Page 118 of Demon's Heart

“Sure.” Nico seemed almost relieved. “But let’s not put off dealing with the increased demon population long.”

“Well, I’ll be going.” Pamala pointed over her shoulder. “Sorry, Ollie. I hope there are no hard feelings. I was never going to hurt you.”

“That doesn’t make it okay.” Ollie’s cheeks flamed. Wasn’t forcing him to do things against his will a form of hurting him? Or was this not a big deal to demons? Was kidnapping and hostage exchange how they operated? If that was the case, Nico was right. They couldn’t put off telling everyone demons were back.

“No, it doesn’t make it okay,” Pamala said to Ollie’s surprise. “I’m sorry. I wish I’d waited to act. Lillian and Maxwell would have come back if I’d done nothing, but I didn’t know that, and I was so mad. I was afraid I’d disappear too if I didn’t get the upper hand.” She glanced at Ash and his arm around Harper. “Anyway, congratulations. I never dreamed I’d see another mated pair. You have no idea how much this changes things. Actually, you probably do. All the best for mated life.” She gave a regal nod and was gone in a flash of inhuman speed.

“Who the fuck was she?” Onyx asked, and Ollie snorted with laughter.

“Ash and Harper can explain.” Dante squeezed Ollie around the waist, warmth filling Ollie to the brim from the inside out. “Let’s go home.”

Ollie nestled into him. “Best idea I’ve heard all night.”

“Me too,” Harper agreed, and Nico seemed to take that as his cue to head back toward the casino.

Ollie grabbed Nico’s arm, and he paused. “Thank you. I’m sorry this was such a mess.”

Nico smiled. “Not a problem at all. Like I said, call on me any time. Especially now.”

“We will,” Ash promised.

Nico’s posture slumped somewhat. “I think I’ll call it a night. Leo has some witch-brewed bourbon with my name on it. Unless you need anything?” He turned to Onyx, who still seemed unsteady on his feet.

Onyx looked at Nico like he was the most baffling thing he’d ever seen. “Me? Why would I need anything from you?”

Nico shrugged and disappeared through the club’s service door.

Ollie sagged into Dante. “Take me home?”

“I’d love to.”

32

DANTE

Relief sweptover Dante as he flew Ollie home. He shouldn’t have assumed Lillian and Maxwell were the only ones he had to worry about.

At least it hadn’t turned out any worse. Everyone wanted to be free, and getting desperate or acting rashly was something every demon could understand.

Ollie seemed to recover from the attempted kidnapping quickly, peppering Dante with questions about the Realm of the Damned as they flew and explaining the details of his night.

Dante landed on the deck outside his home as Ollie finished his tale.

He hadn’t asked Ollie if he wanted to go back to his place instead of returning to the apartment. There’d been no need. He’d felt their aligned desire to be close and undistracted by anyone else through the bond.

Sadness hit Dante in the gut as he thought of Onyx alone tonight. Ash would be with Harper, and while he had no doubt they’d offer to stay with Onyx, Onyx would likely push them away. If only Harper had found Onyx’s mate like he’d found Dante’s.

Ollie ran his hands through Dante’s hair. “I’m so glad you’re okay. You came just in time. It was nothing like what happened at the beach, but I was scared.”

“I know, darling, and I’m sorry someone tried to use you to get to me.” Dante held Ollie closer, having no intention of putting him down. “Let me take care of you. Show you everything is going to be all right.”

“Okay, but I’m taking care of you right back.”

Dante smiled and kissed him. “I’ll allow it. At least I’ll get one thing right tonight.”

Ollie pulled back. “Hey, you’re getting lots of things right. Lucifer getting away doesn’t mean everything is ruined. The demons are free. It might be chaos, but it’s how things are supposed to be.”

“I can’t argue with that.”