Page 24 of Dancing With Demons

Just thinking of him in the tub, soaking himself from head to toe, brought back incredibly unwelcome visions of him in the bath with my hand around his business.

“I’m here because we have unfinished business.”

“We do?”

“We do.” Ronin’s gaze flicked over his shoulder. “I’ve been waiting for your call, but you sure like to draw out a moment, don’t you.”

“Excuse me?”

“Your answer is yes.” Ronin closed and locked the door with a snap of his fingers. “You’re accepting my offer and my protection, so let’s get on with the bonding and be done with it.”

I stood there for an entire thirty seconds. I understood everything he just said. Lucifer’s translation magic put it in plain English for me, but somehow, it was still a load of gibberish.

“Dude, what?” I goggled at him. “My answer is not yes. My answer is no. I am not doing that sub bond thing, it’s insane that you’d even ask.”

Part of me expected a bigger reaction to my rejection, but he just cocked a brow.

“Why do you refuse me?” Ronin sounded genuinely curious. “I literally saved your life this morning, and I was the only one to attempt to do so. You would have died if not for my intervention. Do you truly not see you need me?”

His simple statements were daggers through my skin. “I... can’t disagree with you. Connard was going to do something very unpleasant to me, and you stopped him. I’m thankful for that, Belphe, but”—my face changed—“saving someone’s life doesn’t give you the right to turn them into your slave.

“If no one’s told you that before, I’m glad I was the first.”

He hummed, cocking his head. Ronin was looking at me like I was some strange, new thing laid out under a microscope. He was curious, and a bit annoyed, that he hadn’t figured me out already. “It was the wolf, yes? He filled your head with fears and lies, and now you’re denying the most complete protection you’ll ever receive so that you’ll have to continue relying solely on him.” Ronin laughed, shaking his head. “Sly little wolf. He didn’t beat out all the other alphas in his pack for first mating rights for nothing.”

I jerked back, the corner of my lips dropping down. First mating rights? Fears and lies? “Wha... What are you—?”

“But if no is your answer, I will respect it.” He shocked me brushing a light, teasing finger across my trembling lips. “This will be the last time we speak, Charlie. It’s inevitable that you’ll be killed before our next conversation.”

My eyes popped—chill rippling down my spine. Ronin put me in my grave so soundly, I felt the Grim Reaper’s hand around my throat.

“When you’re gone,” he said, “I’ll look after your sister. Having Lucifer’s daughter pledge loyalty to House Belphe will be quite the upset.”

Anger lit in my chest. “Don’t you dare mess with—!”

“Mess with?” he broke in, frowning. “Oh no, that’s not a threat. It’s reassurance, Charlie. That I’ll take care of her and make sure Lucifer can’t use her for his own means after you’re gone.” Ronin glanced at her, before lingering on me. “I take care of everyone who’s loyal to me.”

“I—”

He turned away, leaving as suddenly as he came.

“This will be the last time we speak, Charlie. It’s inevitable that you’ll be killed before our next conversation.”

“Wait,” I blurted. “If... If I’m being misled about what the sub bond is, then you tell me. How does it work?”

Ronin took his hand off the knob. “It is a bond that can force you to obey me, but it’s not a permanent one. It must be entered into willingly, and it can be broken.”

I scoffed. “Yeah, the willingly entering and exiting isn’t the problem, Belphe. It’s all the forced obedience in between! Why can’t you just help me without the expectation of something in return?”

It was Ronin’s turn to scoff. “Is that what they do in your land of the living? No wonder the mortal realm’s going to the hellhounds.”

“You—!”

“Do you even realize what you’re asking of me?” Ronin was so calm and matter-of-fact. “Help you whenever you need it. Whenever you ask. This is your first trip to hell, mortal, but it’s not mine. At all hours of the day or night something or someone will be watching you, will be stalking you, and will be lying in wait for its chance to strike.

“The sub bond binds you to me. It makes you a part of me,” he said. “So much so that no matter where in all the realms I am, I’ll be alerted if you’re in danger. Without it, the only way I can keep my promise to you is to become your shadow. I’d have to follow you around everywhere you go and be at your constant beck and call.” His eyes narrowed to slits. “Now who’s looking for a slave.”

I reeled back like he slapped me, eyes blowing wide. And in the shock... shame slipped in. “I...” I swallowed hard. “You’re right,” I whispered. “You’re absolutely right, Ronin, and I apologize. I am the one sitting over here asking you to become my personal bodyguard even though I can’t pay or offer you anything in return for the risk. That was really shitty and entitled of me, and I’m sorry.”