Angel Betrayed (3 page)
Seline cloaked her black stare with glamour, twenty-four/ seven. For her, it was as natural as breathing. When humans looked into her eyes, they saw a warm brown gaze, not that chilling black.
But Sam . . . his eyes were different. She’d caught the slip of his eye color once. Just once—when Temptation had burst into flames, and she’d been trapped in the fire. His bright blue stare had faded to black then. She’d almost missed that change because of the
freaking fire
all around her.
freaking fire
all around her.
One slip had shown her his true nature. But the problem was that she should have
always
been able to see the black of his eyes. He shouldn’t have been able to maintain a shield against her.
always
been able to see the black of his eyes. He shouldn’t have been able to maintain a shield against her.
Sam wasn’t your average demon. Actually, she wasn’t even convinced he
was
a demon because there was something else rather unusual about him. When she looked at him hard enough, long enough, Seline could see the dark, shadowy image of . . . wings on his back.
was
a demon because there was something else rather unusual about him. When she looked at him hard enough, long enough, Seline could see the dark, shadowy image of . . . wings on his back.
Demons didn’t have wings.
Sure, she’d heard of some really, really old demons who had tails and one guy with cloven feet, but wings? Not so much a demon thing.
I know what you are.
So that was lie number one for her. When it came to Sam, she didn’t know. Not that knowing truly mattered.
So that was lie number one for her. When it came to Sam, she didn’t know. Not that knowing truly mattered.
“So the people after you . . .” He dropped his hold and stepped back. Seline didn’t like that calculating stare he swept over her. “Are they demons?”
“No. They’re humans.”
He grunted. “Then you should have no problem taking them out.” Cold and flat and exactly what she’d expected.
“I’m low level,” she admitted, and lowered her eyes because most demons could be ashamed to admit this.
I’m not most.
“Barely a four on the power scale.” That wicked demon power scale that had screwed up most of her life. Demon power ranked from a one, barely more than a human in terms of psychic power, to a ten. A ten would be the powerhouse capable of leveling a city block.
I’m not most.
“Barely a four on the power scale.” That wicked demon power scale that had screwed up most of her life. Demon power ranked from a one, barely more than a human in terms of psychic power, to a ten. A ten would be the powerhouse capable of leveling a city block.
She was not such a bad-ass. If only. Her strengths lay in other areas.
Her hands balled into fists. “They’ll take me out. I’ve been running from them for nearly a year, but they keep finding me. They want payback, and they won’t stop until they get it.”
He sighed. “Seline . . .”
He spoke her name the way a man would say it in bed. Seductive and—
“What in the hell,” he continued in that same seductive tone that had her nearly aching, “makes you think I give a damn?”
She blinked. “But . . . but I helped you!”
So not the way I’d imagined this going down.
So not the way I’d imagined this going down.
He shook his head. “I didn’t need your help with the shifter. No coyote will ever be able to take me down.”
“If you don’t help me, they’ll
kill
me.” Had he missed that part? She’d thought she emphasized it dramatically well. Maybe she should think about shedding a tear or two.
kill
me.” Had he missed that part? She’d thought she emphasized it dramatically well. Maybe she should think about shedding a tear or two.
“I’m not here to save the world,” he told her, and then he reached for her again. Wait—the jerk was
moving
her out of his way, not trying to embrace her. Then he yanked open the door and told her, “Sweetheart, I’m just here to watch it burn.”
moving
her out of his way, not trying to embrace her. Then he yanked open the door and told her, “Sweetheart, I’m just here to watch it burn.”
And Sam left her there, with her mouth open. The jerk actually
left
her.
left
her.
Shit. Time for plan B—and plan B was gonna hurt.
She watched Sam disappear into the crowd. His goons closed back around him, and he whispered to them. Her eyes slit. Oh, she’d make him pay. Was he really so heartless that he wouldn’t help a freaking damsel in distress? Hadn’t she looked distressed enough to him? Her eyes were actually watering now—she was sure he’d seen that bit. And what about that breathy moan she’d given when he kissed her? That moan had only been half-faked!
Fine.
Seline took a deep breath. One, then another, and she let the tears build up. She might have been a low-level demon, but she was also a semi-talented actress. In order to fit in with the humans, she’d had to be.
