And then it struck him.
Like Dinathial, Nadia reminded him of happier times. Of teasing, laughter, and affection. Of the freedom to touch another without the consequence of torturing them. He craved what she could provide, and if he could remove Michael from power in the process, perhaps banish him, he would count it as a win.
“Lucifer?”
Gabriel’s concern popped his self-reflective bubble.
“I’m fine,” Luc snapped. “We start her training tonight.”
“Is it wise? Should we negotiate with Father first?”
“Training for what?” Nadia asked, reaching for one of the poured shots.
He observed her closely as he said, “Survival.”
“Of course.” With a shake of her head, she consumed her drink, then slammed the glass on the coffee table. “Another.”
He obliged.
After she’d downed three shots like a seasoned pro, she wiped her mouth with the back of her wrist. “What does training entail? Learning to live off the land? Target practice? Grenade launchers?”
Gabriel snorted and held up an empty glass to Luc.
“Do you want to tell her, or should I?”
“By all means,” Luc replied with a twist of his lips. “Perhaps she’ll be more inclined to listen to you.”
She rose and stabbed her finger against his chest. “I’m mad at you.”
Her violet-blue eyes were glassy, likely a combination of alcohol and emotion.
“Why?”
“You led me on, knowing I saw you as boyfriend material. But you’re Lucifer, and everyone knows you don’t get in bed with the Devil.”
His chest tightened, and the overwhelming sense of loneliness was suffocating.
“I see.”
“Do you? Because this is why you have a bad rap. You pull sneaky shit like this, and everyone believes you’re a bad dude.” She was just shy of shouting.
“Have a care, Nadia. You are dangerously close to feeling my wrath.”
He had the pleasure of watching her shiver.
“I’m not afraid of you,” she declared with false bravado.
Leaning in until their noses were touching, he said, “Oh, but you are.”
“I’m not, and I can prove it.” Her fingers dug into his scalp as she dragged his face closer.
The moment her lips touched his, Luc forgot Gabriel’s presence. Light exploded behind his eyes, and he fought the desire to sweep her into his arms as she deepened the kiss.
“Fuck!”
Gabriel’s outrage was a live thing.
As his brother-in-arms, Gabe had witnessed Lucifer kiss many a woman. Sure, it was a lifetime ago, but it had been natural after training or a battle for one or both of them to be showered with the attentions of those who admired them.
