“We left the girls at your house, Danielle,” William replied to her questioning look.
“Abby must be pissed at your rather high-handed way of shoving her out of danger,” Celeste teased.
“She is, but I asked her to stay and watch over Teresa. My love isn’t as recovered as she’d like us all to believe.” Dominic’s face softened when he spoke of his fiancée.
“It takes time for anyone to recover from a Vodou curse, LaFontaine. I’m sure you’re proud of the way she’s survived so far.” Christian appeared and the tension in the room mounted.
“I am proud of her.” Dominic’s tone was relaxed.
Danielle was happy to see Dominic wasn’t going to take offense to anything Christian said. She and Celeste pulled the broken Peruvian pottery out from the boxes Grant had put them in, and worked on piecing them back together.
Several hours passed this way until Nevan’s radio squawked.
“Detective, the perp is coming in the south side door.”
Everything except for the empty crate got put away and the lights were turned off. The mortals in the room hid in Grant’s office and the fallen used their power to mask their presence from Diggston.
Within minutes, they heard a scraping noise at the door. It was obvious Diggston was trying to pick the lock. Danielle was standing next to Christian and felt the Enforcer shift his weight. Seconds later the door opened. A shadowy figure snuck into the lab, holding a penlight in front of him. He headed right for the crate. Nevan had returned the emeralds to the bone earlier because they wanted to catch Diggston holding the goods. The light rested on the edge of the crate and the perp started digging around, searching through the bones and packing paper.
Christian shifted again. She wondered if he was impatient to get this whole thing over with.
“Ah, here it is. Must have fallen out of the bone it was in.” Diggston pulled the package out then grabbed the light. He carried it over to a table before unwrapping the paper. “Yep, they’re all there and shining. The boss will have to stop bitching at me now.”
Another shift and light exploded in the room. When it disappeared, he was surrounded by Nevan, Grant and Adam. The fallen hung back and Christian had disappeared. The criminal didn’t argue while Nevan read him his rights and cuffed him. His watery gaze flicked to Adam and Diggston grew pale.
“I’m thinking the only vacation you’re going to get is a long one behind bars, Diggston,” Adam growled.
“Wait, I know all sorts of things about Martinez,” Diggston pleaded.
“You should have thought of that before you killed the guard. There won’t be any deals for you.” Nevan glared at Diggston then dragged the man out. Danielle could hear the criminal protesting all the way down the hall.
“Where’d Christian go?” Dominic asked.
“I don’t know, but I get the feeling he’s responsible for the door unlocking and Diggston finding the emeralds so fast. Also the flash of light,” Danielle said as Grant made sure none of the bones had been bothered.
“Why do you think he did it?” Celeste frowned.
“He’ll do anything to facilitate his leaving Chicago sooner than later. He’s not fond of being out of New York.” Dominic’s crooked smile let her know he knew that was an understatement.
“Come on, it’s late. I want to get some rest. We’ll decide what we’re going to do with the skeleton tomorrow.” She pulled Grant away from the vault where he had placed the bones.
They caught cabs and headed to her place. As the vehicles deposited them on the sidewalk, a strange, uneasy feeling rushed over her. She dashed up the front steps with the other Enforcers right behind her.
Stunned, she stopped in the entry of the living room. Teresa was lying on the floor with Abby kneeling beside her. Christian stood over them. Dominic rushed to Teresa’s side and William grabbed Abby’s hand to pull her away.
Celeste faced Christian. “What’s going on here? What have you done, Christian?”
“No.” Abby jerked away from William then moved to stand between Christian and Celeste. “He didn’t do anything. A woman showed up and attacked Teresa. I was trying to stop her, Dominic. I really did try,” she pleaded with Dominic.
“He knows, Abby,” Danielle said. She saw the cynical light in Christian’s eyes.
“Then Christian showed up. He touched her and the woman screamed, then disappeared.”
“Where did she go?” It could only have been Brittany.