Seline took a deep breath. One, then another, and she let the tears build up. She might have been a low-level demon, but she was also a semi-talented actress. In order to fit in with the humans, she’d had to be.
Her shoulders shook as she pushed her way through the crowd. Seline made sure to rush past Sam and his demons as she sobbed, the better to lay the groundwork for her next plan.
Her hand slammed against the club’s back door, and she burst outside. The hot air hit her like a fist as she hurried forward. She lifted her hand and signaled for the man she knew would be waiting.
She’d tried to do this the easy way, but Sam hadn’t cooperated. Pity. A real crying shame.
“You’re gonna have to use the knife,” she said, glancing back over her shoulder. Sam might not even come out after her. He sure didn’t seem to be racing to her rescue. But maybe when she started screaming, he’d come play white knight.
The man in the black ski mask nodded once.
Seline exhaled.
So be it.
So be it.
She wasn’t just going to walk away from Sam. She had a job to do, and she
always
got the job done. Even if she had to bleed to earn her pay.
always
got the job done. Even if she had to bleed to earn her pay.
And she would be bleeding because that knife was about to slice her . . .
The first cut of the blade was always the worst.
Sam stared at the closed exit door. “Seline has a problem,” he said to the demons—Marcus and Cole—beside him.
Why do I care? I shouldn’t give a damn.
“Check it out. If it’s legit, then make sure her problem is eliminated.”
Why do I care? I shouldn’t give a damn.
“Check it out. If it’s legit, then make sure her problem is eliminated.”
Cole nodded. “Someone’s bothering her?” Cole’s voice held a tight edge. The demon never liked it when someone bothered the women at Sunrise. Definitely a guy with a soft spot for the ladies, even the dangerous ones.
“Seems she’s got a past that won’t stay dead.” Perhaps he would have talked more with Seline, offered her protection in exchange for a few moments in the dark, but he had another agenda then.
His own past wasn’t staying dead. His brother was back, and if Sam had his way, he’d be putting the bastard into the ground very, very soon.
A war is coming.
Sam could feel the storm clouds gathering.
Sam could feel the storm clouds gathering.
As delectable as Seline was, he didn’t have time for distractions. Azrael had finally gotten his lily-white ass kicked out of heaven, and it was time for a showdown.
Or Armageddon. Whatever came first. Sam didn’t have a preference.
Too many angels are falling. The demons are getting restless. A power play is coming.
And, of course, he was getting caught right in the middle of hell.
“Find out who’s bothering her,” he ordered because he hadn’t asked specifics from her. If he’d found out anymore—hell, he would have killed the bastards himself, and that just couldn’t happen. He had an angel’s ass to kick first. Pleasure kills would have to wait for later. “Make sure she doesn’t have to worry again.”
Then his debt would be paid because he
did
owe Seline. No one had ever tried to save him before. Mostly because he didn’t need saving. But she’d tried, in her way.
did
owe Seline. No one had ever tried to save him before. Mostly because he didn’t need saving. But she’d tried, in her way.
So despite his words, he’d help her and maybe one day when the blood washed away, he’d look her up and let sexy Seline thank him properly.
Cole nodded and eased back into the crowd. The demon was probably off to talk to some of the other waitresses so he could get a fix on Seline and her trouble.
Sam waved off Marcus and headed for the exit. He’d already given Marcus orders earlier. If the guy caught so much as a whisper about Azrael, Sam would know.
He shoved open the club’s back door and inhaled the lingering scent of jasmine in the air. Seline’s scent. His cock tightened as he remembered the soft silk of her lips beneath his. She hadn’t tasted like innocence. No, Seline, the woman who’d stripped and danced on his stage at Temptation, revealing and then instantly concealing her body, was no innocent.
She’d tasted like sin, and sin sure was an aphrodisiac to him.
“Help me!”
“Help me!”
The cry had his head whipping to the left, and Sam saw the flash of Seline’s long legs as she ran down the alley. Seline wasn’t alone. A man in a black ski mask was hauling ass after her, and the bastard had a knife.
The knife lifted and the glinting blade plunged toward Seline’s back.
No.
Sam moved in an instant, using the preternatural speed of his kind. He rushed across the pavement, and his body slammed into Seline’s. The knife drove into his shoulder even as he and Seline tumbled onto the ground.
Kill. Destroy.
