Black-Winged Tuesday

by Alicia Ryan

  “You got the evidence? On Uncle Lucian?”

  “And Mike Orzio, too, I believe. Here, take a listen and tell us if it’s enough.”

  Tuesday played back the recording, and Charlie listened, not moving a muscle.

  When it was over, he slumped down on the leather sofa. “It’s just what I thought. They really are cooking the numbers.”

  “You sound disappointed. I thought you wanted to catch them.”

  “Not more than I didn’t want it to be happening. But it is, and I have an obligation to the company to stop it.”

  “Do you know what to do?”

  Charlie nodded. “I need to go back to the office and put together my best estimate of how much they’ve misappropriated, and then send email invitations to all the board members calling an emergency meeting. Only the board can fire Uncle Lucian. I expect they’ll fire both him and Orzio, and I’ll ask for a full outside audit. There might even be criminal charges. I don’t really know about that. And if the other shareholders vote to do so, any of us can buy out Uncle Lucian’s shares at pennies on the dollar. He could be removed from the company in every way.”

  “Doesn’t he have control of your shares?” Tuesday asked. “Will that get in the way?”

  Charlie shook his head. “No, the other shareholders still make up a majority of the company, and there’s not much Uncle can do in the face of that, even with my shares. Besides, I’ll talk to my father. I think he’ll agree to change the terms of the trust under the circumstances.”

  “Do you think you can get all the board members together tomorrow?”

  “I’m going to try.”

  “Will Lucian be there?”

  Charlie sighed. “I think he might as well be. The board will want to hear him out.”

  “It sounds like you know what you’re doing.”

  “What I have to do.” He looked into the kitchen at Price as he got to his feet. “Feel free to stay and finish your fried chicken. I really do need to go back to the office.”

  “Hey! We were hoping to go for drinks!”

  “Let’s save the celebration for tomorrow night – if everything goes as it should.”

  “Makes sense.” Tuesday patted Charlie on the shoulder. “I wish we could be there with you, but it sounds like you’ve got to do this part on your own.”

  “I know. Thanks, though. Having you two here…well, it’s been great. You saved my life, and you’ve given me faith in the future, which is something I didn’t have before.”

  “Don’t get all misty on us,” Price called out.

  Charlie laughed and picked up his keys from the counter. “Enjoy raiding my pantry, Price. I’ll let you know how it goes.”

  He turned back to Tuesday. “If you’re in the building tomorrow, you’ll probably hear Uncle Lucian’s reaction, even from the basement.”

  “Where will the meeting be? I might arrange to be delivering mail nearby.”

  “All the conference rooms are on the first floor. It will be somewhere down there.”

  “Good luck, Charlie. Though I don’t think you’ll need it.”

  Charlie smiled ruefully as he went out the door. “I don’t think so either.”

  Tuesday elected not to sit around watching Price eat tv dinner fried chicken and swilling whiskey he’d found in one of Charlie’s other cabinets.

  Chapter Twelve

  When Tuesday opened the door to the apartment, he was stunned to see a man sitting on their sofa. And not just because he was an intruder, but also because he was the most beautiful and - intimidating was the only other word that sprang to mind – man he’d ever laid eyes on.

  He shut the door softly behind him and stood gawking. The stranger had silky black hair that swung a little too long over one brow, hard, sensuous features, bronzed skin, and black eyes. Not just dark brown, but completely black.

  Power radiated off him in palpable waves, even as he sat at ease on their stupid red couch. It actually suited him, dressed all in black as he was – black slacks, black shirt, black leather shoes, all looking like the most expensive things money could buy.

  Tuesday knew he was an angel, and then he knew which one.

  “You’re Lucifer.”

  Light flashed on dark eyes as the archangel leaned forward. Tuesday took a step back.

  “Very perceptive of you.”

  “I doubt it. Does anyone meet you and not know who you are?”

  He shrugged. “Very few. And most of them I have killed for being too stupid to be useful to me.”

  “Have I done something wrong? Is that why you’re here?” He suddenly remembered that it was, in fact, Tuesday. Apparently his bad luck had made it beyond the grave.

