Page 4 of Demon's Desire

Nico crossed his arms, his brow raising. “You’re dismissing me?” They didn’t know each other well enough for that to be anything other than blatantly rude.

“Obviously.” Onyx’s hard edges snapped back into place. His fair cheeks flushed slightly, and his eyes darkened, not quite burning with blue fire, but cold enough to sting.

He was a head shorter than Nico, and if he hadn’t been immortal—and in possession of the strength that came with that—Nico would have called him delicate.

Onyx’s appearance was deceptive. His stature didn’t make him any less intimidating than Ash or Dante. If anything, Onyx was the one Nico feared most. He had the air of a man out to prove himself, and the way he’d lashed out when Nico had first met him on the rooftop of Rowan’s club told him that Onyx was unpredictable and had a serious temper.

All up, it was a dangerous combo.

But it wouldn’t be good to show any hint of fear. Someone like Onyx would pounce on it.

“Why don’t I go to lunch with you guys, and we can meet Rowan after?”

Onyx bristled. “Meet Rowan today? Did no one hear that I was busy, or are you purposely ignoring me?”

Nico didn’t acknowledge the challenge in his tone, remaining calm. “I’m not ignoring or dismissing you. I’m sure you have a lot to do for your opening. I can’t even imagine running a gallery. But we need to get on this. If we didn’t have to give Rowan a heads up that we’re coming by, I’d say we skip lunch and talk to him immediately.”

Even as a friend, Nico didn’t like dropping in on Rowan unannounced. Between running the Valero Coven and his various enterprises, Rowan had a lot on his plate. It made Nico glad he wasn’t associated with a coven. The freedom to duck in and out of Rowan’s business suited Nico and allowed him to look after his own priorities.

Besides, to join Rowan officially, Nico would have to become a vampire, and that was never a life he’d wanted.

Onyx swept back his blue hair, and Nico wondered what his natural color was. Dark like his eyebrows, or were they dyed too? “Fine. Lunch, then the vampire strip club, then everyone leaves me the fuck alone.”

Nico grinned. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

Onyx’s mouth opened and shut, his cheeks darkening. He pushed past, looping an arm through one of Ollie’s and one of Harper’s, and guided the two young men toward the door.

Nico followed. Seemed he’d struck a nerve.

Did Onyx actually mind helping, or was there some other reason he fought so hard against every suggestion? Nico shook off the question and pulled out his phone, shooting off a text to Rowan.

After locking up, Onyx led them to a small bistro around the corner, where they were seated in the courtyard.

Nico lifted an edge of the crisp white tablecloth. “Fancy lunch.”

“Hardly.” Onyx unfurled his napkin with a flourish and set it on his lap. “My treat, little mates.” He nudged the menus closer to Harper and Ollie, then frowned at Nico, his brow scrunching.

Nico swallowed a laugh. “You don’t have to buy me lunch. I’m a big boy.”

“Good because I wasn’t going to.” Onyx picked up his menu. “Not that I’m babying you,” he said to the others.

“We know.” Ollie looked like he was fighting a smile. “It’s no secret that neither of us can afford to eat at half the places you like.”

Nico glanced at the menu. Fuck. One meal wouldn’t break the bank, but he wasn’t coming back here in a hurry.

Onyx pointed out various dishes to Harper and Ollie, explaining what was good about each one. He seemed to know the boys’ tastes well.

“Do you three go out together often?” Nico asked.

Harper put his menu down. “Not yet. Ollie hasn’t been mated long, and with everything going on, some of our plans got delayed, but Onyx is going to take us on a food tour of the city.”

“How nice of you.”

Onyx squirmed in his seat. “Whatever. It’s not an open invitation.”

“Didn’t think it was. Besides, Ash might not like me tagging along. He probably thinks I spend enough time with Harper at work.”

Onyx’s head tilted. “Ash doesn’t like you?”