Darkest Sins (Perfectly Imperfect #9)

“Yeah.” I throw back my water and lean my forehead on the cupboard door. “I don’t think I’m going to make it to your birthday party tomorrow.”

“We may need to postpone it anyway. An epic clusterfuck befell Camorra, and I’m still not sure how it’ll affect us. Alvino is dead.”

My head snaps up. “What happened?”

“No one knows. He was found dead in some church outside the city limits yesterday morning. Along with about half of hiscrew. As I heard it, the scene looked like a bloodbath. Bodies all around, over thirty dead.”

“And . . . and it was only Alvino’s men?” I close my eyes, squeezing the phone hard enough to make my hand ache. “The dead bodies?”

“As far as I know, yes. Why do you ask?”

A sigh of relief escapes me. “No reason. It just seems strange.”

“Well, there’s speculation that it was an internal conflict. I don’t particularly care one way or another, I’m glad that bastard is off my back. I’ll know more after the meeting with Efisio this afternoon. He’s taking over.”

“That’s good.” I have no idea who Efisio is, and I don’t give a fuck. “I have to go, Dad. I have a headache.”

I throw the phone back on the counter and shuffle to my spot on the couch to continue my watch. My eyes are tired, and my lids seem to be closing on their own. I drag one of the study cushions off the floor and prop it on my lap and under my chin, slouching forward, so I have a direct view of the apartment door.

Where are you, demon?

* * *

A light stroke along the line of my cheekbone. Fingers moving hair off my face. A scent that reminds me of a mountain wind.

My eyes snap open.

“How’s your ankle, cub?”

I choke back a whimper. My demon is standing by the couch, looking down at me. His face is pale, and there are dark circles under his eyes.

“Does it still hurt?” He gestures with his chin toward my leg.

“You were gone for two days, and you ask about my leg?” I whisper with a shaky voice. “I spent hours staring at my door, waiting for you to appear. A piece of me died each time I heard retreating footsteps in the hall. They didn’t stop, didn’t draw near. It wasn’t you. Two days. It wasn’t you.”

“I had to take care of some things first, before coming here.”

I spring off the couch and brush away my tears with the back of my hand. When did I start crying? “I thought something happened to you! I thought you were dead! And you had to ‘take care’ of something?”

“Yes.”

“I was so damn scared! You don’t get to do that!” I poke my finger at his chest. “Never. You hear me?”

He bends and slides his arm around my waist, lifting me against him. “I’m sorry.”

“Jesus, demon.” I wrap my arms and legs around him and slam my mouth to his.

Life. His lips on mine feel like life itself. Every stroke of his tongue. Every nibble. I revel in every single thing he’s giving me. A whole year, and this is only the second kiss we’ve shared. The second kiss he’s allowed me. Not anymore. I bite his lower lip and squeeze my legs tighter around his waist, grinding my core on his pelvis. He’s hard, his cock pressing on my pussy.

“Cub.” He grazes my lips with his one more time, then lowers me down. “I think I should go.”

My feet touch the ground, and I want to cry again. Leaving. Again. It’s nothing new. But every time he departs, he takes a part of me with him. Not tonight. I grab the lapels of his suit jacket and meet his gaze.

“No. You’re not claiming another part of me tonight, demon. Tonight, we’re going to trade.”

I can feel his breaths on my cheek, deep but rapid. “A trade?”

“Yes. A part of me, for a part of you.”