Page 24 of Fallen

A warm finger brushed the back of his ring finger. “I see you took my advice and removed your shackle.”

Shackle.Talon firmed his touch, brushing over the pale outline where his ring normally sat.

“It’s not—It’s not a shackle,” he said, wondering why he sounded so hoarse. “It’s a symbol of the pledge we take to serve?—”

That hand shot up, covering Alex’s mouth, and his breath caught in his throat. Talon’s hand barely brushed against his lips, but itburned, sending fuzzy sparks shooting through Alex’s body.

“Don’t say that name here,” Talon warned, his tone deceptively light. “I’d rather not have to endure all the hissing and spitting.”

His hand was warm and dry, cupping Alex’s mouth almost gently despite the warning in his tone.

Alex put the barest amount of pressure on Talon’s wrist, and he let his hand fall away reassuringly easy. “Would they really?” he asked doubtfully, glancing around the room.

Talon’s mouth twitched. “I don’t know, but I’d rather not find out.”

Alex snorted. Talon guided his left hand flat onto the table, stroking the tan-line on his finger again as though intrigued by the sight. Maybe he was. Maybe the concept of being in the sun long enough to get a tan line was foreign to him. Alex’s stomach rolled with something not entirely unpleasant as Talon’s gentle fingers spread out, exploring the scars on his knuckles and the freckles on the back of his hand.

“Talon,” he croaked, only aware he’d spoken when those dark eyes met his withhunger. Alex felt the same hunger igniting in his blood. No one had ever touched him so reverently, and the fact that it was a demon doing it now seemed entirely inconsequential.

“Say it again,” Talon growled, pressing closer. Their legs lined up from hip to knee, and the scent of leather and spice filled his nose.

“What?”

“My name. Say it again.” Talon leaned in, his nose grazing the shell of Alex’s ear, and Alex’s breath hitched. Hot breaths puffed against his neck as Talon angled his head down. “Oh, little bird, you’ve been bleeding.” His hand curled around Alex’s jaw, guiding his head back to expose the claw marks on his neck. Talon’s teeth bared. “Something hurt you.”

Alex had trouble finding his voice. “Just a demon.”

“A dead one, I hope.” Black eyes met his, waiting.

He licked his lips. “Yeah. My captain handled it.”

Talon relaxed. “Good.” He leaned in, his nose grazing the delicate skin of Alex’s neck. “It smells exquisite,” he moaned.

Alex swallowed hard. He opened his mouth?—

The noise in the club dipped. It was an abrupt enough change for Alex and Talon both to notice. Alex’s gaze scanned the crowd for the source of the strangeness.

The entrance to the club was open at the top of the stairs, and three people entered in a row: Michael and two of his squad members, John and Paul.

Adrenaline flooded his system. If they saw him here, what would they do? This was unprecedented. They’d probably haul him out by force and take him back to HQ. He would definitely be suspended, and maybe even removed from active duty altogether. He would never be allowed the freedom he needed to track down his family’s killer. He’d never understand why he felt so drawn to Talon.

Talon.

He twisted to face the demon. “I have to get out of hereright now. They can’t see me here.”

Talon glanced over Alex’s shoulder at the paladins. His spine prickled with unease. He couldn’t risk turning and letting them see his face.

“You can’t get up now or they’ll see you for sure,” Talon said, his midnight gaze calculating. “Do you trust me?”

What kind of question was that? They’d met exactly twice so far.

You’ll always be safe with me, little bird, I swear.

“Yes.” The answer shocked him, but he didn’t have time to question it, because Talon was gathering him into his arms and dragging him against him.

“No offense intended to you in particular, little bird, but you paladins have delicate sensibilities,” he said quickly, the words spoken right up against the shell of Alex’s ear.

“Meaning what?” Alex asked, gripping Talon’s shoulders so he wouldn’t fall straight into the demon’s lap.

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