Page 77 of Demon's Heart

Ollie’s stomach churned. “So I blew Da—their big secret? Why did no one tell me?”

“Hey.” Nico spread his arms in a calming gesture. “It’s fine. Harper, you know any secret is safe with me.”

“But this wasn’t mine to reveal.” Harper’s voice dropped to a whine. “I have to call Ash.”

“Your boyfriend?” Nico’s brows flew upward. “He’s a demon?”

Harper cringed. “Yeah.”

Some of the color drained from Nico’s face. “Oh great. I told a demon I’d be watching him. No big deal.”

“What? Why?” Harper asked.

“In case he wasn’t good to you.”

Harper’s face flushed. “You really don’t have to worry about that.”

“Maybe not.” Nico turned a piercing gaze on Ollie. “But there’s more than one demon? You said you were bound. What does that mean?”

“Uh…” Ollie was guessing Nico didn’t know about mates. Was that another secret? He was keeping his mouth shut from now on.

Nico clasped Harper’s shoulder. “Harper, if Ollie needs help, you can count on me. Even against demons. I have powerful friends. We can figure something out.”

“No, no.” Harper shook Nico off. “I’ve fucked this all up. Ollie is fine. I’m fine. The demons aren’t a problem.”

“Then tell me Ollie didn’t casually mention Lucifer as if he’d actually run up against him.”

Harper fisted his hands in his hair. “I need to make a call.” He pulled out his phone and dialed. “I’m so sorry, Ollie. I figured Dante would have told you.”

Ollie stood in heavy silence with Nico as Harper scurried to the other side of the shop and whispered into the phone. Why were demons such a secret?

“Do you want to tell me what happened?” Nico asked in a low voice.

Ollie shook his head. “Seems I’ve said too much already.”

Nico studied him. “Fine, but I meant what I said. Regardless of what happens when Harper gets off the phone.”

“Uh, thanks.” Ollie was taken aback by Nico’s willingness to help. “I’ll keep it in mind.” Not that he needed to.

Even with all his doubts about the bond, Ollie was safe with Dante. Harper was right. Dante and Ash weren’t the problem.

Hopefully he hadn’t caused a major headache for the demons.

Harper hung up and rejoined them by the counter. “They’re coming.”

Nico’s face hardened. “Great. We better close up.”

Dante and Asharrived at the apothecary a short time later.

Harper rushed forward, his expression tense. “I’m sorry.”

Ash cupped Harper’s cheeks. “It’s all right, sweet. Don’t worry.”

Harper melted into Ash and Ollie looked away. The big demon’s tender tone gave the moment a private edge that felt intrusive to witness.

Dante hesitated near the door, giving Ollie a small smile.

Ollie’s chest erupted with butterflies. Before he knew it, he’d navigated the crowded shop and pulled Dante into a hug. “I’m the one who messed up, not Harper. You should have told me your existence was a big secret.”