Dante glanced at the plate in his hand and shrugged his shoulders. “You went through hell. I figured this would help you rest better.”
Chloe stood to the side, holding the door open and gestured to the room. “You mean you will sleep better if you fuck me before heading to your room. How long has it been?”
Dante’s entire body jerked, and he almost dropped the plate in his hand. He managed to catch it before the food ended up on the floor. “Is it that obvious? Before you answer that I didn’t come here to get you into bed. I thought I was hiding how fucking hot I find you.”
Chloe chuckled at that, but the sound wasn’t vibrant. “You can’t help it. You’re ruled by your nature, and I’m irresistible.”
Dante smiled and set the food on the bedside table then crossed to the other side of the room. “As much as I like seeing you in my clothes, I figured you’d want some of your own. If you give me your address, keys and a list then I’ll grab it for you while you sleep.” If he stayed too close, he would make a move on Chloe and that was the last thing she needed right now. Her skin was losing its color and the bruises stood out starkly.
Chloe bit the egg roll she’d brought to her mouth and watched him while she chewed. “Why are you doing all this for me? You guys should hate me because of what I am.”
“I don’t know your story but it’s clear to us you’re different. Zander would have killed you on the spot if you were remotely like Crocell or her sister. It’s our job to help. Of course, you can always walk around here naked.” Dante waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Chloe shook her head sank to the bed as she continued eating the egg roll. “No thank you. I don’t want to tease the resident sex demons. Given your dark circles and the pheromones leaking from your pores, I don’t think you could handle it very long. I don’t have my keys. No idea where I lost them. Give me your phone.”
Dante pulled it from his pocket, unlocked it and approached the bed. Keeping his distance, he handed it over to her. She tapped on the screen. “Here’s my address and what I’d like you to grab. If I didn’t hurt everywhere, I would go myself. I don’t like owing anyone.”
Dante understood. Nothing was free and few helped without expecting something in return. “You owe the Dark Warriors nothing, but we would appreciate your help in hunting down the archdemon that tortured you.”
Chloe’s shoulders fell from being bunched beneath her ears. “I knew you were too good to be true. I’ll help as soon as my body expunges the dark wounds and I can walk without feeling like razors are shredding my chest wall.”
Dante nodded and clenched his jaw to keep from growling or cursing. Demons were the worst beings alive. They maimed and killed without consideration for what their victims suffered. Seeing Chloe injured and knowing she was harmed by a weapon that immortals struggled to heal, made his blood boil and his inner demon rattle the cage he had locked it in.
“Get some rest. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Dante turned and left the room without looking back.
Dante stood in the alley, wondering if he had enough energy to jump to the lower level of the fire escape. He should have sought a female but the need to do something for Chloe compelled him. No doubt it was just another excuse he’d conjured for his continued delay tactics.
There was no way a Fallen Angel twisted him in knots and made him think of things he’d never even entertained before.
Crouching down, Dante pushed off the ground and sprang into the air. “Fuck!” He was about two feet shy of landing on the ladder. Reaching out, he tried to grab the metal. It slipped through his fingers. Before he fell to the smelly alley floor, he wrapped three digits around a step and caught himself.
Agony shot through his shoulder. Fatigue on a cellular level made it difficult for him to haul his ass onto the steps. Voices from behind him, sent his heart pounding. He’d been loud as hell and humans no doubt caught him.
Bracing himself with his hands on the side rails, Dante turned his head and smiled at the older female with a scarf over her hair.