  Lucifer stared at him, and he shivered because he had no idea what the ruler of hell was seeing.

  “I’ll be honest with you, Tuesday, because I think you’ll be honest with me. I’m here because of Ariel.”

  Tuesday felt the blood leave his face. “You don’t want me seeing her?” Please don’t say that, he thought. Anything but that.

  “I haven’t decided. What bothers me is I don’t know what she’s up to with you.”

  “She said she wasn’t up to anything. She’s just lonely, and, for some reason, I seem to fit the bill.”

  He could see the muscle at Lucifer’s tanned jaw clench and release, clench and release.

  “And that could be the truth. Were it anyone but Ariel, I’d believe it. Our existence since the fall has been…anguishing…at times.”

  A question formed in his mind, and he didn’t know where he found the nerve to ask it. “Why have you and she never…you know?”

  Lucifer laughed. “We don’t match. Even after all this time, she’s still a sneaky little bitch, and I can’t tolerate that. She always has her own game going. And she’s gotten fairly good at blocking my ability to read her. She takes emotions from those four who bear her mark and channels them in front of her own. We could hardly be mated when she’s always out to thwart me.”

  He eyed Tuesday again. “What I don’t know is what part she’s lined you up to play.”

  “I asked her,” Tuesday replied. “She told me there was no game, specifically no game with you. Just that I was strong enough to be with her, and perhaps we’re somewhat alike, she and I.”

  Lucifer sat back, his dark brow furrowed in contemplations he seemed to have no intention of revealing.

  “I have information I’m willing to share,” he said finally, “in return for a favor from you.”

  Tuesday realized he was truly frightened at the thought of making a deal with the devil. “Um…I don’t think so?”

  Lucifer sat unfazed. “It concerns your teenage sweetheart – and her safety. You prayed for her safety, did you not?”

  “That wasn’t really meant for you.”

  Lucifer laughed. “Look at your wings, Tuesday. Do you really think I can’t hear your prayers?” He cocked his head. “Now do you want it answered or not?”

  “I didn’t know prayers got answered like this – in person. What do I have to agree to in return?”

  Lucifer shook his finger at him. “Don’t expect me to play fair. You have to agree, and then I tell you what it is.”

  Was there anything he wouldn’t do to keep Mary safe? Especially now - when she was just getting her first chance at a real life?

  “Fine. I agree, whatever it is. Now tell me about Mary.”

  “Not so fast. I get my favor first. There’s still plenty of time to save your first love.”

  Lucifer stood and moved toward Tuesday, the command in his eyes rooting Tuesday where he stood. When he got within arm’s reach, Tuesday felt more than power washing over him. A wave of lust, darker and more devouring than anything he’d ever felt flooded his senses. He struggled to stay upright.

  “Give me your arm,” Lucifer demanded. Tuesday knew which one he meant. He stuck out the arm with Ariel’s mark on it.

  Lucifer slapped his hand over the mark, holding t
ight to Tuesday’s wrist. Another wave of lust brought Tuesday to his knees.

  “What –?”

  He couldn’t even finish the question. His wrist began to burn, and a searing pain momentarily drove out all other thoughts. How long it went on he didn’t know. He was sure it seemed longer than it was. He wasn’t good with pain.

  Lucifer released him, and Tuesday looked down, expecting to see blackened flesh. Instead, there was a new mark, a circle of red flames.

  He looked up at Lucifer with questions in his eyes. Questions he didn’t yet have the voice to ask aloud.

  “Now I won’t have to feel you through her,” he said. “I can feel her through you. Everything you see, hear, and feel – if I choose. And you are no longer bound to her. That mark links you to me. You can’t touch it and have her appear or send you that blasted joy she’s always raving about.”

  Tuesday was reeling in just about every way he could imagine.

  “I thought you said…you said I could still see her.”

  “For now, I’ll allow it, yes.”

  He grabbed the mark again and twisted Tuesday around so Tuesday’s back hit his chest.

