Page 122 of Lust

Sadly, that did sound a lot like her mother. She had chosen that same freedom over being Eddie’s mother. “She left me too,” she said.

“I know.” His expression hardened. “And when I find her, I will make my opinion on that clear.”

Alarm spiked through Eddie. “You won’t hurt her.”

“Of course not.” He gaped at her. “I would not hurt the woman who holds my heart, but she has harmed our child, and that is not acceptable.”

Oh, boy. And there he went again with the saying the right thing. She blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “Why don’t I have wings?”

“Wings?” Wrath laughed. “You want wings?”

“Only because I don’t have them,” she babbled. “I mean, I never really thought about it until I saw you and Shade.” That was not strictly true. “I mean, of course I’ve thought about it. You know, what kid didn’t want to fly, but not since then. Much.”

Wrath shifted in his seat. “Nephilim do not get wings. Some demons do. All angels, of course. And the hell princes and the archangels also all have wings.” He cleared his throat. “But wings are not really all that great.”

“How?”

“Well.” He chugged his wine and refilled. “They can be cumbersome. It takes a long time to learn how to use them. And”—he held up his forefinger—“they hurt like nothing else when they get injured.”

Eddie smelled the earthy waft of bullshit. “You’re lying.”

“You’re right.” He threw back his head and laughed. “Wings are the best.”

Chapter

Thirty-Two

A knock on her door interrupted the comfortable silence that had fallen between Eddie and Wrath.

“Shade,” Wrath said and jerked his head toward the door. “He is here.”

“Are you always aware of each other?” Eddie had so much to learn about the new landscape she found herself in. Fortunately, she now had a father to teach her. Not that Wrath with his built like a brick shit house badassery would ever fit comfortably in the dad category. But you worked with what you had.

Wrath stalked to the door. “Each of us has a power signature.” His grin was pure evil. “It makes sneaking up on each other a challenge.” Wrenching open, the door he barked, “What?”

“And good evening to you, Satanus.” Shade’s husky warm drawl floated over to Eddie. The man even sounded like sex, which given who and what he was—not a total surprise. “I came for Eddie.”

Gah! He made that sound like an invitation she desperately wanted to RSVP Hell, Fucking Yes.

“I’m here.” She edged around the barn that was Wrath. Satan. Her father. Damn, but that was going to take some getting used to. It would make an interesting Bumble profile. One HELL of a good time.

Actually, that might work…never mind.

“Hey, Eddie.” Shade’s smile was molten sunshine and sweaty nights. “You okay?”

Wrath puffed up like a barnyard rooster. “Of course she is okay. She is with me.”

“Seeing you like this.” Shade slid a languid, challenging gaze over Wrath. “Overprotective father. It’s not a look I thought I’d see you wear.”

“Fuck you,” Wrath snarled.

Shade winked. “I’m flattered by the sentiment, big guy, but I’m more interested in other members of your bloodline.”

“Did you need something?” Eddie got in there before feathers flew.

The look Shade gave her nearly set her lounge pants on fire. “So many things, Eddie,” he said. “But for now, I thought we should concentrate on the seals.”

Wrath nodded and then scowled at Shade. “The way you look at my daughter makes me want to rip your guts through your asshole.”

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