Page 17 of Raphael
Before she can react further, a broad form eclipses my view. “You’ve got some nerve showing your face around here,” Eve cuts me off before I can speak. “Lucky for you, Lucifer is not around tonight.”
I take a long swig of my drink, avoiding her piercing gaze. “No ideawhyhe hates me so much,” I mumble, swirling the glass pensively.
Eve stares at me in disbelief. “Well, you started it,” she says dryly.
I frown in confusion. “Startedwhat?”
“Uh… the Great War?” she adds in a caustic tone.
“I did no such thing!” I rebuff instantly.
“Seriously, Raphael?” she retorts, her voice lowering to an irritated hiss. “Have you really forgotten already?” She pauses, glaring at me with accusation in her eyes. “Lucifer confided his grudge against the Almighty to you, and you went and betrayed him by telling Michael!”
I nearly choke on my drink. “That isnothow it happened!” I protest vehemently once I recover. “Anyway, who cares about that? It was such a long time ago...” I trail off with a nonchalant shrug.
Eve narrows her eyes, unmoved by my excuses. “Hedoes,” she replies pointedly. “So you better watch yourself.”
Sensing I’m already treading on thin ice tonight, I quickly change tacks, aiming for lighthearted charm. “Adam’s sure lucky to have you,” I say with a grin.
Eve’s expression softens a bit at that. “Don’t you know? Adam and I are divorced now.”
My grin falters. “Oh, I’m so sorry to hear—”
She waves a hand, cutting me off. “Don’t be. I couldn’t be happier.” A small but genuine smile touches her lips.
I nod, relieved the tension seems to have dissipated. But when I try engaging her on more neutral topics, Eve continues studying me closely with her shrewd gaze.
After a moment, she leans in, dropping her voice. “Does a certain alluringyoung lady perhaps factor into your sudden reappearance here?”
I nearly choke on my drink for the second time tonight. So much for friendly small talk. Eve doesn’t miss a trick.
I throw a casual look over her shoulder, meeting the smoldering Helena—Helena, such a befitting name… A beauty worth starting a war over between angelic and demonic forces.
“Mm…her.” I return breezily, scrambling to seem casual. “A delightful coincidence—like running into you this fine evening.”
“Oh, yes.Entirelycoincidental, I’m sure.” She gifts me with a sphinxlike smile. “Should I ask what brings you back to the slum with us demons so soon? Or are some motives better left unspoken?”
I hold up my hands in mock surrender. “You caught me—I’m absolutely parched for a taste of that sinfully delicious Black Mass martini you mix.” I force an easy grin, though my pulse quickens under her knowing stare. “Truly, my motivations tonight are pure as fresh snow.”
Eve arches one sculpted brow skeptically. “Try selling sanctimony elsewhere, angel boy. I wasn’t born yesterday.”
Smooth, real smooth. Eyes watering, I manage to rasp, “No idea what you mean.”
Eve’s tinkling laughter peals out. “You’re rather adorable when flustered. Though I advise keeping your roving eye pointed elsewhere.” Her face turns serious. “Our Luci is fiercely protective of his favorite niece, as I’m sure you can imagine.”
I duck my head, chastened. She’s right, of course. Pursuing Helena flirts with cosmic calamity, two rival worlds colliding. I need to fly straight, resist this unwise obsession before my wings get scorched.
“Your concern for my hide is touching.” I place a hand over my heart. “Consider me properly warned away from matters not meant for meddling.”
“See that you are.” With a parting pat on my shoulder, Eve sashays off, pausing to whisper something to Helena in passing. I watch them share a furtive glance my way before Helena slips out an Employees-Only door, disappearing like vapor.
I release a ragged breath, deflated. Nothing left to do now but make my lonely exit back to the isolation of my spartan apartment. Perhaps this fruitless exercise provided the splash of icy reality I needed. Time to leave dangerous pipe dreams behind and move ahead more wisely.
CHAPTER10
Raphael
Outside the pulsing club,I blend into the passing crowds lining the bustling downtown avenues. The night hangs humid, heat lightning crackling in the distance promising a storm’s soon arrival. Fitting atmosphere for the tempest churning within me.
