Lucifer's Litigator

by TJ Nichols

  “You were always leaving.”

  “Yeah. But I wasn’t meant to be here this weekend. My flight back was canceled because of the cyclone warning. I didn’t even get the invitation to the reunion until the day before. What if there was interference from way back?”

  “What do you mean?” William steered them toward the exit. They shouldn’t be having this conversation in such a public place.

  “I know why you chose Plutus.”

  “I didn’t choose. I was approached.”

  “Then it’s even more likely. Maybe he keeps an eye out for people to tap on the shoulder. He knew your weakness even back then.” Tom tapped the wallet in William’s hand.

  Tom’s assessment hollowed him out. He’d thought the godly games had started while he was at university, long after Tom was out of the picture. But at school all he’d wanted was to fit in. He’d wanted to be more than that scholarship kid who didn’t belong. He hadn’t forged the same connections as the other boys in his year, because none of them had wanted to sully their family name with a no one. He’d thought Tom the same. “It was never the money, was it?”

  “No. I tried to tell you that. I was scared people would think I was gay.”

  “They’d have been wrong.”

  Tom laughed. “Yeah. But I didn’t know. I didn’t have a mum like yours who cared and who would’ve accepted me. I didn’t know how to say it back then, so I tried to keep all the parts separate.”

  “And you still do.” Will stopped walking. “I’m cautious before I out myself, but I just try not to let people’s barbs stick. Which is much easier when I make bank and then some.”

  “I don’t care if they take it all away, okay? Now do you want to do this paperwork? Or have you decided that I’m not worthy?” There was a curve on Tom’s lips, but concern in his eyes.

  “I’d be delighted.” Surely this would have to be the thing that changed his fate.

  IT WASN’T. Nor was buying each other engagement rings. Tom wanted to pay because it was his idea, but Will wanted to burn through whatever was on his credit card, which was a lot, given the way he didn’t blink at dropping several grand.

  Tom stopped at the red light and wiped his palms on his pants. His ring caught on the denim. It was simple platinum with an onyx inlay. Will had opted for gold with an onyx inlay. They were similar and yet completely different. “Ready for the next bit?”

  “I thought we’d done everything?”

  Yeah, and none of it had worked so far. Tom had made his plan while Will slept next to him last night. They hadn’t bothered with condoms, because what was the point? In daylight he realized that, even if this all failed, he was going to have to find a way to live. He knew Will had all but given up; there was a resignation in his eyes. He wanted to make the most of what was left but wasn’t going to fight. But Tom had spent most of his life fighting. He knew how to put together a plan of attack.

  So that’s what he’d done. In daylight on his phone he typed up each possibility on a new line. If any of the other steps had worked, he’d have canceled the visit to his parents’ house. It was the last place he wanted to take Will. It was probably the last place Will wanted to be. But it wouldn’t take long, and Tom doubted very much that his parents would want them to stay for dinner, so they’d be able to take that last walk on the beach together before they went home and waited for it all to come to an end.

  Will stared out the window. “Tell me this is the way to your place and that we aren’t going to see your parents.”

  “We are going to see my parents.” And he was expecting it to blow up in his face, because nothing else had worked. He’d been treating Will like he was his boyfriend, and now fiancé, all day… and nothing. “Are you sure you’re still under contract?”

  “Yes.”

  “How?”

  Will flipped down the sun visor and looked in the mirror.

  “You look fine. Really, you look half my age.” That was probably to do with the contract.

  “I can see the red in my pupils.”

  “What does that mean?” Tom had thought the light was playing tricks when he noticed the red sheen in Will’s eyes over breakfast.

  “Most of my soul is missing. I probably won’t get it back.”

  “Is that the secret to eternal youth?” Tom said with a grin.

  Will didn’t smile. “It’s one of the benefits.”

  “Fuck. Sorry.” He turned into his parents’ street.

  “You don’t have to do this. When I’m gone, you’ll still have to see them.”

  “I need to do this. To hell with them…. I don’t mean that literally.” He was really going to have to start watching what he said.

  Will put a hand on his thigh. “Have you thought this through properly?”

  “Yes.” For hours in the dead of night, he’d deliberated over the possible things that might work. He’d gone over every conversation he’d had with Will and those he could barely remember from twenty-five years ago. Short of announcing it on live TV, there wasn’t anything else he could do to prove he was no longer hiding. What did Plutus want from them?

