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“It’ll take a lot more than an elbow to my ribs to do me in, butterfly,” I tell her with a reassuring smile that seems to melt away some of her panic.
Her eyes flit back and forth as though she’s searching for something within my gaze. Perhaps a lie or half-truth? “Are you okay?” I ask her.
The fucking giggle that escapes her before she slaps her hand over her mouth is like fairy bells ringing through an enchanted forest. High and light and fucking magical. The answering grin that crosses my face is probably the most genuine expression of joy I have felt in a really long damn time.
The wall I erected around my heart twenty-something years ago cracks, and she steps right on through without even trying. Like there’s a fucking neon welcome sign hanging over the entrance. I am so fucking screwed when it comes to this girl.
“I’m sorry for startling you but applaud you on the quick reflexes with the elbow. It gives me a crazy idea. Maybe a way to help you reclaim some of that power that was stolen from you.”
“How?” The innocence in her voice, soft and shy, hits me like a sucker punch to my gut. All I want to do is wrap this woman in my arms, haul her to the tallest tower I can find, and lock her away where no one and nothing can ever touch her again. Instead, I’m going to have Kain train her, turn her into a weapon, because the world we live in is dangerous and fucked up. Also, because I’m too goddamn selfish to ever let her go, and she needs to be able to protect herself.
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I shoot off a text to Kain, telling him to meet me in the parlor.
Eden walks back over to the bay window and sits sideways on the bench seat, her knees bent, pulling one of the decorative pillows into her lap. “Harley called me,” she whispers, looking back outside.
Fuck me.“He’s okay then?” I ask, shocked by her sudden switch in topics.
She rests her head back against the cool glass of the window. “He is, and he said he’ll reach out to you and Kain soon, but first he needs to take care of something.”
I take a seat in front of Eden and pull her feet into my lap. She flinches for a second but quickly relaxes. Using my thumbs, I massage the arches of her feet. I watch her face for any signs the contact is making her uncomfortable. Instead, the heavy lids of her eyes and the slope of her shoulders tell me she likes what I’m doing.
“I’m glad to hear he’s okay. Hopefully, he’ll reach out soon and let us know what happened.”
“That would be good.” Her eyes drift shut, and words are slightly slurred when she responds, as though she’s entered into a drugged state.
I press into the joints of her toes, causing little crackles and pops to echo in the room. “Oh god, that feels good,” she blurts out with a moan.
“What the hell is going on in here?” Kain barks, and Eden jolts away from my touch like she’s just been electrocuted.
“Real smooth, Kain,” Edward chastises, smacking him in the back of the head as he walks past him and into the parlor.
Eden snickers behind the pillow she’s using to hide her face. She’s so fucking adorable. The more she breaks out of her shell, the more playful and fiercer she becomes, and I can’t wait to get to know this Eden.
“Why the fuck does everyone keep smacking me on the back of the head?” Kain complains while rubbing at this head. He drops his hand and narrows his eyes on me. “What did you want, Lucifer?”
“I had a thought, possibly a way to help Eden reclaim her power. I’d like you to train her, teach her to protect herself.”
Kain takes a seat on the fireplace, resting his elbows on his knees and clutches his hands together in front of him. He narrows his eyes on a spot on the floor, humming as he seems to think over my request.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Edward chimes in, breaking the tense silence.
“I’m glad you approve. I have a request to make of you as well,” I tell Edward, grateful he joined us, sparking another plot in my plan to help Eden. “I’d like you to be there for at least the first few training sessions. Extra support and as a monitor. I want Kain to teach her how to break out of holds, and those can be very triggering. With you there, you can act as a barrier if Eden becomes uncomfortable.”
“Of course, I’ll help in any way I can.” Edward walks over and places a weathered hand on Eden’s shoulder. “Anything you need, dear, you just ask me, okay?”
Eden beams up at my father, her entire face radiating affection. An unexplainable pang of jealousy hits me again.Fuck, I never thought I’d be jealous of my old man.
“Okay, I’ll do it. On one condition,” Kain says loudly, clapping his hands together, and turning to Eden. “You must be completely honest with me. You have to tell me what you’re feeling, even if you don’t think I want to hear it. That’s the only way this is going to work. If something we’re doing makes you uncomfortable, youhaveto tell me. Got it?”
Eden sits up straighter, and nods. “Got it,” she says, her voice steady and strong.
“Good girl,” Kain replies with the barest hint of a smile.
A warm red glow fills Eden’s cheeks, and I wonder if she always blushes when offered praise. My cock hardens at the images that conjures in my mind, Eden on her knees as she takes me in her mouth, me praising her as she sucks me deeper. I shift on the bench seat, trying to hide my body’s inappropriate reactions to this woman.
Dammit, Lucifer. Control your fucking self.
Kain stands and brushes the invisible lint from his pants. “Well, no time like the present to get started. Let’s go,” he says and walks away. We all stare at his back for a moment before glancing at each other with equally confused expressions at his cold indifference and distance.
