Page 20 of Wicked Believer (Original Sinner #2)

Chapter Sixteen

Charlotte

I can still taste the salt of Lucifer’s cum on my lips when I stumble out of the penthouse nearly a half hour later. I’m running late, the car already waiting, and my ass is redder than it’s ever been from where he bent me over the dining room table, and ...

“Nothing like a fresh fuck to start the day, hmm ?” An audible sip follows, but it’s the too-handsome face that accompanies it that stops me.

Azmodeus leans against the outside of the building, smiling appreciatively at me as he drinks from a disposable coffee cup.

Though he looks more like Lucifer than any of their other siblings, the resemblance stops at the fact that he’s so painfully beautiful, it’s almost obscene.

And there’s something surprisingly relaxed about him these days that seems distinctly different from Lucifer.

Like he doesn’t carry the weight of the world on his shoulders like his older brother does.

I pause on my path to the Town Car and turn to him. With both of us out on the street, the paparazzi who are constantly positioned outside 172 Madison Avenue are more desperate than ever.

They shout both our names. “Azmodeus! Charlotte! Give us a smile, will ya?”

A few members of the security team are the only thing that stands between us and them.

Az glances toward them, nodding with a cheeky grin. “Care to throw them a bone?” His gaze rakes over me. Exactly how he can make the dress he’s wearing look masculine and sexy is beyond me. “Or have you already been boned enough by my brother this morning?”

“Do you have to make a sex pun with every other breath?” I let out an annoyed huff.

“Of course.” He wrinkles his nose, feigning offense. “It’s in my nature.” He smirks, and I scoff.

I don’t have time for this. Not today. I have to be at Xzander’s studio in a handful of minutes, and Manhattan traffic is its own kind of hell. Plus, we’ll need to circle the block a few times to throw the paparazzi off our tail. Speaking of which ...

Where the hell is Olivia this morning?

I sigh, rolling my eyes as I wrap my vintage Alexander McQueen coat tighter around myself. “Lucifer is upstairs,” I say coolly, my voice low and private as I move to step away, but Az’s hand is on my arm, stopping me.

“You two have become my favorite power couple, you know?” He drops his voice as he leans down and whispers into my ear. “What are we up to now—twice, sometimes three times a day?” He eases back. “My skin has never looked this goddamn radiant.”

I pause, glancing toward him. And he’s right.

His skin does look really fucking great.

Not that Azmodeus would ever be caught dead looking like anything less than perfection. He’s the city’s favorite pansexual playboy. Lusty polyamorous love life and all.

I sigh again. “Is it really necessary for you to comment on mine and Lucifer’s sex life every time we meet?”

“No.” He shrugs, smiling deviously. “But I appreciate the offerings all the same, lovey.”

According to Lucifer, that’s how it works. Commit the sin, and more power is funneled to the corresponding Original. Like an offering.

Or some kind of strange divine currency.

Though I doubt that great skin is the only power our sex life has afforded Azmodeus lately.

My thoughts turn to Lucifer, remembering what he said before he ordered me to blow him, and a shiver runs through me.

“ Would you feel better if I told you it was Azmodeus and Wrath? ”

Suddenly, I’m more eager to get to the car than ever before.

“I told you, Lucifer’s upstairs, and I’m already running late.” I shoulder my way out of Az’s grip.

“Actually, it’s you I came to see.”

I stop, turning to face him, and he nods toward the waiting car, where one of the security team holds the door for me.

“Ride with me?” He quirks a brow.

I give him an incredulous look. “It’s my car.”

“Is it?” He cocks his head to the side as if to say Girl, please , his expression stating the obvious.

Everything I have is because of Lucifer.

And I’m not yet a part of their celestial family. Not officially.

Not until Lucifer and I tie the knot.

Lucifer’s urgency on that seems wiser than I’d previously thought.

I glance between Azmodeus and the waiting paparazzi, their cameras flashing. Their boom mics are lifted in hope of catching a snippet of what Az and I are saying, so even if I wanted to tell Azmodeus to fuck off, I couldn’t, not without making headlines.

And from the smug look on Az’s face, he knows it.

Of course he does. I have to fight not to roll my eyes.

Lucifer isn’t the only devious one among his siblings.

“Fine.” I gesture for Az to slip inside the Town Car ahead of me.

At the sight of the two of us leaving together, the cameras go wild, the paparazzi’s shouting reaching an apex that vibrates my insides, but despite my anxiety about what Azmodeus wants from me this morning, I have the strength of mind to pause, whispering to Dagon, “Tell Lucifer that Azmodeus is joining us.” I duck inside the car.

Dagon nods. “Of course, Mrs. Apollyon.”

He closes the door behind me, speaking into the com that connects him to the rest of the security team. It’s not exactly a foolproof plan, but it’s the best I have right now, and with Lucifer aware of exactly who my company is, I doubt that Azmodeus will try anything stupid.

Or so I hope.

Az grins at me as I sit beside him on the bench seat like he knows what I’m thinking. “Of all our siblings, I’m the least likely to be a threat to you, you know.”

Clearly, he overheard me.

