Page 96 of Demon's Desire

Onyx accepted the call. “What, Dante?”

“What?You said we were at risk of permanent death and then disappeared off the face of the Earth.”

Onyx brought the phone back to bed, frustration lighting his internal fire. “Nico almost died, so your freak-out wasn’t a priority.”

“Wait, what?” Dante’s panicked tone was gratifying, even as it turned to a snarl. “Was it Luc?”

A growl sounded in the background, likely Ash.

Despite himself, the support mollified Onyx. “No, it wasn’t Luc. Calm down. It was some witch-vampire nonsense to do with Nico helping Rowan kick dodgy covens out of the city.”

Onyx had listened in on Nico’s conversation with Rowan, and even though he’d learned the context around the Orlovs and Michael’s clash with the Valeros, he didn’t see why either of them would purposely stir up trouble now that they’d returned. Wouldn’t it be better to sneak into Shearwater Landing and strengthen their foothold before anyone caught wind?

He pulled his focus back to Dante. “Vampires poisoned Nico to send a message to the Valeros. I’m waiting for Rowan to get over himself and admit he’s got no control over the situation, so I can kill the problem.”

Nico appeared beside Onyx, apparently done with his call, and slung an arm around Onyx’s shoulders.

Dante huffed as if he were displeased. “Ash and I are in. Let us know when you go after these vampires, and if Nico needs extra protection, we’re here.”

Dante didn’t even realize Nico was Onyx’s mate and he’d offered to help. It was who Dante was. Nothing personal. And Ash would probably take the attack as a potential threat toHarper, considering he worked at the apothecary and could have been caught in the crossfire.

But—in a complete one hundred and eighty degree flip from that morning—Onyx hated his brothers’ ignorance of how much Nico meant to him. He’d hidden how much he’d cared, terrified Nico would walk away, afraid his feelings could be used against him, and he regretted it.

After denying to his brothers what Nico meant to him, and then almost losing him, Onyx would never do that again.

Stomach twisting almost like he was nervous, Onyx cleared his throat. “Thanks for the offer to protect him, but Nico is my mate. We’re fully bonded now. He can’t get poisoned again.”

“Onyx, oh my gosh.” Dante sounded so tender, it hurt. “I’m overjoyed for you. We hoped Nico was yours. This is beyond my wildest dreams.”

“I was part of your wildest dreams?”

“Of course.” Dante seemed confused, like that should have been obvious. “I wish Nico hadn’t been hurt. Did you have to mate to save him, like I did with Ollie?”

“Nearly. I was able to suck the toxin out in time.”

“Good. At least you got to choose to cement your bond.” Dante sounded immensely relieved. “Where are you?”

Onyx squirmed. He’d usually have found something to snap at by now. “We’re at my house.”

“Not the shop? We need to protect your place so Luc can’t get in. Please, Onyx.”

He rubbed his brow, and Nico massaged his back, responding to the tension Onyx sent down their bond. “No. Fuck, Luc isn’t our biggest threat right now. We’ve got to hunt down the demons who set the bounty and end this.”

“All right. Come to my house, and bring Nico. Ash is tracking every demon in the city. We’ll take them by surprise, one by one, until we uncover our enemies.”

Onyx cut a look at Nico. He was near enough to hear what Dante was saying.

“It’s not a bad idea. Rowan can help with backup if we tell him where we’re headed.”

Onyx didn’t want to. He’d rather stay cooped up in the loft exploring their solidified bond. “Ugh. Fine, we’re in. See you soon.”

Dante said goodbye, and they hung up.

“Do we have time for a quickie before we go? We’re already naked.” Onyx didn’t wait for an answer and climbed onto Nico’s lap. He wrapped his tail around his mate’s waist and rolled his hips.

Nico gasped. “We shouldn’t.”

“So? I’m not a fan of denying myself.”