Page 68 of Trust the Fall

He laughs condescendingly. “I’m not trying to do anything. This is exactly what happens here. I thought a welcome party was in order. It’s not every day that we have an angel visit.” Luke smiles lazily, as though he’s actually less than impressed by my rank.

All the demons around him throw back their heads and laugh.

“Your act might fool a lesser woman, but not me, Lucifer. I know damn well what’s happening here. You’re doing what you do best. Pushing me away. The question is, why?”

“Careful, Tori,” he bites the name that Zeke has always called me. “Nobody speaks to me that way without being punished.” A sinful grin spreads across his face, promising a punishment that would be anything but painful.

Any other day I’d beg him for what he’s offering, but right now, I want to cut him with my knife.

“Master, would you punish me?” A Marilyn Monroe–looking demon woman falls at Lucifer’s feet, tearing the top from her chest, revealing perfectly round, perky breasts.

Lucifer doesn’t waste a moment helping himself to a look. “Maybe later, kitten. I’m dealing with some things right now.” He smiles at her, and I swear she melts into a puddle of mush on the spot. I roll my eyes. “Tori.”

“Victoria,” I snap.

“Yes … well … Victoria,” he says, sounding bored. “We fucked.” He shrugs one shoulder. “I enjoyed it. You did too, from what I remember. I’m happy to go another round with you, if that’s what you want, but it’ll have to be here. I’ve promised my faithful followers a show, and I intend to please.”

My body shakes with rage. There’s no doubt what’s going on. I know it is killing him to put on this façade. I can see it in the creases at the corners of his eyes. In the way his lips tremble and his hands shake. He’s disgusted with himself, but he’s committed to this act, and he’ll see it through.

Well, fuck that. I’m done allowing him to make epic fucking mistakes. So I do the one thing guaranteed to throw him off.

I pull my shirt over my head, bra and all, standing completely topless in the sea of demons. Lucifer’s eyes narrow and his hands clench the arms of his chair.

“What are you doing, Victoria?” He grits his teeth.

“You promised to punish me. I’m making it easy, Satan.”

I walk his way. My hips swing in rhythm with the bass of the music as I lower my leather pants, leaving me in my tiny black G-string.

Lucifer’s throat bobs, and it pushes me to keep going. When I’ve reached his throne, he mouths the word “stop,” and it’s my turn to grin.

I’ve already managed to break his façade. Just slightly, but enough for me to be one thousand percent sure that I’m right about all of this. I might be the only one to have seen his slip, but he and I both know what he’s up to.

What can only be described as a bondage contraption hangs from the ceiling. Two cuffs dangle down from the frame. I look to the demon beside me. “Secure me,” I demand.

Lucifer’s eyes widen slightly. “Agra, no. I think I’d prefer someone else.”

“Agra,” I repeat her name. “It’ll be me or no one. Do you want to die tonight?” I lift my blade, waving it in the air.

She looks to Lucifer and then to me, arching a thin, pointed brow.

Lucifer flicks his wrist, signaling for her to go on.

He doesn’t think I’ll follow through with it.

Agra walks up behind me, and I lift one hand in the air for her to cuff. When my right hand is secured, I sheath my blade into the side of my panties and lift the other arm. When both arms are secured above my head, Luke’s eyes drag down my body in a slow perusal that sets me aflame.

A door behind me crashes open, garnering everyone’s attention.

“Don’t mind me. I’m just here for the show.”

One thoroughly amused reaper stands just inside a side door, looking two seconds away from bursting into laughter.

My head swivels back to Luke’s and all I see is rage, centered on me. He stands, taking five large steps. He flicks his wrists, undoing the cuffs. My arms fall heavily to my sides. He tears off his own shirt and throws it over my head.

“I’m playing his game, didn’t you know, River?” I say over my shoulder, taunting Luke as he tries and fails to pull his too-short shirt over my bare ass. “Lucifer wants to punish me.” I say it mockingly.

Luke snarls. “I will not allow you to degrade yourself.”