Sam shoved up and barely felt the pain from his wound. He turned for the attacker, ready to rip the man’s soul right out of his body.
“Sam!” Seline grabbed him and held tight. Footsteps thudded as the attacker raced away, but Sam’s eyes were on Seline. She stared up at him. Her brown eyes swam with tears. “How did you . . .
you’re bleeding!”
you’re bleeding!”
Blood ran down his arm in deep rivulets. The jackass had left the knife in Sam’s shoulder.
The guy was also
gone.
The squeal of tires grated in Sam’s ears. Fuck. Clenching his teeth, Sam reached up and yanked the knife out of his flesh. The blade had sunk straight into the bone.
gone.
The squeal of tires grated in Sam’s ears. Fuck. Clenching his teeth, Sam reached up and yanked the knife out of his flesh. The blade had sunk straight into the bone.
You’ll pay for that.
Blood spattered around him as he yanked at the knife, and Seline yelled, “No, don’t, you’ll make it worse!”
Doubtful. She didn’t understand who she was dealing with. “The wound will heal.” In a few moments, the blood flow would stop, and the skin would mend on its own.
He tossed the knife to the ground and glanced down at her. Seline’s thick blond hair tumbled over her shoulders. Her face was pale, too pale, and fear filled her dark eyes.
Definitely pay.
He brushed her hair back, careful not to get any blood on her.
“I thought . . .” She wet her lips with a quick swipe of her pink tongue and whispered, “I thought you didn’t care.”
You don’t want to make me care.
Seline wasn’t a classically beautiful woman. Not porcelain perfect.
But she was sexy.
Damn
sexy. She had full, pouting lips and her deep, dark bedroom eyes were surrounded by thick lashes. A sweet little mole rested near the corner of her mouth—he wanted to lick that spot. Her cheeks were high and her chin a little sharp, giving her a slightly exotic look.
Damn
sexy. She had full, pouting lips and her deep, dark bedroom eyes were surrounded by thick lashes. A sweet little mole rested near the corner of her mouth—he wanted to lick that spot. Her cheeks were high and her chin a little sharp, giving her a slightly exotic look.
And the woman’s body . . . when he’d seen her on the stage at Temptation, he hadn’t been able to look away. Her legs stretched for miles and her breasts were high, round, and perfect. The woman’s body was built for sin, and she could probably make a man beg.
If he were the begging type.
Sam never had been.
“Come on.” He grabbed her hand and hoisted Seline to her feet.
“No, your arm—”
He closed his fingers around her shoulders. “I want a name, Seline.”
She blinked those sexy eyes at him.
“Tell me who that bastard was, and he’s dead.” Simple fact. The jerkoff had attacked her
and
left a knife in Sam’s flesh. The guy wouldn’t be among the breathing for long. Sam would make sure of that fact. He’d also make sure the man’s final moments hurt. The days of Death being kind were long gone. Only cruelty remained.
and
left a knife in Sam’s flesh. The guy wouldn’t be among the breathing for long. Sam would make sure of that fact. He’d also make sure the man’s final moments hurt. The days of Death being kind were long gone. Only cruelty remained.
“I-I don’t know, I didn’t see his face—”
Right. He’d noticed the mask. Sam sucked in a deep breath. “You didn’t have to see his face. You knew someone was coming for you. And you know who sent the guy.”
She shivered and hunched her shoulders. She stood tall, probably an inch or two under six feet, but despite her curves, her bones had a delicate feel. “I just want it to end.”
“It will,” he promised. Death was his business, and his business was booming.
She looked at him from beneath the thick veil of her lashes. “You said you wouldn’t help me.” Her breath hitched a bit, and his hands tightened on her.
“I lied.” Like it had been the first time.
She swallowed, and her lips began to curl.
“The name. ”
Seline threw her arms around him and held on tight. Her body shook against his, and her breasts crushed into his chest.
The scent of jasmine rose over the stench in the alley and filled his nose.
“Thank you.” She whispered the words against his neck. Her lips brushed over his skin, and Sam was pretty sure he felt the quick lick of her tongue against him. His body stiffened with sensual tension. When she’d moved, his hand had shifted automatically. His palms now rested on the curve of her ass. What a sweet ass it was.
But now wasn’t the time for sex. It was killing time, and he could kill a man as easily as he could caress a lover.
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