Falling back onto my ass, I brushed the dirt from my pants, giving up when it didn’t budge. “Yeah,” I said, running my hand through my hair. “Yeah, it worked, all under control again.”
Frank watched me for a moment, his head tilted slightly to the side. “You doing okay?” The question was genuine, and it was that peek into the inner part of Frank that few demons, and even fewer humans, saw.
“I’m fine.”
“You look angry.”
I shot him a glare before letting the expression fall from my face. “I don’t like losing.”
Frank laughed again, standing and holding out a hand, pulling me to my feet. “None of us do, brother, but if you’re going to challenge me, you better get used to it.”
“Cocky fucker, aren’t you?”
He grinned, the smug look a far cry from the award-winning poster-boy smile he uses in magazines and on his clients. I huffed as I smirked, rolling the aches from my shoulders and shaking my hands out. My body was calm, and my wounds would be healed by the time I got back to my apartment.
Whatever they may say about Frank, he always delivered what he promised.
“How’s business?” I asked because it was polite to do so.
Frank’s smile had returned, now the award-winning one he tossed about to impress clients and women alike. “Booming. Mike set up a strong base, but let’s be honest, it needed a more ruthless touch than the by-the-books play Mike seems to insist on, like he can deny his demon or something.” He paused to roll his eyes before they flared with pleasure again. “We’ve moved into a bigger building, and I can assure you it won’t be long beforeBlackman, Conner, and Associatesare the only name you need to know in architecture.”
“Do you get your design ideas from where I think you do?”
Frank smirked again and winked at me. “Looking for a job?”
I shook my head. “Offices aren’t the place for me.”
He laughed. “Offices aren’t the place for demons, period, but we make do. Besides…” he looked down at what was left of his suit pants, “… I’m loving the lifestyle.”
“I’ll bet.”
“You’re always welcome to come by.”
“So you can show off your empire?” I asked.
“Fuck yes, I want to show you my new throne.”
“Newthrone? You never had one in Hell.”
Frank chuckled. “No, but here, I can rule a world of my building.”
“And Mike’s building.”
He lifted a shoulder. “He helped some, I guess.”
Chuckling, I slapped Frank on the shoulder. “See you next time.”
“Next time you want to get your ass kicked, you mean?”
Scowling, I headed toward the door. It was tempting to turn back and take another few chunks out of the arrogant demon, but there was no point in stirring myself up when I had only justregained the control I had lost. But next time, I wouldn’t hold back. Not trusting myself to answer, even as I heard his booming laugh echo through the warehouse, I raised a hand and waved with a casual flick of my wrist.
Next time.
I’d have him next time.
NIKKI
With a groan, I rolled over, flopping my arm over the mattress and huffing out as I landed on my back. My eyes squinted while I swatted my hand through the air as though it was going to make the sunlight that streamed through the sheer curtain go away. My alarm continued to beep, insistent that I get out of bed and increasing in volume every second I left it.
