Page 14 of Greed

“Then you need to woman up and kick him to the curb, and the sooner, the better. It’s way creepy he made a key for your house without asking you. Next thing you know, he’s going to move his baby mama on the side in when you’re at work and kick you out, claiming it’s his house.”

“That’s oddly specific.” Minny raised a brow at Penny, who shrugged.

“Meh, I call it like I see it, and that boy is nothing but a walking penis of pain. If it were me, I’d be changing the locks as soon as possible.” Penny waved a chip over the large plate, and she was tempted to steal it. “I’d rather cuddle a cactus.”

“Okay, enough about James, please. I don’t want to think about him or the problem I have with trying to get rid of him for good.”

“I may know a few people who can help you in that department if you want?” My mouth fell open, and Penny laughed hard. “You should see your face.”

“Hey, you wanting anything,” the bartender called out from the bar, his thick Irish droll making her smile along with the tattoos that sleeved both muscular forearms. She had a thing for accents and tattoos. Apparently, just because she was the ultimate good girl, she still fell into the trap of loving the bad boy.

“I’ll take a pint of your best, and I’ll need a menu, please.” She smiled as he gave her a wink and sauntered away.

“He likes you, and that man would not be a bad way to get yourself on a new horse. Do you want me to set that up?” Penny teased.

“No, geez. I can talk to a guy on my own, you know. Besides, I kinda already met someone, sorta anyway.” The stupid smile wouldn’t leave her face.

“I knew it,” Penny yelled, causing the few seated in the pub to turn their way. “What’s he like? How did you meet him? Tell me everything!” Penny gave a little squeal that made her laugh.

The bartender picked that moment to bring the pint over along with a menu.

“Thank you,” she said. He lingered, and figuring he wanted her order, she opened the menu and picked the first burger she saw.

“Good choice,” he said but continued to stand at the table, staring at her rather than taking down what she wanted. Minetta squirmed under the heated stare, but Penny came to her rescue, thankfully.

“Uh, hello.” She waved, and the bartender finally looked Penny’s way. “I’d like two pounds of your hottest wings and an order of your firehouse fries.” He nodded, taking the hint this time, and walked away.

“So, give me the details. Who is this guy?” Penny practically bounced on her side of the booth.

“He actually saved me from getting hit by a car. It was kind of crazy, and then he offered me a ride home.”

Penny cocked her eyebrow at me. “He just swooped in and saved you, some random stranger, and you let this person drive you home? I’m starting to understand why James is still around.”

“Hey, if this is going to turn into a bash Minny night, I’m out.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

Penny sighed but nodded. “I’m sorry. Please continue. What does he look like?”

Minetta stared at the wall behind Penny as she dug into the memory of the stranger from earlier. She rambled on and on, and the more she said, the more Penny looked worried and not pleased. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, he just sounds too flawless, you know? You can never trust the ones that look too perfect. Did you get a name of this way too sexy, life-saving stranger?”

“Yeah, his name is Michael.”

Penny spat her beer out on the table, choking. Jumping up, Minetta dashed around to help her friend by patting her back. “Are you okay?”

Penny nodded and stood from the booth. “Just swallowed too much too quickly. It went down the wrong way. I’ll be right back.”

Minetta stared after her friend’s retreating form as she made her way to the restroom. She thought that Penny would be happy for her, but she was getting a distinct impression that Penny was most certainly not.

I pulled the Valkyrie into the VIP parking outside Dai’s underground fight club. The sign above the door proudly announced Fallen Patience Massage Parlor. I sneered at the name—Dai was one of the few Fallen I had time for because she’d been as much of a victim as I’d been that day. Besides, Dai had ambition and built not one but many very profitable fight clubs. I should know. I gave her the start-up capital and kept a stake in the game as part of the contract.

Opening the car door, the demon waiting to take the vehicle to underground parking ran over and bowed deeply at the waist. “Firrr selgrith ogdrikos mulgrumon drag’drimuus?”

To any human, it would’ve sounded like the man was speaking jibberish, but I was very well versed in all the demon dialects. I’d made it a point to learn each one when I was first tossed from Father’s glittery perfect home. Well, it wasn’t perfect. That was the best-kept lie of all. It was his way or no way, and don’t you dare have a mind of your own unless you’re human, then it was completely fine to act like a savage and still be loved.

My jaw twitched with anger, but I kept my cool. I wasn’t letting old resentments ruin my night.

The demon offered to clean my car, so I slipped him a hundred to do the job. Why not have it detailed while I was inside? Best case scenario, I got a clean car. At worst, he scratched my baby, and I got to kill this demon in a horrific fashion and take back my money.