Swallowing hard, I stumbled back. Had he seen me talking to those two angels? Did he know what they’d asked me to do? Would he steal my soul now? Would he…would heeatit?
What the hell did demons do with souls anyway?
I didn’t want to find out.
“I…” At a total loss for words, all I could do was stand there. At least whoever had been following me would be long gone by now.
“I thought you’d seen the news,” he demanded with flashing eyes. “There is a serial killer in Hell’s Kitchen, and he is after girls exactly like you, Mia. It isn’t safe for you to walk home alone at three o’clock in the fucking morning. Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving? Why did you just vanish like that?”
He strode up to me and gently took my shoulder in his strong hand. His touch shot a flicker of warmth through my gut, even as everything within me screamed to run. Those dark eyes bored into me, and for a moment, all I could think about were his lips and his eyes, remembering my earlier conversation with the angels. If I didn’t get out of this contract, one day I would have to kiss him. Heat curled across my goose-bumped skin.
I swallowed hard. “I just…well, you seemed busy. I didn’t think it was a big deal. I’m your employee, not your prisoner…right?”
This guy was a demon. And he was touching me. Why hadn’t I pulled away yet?
He sighed and let go. “Of course you’re not my prisoner. And normally, it wouldn’t be a big deal. I just assumed you’d wait for me to drive you home. It isn’t safe, Mia. Not until the killer is caught.”
One thing was for sure. If this guy was involved with the murders, like the angels thought, he probably wouldn’t react like this. Unless he knew they’d cornered me in the street, and he was trying to throw them—and me—off the scent.
“Okay.” I gave him a strained smile. “So…now what?”
“Now, we go back home.”
Home. My stomach clenched. That penthouse was not my home.
“Listen,” I said, nervously tapping my finger against my thigh. “This whole Hell’s Kitchen killer thing does have me a little on edge. I’m not sure this is the safest place to live right now. What would happen if I wanted to get out of our deal a little early?”
His expression darkened. “You signed a contract.”
“Yes, but—”
“It’s binding,” he said with a growl, whirling away from me. He strode over to the car, yanked open the door, and motioned for me to climb inside. “It’s just a month, Mia. And unless you go running off into the streets alone again, I’ll make sure no one ever touches you.”
“Erm, right.” I shifted on my feet, eyeing the dark interior of the car. “It’s just…you can’t protect me twenty-four seven for an entire month. Can’t you tear up the contract?”
His lips curled into a wicked smile. “I could. If I wanted to. But I don’t. Now, get inside.”
“You know, some people might wonder why you’re so insistent on getting me into that car.”
“No, they wouldn’t.” His grip tightened on the door. “Because it makes perfect fucking sense, Mia. I know you don’t like me very much, and I don’t like you very much either. But while you are in my employ, it is my responsibility to keep you safe. You’re out this late because you were dancing in my club. I’m not going to let something happen to you when I should have been driving you home. Got it?”
I wet my lips, thinking back to the moments before Asmodeus had arrived. It pained me to admit he had a point. Someone had been following me. It might not have been anything at all. Just some weirdo. New York had a lot of them.
But I might very well have been in danger. A serial killer stalked these streets. He could have had his sights set on me tonight. Hell, he might still be watching me even now, waiting to see if Asmodeus would go away, leaving me out here alone again. As strange as it seemed, a demon was the better option.
Looked like I was going to become a spy after all.
9
“Good morning.” Asmodeus leaned back in one of the sleek black dining chairs. Dark, wet hair clumped on his forehead, and his soft heather grey t-shirt clung to his sculpted pecs. I slowed to a stop and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes.
My god.
Suddenly, I was very conscious of my mussed hair and wrinkled sweatpants. Why did he always manage to catch sight of me when I looked my worst? Not that it mattered. I didn’t care about impressing this guy.
He’s a demon.
“Morning.” I trailed over to the table and plopped down into a chair. “You look very alert and cheerful for someone who was up at the butt crack of dawn.”