Supernatural hearing can be a real pain in the ass sometimes.

“Oh yeah, why’s that?” I ask as the car begins to move. I quickly direct Dagon to do whatever he needs to do to throw the paparazzi off before we head to Xzander’s studio.

Another round of cameras with Az in tow is the last thing I need.

Especially considering this morning’s headlines.

I’ll be expected to comment about the debacle at Mark’s church for sure. Imani probably already has something worked up for me.

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 fucking that much.” 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’s your thing?”

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 you did want 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 what did bring 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. He always seems 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.

For as long as humanly possible.

“Pillow talk is an intimate art, Charlotte,” Azmodeus says, changing the subject as he mindlessly toys with one of his coat buttons. “I deal in secrets. And you have secrets aplenty, don’t you, Miss Davis?” He grins at me.

The use of my former name, the one I was forced to take when I married Mark, catches me off guard, and I look away quickly. Now I understand how Lucifer knew I was already married. Though he helped ensure I was divorced in a matter of hours.

One thing I’ll always be grateful to him for.

My mouth goes dry. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“I mean that you and I could have a bit of fun together, if you’re up for spreading your proverbial wings a bit. Or your legs, if you want. Your call.” He glances toward my back, his brows lowering like something interesting just occurred to him. “You don’t actually have wings, do you?”

I shake my head, pretty sure I know where this is heading. “I’m not even remotely interested in fucking you, Azmodeus.”

At that, he throws back his head and laughs at me, the sound so relaxed I’m temporarily dumbstruck by it.

He’s acting like we’re old friends.

Or future siblings-in-law, at least.

“Oh, Charlotte.” He chuckles, his voice deepening. “If I wanted to steal you from my brother, I could do so, easily.”

As if to prove his point, he brushes my cheek in the same way Lucifer does, like he knows exactly how Lucifer touches me, and the moment his skin meets mine, my whole body is an inferno. On fire with need.

Suddenly what I said about not being interested in fucking him is a bold-faced lie, even as my mind tries to rebel against it furiously.

I know this isn’t from me. It feels so wrong, it’s like knives under the pleasure.

And I would never betray Lucifer that way, never, but the .

.. lust Az’s touch ignites is so powerful that I’m .

.. not sure I’d be able to control myself.

Az drops his hand, the feeling gone instantly.

All I’m left with are wet panties and a nearly irresistible urge to have Dagon circle the car back around to the penthouse where Lucifer’s waiting.

I clench my legs together.

What in the lust-filled fuck?

Azmodeus shrugs, ignoring my obvious distress.

“I much prefer my lovers be enthusiastic and consenting of course, and I’ve been on a bit of kick of enjoying cock lately, as I’m sure you’ve seen in the tabloids, though pussy and everything in between is always equally appealing if you and Lucifer ever want to—”

“Get to your point, Azmodeus.” My molars clench.

Normal people do not have to deal with their future brother-in-law propositioning them for threesomes this early in the morning.

“Does there need to be a point?” Azmodeus asks like he enjoys needling me, but then he lowers the partition window and snaps his fingers at Dagon, pointing to the nearest street corner as though he plans for us to stop there.

“You’re soon going to be my beloved sister-in-law, after all. Mimi says that makes us family.”

Mimi? I roll my eyes. Of course she does.

I can’t even bring myself to think of Greed and what she’s up to. I have enough problems as it is.

“And?” I ask.

“And I think that you and I could have a bit of fun together. That’s all.”

For now, anyway.

I know better than to trust in whatever Azmodeus’s idea of sibling bonding is.

“Luce might even let you off your leash, if we all play nice, of course.”

My eyes narrow as the car pulls to a stop at the curb. “I’m not on a leash.”

“Who are you trying to fool, Charlotte?” he says, giving me some major side-eye.

“Yourself? Or me?” Az opens the door as he grins.

Once he’s out of the car, he reaches inside his coat pocket—a Charles Jeffrey from the looks of it—and holds out an all-black business card with embossed gold lettering to me.

“If you ever want to have some real fun, call me.” He smirks.

“I’m more than happy to pop your celestial cherry. ”

When I don’t take the card, he straightens, tucking it back into his pocket with a shrug like it’s my loss. “Suit yourself.”

He moves to step away.

But a sudden idea sparks in me.

What if there is a way for me to do more to stop the apocalypse?

I may not stand a chance on my own, but what if ... what if a huge chunk of economic and celestial power, more than enough to help humanity, has been sitting right in front of me this whole time?

In the form of six other Originals.

You know he doesn’t want outside investors. Imani’s warning echoes back to me.

But what about insider trading?

“And what if I did?” I ask, unable to stop myself.

Azmodeus pauses, propping himself between the roof and the car door.

I let out an audible breath. “What if I did want ... want to know more about ...?”

“Being divine? Immortal?” he asks, his smirk widening.

I give a reluctant nod.

He pulls out his card once more, this time pressing the glittering cardstock into my open palm. “Meet me at The Velvet Fold next Friday, Charlotte.” Az grins wickedly. “And I’ll show you what being divine really means.”