Page 23 of Demon’s Desire (Lovers of the Damned #3)

ONYX

Onyx waved to Jade as he entered the strip club. “I promise I’m not stalking you.”

She sashayed toward him. “If you say so.”

That morning, Jade had called Onyx. He’d been glad to hear from her and had set up a meeting for the two of them at the gallery next week. Ideally, he wouldn’t have shown up at the club before then. It was just his luck that she was working tonight.

“I’m meeting Nico and figured it was rude not to stop in before heading upstairs.”

To her credit, Jade didn’t seem bothered. “Star will be sad she missed you.”

“As am I.” Onyx handed Jade several crisp twenties. “Would you mind sharing this with the bartender and bringing me a bourbon?”

“Not at all.” She grinned and walked off with the money.

Onyx killed time showering the dancer on stage with the rest of his cash, too fidgety to enjoy it. Seeing Nico again so soon wasn’t good. He should have blown this off. Who cared if the vampire wanted to see him? He didn’t come when called.

But Onyx wanted to see Nico. That was the whole problem. He was a Nico addict. Onyx had spent the afternoon daydreaming, imagining showing up at the witch’s apartment and harassing him until he bent Onyx over and fucked him.

“Here’s your drink.” Jade appeared and handed him a glass. “I’ve got to get ready to go on stage, but it was good to see you.”

“Likewise. I can’t wait to check out your portfolio next week.”

Her cheeks flushed. “I’ll try not to hyperventilate in the meantime.”

“There’s no need. I swear, I’m not worth worrying over. Have a good night. I’ll probably be gone by the time you get on stage.”

She nodded and hurried off.

Onyx turned toward the door and came face to face with Nico.

“Good. Right on time. Here.” Onyx handed him the bourbon.

“Thanks.” Nico’s brow furrowed. “This is exactly what I needed.”

Onyx’s heart swelled. Fuck, he was hopeless. “Let’s get out of here. I don’t want to make Jade uncomfortable if I’m going to meet her at the gallery.”

“Jade?” Nico looked around. “What are you talking about?”

Oh, right. Onyx pulled Nico toward the door.

“She’s an artist. I like her paintings, especially the sapphic ones.

I gave her my card last time I was here and wasn’t planning to see her again until we met at the gallery, but then Rowan had to be a pain in the ass, and I’m concerned about giving off creeper vibes. ”

“You met an artist that you want in your gallery here?” Nico sounded surprised.

Onyx paused to stare, nose lifted. “Yeah, so?”

“So, nothing. That’s cool.” Nico knocked his drink back and handed the empty glass to a bouncer at the door.

They headed out of the club and up the stairs.

“Rough day?” Onyx asked.

Nico waved him off. “Na, nothing like that.”

Onyx didn’t believe him. Nico liked to call Onyx a liar, but he wasn’t the only one hiding things. Nico usually sipped his drinks slowly. Surely the bouncer wouldn’t have minded them taking something upstairs.

But if Nico didn’t want to tell him what was up, it wasn’t Onyx’s job to get it out of him. Under no circumstances was Nico allowed to catch on to how much Onyx cared.

They bypassed the casino and headed to Rowan’s office, where the door stood open. Nico walked right in, and Onyx followed.

Rowan rose from his desk. “Thank you for coming on such short notice. Shut that, will you, Nico?”

Nico closed the door.

Rowan approached, a grim expression lining his fine face. Onyx would have taken a jab at the dramatic atmosphere if the suspicion that this was actually serious hadn’t crept up on him.

“Are you happy to discuss everything with Nico present?” Rowan asked him.

“Since I don’t know why I’m here, how can I decide?” Serious or not, Onyx wouldn’t completely change his attitude. “You’re lucky I showed up. So, spit it out. I’m busy tonight.”

Rowan slid his hands into the pockets of his suit pants. “There’s a bounty out on the Hounds.”

Shit, not what Onyx expected. He let the use of the offensive term go. “Who’s dumb enough to put a price on our heads?”

“I’m not sure, beyond the fact that it was demons, not witches or vampires. My coven got wind of it through our intelligence network.”

Onyx fumed, for some reason cutting a sideways glance at Nico. Not for reassurance. Though his steady presence kept Onyx’s fire in check.

He forced his attention back to Rowan. “What’s the bounty for? Our deaths? Demons would have a better chance of offing us than hiring someone less powerful.”

“They want information. Anyone whose tip leads to your capture will be paid.”

“When did you find out?” Nico asked.

“Late this afternoon. I messaged you right away.” Rowan turned to Onyx. “I’d have called directly, but I don’t have your number.”

Under no circumstances did Onyx want to take the vampire’s calls, but it seemed rude to make Nico play secretary. It would, however, give Onyx an excuse to keep in touch with Nico. Whatever. Now wasn’t the time to talk phone logistics.

