Page 14 of Michael
“He can’t do this,” I manage, my heart restless at the thought of leaving, even if it is for a holiday.
“I’m sorry, bro.You’rethe one who gave Uri admin powers in this place.” He shrugs.
“I did it because I hate doing paperwork,” I snap, rising from the couch. “Ichoseto be in action!”
My brother cracks a smile. “Don’t fret, Michael!” he says between laughs. “You’d think you’re being punished.”
“I certainly feel like it,” I mutter as I pace in the room.
“Oh. You’re both here,” Uriel says, standing in the doorway. “Good.”
His smug smile widens as he watches me approach, and my whole body stiffens with rage. The thoughts of smacking him senseless crosses my mind, but I clench my fists instead, and growl, “Uriel...”
His gaze flicks away from me as he answers in a too-warm tone, “Mm. So you heard. Enjoy what’s left of your shift, Michael. Your vacay starts tomorrow.” His tone is final, and I hate how he relishes in the admin powers I gave him.
Uriel shifts around, a hint of red creeping along his neck as he speaks. “I hear you found Jack at the DeLux Café last night?” he asks, deliberately changing the subject to avoid any quarrels between us.
I grant him that much. “He was there, all right,” I say gruffly, my jaw tightening in annoyance. “He’d never miss a Speed Dating night.”
Rafa tilts his head at me curiously, his eyebrows lifting. “Speed Dating night?” he says with keen interest. “Are they still doing that?”
Uri throws him a glare of disappointment. “Rafa,” he warns him.
Rafa shrugs innocently, an amused grin tugging at his lips. “What?” he argues.
Of all my siblings, Rafa is perhaps the one in more danger of straying from his heavenly path. He’s become too…human. And for all the kindness that nature has instilled in him, it comes with a price.
It wouldn’t surprise me if I were to walk into the DeLux Café someday and find him there, in the middle of a date. Just as I found Jack—that spineless devil, tangling the pretty witch in his web of lies.
Instant fury sweeps through me. “Jack, you fucking bastard,” I hiss through clenched teeth.
“Hey!” Uriel scolds me.
“Oh! Come on, Uri. I’ve heard you curse like a sailor more than once before,” Rafa intervenes. He faces me next. “Go on, man. Let it all out. Just say it.”
“Fucking hell, I’m so tired!” I stammer. “It’s always the same with these devils. We drag one back to the gates of hell and a whole new fucking legion comes out!”
“That’s it, bro.” Rafa gives me an understanding nod. “Feels good, doesn’t it?”
I silently agree.
“Look at the size of those marks…” Uriel says in sheer shock.
Rafa and I follow his gaze to the oak wardrobe in the corner, where we find giant scratches casting deep grooves into the wood and continuing to the wall, partly concealed by the room’s dim lighting.
Rafa runs a hand through his dark hair as he stares at the ruined wardrobe. “That’s a big fucking rat,” he murmurs, perplexed.
I nod, unable to part my gaze from the beast’s work. “Have they tracked it down?” I ask, turning to my brother Uriel, who folds his arms over his chest, his expression laden with wariness.
“I’ve had the team search through the premises all night. But no luck yet,” he says.
Rafa shrugs dismissively. “I don’t think a rat did this.” My brother then smiles at me, giving me a light pat on the back. “See? That’s one less thing for you to worry about. Thank goodness for the holidays!”
“Hey, Uri,” he begins, shifting to my brother. “Can I have a few days off too? I’ve been planning this trip to Ibiza...”
Uriel clasps his hands together, his knuckles turning white. His lips are a thin line before he firmly replies, “No.”
“Why the fuck not?” Rafa whines, annoyance lacing his words.
