Page 95 of Hell’s Half Acre

“I just learned what happened when his wife called to ask me if I’d been there.”

Luke blew out a tired breath as he realized he should have followed up on that lead sooner, but he’d been too distracted. You’re not the only one. Rory should have followed up too.

Not that it mattered. Carlos was here now.

“What did you tell his wife?” Luke asked.

“I told her nothing. What I didn’t tell her was that he left with two women I’d never seen before.”

Luke arched a brow at that. Wolves, even werewolves, were supposed to be monogamous. He’d never heard of one cheating on his mate before.

His face must have telegraphed his thoughts because Carlos’s next words let him know Carlos had the same opinion. “I don’t think he was going off with them to have sex. It was odd, though, right? He looked nervous. Like they’d said something to him, he didn’t want to hear. When he came over to me to tell me he was leaving, I asked if he wanted me to join them and he told me to go home. I assumed he’d be all right. You know? He was my Alpha. Why would I question him?”

True. As a rule, any pack member was subservient to their Alpha.

“Were the women werewolves, too?”

Carlos shrugged. “I don’t know for sure. I never got close enough to catch a scent from them. It was a crowded bar and grill. There were a lot of different smells in the air.” He drew a ragged breath. “Believe me, if I’d thought for one second that he was in any danger, I would have never left him alone.”

“Are you his Beta?”

Carlos shook his head. “She wasn’t with us. We’d gone out for dinner after work. Never thought either of us would be in danger.”

“Would you recognize the women if you saw them again?”

“The redhead, definitely. The blonde? Maybe. She was pretty, in that generic blonde way that stands out when they’re present. But after they leave, you can’t really remember what they look like.”

That was harsh. And in truth, it pissed off Luke. Sorcha was blonde and she was anything other than ubiquitous. Anytime she entered a room, she dominated it.

Completely unforgettable, and it made him want to slap Carlos on her behalf.

Good thing Sorcha wasn’t here or he would have done it. No one would insult his partner without feeling his wrath.

Bastard.

“You okay?” Reyes asked Luke.

“Fine.” That came out a little sharper than he meant it to. He turned his attention back to Carlos. “Anything else you can think of?”

“No. Sorry.”

“It’s fine. If you remember something else, let us know.”

“Will do.”

Inclining his head, Luke left them and teleported into his office. This was the only place on earth that was similar to what he’d left behind in Hell.

He missed all the gothic architecture. His father had always had a preference for it. Mostly because the Middle Ages had been the height of his father’s power. While Lucifer had fewer direct followers back then, those who feared him had fed his powers much more. Because that fear came with their acknowledgment of just how powerful the fallen angel was. How much Lucifer ached to take their souls from his father above.

’Cause, fuck you, Ken!

Today, many of the devil’s “devout” believers were simple posers. Those who professed faith for nothing more than the shock value of it. Yes, there were a large number of those who were true followers, but even they didn’t really understand what it meant to worship Samael.

Which only fed his father’s fury and anger.

His jealousy.

Samael wanted to be equal…well, no, greater than…his father. But as with so many sons of accomplished people, he failed miserably. Which meant all Samael could do was act out.