Blaze

by Suzanne Wright

  Khloë gaped. “You’re not serious.”

  “What did you do?” Harper asked Jolene, because her grandmother would never let something like that go.

  The image of innocence, Jolene said, “I didn’t do anything.”

  Harper looked at Martina. “What did you do?”

  Martina smiled. “What brings me joy in life.” Which meant Roan’s car was on fire. Great.

  “Does the lair believe he’s right?” Khloë asked, arms folded.

  It was Beck who answered. “That we don’t know.”

  “It wouldn’t surprise me if they did,” said Harper, rubbing the back of her neck. “They know Carla abandoned me as a baby and has no part in my life.” There was a lot more to the story than that, but only a handful of people knew the whole of it. “Demons always get even, right?”

  “Yeah,” began Raini, “but you never felt the need to get revenge because you figured you were better off without someone like her in your life.”

  “But they don’t know me like you guys do, so they could believe him.”

  Mouth tight, Khloë shook her head. “Knox is gonna be pissed when he finds out about Roan.”

  “He’ll know about it by now,” said Jolene.

  Devon turned to Harper. “What do you think he’ll do?”

  “That all depends on just how pissed he is.” In any case, it would be bad.

  Lounging in his leather chair, Knox tapped his fingers on the office desk as he looked at the angry male in front of him. “What brings you all the way here? I’m assuming it’s extremely important.” Ordinarily, any demons from his lair with an issue came to him in the Underground. This particular demon had sought Knox out at one of his luxury hotels on the Las Vegas strip, risking interrupting his business day.

  “The Wallis imps set my car on fire!” claimed Roan, face red.

  Knox arched a brow. “Really?”

  “I suppose they think there’ll be no repercussions because they’re related to your mate,” he clipped tartly. “They seem to believe that gives them a free pass to do what they want.”

  Sliding his chair closer to the table, Knox leaned forward. “You saw them set the fire?”

  “No, but it has to be them.”

  “Why?”

  His brow furrowed. “Harper probably told them what I said when we were in Crow’s house yesterday.”

  “You don’t believe what you said was uncalled for?”

  “Even if I did, the imps should have gone to you about it.” He drew a line in the air as he added, “They had no right to do what they did.”

  Knox’s mouth curved. “Since when do imps do what anyone thinks they should? They’re protective of their families.”

  “It’s not like I hurt Harper.”

  “That’s true.”

  “So you’ll deal with this?”

  “I will.” Knox slowly got to his feet. “I’m glad you came here today, Roan.”

  The male lifted his chin, seeming pleased by the comment.

  Rounding the table, Knox said, “See, it has come to my attention that you’ve been making outlandish claims about my mate. I was about to have you escorted here when, as luck would have it, you appeared at the reception desk. Thank you for that.”

  It was taking everything Knox had not to wrap his hands around the fucker’s neck. His demon bared his teeth, wanting to lunge and draw blood. The guy had some fucking nerve to come here whining about imps after what he’d done.

  Roan’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “I didn’t…” But he trailed off, obviously conscious that to deny it would simply make the matter worse. If the male had assumed the lair wouldn’t report his behavior to Knox, he had to be dumb. They were loyal to their Primes.

  “I would have thought you were smarter than this, Roan.” After all, Knox thought, the guy was allegedly a sharp and meticulous lawyer who ran a very successful private practice. “What’s your true problem with Harper?”

  “I don’t have a problem with her. But I have a problem with my mother being kidnapped for doing nothing more than giving birth to her.”

  “Nothing more,” Knox repeated. “Yes, it’s true that Carla did nothing for Harper other than that.”

  Roan’s mouth flattened. “That’s not what I meant.”

  “It doesn’t bother you whatsoever that your mother did what she did to Harper?” Because it bothered Knox a fuck of a lot. “You look down on my Harper, don’t you?”

  “She’s a Wallis,” Roan simply stated, as if that in itself was an explanation.

  A lot of people looked down on Harper’s family, though Knox didn’t believe it bothered the imps much. They took a perverse delight in annoying people. “And you think you’re so much better than her? Really? I suppose then that it must be eating at you that you now answer to her as you do me.”

  Roan’s nostrils flared. “My mother made a mistake when she was young and depressed. She doesn’t deserve to have that mistake paraded around her every day.”

