Leaning down, he listened for her breath. It was there, slow and steady.
There was still much to be done. With a groan, he pushed himself off the bed. First, he collected her clothing and set it aside. Then he set to work cleaning her up and changing the sheets.
When she didn’t even stir, he went into the bathroom to get a quick shower. Not willing to leave her alone, he kept the door open so he would hear if she woke.
She loved him.
It was likely she didn’t mean it. It was something said in the heat of the moment when she’d expected to die. Still, he savored the words. No one had ever said them to him before, not in his long, immortal life.
That made Morrigan very rare and special. She understood who he was, what he was, and still she’d uttered those words.
She’ll take them back when she finds out about her sister. The voice of reason was trying to protect him, but he feared no shield, no weapon could protect him if she turned on him and withdrew her love.
He stepped out of the shower, dried off, and tossed the towel aside, eager to be by her side. Naked, he padded back into the room. She hadn’t moved.
He pulled back the covers and crawled into bed. Lying on his side, he wrapped his arm around her waist, needing to touch her.
Her chest was unmarked, her breasts rising and falling with each breath she took. By some miracle, she was still alive. When she woke, they had much to discuss.
Until then, he’d hold her and watch over her.
…
Gabriel walked into the upscale piano bar and paused just inside the door so everyone would see him. He did so love attention.
The person he’d come to meet was in one of the luxury booths bookended by two lovely ladies. No surprise there.
As he made his way across the room, he enjoyed the sweet sounds of the piano. Humans did have their strengths—art and music being their best and possibly only true talents.
By the time he’d reached the table, Lucifer had sent the women away. Gabriel slid onto the leather seat. The high back and circular shape of the booth gave them relative privacy.
“What were you thinking?” he finally asked.
Lucifer lifted the brandy snifter and swirled the amber liquid before taking a sip. “I was thinking I was tired of waiting. You may be content to sit back and watch, but I make things happen.”
“You tried to kill the woman,” he pointed out.
“Ah, yes.” He smiled. “I wondered if that might push Maccus over the edge into total darkness, but he’s a quick bastard. Still, I don’t expect she’ll live long. And when she dies…”
“And when she dies, you expect he’ll come after us for revenge.” Gabriel leaned against the back of the booth and studied his ally in this endeavor. They didn’t trust each other, but they did have a common goal—getting rid of Maccus once and for all. “And the sister? I thought you liked Kayley.”
Lucifer’s laugh had a sinister edge that made a chill race down his spine. “I still have her. She’d be dead if I hadn’t gone back for her. I wasn’t the one who hurt the girl. That was Maccus. If Morrigan lives, she might spare us the work and kill him herself.” He paused and took a sip of brandy. “Either way, I win.”
“It’s risky.”
“That’s the problem with you,” Lucifer pointed out. “You’re never willing to put your own neck out there.”
Gabriel inclined his head and stood. “We’ll see how this plays out.” He left the devil enjoying his brandy and women and didn’t allow himself to smile until he’d stepped outside.
No, he didn’t like to put his own neck on the line, and why would he when others were so willing to risk their own? If his brother was right, no matter how things unfolded, he’d get what he’d been waiting for since he’d tossed his former friend into the pits of