Fashionably Dead and Loving It (Hot Damned #14) - Robyn Peterman Page 0,18

who didn’t like me.

“Couldn’t agree more,” Ethan said, pulling me close and holding me tight. “The world is a screwy place at the moment.”

“You’re telling me,” I said, looking up into his sparkling golden eyes. Now that he was cleaned up, I pressed him about the head knocking that had turned into a blood bath. “How bad was the West Coast?”

“Bad would be an understatement,” he said, closing his eyes for a brief moment. “We definitely have a situation.”

“Explain.”

Ethan checked his watch and winced. “We only have about ten minutes. I’ll fill you in on everything later tonight.”

“Hint,” I said. “My imagination is usually far worse than reality.”

Taking my hand and leading me into our massive suite, Ethan sat me down and squatted in front of me. “We have a Zombie problem.”

If I could have puked, I would have.

Grabbing the arms of the chair so tightly my knuckles turned white, I held on to my composure by a thread.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

I shook my head. “We’re going to be fashionably late to greet our guests,” I ground out. “I have to tell you about my dream.”

My demeanor couldn’t have been more serious.

Ethan’s gold eyes were laser focused on mine. “We’re the royals,” he said. “We can be as late as we want. Talk to me, Astrid.”

“I’m not sure this is a good idea,” I whispered, standing by the door of the suite where I’d put Levi.

Ethan had not laughed at my dream. He hadn’t made a comment about the fifteen-inch Prada heels, either. He was slightly disturbed about his new relationship with Satan, but he took everything in stride. My Vampyre’s mind was like a steel trap, and he asked many questions. But time was ticking, so, we put the rest of the conversation on hold.

“Probably a terrible plan,” Ethan agreed. “However, Satan doesn’t do anything without reason. If he sent Leviathan to you, he was motivated to do so. We will keep your brother close as we would any enemy until we determine if he is an ally.”

“Satan is insane,” I reminded Ethan.

“Fine point. Well made. The Devil’s lack of mental stability is not in question at the moment. His motivation for sending an absurdly powerful Demon to you is.”

“Crapballs,” I muttered as I raised my hand to knock on the carved teak door of the suite. “I can guarantee that Levi will not be cool with this.”

“He won’t,” my brother said, opening the door before my knuckles touched the wood. “Doesn’t matter. I’m here to follow orders until I’ve satisfied whatever unsavory plan Lucifer has in store for me.”

Ethan was taken aback as he stared at my brother. His eyes narrowed as he sized up the Demon from head to toe. Levi stood as still as a statue and unblinkingly returned the stare.

“Shocking,” Ethan said as his gaze bounced between Levi and me. “The resemblance is uncanny.”

Levi shrugged. “I’m better looking.”

“Not,” I said with an eye roll.

“I’m taller,” he pointed out.

“I’m funnier,” I shot back.

A small smirk pulled at the side of Levi’s mouth. “Funnier looking.”

“Oh my Hell,” I said, raising my middle finger. “You’re a gaping asshat.”

“Talk shit. Get hit,” Levi said dryly for the win.

I was going to remember that one. It was good. If he could steal my lines, I could steal his.

Ethan leaned on the doorjamb and watched with amusement. “While this is entertaining, we don’t have time,” he said, glancing at Levi in his jeans and t-shirt. “Do you have formalwear with you by any chance?”

“I’m sure he has a tux wedged up his butt since he’s a huge butthole,” I chimed in.

Levi laughed. It made my dead heart sing. I played it off and made a face at him. The sound of his happiness did something strange to my insides. With each second spent with the rude Demon, I realized happiness hadn’t been part of his equation. I wasn’t completely sure how I knew, but it was crystal clear. Maybe Satan sent my brother to me so I could heal him somehow.

That would be a bit magnanimous on the Devil’s part, but he was known to be very nice on occasion. Uncle Fucker would deny it, but I had the idiot’s number.

“I travel light,” Levi said in an annoyed tone. “However, as I explained to Astrid, I do as told.”

With a wave of his hand, the jeans and t-shirts disappeared. Leviathan the Demon was now clad from head to toe in Hugo Boss. He was still rude and unacceptable, but he