“Brittany’s gone. You don’t have to worry about her bothering you anymore.” Christian reached out to touch Abby’s shoulder.
“Don’t touch her,” William blurted out.
Christian pulled his hand back slowly then stared at them. Dominic met his gaze as he rose to his feet, holding Teresa in his arms.
“Thank you, Christian.” Dominic’s voice was serious and honest.
The other Enforcer inclined his head a little. “I only did what I promised to do long ago. I haven’t forgotten my promises yet.” His dark blue eyes skated over to William. “Though I know there are those on both sides eagerly waiting for the day I do.”
William had the grace to look guilty.
Grant stepped up to Christian. Holding out his hand, he said, “Thank you for all the help you’ve provided. I know it’s hard for you to be away from your city. We’ll have everything cleaned up tomorrow then you can go home. I’m sorry your reception hasn’t always been good.”
She wondered what Christian would do. It was no secret the Enforcer really didn’t care for mortals, but she didn’t think he would do anything more than ignore Grant. Surprise shot through her when he reached out and shook Grant’s hand before Christian looked at her.
“You picked a good one, Danielle. All of you will need to meet me at the lab tomorrow morning. We’ll take care of Ferguson’s skeleton. Make sure your reserve of power is filled.” Turning to glance at Dominic, he said, “Except for you, LaFontaine. What you have now will be enough. I need everyone, even the mortals and that detective of yours, Danielle.”
“We’ll be there,” she promised.
He nodded and disappeared. They all went to their rooms—there wasn’t anything else to say.
* * * *
“Why is everyone afraid of Christian?” Grant asked after they had lain in bed for an hour or so, staring at the ceiling.
Sighing, Danielle tucked her head under his chin to rest it on his chest. “Part of it is because we don’t know his motives. Why did he choose to fall? He wasn’t truly part of the rebellion. He tried to talk us out of it. Lucifer could never seduce him with talk of power or anything else. If he wasn’t interested in power, why did he end up banished to earth? One of the many rumors about him is that he gave up his wings voluntarily. Mika’il didn’t have to fight him for them.”
“He seems so lonely.” When the Enforcer had shaken his hand, Grant had seen a deep sorrow in Christian’s dark eyes. “It’s like he’s behind a glass wall and doesn’t know how to reach through it for help or a friend.”
“Now he only has Mika’il as a friend and that doesn’t make him feel better.”
“Do you think he’s going to lose his soul?” He shivered thinking about what that would mean to everyone.
She shook her head. “I don’t think so. If he does, it’ll be because he’ll lose something more important to him if he didn’t. He’s stronger than we all have given him credit for. Now, what was it that Christian said about recharging my power?” She slid her hand down and cupped his cock.
A few minutes later, he was thanking God for Danielle as he came.
Chapter Thirteen
When they got to the museum and met up with Nevan, Christian had already pulled the bones out and had placed them in a pile on a table in the middle of the lab. Christian was holding the skull in his hand and a single tear had tracked down his cheek. Grant cleared his throat as they walked in.
Christian greeted them. “I know where the bones should go, so we’re
going to join our power together and send them there. It’s the best place for them and no one will ever find Ferguson again.”
“What about Mika’il?” Celeste asked.
“He isn’t here. If he doesn’t like where I send the skeleton, he can go and get it. I’m not going to worry about what he wants or doesn’t want.” Christian gestured for them to surround the table.
Grant didn’t realize someone else was in the lab until after he had been pushed into a protective huddle with Abby, Teresa and Adam. Danielle stood in front of him in a circle formed by the other Enforcers. He wanted to protest, but then the stranger caught his gaze.
Broken perfection was the only description he could think of. The man’s golden hair waved to his shoulders. His pale skin was without flaw, except for the faint scar on his left cheek in the shape of a cross. Yet one glance into the man’s eyes… Grant knew a shattered soul when he saw one. The stranger’s eyes were black bottomless pits. There were no pupils. It was hard to meet that stare because it felt like the man was draining his soul.
