Straight By The Rules. Michelle Scott
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Goals
– Keep Grace safe
– Get out of the damned contract
– Destroy Helen Spry
I had crossed out the first item weeks ago when I’d finally rescued my daughter from Helen’s clutches. However, accomplishing my next two objectives was proving problematic.
Obviously, the third one was ridiculous. Destroy Helen Spry? That was absurd. I barely had enough courage to call the demon-bitch by her first name let alone attack her. She was older than I was. Stronger than I was. More wickedly clever than I ever could be. Plus, she had all the resources of Hell at her fingertips.
As I chewed on my pen, I briefly considered using Helen’s trick and hiring an assassin to take her out. Almost immediately, however, I rejected the idea. In order to find demon assassins, I’d have to confess who the target was, and I couldn’t trust a demon to keep his mouth shut about it. If word spread that I was plotting to have Helen killed, she’d incinerate me where I stood. Sighing, I crossed out ‘Destroy Helen Spry.’
Now, I was left with only one goal, but it was no less outlandish. How on earth could I get out of the contract? The thing was larger than a Detroit metropolitan telephone book, and as far as I could tell, completely ironclad. Although I’d gotten it amended once, I didn’t think I would get a second opportunity to change it.
Defeated once again, I closed the book. I swore to myself that I would not give up until I found a way out. I would free myself and make sure that not another one of Sarah Goodswain’s progeny ended up in Helen’s clutches.
The otherworld doorway next to my bed shivered, and I shoved the little notebook under my pillow. If Helen caught me plotting to destroy her, she’d destroy me. I prayed that whoever was about to come into my room wouldn’t find out what I’d been doing.
To my relief, it was William who stepped through the doorway. He still wore the tight T-shirt and snug jeans that he’d worn on our trip up the mountain – things that made him ruggedly handsome. A pleasant tingle spread throughout my body. How was it possible that every time I saw him, he grew more attractive?
Seeing me sitting on the bed, he threw me an impish smile. “I’m glad to see you ready and waiting for me.”
“Stop it!” I scolded, my cheeks heating up. I longed to grab his hand and drag him onto the bed with me. Then that tight T-shirt of his would wind up in the corner of the room along with my bra and panties. Someday, I thought, drawing in a deep breath. Someday, I’d have my way with him. But not yet.
He sat on the edge of the bed. The mischievous light in his eyes softened, becoming more affectionate. “I’ve been thinking about what you said on the mountain. I know that you’re worried that I’m treating you like one of my marks, but it isn’t true.” He took my hand and stroked my fingers. “You mean a great deal to me. I’ve told you that before, and I mean it. You’ve found your way into my heart.”
My chest swelled with affection. William was seldom serious, but when he was, it was like I could see a sliver of his soul. I loved that he made himself vulnerable to me. No doubt, I was the only woman in the world who had ever seen this side of him.
I ran my fingers along his jaw, stroking the sexy bit of stubble that he’d left there. I could take this man to bed for days at a time, feasting on nothing but him. “I’m sorry that I’m so insecure,” I said, “but the way you looked at that hiker – ”
“ – was only part of the job,” he finished. “I seduce women. It’s what Helen forces me to do.”
“And do you like your job?” I asked softly.
“I used to,” he admitted. “In fact, nothing pleased me more. Making conquests was my only goal in life.” He moved closer to me and brushed a lock of my hair away from my face. “But since I’ve met you, things have changed. I only want one woman in my life now.”
If only it was that easy! Even if I trusted him to continue being the human William that I wanted and not the lust-ridden incubus that I hated, there was still the matter of our contracts. Helen had made it very clear that neither of us was to fall in love. If we did, we would suffer the consequences, all of which were all spelled out in fine print. “Have you forgotten our contracts, William?”
“I don’t give a damn about the contracts,” he growled. “I want you, Lil. I’ll deal with Helen in whatever way I need to if it means that I can have you.”
Having him say that boosted my courage. I didn’t think I’d be able to defy Helen on my own, but with William’s help, I might stand a chance. I decided to let him in on my plan. I slipped the little notebook from under my pillow and showed William the page where I’d written my goals.
“You shouldn’t put anything in writing,” he said seriously. “If Helen ever found this, you’d end up in a world of trouble.”
“Writing helps me think,” I said. “It’s like brainstorming.”
“She has spies everywhere.”
Good point. Still, she wouldn’t bother me as long as she thought I was playing by her rules. She had other things to worry about, like her new assistant’s inability to get our assignments right.
I returned the notebook to the drawer in my nightstand. “I just wanted you to know that I’m serious about this.” I stuck out my chin defiantly. “I am going to get out of that contract!”
His luscious lips turned up in a smile. “I’ve heard those same words from the other women in your line, but you’re the only one who made me believe it. You’re a rare woman, Lilith.”
He pulled me to him and dipped his head towards mine. His perfect lips were slightly parted, and I met his kiss eagerly. This was what my body had been craving all along. His touch. His taste. How could I refuse him when I so desperately wanted it?
“Aunt Lilith!” Ariel called from the other room. Footsteps pounded down the hallway. “Aunt Lilith!”
In a heartbeat, William was off of the bed and through the otherworld doorway. Before he disappeared into Hell, he gave me a wink and a smile. “I’ll be back,” he promised.
Neil came over a few hours later to pick up Tommy. Tommy’s friend was small and ratty and wore his dark hair slicked back against his skull like he was auditioning for a role in Grease. He stank of cigarettes. He had less metal and more ink than Tommy. Both of Neil’s arms were covered with so much color that he looked like the Sunday comics. Ariel couldn’t take her eyes off of him.
“Cool tats,” she said, awed. She now had a few of her own. To fill his empty hours, Tommy had begun drawing henna tattoos. He’d made several on Ariel’s face and arms. Her favorite was a cat sitting upright with its tail curled under its chin. “See?” She lifted the sleeves of her T-shirt to show Neil. “Tommy did this.”
Neil flicked his eyes at the tattoos. “Uh, great. Tommy, you ready to go or what?”
Ari grew tearful. “Don’t leave!”
Tommy hugged her. “I’ll miss you, too, but I’ll be at Lilith’s birthday party on Sunday. Isn’t that right, Jasmine?”
Jasmine’s mouth and eyes tightened as she struggled to hold back her tears. “Okay. Sure.”
He brushed his lips against her cheek. “You know I’m not going back to India,” he said. “Only Ferndale, right?”
She nodded then turned to Neil. “Tommy takes his meds every six hours, and he shouldn’t be drinking coffee because it upsets his stomach. Also, he needs his sleep, so none of your all-night Xbox parties. And for God’s sake, don’t let him get another tattoo!”
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