Page 105 of I Accidentally Summoned A Demon
Nex landed in Kat’s backyard and passed through the walls with Kat in his arms. The second they were inside, he set her on the kitchen counter and slipped her coat off, checking for injuries.
“Nex.” Her voice trembled in time with her body. “That . . . I-it—”
“I know.” Nex pulled her into an embrace. “I’ve got you. You’re okay.” He cradled her to his chest and kissed her head. “Did he hurt you? Did he touch you other than throwing you over?”
“N-no, but what was that?” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “What happened?”
“That,” Nex closed his eyes and squeezed her, trying to keep his rage inside so he didn’t scare her, “was my fucking fault,” he whispered, burying his face in her curls. “I’m so sorry, my angel. I should’ve been watching you more carefully.”
Kat didn’t understand but was too shaken to ask. She wrapped her legs around him, needing closeness. He held her tight until the trembling stopped, and her heart wasn’t racing as fast.
“Katherine,” Nex murmured, stroking her back. “Have you met any new people recently? Anyone who gave off a strange feeling? Maybe even a peaceful feeling?”
Kat frowned and lifted her head, wiping away tears that trickled out. “Why are you asking?”
“Because it’s important. Have you?”
“Just Gabriel from church and that weird customer.” Kat sunk her head against his chest. “I thought Gabriel was nice at first, but then he started being a jerk.”
“Gabriel.” Nex growled. “What did he say to you?”
“Do you know him?”
Nex’s jaw clenched. “You could say that.”
“He’s a demon?” A look of puzzlement crossed her face. “He can’t be. I met him at church.”
Nex narrowed his eyes. “How long ago? Was he the one bothering you?”
“I don’t know, a few weeks ago, and yeah, he was.” Kat’s brows furrowed. “What’s going on? How do you know Gabriel?”
Nex pressed his lips to her forehead, allowing his eyes to shut. The image of her plummeting off that bridge wasn’t going away anytime soon, but he had to make sure she was okay before he dealt with the people responsible. “You could say Gabriel and I work together.”
Kat pulled away and raised an eyebrow. “Work together?”
Nex sighed and drew her into a tight hug. “He’s an angel. And they’re not particularly keen on demons interacting with humans the way I am with you. Don’t know how he thinks killing you is the right fucking way to handle it.” He rested his head on hers and tried not to think about it too hard. He could’ve lost her today. “He should’ve fucking come to me first.”
Nex expected questions, but he got none. Kat’s slender arms locked tighter around him, and she stayed unusually silent. He was about to question her when Lucian and Marcus entered the house.
Marcus’s boots thudded across the floorboards. “You all right, Kat?”
Kat nodded but continued clinging to Nex. Nex ran his hands helplessly up and down her back, wishing he knew better how to comfort.Where is he?Nex asked, glancing over at his friends.
We have people holding him,Lucian answered.We’re not the only ones upset about this. She’s grown on a lot of demons. They’re pissed and ready to fight over it.
Good. I could use a fight.Nex’s eyes flashed red.Keep watch outside until I get her settled in bed. Then we’ll deal with this bullshit.
Lucian and Marcus nodded and hurried out the back door. Nex slid his hands under Kat’s legs and carried her toward the bedroom.
“What are you doing?” Kat didn’t move from her place in his chest. Still shaken, his arms were the only thing holding her together.
“You’ve had a shock, Katherine. We need to warm you up and get you into bed.”
“What’s going to happen?”
Nex didn’t know what to say. He knew it might become a problem at some point but assumed as long as he wasn’t hurting anyone, they’d let it slide, and if they didn’t, they’d come for him, not her.Why did they go after Kat?There was no reason she should be punished for him breaking the rules. Historically, angels let other things slide. Nex considered it complete bullshit their reaction to this was so extreme.
“Nothing’s going to happen. They can’t keep us apart. I won’t let them. More importantly,” he set her on the bathroom counter and cupped her face, “I won’t let them hurt you. I promise. I won’t leave you vulnerable again. I’m sorry.” He rested his forehead on hers and closed his eyes against the sting. “I’m so sorry, my angel. I won’t let anything like that happen again.”
