Page 117 of Bellamy

“Nix…”

“Or maybe you don’t trust me. Is that it? You think this is another manipulation? That I’ll betray you for Belphegor? Or Asa?”

Bellamy’s jaw tensed. “You’re putting words in my mouth.”

The pink-and-black-haired Nephilim glanced between us before taking a step back. “I’m gonna go do some shots with Cas and Kyo. Basically be anywhere than right here with you guys.”

Baxter quickly walked away.

“Tell me the truth, Bell. Why don’t you want me there tomorrow?”

“I told you why,” he said, voice low as his face inched closer to me.

“I don’t believe you.”

“Goddammit, Phoenix. Let’s not do this here. We have an audience.”

Sure enough, several people were watching us. Some averted their eyes once they were caught staring, and others clearly didn’t give a fuck. Sirena being one of them.

My annoyance soared even higher. Had I been the same demon from only a few months ago, I would’ve hurled fireballs at them and then laughed as they caught fire. Assholes.

But alas, I controlled those impulses.

“Fine. We’ll go elsewhere.” I grabbed Bellamy’s arm and thought of the room we shared upstairs. In an instant, we teleported from the yard and appeared beside the bed. “Now we have privacy. Happy?”

“Cut the attitude. And you shouldn’t be—”

“Blinking, I know. Deal with it.”

“I don’t want to fight with you, Nix.” The simmering anger lifted from him as he sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing the back of his neck. “But you’re not making it easy.”

I sat beside him as the anger left me too. “Have I ever madeanythingeasy on you?”

A short laugh escaped him. It sounded strained. “Not even a little bit.” He turned his hand palm up, and I accepted, threading our fingers together. “Don’t fight me on this. Please.”

His hand trembled in mine. Not much. But enough.

“You’re not worried about me distracting you during the battle,” I whispered as his behavior finally made sense. “You’re afraid of losing me.”

He held my hand tighter. Said nothing.

“I’m afraid of losing you too.” I gently pushed him to his back. He watched me through long lashes, his blue eyes unreadable. I straddled him and cupped his cheek. He hadn’t shaved that day, so his light stubble tickled my palm. “That’s why I want to be there, Bellamy. I want to fight by your side.”

To protect you, you beautiful idiot.

“I’ve been fighting in battles way longer than you’ve been alive.” Bellamy placed his hand over mine. “I’ll be fine.”

“So will I.”

He swallowed hard. “I don’t want to test that claim. I just want you to stay here tomorrow and be safe.”

“And wait like a pitiful puppy for you to get back? That’s not me, Bell. If I can’t go, you don’t go either.”

“I have no choice. If Lucifer is released from his cage, he’ll—”

“Set fire to the earth, I know,” I interjected with a sharp nod. “He’ll enslave humans, kill them, and be this massive pain in the ass. Awesome. Let him.”

“Let him?” Bellamy sat up, brow creasing. “You’re joking, right?”