enough,” I snap. “I’ve gotten to know these two and I trust them.” I level Leeanna with a sharp glare, signaling we’re still on rocky ground and she needs to step down.

“Have you two just been hanging out here the whole time? Nobody came for you?”

“You were gone for only a couple of minutes,” Julian says, as though that should be obvious.

“What? How is that possible?”

I think about Luke’s and my lovemaking and then the talk with Michael. I’d conjured a storm. That was hours, not minutes.

“Love, I know you want answers, but now isn’t really the time,” Luke says, pulling me into his chest. “Time is different here. It’s what I want it to be. Can that be enough for now?”

I look up over my shoulder and offer a tight-lipped smile. He’s right. We’re standing in the middle of Hell with Nolda’s legion likely on their way to us. There will be time later for answers.

“We need their help.” It’s all I say, steering the conversation back to the original issue.

Zeke nods to me before turning to speak to Leeanna, who still doesn’t appear convinced. Well, too damn bad.

“Is there any choice? We’re likely to be outnumbered. We can use all the help offered. Even if it does come from vampire royalty.”

I don’t miss the snarky dig on Zeke’s part, and it ticks me off.

“You know who he is?” I ask, pointing to Julian.

“I’m familiar with the Bellamy brothers, yes,” Zeke replies, sounding annoyed.

“Then you should know that they aren’t like the vampires we hunt. Julian is a good man and dedicated to preserving life. So be respectful,” I reprimand.

Zeke’s arms rise in surrender. “I’m only being cautious. Hearing about them and actually knowing them are different things, Tori. How well do you know them?”

I share a look with Julian, then Law, then Luke. “Enough to know they’re on our side.”

Julian offers me a smile and nods his head once.

“That’s good enough for me,” Luke says, pulling me away from Zeke and closer to Julian and Law, forming something like a huddle.

“Julian. Law,” Luke acknowledges them both. “This is the plan …”