  Tuesday felt another wave of black lust hit him and wrap around his mind and body. He didn’t know how to describe it. It was so different from what he felt with Ariel. So…wrong, but so very powerful.

  “I don’t want you to forget that,” Lucifer whispered.

  Tuesday couldn’t help it. He writhed at the soft wing of Lucifer’s breath against his ear.

  “That’s right,” Lucifer continued. “Feel me. Feel your master. For I am, in every way, and I’ll have you know it.”

  “Ugh…please!”

  “Whatever you wish, my pretty new pet.”

  Tuesday wasn’t sure what he’d meant – or expected – but it wasn’t what he got. Lucifer held the mark tighter and lashed an arm around his hips. Desire rose so high within him, he knew he was about to start begging; he wasn’t sure what for.

  Then Lucifer whispered to him again. “You’re mine, Tuesday.” He gently bit Tuesday’s earlobe, setting off a lightning bolt of want that shot straight through Tuesday and made him cry out and come where he stood. He was helpless against every dark sensation Lucifer brought to life. Only when the devil released his ear and his arm did the cataclysm cease, and he sank against the hard chest at his back, sliding slowly to the floor.

  “Why?” he croaked out.

  “Because you didn’t want it. And now you will.”

  Tuesday shook his head, confusion overriding the sparks of pleasure still shooting through his body.

  Lucifer bent to help him up and threw him unceremoniously onto the sofa. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep my end of our bargain. Your Mary is in danger because Red Bull is on his way back to her. He’s abandoned his first assignment, but he doesn’t have wings yet, so he’s driving cross country. You should have at least a day or two before he arrives.”

  “Thank you,” Tuesday managed. “But what do I do with him?”

  “That’s up to you.”

  And with that, Lucifer disappeared.

  Tuesday sat up and leaned his head on the back of the couch. He sat like that for the better part of an hour, only looking up when Price came through the door.

  “What the hell happened to you?”

  “Lucifer. He was here.”

  “Are you kidding?”

  Tuesday shook his head.

  “That’s really not fair. I’ve never even seen the guy.” He looked Tuesday over. “Why do you look like you’ve been hit by a truck? What did the evil one want with you?”

  “I’m not sure. I think he’s just pissed at Ariel.” He held out his wrist for Price’s inspection.

  “Holy shit. I’ve never seen one of those either. You mean you’ll have Lucifer breathing down your neck all the time now?”

  The mention of Lucifer breathing on his neck made Tuesday close his eyes and shiver in remembrance. “Possibly.”

  “So what’s he like?”

  Tuesday opened his mouth and then closed it. “Hard,” he said, “hard and dark and…beautiful. He’s…not easy to describe.”

  “Okay…” Price drew out his response as he walked to the kitchen. He came back with a glass of orange juice and handed it to Tuesday. “You look a little depleted.”

  Tuesday smiled, taking the glass and a grateful gulp. “I didn’t think you knew words like ‘depleted’.”

  “Your underestimation of me is just as hilarious now as it was in the beginning – which is to say not at all. But I’m willing to cut you some slack since you look like a kicked puppy. Why don’t you go to bed? It may be a big day at the office tomorrow.”

  The office. Right, Charlie. Tuesday had almost forgotten. He sucked down the rest of the orange juice. “I think sleep is my only option at this point.”

  He got up and put the glass in the sink, vowing to wash it in the morning. “’Night, Price.”

  He staggered to his room and shut the door, bothering only to strip off his clothes and clean himself up a bit before he fell into bed.

  He awoke some time later, sweating, twisted up in his sheets, and grinding himself into the mattress, consumed by the same lust that Lucifer had snared him in before. He gritted his teeth, staring at the mark on his wrist. It glowed red in the dark, and Tuesday hated it. It made him feel like property in a way Ariel’s mark never had. And feeling like property made him angry.

  Remembering what Ariel had told him about the two-way nature of the tether, he snapped his right hand around it and willed all the unbidden desire swamping him back at his new master. When he felt no barrier between them, he knew he’d taken Lucifer by surprise but instead of feeling his own desire lessen, it multiplied tenfold. The open channel of the mark created a feedback loop that sent Tuesday skyward, and he thought for a moment he actually heard Lucifer roar.