  “I’m not so sure this is about Carla. I think you don’t like that you have to face your mother’s mistake every day. After all, the lair turned against Carla when they discovered what she did to Harper. I’m sure that has affected you. Maybe the lair treats you differently now. Maybe it’s even affecting your business. If their hatred was redirected to Harper, your life would be easy once again.”

  Roan’s eyelids flickered.

  “If your aim is to cause dissension and turn the lair against Harper, I have to wonder…” Knox cocked his head. “What kind of person does it make you that you would capitalize on your mother’s disappearance that way? I will tell you, Roan, you may look down on Harper but that is something she would never do.”

  “I don’t get it,” Roan abruptly declared. “Women throw themselves at you all the time. I’ve seen them do it. You could have anyone.”

  “That’s the life you want?” Knox sighed, disappointed in the male. “It’s an empty life.” Harper had taught Knox and his demon that.

  “You never looked unhappy to me. You always had a gorgeous woman on your arm. You’re successful and rich. Our lair worships you. Everyone always does their best to please you.” Roan gestured to his surroundings. “You have everything you could ever want.”

  And living such a lifestyle meant that Knox was forever attracting the wrong type of people. Users. Manipulators. Gold diggers. The list went on. Harper was none of those things. But Knox had no wish to share his personal thoughts with this demon. “Are you purposely trying to redirect the topic of conversation?”

  “I’m just saying she seems like an odd choice for you.”

  “Are you secretly worried that I’m not right for her?” he asked, mockingly. “Is this you being a protective brother, worried I might hurt her? I can assure you that will never happen. She will always be perfectly safe with me. It’s other people who need to worry… which is why it puzzles me that you would risk angering me.” A little of that anger leaked into his voice, which was undoubtedly why Roan took a step back.

  Knox glided into his personal space. “Let me make myself very clear. You are to stop making such claims. You are to cease attempting to stir trouble. And you are to have more respect for your Prime. If you have a problem answering to Harper, feel free to leave the lair.”

  “But —”

  “But nothing. You are in no position to argue.” His demon lunged to the surface and said, “It would be so effortless to kill you. And so very satisfying.”

  Roan blanched.

  “I like the scent of your fear,” the demon told him. “You should be scared. Others have died for causing harm to what’s mine. You will too if you hurt her. Stay away from Harper.”

  Nodding, Roan quickly retreated.

  Knox took back the reins. “Don’t leave so soon, Roan. Maybe another Prime might give you some leeway for making such a grave mistake, given that your mother has disappeared. But I’m not one of those Primes. Harper is, which makes it rather ironic that you sco
rn her, doesn’t it?”

  Levi, take him.

  The reaper immediately entered the room and seized Roan. The demon didn’t pointlessly attempt to fight the sentinel as he dragged him out of the office, despite that his eyes were wide with fear.

  Now Knox would need to make Harper aware of Roan’s rumors before someone else did. And he’d need to do it face to face. Harper, meet me in the side alley. He didn’t like people knowing that he could pyroport – he preferred to keep them guessing about what he could and couldn’t do – so he often met her outside the studio, where they could talk in private. There’s something you need to know.

  Roan’s been spreading rumors about me.

  He frowned. How do you know?

  Jolene told me.

  He didn’t bother asking how Jolene knew. The woman was shrewd and crafty and seemed to have sources everywhere. I’ve warned him to stop this behavior. I believe he’ll listen.

  You’ll still punish him though, she guessed, sounding a little saddened by the idea. There was that marshmallow center at work again.

  Of course.

  A pause. What will you do?

  It’s a standard punishment for a crime of that severity.

  Harper must have decided she didn’t want to know what that was, because she didn’t ask. He’s going to hate me more than ever now.

  It’s not you he hates. It’s that his life suffered a hard blow when Carla’s secret was exposed. As such, he resents answering to you. Knox slid his mind softly against hers, comforting her the only way he could right then. Don’t let this hurt you, Harper. He’s not important. He may be your half-sibling by blood, but blood doesn’t make family.

  Totally true, she replied. Any news on Crow’s location?

  Not yet. He’ll be found. Knox was determined that it would be soon. Unfortunately, I have to go. Remember, call me if you need me.

  I will. See you later.

  His demon rose to the surface and said, Be safe for me, little sphinx. Then Knox resurfaced and reluctantly broke the connection just in time to start his conference call.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  As the Audi braked outside the club, Harper noticed the long lines of people waiting to enter. Even for a Friday evening, it was pretty busy. Then again, it was a very popular place within Vegas. It also happened to be an entrance to the Underground.

