Page 34 of Demon Daddy's Baby Girl

"Official business," the taller one grunts.

"Not in my district, it isn't." Dezoth steps closer, towering over them. "I know every authorized bounty in Sarziroch. Yours isn't one of them."

"We have a contract?—"

"From outside the city," Dezoth cuts him off. "Which means you need clearance from the city guard before pursuing it here. Do you have such clearance?"

The hunters exchange glances. I position myself to block their escape route, letting my hand rest casually on my blade.

"Thought not," Dezoth continues. "You have one hour to leave the city or surrender your weapons and apply for proper authorization. Your choice."

The shorter hunter steps forward. "This is just a simple retrieval of stolen property?—"

My growl cuts through the air before I can stop it. People aren't property.

Dezoth gives me a sharp look before turning back to the hunters. "One hour. Starting now." The finality in his tone leaves no room for argument.

The hunters glare but back down, slinking away through the crowd. I watch them until they're out of sight.

"Come," Dezoth says, turning toward a quiet alley off the main square.

When we're alone, he faces me directly. "These are connected to your... house guest, I take it?"

I nod, tension still riding my shoulders. "Kaelith's men, has to be."

"I suspected as much." Dezoth crosses his arms. "Don't worry. They won't get anywhere near her or the child."

Dezoth's gaze lingers on the marketplace where the bounty hunters disappeared. "I'll have the city gates watched. They won't make it far if they ignore our warning."

"And Kaelith?" I ask, unable to keep the edge from my voice.

"Lord Shadowfall is... politically complicated." Dezoth's face gives away nothing, but I catch the subtle shift in his posture. "He sits on the royal council. We must tread carefully."

"I'd rather tread on his throat," I mutter.

A ghost of a smile crosses Dezoth's face. "Your subtlety remains unmatched, Steelclaw." He straightens his uniform. "I'll handle the official report. You should... attend to your household."

The implication is clear. Get back to Aurelie. Make sure she's safe.

"Appreciated," I nod, already turning to leave.

"Rolfo." His voice stops me. "Whatever you're involved in... be careful."

I don't respond, just offer a curt nod before disappearing into the crowd.

The sun has long since set when I finally make my way home. I've spent the day checking every possible avenue of approach to my house, marking security weaknesses, watching for anyone paying too much attention. My senses remain on high alert, skin prickling with every shadow that moves in the periphery of my vision.

Standing outside my own door, I listen. All quiet. The scents are familiar—no strangers have been here. I unlock the door silently and move inside, scanning every corner before letting my shoulders relax even slightly.

The house is dim, lit only by the dying embers in the fireplace. My ears pick up Sephy's gentle breathing from the nursery—the even rhythm of deep sleep. I follow the sound of another heartbeat to the living room.

Aurelie lies curled on the couch, one arm tucked beneath her head, the other dangling over the edge. Her auburn hair spills across the cushion like liquid fire. She's stunning, that familiar rush of attraction automatically crushed beneath guilt.

Even in sleep, there's a slight furrow between her brows. She never fully relaxes, this one. Can't blame her.

I move silently across the room, crouching beside the couch. Up close, I can see the slight hollows beneath her eyes, the way her fingers twitch in her sleep. Fighting demons even now. I know what that's like.

Carefully, I brush my knuckle over her fingertips, unable to help myself when I'm always aching to touch her, a featherlight touch meant to wake her gently.

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