He studied Rowan. “Are you sure no one in your coven will sell me out?”

“Yes.” Rowan’s eyes glowed faintly. Vampires had no internal fire, but their magic was embedded in their gaze, and they sometimes got a glow to them. Rowan was likely trying to convey his sincerity.

“You better hope you’re right.” Onyx stepped closer. “If any of your people aren’t loyal, I’m going to make it your problem.”

“I’d expect nothing less.” Rowan didn’t seem the least bit worried. His unflappability was infuriating.

Onyx ran a hand through his hair. “I’ve got to see my brothers. Get my number from Nico and call me with any urgent news about this, but do not contact me for any other reason.”

Rowan smiled. “I wouldn’t dream of disturbing you with anything that didn’t revolve around you.”

“All right, smart guy.” Onyx thinned his lips. “I appreciate the warning.” He turned to Nico. “Come to the roof with me.”

“Sure.” To Rowan, Nico said, “I’ll send you Onyx’s contact.”

Onyx headed for the door, saying over his shoulder. “Keep Nico in the loop too. No need to be all mysterious.”

“Noted.” Rowan sounded surprised, but Onyx didn’t stop to analyze why that might be.

He opened the door, and Nico followed him out. “I can’t believe I have to see Dante and Ash. For that alone, these bounty-placing demons need to pay.”

“I’m sorry.”

Onyx paused. “Don’t be. It’s fine. I’m being a whiny little brat.”

Nico grabbed him before he could turn away. “No, you’re not. Ash said some serious shit last night.”

Nico’s fingers seemed to burn Onyx’s wrist. He longed to lean into the touch, his chest warming as his ever-present rage softened. Was he really so easily comforted?

“I shouldn’t let it get to me.” He pulled from Nico’s hold and headed up the stairs.

Nico followed him silently to the roof. Once they were outside, they faced each other. Onyx’s stomach flipped.

Nico shifted closer. “Want me to come with you?”

Yes. Onyx wanted that so much. “No, it’ll be better if you stay.”

“Are you sure?”

No, Onyx wanted his Nico support blanket. “Yeah, it’s fine. I’m not so fragile that I’ll go to pieces seeing big, scary Ash. Yesterday was a fluke. I don’t know what my problem was, so why don’t we forget it?”

Nico frowned. “Don’t dismiss yourself like that.”

“Don’t tell me what to do,” Onyx snapped, then sighed. “I want to get this over with.”

“All right. It’s your call.” Nico turned to go.

“Wait. You’re going to miss another chance to see my wings?” Onyx called before he could stop himself.

Nico turned, a wide smile on his face. “Not if you’re offering to show me again.”

Wrong move. Onyx should have played it cool. He’d succeeded in getting rid of Nico, only to pull him back in.

Why was he so obsessed?

He’d think about that later. “I wouldn’t want to deprive you of my beauty. I’m not that cruel.”

Nico chuckled, and Onyx’s heart swelled. He made himself invisible to everyone but Nico, whipped off his shirt, and freed his wings.

Nico whistled. “Don’t think I’ll ever get tired of seeing that.”

Onyx preened. Fuck, he was so easy, but right now he didn’t care.

“Do a spin for me, little butterfly.”

Onyx’s heart leapt, and his face flushed. There was so much affection in Nico’s gaze, it was ridiculous. Onyx swallowed past the sudden ache in his throat and put his hands on his hips. “Butterfly? These aren’t butterfly wings? What the hell are you talking about?”

Nico smiled wider. “I don’t know, you’re like a pretty little butterfly. I don’t care that you have feathers, you’ve got butterfly energy.”

Onyx laughed, clapping a hand over his mouth. “You’re a menace.”

Nico’s eyes roved over him. “And you’re so fucking gorgeous it’s devastating.”

It was a good thing Onyx couldn’t die because he swore his heart stopped.

“What the hell am I going to do with you?” Onyx rose off the roof, flapping his wings enough to hover, and did a little spin. He was showing off, so sue him.

Nico was more than an emotional support blanket. He was a drug that got Onyx so high he didn’t ever want to come down.

Nico took a step closer. “I’ve got a few ideas about what you can do with me. But you’ll have to fly back over here later to find out.”

“Hmphf.” Onyx snorted. “I don’t think butterflies come when called.”

“Then I’ll wait.” Nico reached out and brushed a finger along the back of Onyx’s hand. “Let me know how it goes with your brothers.”

Onyx’s fluttering heart crashed back to Earth. “Okay. I should go.”

He shot higher into the sky and headed across the city even though all he wanted to do was stay on the rooftop with Nico. Possibly forever.