  Tanner turned to Harper. “Keenan will be your escort tonight; he’s waiting for you near the elevator.”

  “You joining the hunt for Crow?”

  “Nah, I just have a couple of things I need to do.”

  “Like chase your tail and bury some bones?” said Devon.

  Raini forced a smile. “Thanks for the ride, Tanner.” She then dragged the hellcat out of the car saying, “Control that mouth.” Khloë followed them, laughing.

  Harper just rolled her eyes. “See you later, Tanner.”

  Sliding out of the car, she led the way to the front door. The humans waiting behind the red ropes tittered at their appearance. Yeah, well, they hadn’t bothered changing out of their work clothes, since they were only planning to go to the mall. The people in the VIP queue didn’t bat an eyelid about it, since the line was solely for demons so they would understand.

  Recognizing Harper, the doorman nodded respectfully and stepped aside. Giving him a grateful smile, Harper moved past him and walked straight to the stairs on their right. The girls stayed close behind her as she headed down to the basement and then over to the door at the back of the dark room. The brawny demons manning the door gave her a polite nod.

  “This way, Miss Wallis,” said one of the guards as he urged them through the door and then over to an elevator. After punching in a code, the polished metal doors slid open. He inclined his head at Harper and then returned to the other guard.

  As the four girls stepped inside and the doors began to close, Devon grabbed onto the handrail and asked, “Are you used to being so easily recognized by our kind yet?”

  “Nope,” Harper replied. She found it a little uncomfortable. “It feels weird when they greet me by my name, like they know me.”

  “Well, people like the doormen kind of do,” said Raini. “You co-own the Underground now, which makes you sort of their boss.”

  The elevator came to a stop with a chiming sound, and the metal doors slid open. And there was Keenan, flashing his adorable, boyish smile. One look from his hooded, blue eyes made her senses zing to life – it was beyond her control. The incubus, like Raini, oozed sex and could naturally stir lust in others whether he wished to or not. Nonetheless, no one made Harper’s body react like Knox did, which was why it was easy for Keenan’s effect to become background noise.

  Behind Keenan was every demon’s version of heaven. Kind of like the Vegas strip only ten times better. There were casinos, clubs, bars, hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, and strip clubs. There were also things you wouldn’t find on the Las Vegas strip, like combat circles where demons dueled for money, and dog racing stadiums where hellhounds competed.

  “Hello ladies,” greeted Keenan, flask in hand. It could be said that the sentinel had a drinking problem. It wasn’t rare for demons, since their kind had addictive personalities. “I can’t help but notice you aren’t dressed for a night out.” His shoulders slumped. “Tell me you’re not here to shop.”

  Harper patted his shoulder. “If it makes you feel any better, I’d rather not go shopping.”

  Raini grabbed her arm and pulled her in the direction of the mall. “You need a new dress for the celebration, and we will find you one.”

  As they walked down the strip, Harper peeked into each of the buildings – none of which had a front wall, making it easy to see they were all heaving with demons. People were laughing, eating, drinking, and dancing. There was also a little brawling going on here and there, but that was pretty typical.

  Reaching the mall, they walked through the automatic glass doors and right into a maze of retail stores, kiosks, coffeehouses, escalators, smoothie bars, hair salons, elevators, and stairways. The place echoed with the footsteps and conversations of the crowd. Bright and airy, it was well-kept and every surface and window seemed to glimmer. Harper’s nose wrinkled at the smell of coffee, perfumes, floor wax, and meat grilling.

  Raini pointed at the escalator. “Come on, the first floor has the best dresses.”

  Harper was more interested in following the scents coming from the food court. “Fine, but we have to eat before we leave here.”

  “Wait, I need to get some cash first,” declared Devon, moving to the ATM with Raini. Keenan stayed with Harper near the fountain, watching Khloë expertly extract a plastic bubble from a coin machine with nothing more than a sharp punch to the side of the machine. She’d always been good at that.

  Walking to them, Khloë cracked open the bubble and grinned as she pulled out a small pack of gum. “Yay, strawberry flavor!”

  Keenan turned to Harper. “Is it wrong that, despite being a grown man, I want to learn how to do that?”

  “No, it is kind of cool,” Harper allowed, smiling as she saw that a group of kids who’d been watching Khloë were now trying the move for themselves. Sadly, they were having no luck getting a free bubble.