Page 61 of My Demon Assistant

Maybe...maybe it was the fact that Eshimcouldleave me. Not willingly, but if those dark souls hurt him badly enough, he might be forced to move to Afterworld. He'd explained how the process worked for humans, how they went to Otherworld and then Afterworld when they died. But Eshim was already technically dead, and 'dying' again would mean a one-way ticket to Afterworld with no way to get back.

The idea of spending a lifetime without Eshim was terrifying, but did that justify hiding how I felt? It wasn't like losing him would hurt any less if he didn't know. In fact, knowing that he'd gone without knowing how I felt might hurt more.

Eshim had never hidden how he felt for me, even if he hadn't said the words either. I got the feeling he was holding himself back so I wouldn't feel pressured. I needed to tell him how I felt, to make sure he knew I wouldn't ever leave him.

Maybe once we got home tonight, I'd tell him.

Decision made, I turned my focus back to work just as Eshim and Henry returned with the drinks and snacks.

Everyone decided to take a fifteen-minute break, and Eshim grabbed drinks and food for both of us before sidling up to me.

He handed me my coffee, then perched his ass on the edge of my desk as he sipped his.

"You okay?"

"Yeah," I said with a smile, enjoying the way my chest warmed at his closeness. "I am."

Eshim smiled, and we sipped our drinks in comfortable silence as chatter buzzed around us.

Eshim

The design team was amazing, especially after Kat got rid of that asshole. He seemed to have been the only bad orange, and everyone else was pretty hardworking and friendly.

I knew Jerry was proud of how dedicated his employees were, and I was happy for him. His employees were finally warming up to him now that they actually had a chance to interact with him, and despite the rush and madness—and the distinct lack of alone time with Jerry—I was glad for this project, because it'd given the others a chance to see Jerry the way I saw him.

I was scrolling through his emails and sorting them so Jerry only had to read the important ones when I sensed something at the very edge of my consciousness. I sat upright in my chair, then closed my eyes so I could focus, reaching out with my senses beyond what I could usually feel and hear.

There. What were they doing so far inside the city? This wasn't good.

Pulling out my phone, I sent Fressia and Lux a text, telling them to meet me in the parking lot. I felt bad calling Lux in, since he was probably with Gunner, but after last time, I wasn't willing to risk it being just the two of us. I intended to spend Jerry's human life with him, which meant I needed to be careful.

Once I'd gotten confirmation from them, I walked up to Jerry.

"Hey, can I talk to you for a second?"

Jerry glanced up at me, then frowned at whatever look I was sporting. Murmuring to Tanya he'd be right back, he got to his feet and followed me to the break room.

"What's wrong?"

"Why do you think something's wrong?" I asked, even though I didn't have time to spare.

"You're in serious demon mode," he said, as if it was obvious, and I blinked. Then I shook my head.

"I sensed the presence of dark souls. They're close. Too close."

"Shit. Are you going alone?"

I shook my head, then took his face between my palms and gave him a soft kiss. "Fres and Lux are waiting downstairs. I have to go."

"Don't get hurt."

"I won't—I promise."

Jerry watched me for a moment, and I smiled reassuringly before taking a step back.

Before I could walk away, he grabbed my wrist, stopping me in my tracks.

"Jerry?"

---