Page 58 of Wicked Believer (Original Sinner #2)

Chapter Forty-Eight

Charlotte

I am the reason the devil’s feeling nervous today. It’s a meme of me someone left on my social media, and after the other night, it’s become my new mantra.

I punch into one of Azrael’s outstretched hands, the kickboxing glove he’s wearing catching the brunt of my hit. “You’re still weak,” he grumbles. “But you’re fired up today.”

I’m surprised he’s making conversation with me.

Azrael’s more of a silent observer.

And I’m sure he’s been following me everywhere I go lately. I’m about to tell him as much when the door to the training room opens and—

“May I join you?”

The unexpected voice comes from behind us. Like, somehow, I conjured him out of a dream. I turn to find Lucifer in a loose-fitting T-shirt and ...

“Are you wearing sweatpants ?” My jaw drops.

I’ve never seen him in anything other than a suit. Or naked, anyway.

But he’s been resting and recovering the past few days.

“They’re Gucci,” he says defensively, “and I have to work out in something.” He smirks, but it’s tentative, like he’s testing the waters after all we shared the other night.

I glance over my shoulder to Azrael. “What do you say, Daddy Death?”

Azrael makes a feral grumbling sound just as Lucifer lets out an unabashed snort, failing to contain his laughter.

“Daddy Death, is it?” He cackles just as Azrael snarls, “The fuck you call me?”

I don’t feel even a hint of embarrassment.

“It fits, doesn’t it?” I quip to Lucifer as I place an appreciative hand on Azrael’s biceps.

Lucifer’s expression turns cold at the sight of me touching Death. That seems to knock him back down a peg.

Meanwhile, Azrael continues to glare at us both like he might actually be able to murder us with a single look, if he tries hard enough.

“Are you two finished?” he growls.

“No,” Lucifer and I answer simultaneously.

When Azmodeus and I were planning the engagement party, we had to go over all the safety and consent waivers, and in the midst of all his usual lewd joking he told me that, in his expert opinion, a Dom is basically just the biggest brat in the room.

My eyes dart between them.

That suddenly makes a lot more sense.

I wonder if they’ve . . . ?

No. No, there’s no way. Is there?

I shut the idea down fast. I already made that mistake with Mia, though if I’m honest, the idea of Azrael and Lucifer together doesn’t seem nearly so ...

Far-fetched.

I lick my lips, the thought inspiring an entirely different sensation than the jealousy I felt toward Mia. Now that’s something I’d want to see.

Or be a part of, more specifically.

Lucifer’s made it clear he’s open to us taking on play partners, but at the time, the idea didn’t hold much appeal for me. But now?

Now I’m reconsidering.

“So how long have you two—?”

“That’s enough questions, Charlotte,” Lucifer says, like he knows where I’m heading and he’s not about to go down that road.

Azrael nods in agreement.

Oh yeah, there is definitely some history beyond what either of them are saying.

I can feel it.

Even with mine and Lucifer’s mental connection now stripped, I can read him easily.

He’s less guarded with me these days.

I’ve been trying really hard not to think about that too much, because the idea of Lucifer being something close to mortal, or, at the very least, unable to summon any of his powers while he’s here in the city, fills me with so much terror and has so many far-reaching implications that I can’t even begin to wrap my mind around it.

I have to trust that he’s handling it.

The same way he knows how to handle me.

When Lucifer’s power returns, Michael has no idea the punishment that’s coming for him with Lucifer’s vengeance unleashed.

The gloves will be off in a major way.

“So, what makes you want to join us?” I ask, looking toward Lucifer.

He paws at the back of his neck sheepishly. “It occurred to me that perhaps I may be a little out of practice in celestial war play, considering how Michael and my other siblings gained the upper hand.”

I blink. “Did I ... Did I just hear what I think I heard?” I ask Azrael.

Azrael grunts, crossing his arms over his chest, clearly unamused.

“Did I just hear you, Lucifer Apollyon, my future husband, devil and Prince of Darkness, actually admit you need help with something?”

Both my brows shoot up.

I have not been making Lucifer’s journey into mortality easy for him. Not by a long shot.

But I have a feeling that will be coming back to me tenfold now that he’s recovered enough we’ll be back in the playroom soon.

“I think we’ve already established I’m not currently in my top form. No need to enjoy it so much, darling.”

“Who says I’m enjoying it?” I say, trying and failing to suppress my grin.

“You’re enjoying it a little too much,” Lucifer says.

I cast a sly smirk toward Azrael. “Wouldn’t you?”

The way his eyes go momentarily hot before he looks away tells me everything I need to know.

Oh, they have most definitely fucked before.

Though surprisingly, it doesn’t bother me in the least.

Maybe because I’m feeling more certain of the full extent of Lucifer’s love for me now.

He gave up everything for me. His Father’s redemption. His power.

Humbled himself totally.

I’m not sure how I ever doubted him.

I cast a wistful look at him. He showed me exactly who he was the first time he made love to me, and he’s been showing me over and over again in the playroom every time since.

“So, what do you say, Daddy Death? Should we let him practice with us today?”

The scar over Azrael’s brow twitches. “If you call me that one more time—”

“You’ll what? Punish me?” I taunt as I slink behind Lucifer, like if Azrael isn’t careful, he’ll come to my defense.

Lucifer smirks. “Don’t let him fool you, darling. He clearly loves it.”

Azrael blushes. Legitimately blushes. And ...

Oh God. I think I have a new favorite kink.

Making Azrael blush is my newest obsession.

“Fine,” Azrael snarls, tossing down one of the mats like he doesn’t have much of a choice in the matter with both of us ganging up on him.

Honestly, I know the feeling.

Azrael starts calling the shots after that.

He is the trainer, after all, the three of us falling into a playful sync.

We clearly all want to avoid what we know is inevitably coming, to pretend that the world isn’t falling apart for a little longer, and I can’t help but think that maybe it was always supposed to be like this.

With Death playing referee between Lucifer and me.