Page 106 of Hell’s Half Acre

“Delilah’s on assignment.”

Luke glanced at Helly in the rearview mirror. “What?”

“She’s been sent after a human your father wants.”

A tic started in his jaw. “Then we need to find a way to get her back before she succeeds.”

Sorcha was confused. “I thought you wanted her gone.”

“Oh, I do. But I want my father to fail more. I’ve been dealing with D for centuries. I’m used to her.” He turned his head to speak to Helly. “Go tell Delilah that I’m missing her enough to let her in my bed.”

Helly vanished immediately.

Sorcha gaped. “Excuse me? You’re really willing to sleep with her?”

“Oh hell no. She can sleep in my bed. I didn’t say I’d be there too.”

Sorcha groaned as she realized what he’d done. But then Luke was good at that.

Devil’s in the details. As one of his father’s staunchest advocates and dealmakers, Luke knew exactly how to angle a deal to get what he wanted while trapping the other party.

“I will never bargain with you.”

“Never say never, love. Besides, I wouldn’t play that with you. I’ve taught you all my best tricks.”

She knew better.

Luke was evil, but not evil, evil. His was more playful and fun.

Or is he?

She hated when her conscience came out to remind her of all the people Luke had damned. She hoped he wasn’t lying to her whenever he assured her that they deserved it. That they were terrible and had earned what he did to them.

It made a good fairy tale. One she wanted to believe.

But then Bert used to sell her that kind of bullshit, too. He was the worst at the old “I got the cookie for you” lie. I’m not really hurting you. I’m protecting you.

She did not miss that gaslighting.

Sorcha put her hands over her ears and squeezed hard. Get out of my head, Satan!

Luke scowled. “You okay?”

“The beast is back. Why can’t I let him go?”

He reached over and took her hand to pull it away from her ears. “Don’t. This isn’t your fault. You’re still working through it. Those little demonic thoughts are opening a gateway in your head you want to keep sealed. Last thing you want or need is for a demon to use that to enter your mind and set up camp.”

“That’s very similar to what my grandfather always said. Idle thoughts, not hands, are the devil’s playhouse. Mind your thoughts before a demon takes root in them.”

He nodded. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Your granddad was a wise man. I’m glad I never had to face off with him.”

She chuckled at the thought of Luke and her grandfather fighting. “He lived to drive the devil out.”

“So do I…now.”

That seemed to be very true. “Do you think you’ll ever know why you were banished?”

“Getting closer. I’m pretty sure I know which sibling to blame. Now I just have to figure out what lie she used to make my father act.”