Page 112 of Demon's Desire

Oh, that wouldn’t be a problem. Onyx couldn’t wait to show Nico off in the right setting and have a little group fun. Not with these fools, but perhaps at the right club.

The bond told him Nico’s feelings were similar.

“We’ve hardly seen you all week,” Dante complained, coming closer rather than leaving.

The audacity!

“Can’t you take a hint?” Onyx hissed.

Nico pinched him.

“What?”

Nico cocked a brow. “We talked about this.”

Onyx sighed dramatically, dropping his head back. They had, and Onyx appreciated everyone coming to see him, even if the timing could have been better.

Ash waltzed over to the sitting area and made himself at home on a couch to unpack the food.

Harper perched next to him, turning to Onyx. “We can go if we’re intruding.”

Damn, the little witch was too sweet.

“You’re never intruding. I like you.”

Harper beamed, and Onyx went all fuzzy inside. Nico too. Seemed everyone had a soft spot for Harper.

Ollie joined Harper, squeezing onto the couch, and Dante gazed out the window. “Lovely view.”

“Pssh. Whatever.” It was nothing compared to Dante’s view from the clifftop.

Dante turned around, sounding offended. “I’m serious.”

Damn it, he was being kind. Of course, he was. This was Dante. Onyx swallowed his next remark, muttering, “Thanks,” instead.

Dante perched on an ottoman and accepted a cupcake from Ash.

Looking around at them all in his sacred space was surprisingly soothing.

Nico had suggested to Onyx that, if he was willing to give Lucifer a chance, maybe his relationships with Ash and Dante could improve too. Onyx had agreed. They deserved the chance more than Luc.

Onyx prayed he wasn’t opening himself up to more hurt, but in this moment, he could believe Ash and Dante were here because they wanted to be. Not because Onyx had forced himself on them, and no one appeared at risk of asking him a favor.

Ash cleared his throat. “I’m sorry for accusing you ofbetraying us.” He focused on a sandwich rather than Onyx, but sounded genuine as he picked at the crust. “You’ve never done anything to hurt me or Dante. You’d never choose your brother over us, and you always wanted the four of us to get along. I shouldn’t have forgotten that.”

“Yeah, well, it was naïve wanting the four of us to stick together all those years ago, and no better hoping anything will come of Luc’s apology now. I’m surprised you’re not telling me off for giving him a chance.”

Ash scowled. “I’m trying to say I’m sorry, not tell you off. I was out of line before. You can give Luc a chance to change if you want. I’m not telling you what to do. You’re allowed to do your own thing, and I can do mine without thinking what you’re doing is wrong or taking it personally.”

Well, damn. “Yeah, okay, I get that. I don’t think you’re wrong for wanting him out of your life.” Onyx’s attention strayed to Harper and Ollie.

Onyx wasn’t sure if he’d ever move past Luc hurting the little mates. Any reconciliation with Luc could take centuries, and Luc would have to prove himself in ways Onyx feared might not be possible. Though it could all be a moot point if Onyx never heard from the bastard again.

“How do you feel about me not telling Luc to get the hell out of my life?” he asked the mates.

Ollie and Harper shared a look. “It’s not about us,” Harper said.

Onyx shifted. “It kind of is. What he did to each of you was despicable, and I’m not forgiving him for it. That’s not my place. I don’t want my desire to hear him out to come between us. You’re more important to me. Being unable to let Luc go despite hating him isn’t the same as wanting you two in my life.”