Good thing he wasn’t a nice guy.
“I doubt you’ll want her back. You do know we’re married, and when I say married, I mean very married.” He purred the last with as much innuendo as possible.
“Coerced into marriage. I’m pretty sure she can be forgiven this one time given the situation.” Michael offered a conspiratorial smile. “Rest assured, we have ways of ensuring she forgets her sins and returns to a life of chastity and goodness.”
At the claim, Julio wrinkled his nose. Helen deserved better than that. And he’d meant it when he said he wouldn’t let her go. “Pretty sure my marriage vows stated ’til death do us part.”
“Is that meant to be a temptation? Because my sword, unlike the human version, will kill a reaper.” The angel drew a gleaming length of metal but of a kind not seen on Earth or in Hell.
Could it harm him? Julio would prefer to not find out.
“Why are you so determined to have her back? I know she’s broken too many rules for you to ignore.”
“As I said, extenuating circumstances have led to us being lenient. Do not judge us on the actions of one. Helen belongs to us, and you will return her,” Michael stated lightly, but Julio recognized the threat.
“No, not to mention she’s pissed you lied. She doesn’t want to go back.”
“We’ll deal with it.” Michael twirled his sword.
“Yeah, still not handing her over.”
“I didn’t figure you would,” Michael said, lifting his gaze from his twirling blade to smirk at Julio. “Which is why I made other plans.”
The cold in Julio’s veins manifested his sudden fear. “You can’t touch her. You and I both know angels wouldn’t dare set foot in Hell.”
“No, they wouldn’t. But the thing about demons and the damned is they have few scruples. Just about anyone can be bought for the right price.”
The fear turned to ice. “You wouldn’t dare attack her while she’s in Lucifer’s care.”
“I wouldn’t, but the demons I bribed did.” Michael pointed to his watch. “As we speak, they’re acquiring Helen.”
“No.” Julio swirled his cloak to open a portal, only to have Michael shoot out a hand and grab at the esoteric fabric.
The angel somehow locked him in place and, in that same low, even tone, said, “It’s already too late. And let me add that you will not come after her. If you are seen anywhere near the pearly gates, you will die.”
“Halo fucker. You can forget using Grim Dating as your personal bootie call center.” Julio’s mature reply as the angel left. He hoped Michael saw the finger he flashed.
It wasn’t until the angel left the building that he could finally call a portal. He stepped through the rip and found the penthouse a mess. Yet that wasn’t the most astonishing thing.
The big surprise was the pink dragon sitting inside.
19
Before the dragon arrived…
The moment Julio left, Helen missed him. She’d gotten used to having him around. Quite enjoyed it and almost asked to join him at the office.
She also wondered if she should have time alone. A moment with only herself and her thoughts to see if it was his presence making her reject a lifetime of teaching.
Being with Julio was nothing like she’d ever experienced. She didn’t want it to end. Cringed at the thought of returning to her sterile and lonely life in Heaven.
Not that it seemed likely any more at this point. She’d discovered a whole wide world existed with rules she could abide by. She could laugh. Smile.
Love…
Could it be possible? Did an angel love a denizen of Hell?
Not long after Julio left, the elevator rattled back up to their floor. The doors opened just as her thumbs pierced the skin of the fruit she needed to peel. She glanced over and expected to see Julio. Perhaps even Baezel, who sometimes brought packages delivered to reception from the stores where Julio had insisted she buy trinkets. Such as an apron, which she currently wore.
Even Lucifer or Bambi appearing wouldn’t have surprised her. Both had randomly visited since her arrival, although neither stayed long. She had to admit the Dark Lord didn’t look so dark when he had a small child on his shoulders who grinned and waved before grabbing hold of Lucifer’s hair. Obviously painful and yet the devil bore it with stoic grace.
None of those familiar faces spilled from the elevator. Instead, she was visited by three massive demons, their olive-green skin dry and mottled. Their tusks yellowed. Eyes baleful and glowing.
They growled and grunted in her direction. Not a good sign.
She tugged her thumb stuck in the fruit someone called a Hellange. It refused to let it go, so she gave it a violent shake and sent it flying. A demon lifted his hand and grabbed it with a chuckle that turned into a scream as he began to smoke.
Helen glanced at the other piece of fruit and the ingredients that she’d blessed out of habit. Holy food.
To fight demons.
She fisted another ingredient and threw. Missed. The demons caught on to her plan and rushed for her. In desperation she ran for the window and yelled, “In the name of my Father—who has some explaining to do—his son Charlie, and the Holy Spirit that moved me last night, I need someone to rescue me. Amen.”
As a hand reached and grabbed at her hair, drawing a sharp scream, she saw something outside. Rescue came in the form of a crash as a massive pink dragon slammed into a window and ended up inside her living room.
The demon at her back, distracted, released her.
The pastel-colored beast shook its head, scattering shards, and Helen covered her head as they flew with sharp bite.
She heard a yell and a juicy crunch that strongly suggested she keep her eyes closed. A grunt, followed by more wet chewing.
Then the ding of the elevator.
She didn’t peek until she heard Julio exclaim, “Curls, where are you?”
Opening her eyes, she discovered herself behind the massive dragon where he couldn’t see her. She walked around and waved. “I’m here. I’m okay.” So long as the dragon contented itself with eating the now very dead demons. She didn’t know why those demons had attacked and could only fall back on her lessons that claimed evil thrived on violence.
She did her best to ignore the blood. Julio didn’t care and strode through the mess to sweep her into a hug that squeezed and lifted her off the floor.
She squealed.
He buried his face against her. “I’m glad you’re still here.”
“Me, too.”
The dragon gagged. A startled glance in its direction showed it waddling away. As it leaped out through an unbroken window, Julio nuzzled her cheek.
“You okay, Curls?”
“I am now.” She kissed him, but he soon controlled it, his mouth insistent on hers, his hands pulling her into him. Imprinting the strength of him on her.
She embraced him just as fervently. Mouth hot and demanding. She couldn’t get enough. The clothes were about to come off when the devil arrived.
20
There was something strangely satisfying about interrupting people on the verge of fucking. Lucifer basked in their exasperation, inhaled their throbbing need. Their frustration tickled.