Page 48 of Wicked Believer

When Azmodeus doesn’t immediately answer, I push further. “Because as long as Lucifer and I are making offerings to you, you plan to keep me around? Is that it?”

He scoffs. “Please. I don’t love you two fuckingthatmuch.” He’s watching me carefully. Like whatever it is he sees is far more interesting than he expected it to be. “It’s because I don’t want it,” he says flatly, dropping back into his seat.

I lift a brow.

“You know, the whole leadership role.” He wiggles his fingers dismissively. “Lucifer and his place at the head of our family. That’s more Envy’s thing. And Greed’s.”

“And what’syourthing?”

A flicker of amusement crosses his face, and something about it reminds me of Lucifer. “Well, it wouldn’t be very fun if I told you, would it, lovey?”

“I suppose not. But if youdidwant it? His position?”

“Well ...” Az’s smile turns wicked. “Well, then it’d be mine in a heartbeat.”

His gaze rakes over me.

Clearly, it’s not just Lucifer’s role in their family he’s insinuating.

I give an uncomfortable clear of my throat, squirming in my seat.

I’m uncertain if it’s the truth or simply divine bravado, but he doesn’t allow me to consider it long before he adds, “But that’s not what brought me here.”

“And whatdidbring you here?”

That’s the question that has me stumped.

I can think of a few reasons why Mammon would pull something like this. Or even Bel—a.k.a. Sloth. Healwaysseems to want something from Lucifer.

But Azmodeus is a wild card to me.

A dangerous, flamboyant wild card.

The window partition is now rolled up, and we’re alone in the backseat, but Az lowers his voice all the same, his smirk widening. It’s the signature look that makes the media lap up everything he feeds them, exactly like the rabid dogs they can be. Though when we’re alone like this, there’s something about it that’s less lusty and more ... devastating.

My skin grows hot.

“Rumor has it you and my brother are having a bit of a snafu over some PR firm you’re planning to launch.”

My eyes go wide. “How would you know about that?”

Lucifer and I are both careful to keep all Apollyon’s business moves private until it’s the right time to go public. Not to mention the NDAs all the employees are required to sign are nearly a hundred pages long.I know that firsthand. It was one of the very first lessons working for Lucifer ever taught me.

Always read the fine print.

“Waitstaff talk.” Azmodeus shrugs. “And fuck just as nicely. My brother’s kept you more in the dark than we thought, I suppose.”

We.Meaning he and the other Originals have been curious.

About how much I know.

About the power Lucifer unleashed in me.

And I’m positive that kind of curiosity can be dangerous, even to a ... whatever I am. It’s not that I was ever naive enough to assume they wouldn’t find out, especially after the whole anthrax situation. But the how and why, the scope of my—I swallow, struggling to think the words—my abilities ...

Well, that’s unknown even to me.

And I plan to keep it that way.