“You have no business here, Daystar.”
Christian’s voice broke the spell as he leaned against the table that held Ferguson’s skeleton. There was no fear or tension in Christian’s posture. A movement in the corner drew Grant’s eyes and he saw Nevan frozen with a look of pure horror. He imagined the detective could see all the souls clinging to Lucifer.
Leaning forward, he whispered to Danielle, “You forgot Nevan.”
“No, he’ll be fine. His sight protects him from Lucifer’s power, even with all the ghosts that haunted Lucifer.” She spoke under her breath. “Now be quiet.”
“What if I feel differently?” Lucifer’s voice was beautiful, like a gospel choir singing hymns.
“It no longer matters what you feel or wish. You were banished and God turned His back on you like He did the rest of us. This angel suffered death because of you. He won’t suffer anymore by your hands.” Christian’s dark blue eyes gleamed.
“Imagine what those pitiful mortals would think if we showed them the truth?” Lucifer nodded to where Grant and the others stood. “Imagine the power we could have.”
“Your thirst for power has always been your downfall. You’ll never get any power from his bones. Let this one go, Daystar. There will be other fights for you to take on.” Christian glanced down at the skull.
Church bells ringing on a clear day couldn’t have been purer than Lucifer’s laugh. “All right. To be honest, I have no real interest in that skeleton, but I heard someone was throwing my name around and I didn’t want to disappoint anyone.” He stared at the Enforcers and the humans behind them. “My time will come. I’ve been promised.”
With that, Lucifer turned to go then he caught Nevan’s eyes. His own eyes widened and a grin crossed his face. Nevan’s face blanked and his green eyes closed as he dropped to his knees. His scream made Grant cringe and Christian slammed a fist into Daystar’s face.
With the gaze broken, Nevan curled in a fetal position. Lucifer touched his split lip and looked at Christian with surprise in his eyes. “You hit me.”
“Leave now. Don’t torment him any longer.” Christian was poised to counter any move Lucifer made.
“Why would I leave? I could take his soul if I truly wanted to. You left him unprotected. In your wisdom, you believed his gift would keep him safe. Foolish angels. No one is safe from me.”
Before Grant consciously thought about what he was doing, he broke from the circle and ran to where Nevan lay on the floor. Stumbling, he placed his body between Lucifer and the detective as he pulled the gun from Nevan’s shoulder holster. The air seemed to leave the room and he was aware everyone tensed, except Christian.
“You’re a brave idiot, mortal. Do you really think a gun can stop me?”
He didn’t say anything. There wasn’t any point in arguing with Lucifer. He just kept the gun aimed at the fallen angel. A sharp touch in his mind made him cry out. He fought the urge to cup his head in his hands. A touch to his ankle eased the pressure slightly. He dropped his gaze for a quick glance to see Nevan’s hand grasping his ankle.
Christian stepped between Lucifer and Grant. The Enforcer did nothing except meet the Lucifer’s gaze. There was a break in Lucifer’s composure as sweat beaded on his forehead. Grant held his breath.
Snarling, Lucifer broke first. “This isn’t over between us, Christian.” He disappeared.
Christian knelt beside Grant and Nevan. He touched the detective’s shoulder, and Danielle hugged Grant.
“What the hell were you thinking?” she growled at him.
He stared at her then included all the other Enforcers in his gaze. “You left him alone, believing his gift would keep him safe. It didn’t and he needed protection, so it was the best I could do.”
“We forgot there is no protection from Lucifer except through the good will of God and the willing sacrifice of a mortal.” Christian’s voice was tired and his dark golden skin was sallow.
Nevan groaned and rolled over. “Is he gone?”
“Yes, Nevan.” Christian helped the detective sit up, then after a few minutes, the Enforcer steadied him so he could stand. “You need to go and rest. I’ll get you home.”
