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“Thirsty?”

“Non, merci.” She ran her finger along the faded felt on the pool table. “So this is where you plan to spend your retirement.”

His expression became guarded, his tongue sharp. “Sorry it’s not up to your usual standards, My Queen.”

Liam was defensive, eager for a fight. Vivian was too tired to give him one. “It could use a bit of sprucing, but I can see its appeal.”

“Can you now?” He arched a brow. Did he really think her so shallow? Silly question. Of course he did.

“Come on.” He walked around the bar. “You can crash on my sofa while I take care of a few things.”

Liam’s inner sanctum?This should be interesting.She followed him down a short hallway to his office. He flicked on the light, and she slapped her hand to her mouth, stifling a scream. Lying on the leather sofa was a man in a wife-beater tank and a pair of flannel pajama pants. Unaware he was no longer alone, the man snored, sleeping with his arm flung over his eyes.

“Yo, Gavin. Rise and shine.” Liam kicked the armrest, and the man startled awake.

“Boss? What are you doing here?” He rubbed his eyes, then swung his shaggy head in Vivian’s direction. With bloodshot eyes, he took her in, sweeping her from head to toe.

“Hellooo,” he purred. “Who do we have here?”

Liam delivered another kick, and Gavin flinched. “Sorry, boss.”

“Gavin, Vivian. Vivian, Gavin,” Liam did the introductions with his usual lack of panache. “Gavin runs things when I’m not around.”

She mustered a tired, “Bonjour.”

Gavin’s eyes rounded, and he sat up. “You. You’re the one with the voice from the phone. The one Liam took a two-week job for even though he’s retired. The reason he wore his best shirt, even though he swore he wasn’t going on a date.”

Vivian arched a brow at Liam, and he shrugged.

Gavin popped to his feet and smoothed his hair. “Here, love, have a seat. You look ready to fall over.”

She really was. While exhilarating, riding behind Liam had strained muscles she didn’t know she possessed. She settled into the spot he’d vacated, wrapping Liam’s leather coat around her mostly bare limbs. Gavin’s body heat lingered as though he burned with fever. The faint scent of brimstone teased her senses.

Liam surveyed his office, a scowl darkening at what he found. Vivian did the same. Pizza boxes and empty beer bottles littered the desk. Clothes hung from his chair. Several fire extinguishers rested against the wall.

Liam sliced his manager a hard glare. “I need to start charging you rent?”

Gavin winced, running a hand through his sleep-tousled hair. “Couple nights ago, I had a dream I was battling a dragon. Woke up with my bed on fire.”

Finally, all the pieces fell into place. “You’re a fire demon,” Vivian stated. She’d met several during her burlesque days and made a point to steer clear of their scorching hands. Rarely did they run in more sophisticated circles. It had been years since she’d been in the company of one.

Gavin twisted his mouth, uttering, “Guilty.” Again, his heated gaze traveled the length of her legs, and he exhaled a puff of smoke through his nostrils. Liam’s menacing growl snapped him out of his daze. The demon scrambled to collect his dirty laundry from the back of the chair, slinging a pair of boxers with metallic blue flames over his shoulder. “Sorry to stick my nose in, but is there a reason the two of you are here at the crack of dawn, half-dressed and reeking of smoke?”

“Ran into some trouble at Vivian’s place.” Liam thrust his finger at his manager. “Anyone asks, we were never here, and you haven’t heard from me in days.”

“Got it.” Gavin wiped his hand on his pants, eyes flicking between them. “I’ll, uh, just give you some privacy then. Can I get either of you something to drink?”

“Could I trouble you for a cup of coffee?” Vivian asked. She preferred espresso but doubted Howlers was equipped for such things.

“Sure thing,” he said, snapping to attention. “You take it with cream? Sugar? Maybe with a dash of something spicy?” He winked at her. Liam’s snarl had him hustling out of the room, not waiting for her answer.

Once he was gone, she looked at Liam, saying brightly, “Sooo…your manager. He’s interesting.”

Liam strode behind his desk, eyeing one of several fire extinguishers, muttering, “That bastard costs me another sofa, there will be hell to pay.” He took a knee in front of a safe on the floor and spun the dial.

Roaring motorcycles were not conducive to conversation, so they’d had little time to talk. With Gavin occupied, she figured now was as good a time as any to share the painful decision she’d come to while sitting on the back of Liam’s bike.

“They know I have the soul sword. That’s why they set the fire, knowing I wouldn’t leave without it.”