  After the peak, Tuesday waited for his breathing to calm and then rolled over onto his back just as a wave of rage slammed through the mark. Pain lanced his left arm from wrist to shoulder, pinning him to the mattress.

  All his amusement fled, and then he realized what his punishment was to be. Both of his arms were staked above his head, frozen in place by some force he couldn’t fight. The pain in his left arm had subsided, only to be replaced by Lucifer’s overpowering lust. Tuesday gritted his teeth and writhed, soon out of his mind with trying to find friction in the open air. There was none, and Lucifer would afford him no relief.

  After the first hour, Tuesday thought he might die. After the second hour, he thought he might cry, but something in him refused to give that devil the satisfaction. Finally, and only, he told himself, as the absolute last resort, he screamed for Price.

  In just a few moments, his door opened, showing Price’s darkened figure. “What the hell?” he demanded. “Why are you screaming at me?”

  “Lucifer…he…this is…payback.”

  “Making you naked and raging hard is payback?”

  “Hours!” Tuesday gasped.

  “Oh. Well that’s more like it.”

  Tuesday groaned. “Please…”

  Price laughed, but the sound turned into Tricia’s soft soprano giggle. “I’d be happy to help,” she said. “I just hope Lucifer doesn’t put my lights out for this.”

  The now hourglass-shaped silhouette moved and Tuesday whimpered as the full effect of a nude Tricia hit him. “Please, Tricia. God, please help me.”

  “At your service, baby,” she whispered, warm and wet and sliding down onto his aching cock.

  “Oh, yes…please.”

  But Tricia wasn’t just doing him a favor. She ground herself slowly against him, around and around, never riding him properly, but working herself into high-pitched moans and whimpers. Tuesday wanted to scream when she finally started to move – really move.

  “Price, I’m going to kill you when this is over,” he ground out.

  “I’m counting on a little death right now, sweet cheeks.” Sh
e reached one hand down and pinched his ass, then went back to touching herself as she rode him.

  Tuesday blocked out anything but the feel of Tricia’s supernaturally nubile and strong body riding his, drowning him in heat. He felt Lucifer’s hold begin to weaken, the leash begin to slip and then, finally, blissful release.

  Only not quite blissful enough and not quite enough release. He flipped them over so he was on top and pounded into Tricia like a man possessed. Over and over, he drove himself deep, urged on by her moans and scratches.

  She wrapped her legs around his hips, pulling him deeper and began to pant his name.

  “Yes,” she said on a ragged breath, one hand clutching his shoulder, the other clawing into the bedspread. “God, don’t stop, Tuesday.”

  He couldn’t have if he’d wanted to. He leaned down to suck at her luscious breasts and then slipped a hand between them to bear down on her most sensitive spot. That was all she needed, and she cried out as her delicious muscles clenched around him. Three more thrusts, and Tuesday arched above her, finally finding the release he needed.

  He dropped his head onto her shoulder. “If you change back to Price right now, I swear I will kill you.”

  She gave a laugh that was decidedly Price-like, but ran her hand gently through his hair. “I wouldn’t do that to you. Just promise that if Lucifer ever decides to punish me, you’ll come to my aid.”

  “Deal.”

  He moved gently to her side, leaning up on one elbow. “I guess I really should say thank you. I thought I was going to die before you came in.”

  “Damn right. It’s not like I enjoyed myself or anything.”

  Tuesday gaped.

  “Okay, that was a total lie. I told you sometimes it’s more fun to be the girl. They have all the best places.”

  Tuesday managed a chuckle. “I’m going to take a shower.” He looked over at the clock. “Christ, it’s five in the morning. Wanna just clean up and go grab breakfast?”

  “Sure. I’m starved.”

  “You know I’m not certain how I’m going to be able to look you in the eye after this.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Extraordinary circumstances and all. I’m not expecting a repeat performance. Unless Lucifer’s not done with you and decides to put you through the ringer every night.”