“What about Ferguson?” William pointed to the bones.
“None of us are ready to do what I’m planning. Rest up today and we’ll try again tomorrow.” Christian stood close to help Nevan in case the man’s strength failed him.
He waited until the detective and Christian left before he turned to look at the rest. “I’d say that was a pretty shitty start to the morning, wouldn’t you? Let’s find something fun to do today and we’ll regroup tomorrow to send Ferguson to rest.”
Everyone nodded.
* * * *
The next morning they stood in shocked silence, staring at the empty lab table.
“I didn’t think things could get worse, but it looks like Lucifer came back,” Danielle said.
“No, it wasn’t Lucifer. He never returns to the scene of a defeat. It was another angel you all love to hate.” Christian handed her a note.
“This has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Please forgive me for all you’ve had to go through. Thank you for taking such great care of Ferguson, Grant. I knew you were the best for the job. I’ve taken him to a better place where his soul might find some peace. Mika’il,” she read out loud.
“Doesn’t that just fit? We do all the work and he comes in to take the glory.” William snorted.
Danielle didn’t say anything. She really did think that it had been hard for Mika’il to sit back and let them handle everything. He cared so deeply for them and it hurt him when any of them were hurt.
“Thank you for Grant, Mika’il.”
“I did nothing except give him a little push. He was always meant to be yours. Someday he might remember the truth of what you both once were.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Enjoy and love each other.” Mika’il was gone.
Laughing, she decided he was making a joke at her expense. She turned to look at the others. “Let’s grab lunch before everyone heads back to their homes.”
Christian declined and disappeared, but the others agreed. As they filed out of the museum, she thought that it was great to have friends of her own kind. Grant wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. The best part was having this man to love for the rest of their lives together.
Also available from Totally Bound Publishing:
Fallen: New Orleans
Tiffany Aaron
Excerpt
Chapter One
The hustle and noise of the French Quarter disappeared as Dominic LaFontaine stood on the sidewalk outside Ryder’s Bookstore. He stared through the plate glass window at the dark-haired woman standing behind the counter. It had been a long two weeks away from New Orleans, but it wasn’t the city that had called him home. It was Teresa Ryder, the woman he called his best friend and the one h
is heart called his love.
She glanced up at that moment and caught him staring at her. A joyous smile broke across her face and she waved him in. It was embarrassing how his heart jumped at the sight of her racing across the floor to him, and scary how at home he felt when she wrapped her arms around him and her laughter filled his ears.
Crushing her tight to him, he whispered, “God, I’ve missed you.”
She pulled back from him, her violet eyes sparkling with happiness. “It’s only been two weeks, Dominic.”
“A minute away from you feels like a lifetime,” he stated truthfully.
“Quit your flirting and help me close up.” She led him back to the register. “How was your trip?”
“Productive,” he murmured as he eyed her bottom. He had to stop himself from reaching out and squeezing those luscious cheeks. Great way to greet her after being gone for two weeks, he thought.
“Did you get all your business taken care of while you were out there? I didn’t know you knew anyone out in Reno.” She started counting the till.
“He was more of an acquaintance when I went out there, but I’d like to think we’re friends now.” As he started shutting off the lights, he thought about the routine they had established years ago.
“I’m sure you are. Who wouldn’t like you after they met you?” She tucked the last of the money into a bag.
He laughed. Teresa had always seen him as a sweet person. She didn’t know that he was one of the most feared men in New Orleans. He had never told her about his past—he didn’t want to destroy her innocence. “William never does what you would expect him to do, but he’s a good man.” He took the cash bag from her and opened the door. “Will you join me for dinner? I’ve missed talking to you.”
She blushed. “I can’t. I have a date.”
Disappointment rushed through him. “That’s great, sweetheart. Who’s the lucky man?”
“His name is Vincent Delacourte. He came into the store the day after you left and we just hit it off. We’ve gone to dinner a few times since then.” Her face was glowing with happiness.
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