Page 22 of Hell’s Half Acre

“Then why did they show up outside?” She settled into the chair, tucking her legs up under her. They’d finally stopped shaking.

Helly appeared on the couch across from her. “The evil took him.”

She scowled at Helly. “The what?”

“Whenever his father’s genes kick in, the wings and fangs come out. Then he usually tears something apart. It is b-r-u-t-a-l!” Helly shivered. “Though to be honest, I like when they spring out, as it warns me that he’s in a feral state. I try not to lip off at him when he’s like that.”

Luke stared aghast at his imp. “I would never hurt you, Helly.”

“I know, but there’s no need in testing that theory. I like my wings and head attached to my body.”

Luke tsked at her fear.

This was all well and good. Except for one thing. “I can’t spend the night here. What would everyone think?”

“That we had sex,” he said matter-of-factly, leaning against the counter and crossing his legs at the ankle, swirling the rum in his crystal glass.

Her cheeks heated as she scowled at him. “Exactly! They’d never believe we didn’t.”

“Why not?”

She scoffed at his ludicrous question. “C’mon!” She gestured at him.

That only made it worse as that salacious smile curved his lips and brought out his dimples.

Damn him for that.

“Don’t worry. You’re safe. Helly will stay here as our chaperone, and I’ll spend the night in my canine form. Just pretend I’m a K-9. And if you want to scratch my belly, I won’t complain.” He wagged his eyebrows at her.

Closing her eyes, she shook her head. Though to be honest, she wasn’t as offended as she was pretending to be. She’d never seen him as a hellhound before and was curious what he’d look like in that form. But that also brought up another problem. “How can you guard me and search for your demons at the same time?”

He gestured at the radio. “I’ll know the minute they misbehave.”

“And if they don’t?”

He shrugged. “Is there any real difference between feral demons and humanity?”

There was one difference she could think of quickly. “Yes. Humans aren’t immortal.”

“Technically not true.”

“How do you figure?” she asked.

“Your body might expire, but souls don’t. They’re also very valuable.” He frowned as if he reconsidered that. “Well, some souls are. Others aren’t worth a pair of shoelaces. Bert wouldn’t even rate snail shit.”

She laughed at those words. “Agreed.”

“I want you safe, Sorcha. Get some rest and I’ll deal with the demons.” Luke held his hands out and a small bag appeared there. He gave it to her. “Toothbrush, floss, toothpaste, hairbrush, nightgown, fuzzy socks, and a change of clothes for the morning.”

Those words stunned her. “How did you know what I was thinking?”

He arched a brow.

Narrowing her gaze, she gave him a fake angry glare. “You told me you weren’t reading my thoughts.”

Luke sighed heavily. “No matter how hard I try to ignore others, random things pop in against my will. You have an obsession with your mouth hygiene. So loud, it broke through my best protection.”

“Uh-huh…” She didn’t believe him for one second. He’d been spying in her head. She knew it. Even so, it didn’t change the fact that this was one of the nicest things anyone had ever done for her. It was thoughtful and kind. Two things she’d never have attributed to the son of the devil.