  Tom parked in the driveway. “They know I need to tell them something.”

  Will tipped his head back. “They probably think you’re dying.”

  They’d probably wish he was after this. He gripped Will’s hand. “I want to do this. I said I wanted to do it right this time.”

  “I know… and I know we’re running out of time and ideas, and I want you to know that, if this doesn’t work, then it’s okay. You don’t need to prove anything to me.”

  It still felt like he did—for all the times he’d refused to hold Will’s hand or pretended they were barely friends, for not telling his parents to stop being assholes when they made cruel remarks about Will’s lack of money.

  Tom cupped Will’s jaw. “Let’s get this done, and then we still have time to try some other things.” He tried to sound hopeful, but there was nothing else on his list.

  “I mean it. I don’t want you to be bitter after.”

  Tom shrugged. “I won’t remember.” He tried to sound glib but failed.

  “You’ll remember me, just not the rest.”

  This close, he could see the red in Will’s pupils. It was a sheen like fire. His forked tongue darted over his lip before he stole another kiss. Then Will got out of the car, leaving Tom no other option but to follow.

  Tom rang the doorbell and grabbed Will’s hand, steeling himself not to let go, no matter what. Will’s fingers linked with his, the way they once had when no one was watching. His ring pinched, reminding Tom of everything that he’d promised. He’d always imagined getting married one day….

  And now they could.

  His mother opened the door and assessed the situation in one quick glance. Her stare ended up on Will. “What are you doing here?”

  “I invited him…. Will is my fiancé.” There. He’d said it out loud. He lifted his hand to show off the ring.

  “What do you mean, fiancé? You can’t marry a man. You aren’t one of them.”

  Tom swallowed and nodded before finding the words he needed to say. “Yeah, I am. I just never told you about the men I’ve dated and lived with until now.” His palm was sweating, and his heart was running the hundred-meter sprint. “Did you want to invite us in or are you going to slam the door in my face?”

  “You can’t tell your father,” his mother said in a forced whisper.

  “He’s going to find out when he reads the wedding invitation,” Will said.

  His mother paled. “Good grief. You’re serious.”

  “Deadly.” Less than four hours to go. They were wasting time on the doorstep. He glanced at Will. Was he free yet?

  “What’s the problem?” His father made his way to the door.

  His mother turned away. Tom wanted to take several steps away from his father. After all the years, his father still managed to make him feel inferior, as though he was nothing because
he wasn’t following the path laid out by the family.

  Tom lifted his chin and refused to be cowed by his father’s contemptuous glare. He’d run away to the other side of the country when he was nineteen, but he’d never outrun his father’s condemnation.

  “Will and I are getting married.” Tom held up their linked hands. No more secrets. No more hiding.

  Will stepped back as though shoved.

  For a moment Tom thought his father had hit Will. But his father hadn’t moved. He was standing with his mouth open as he tried to process what Tom had said.

  Tom turned to Will. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes.” Will smiled, and it reached his eyes, where small crinkles formed.

  The contract was broken. It had to be. But Tom couldn’t let hope get too far off the ground. Not until he knew for sure.

  “What have you done to my son? I knew you two spent too much time together as kids. You’ve turned him into one of those—”

  “We don’t need your blessing,” Will said. “This is a courtesy, nothing more.”

  “Do you want an invitation to the wedding or not?” Tom hoped they’d say no. He didn’t need them there poisoning the day.

  His father muttered some slurs and slammed the door.

  “Guess that was a no. I think that went well.” Tom studied Will’s eyes. The red was still there.

  “It did.” He grinned and drew in a breath. “I’m free.” He leaned in and kissed Tom, his tongue still split. “I didn’t think it would work. I went along with everything because I knew you were trying so hard. I’m sorry I didn’t believe in what you were doing.”

  Tom pulled him close. “I didn’t believe either. But I do still want to marry you. Unless you don’t want to be stuck with me.”

  “Of course I want you. We don’t have to rush, though. We can do that part right.” Will blinked, his eyes glistening. “I still can’t believe I’m free.” He sank down to the steps and ran his fingers through his hair. “All we had to do was stand up to your parents. It makes sense now.”

  Tom sat next to him. “That was your regret? That my parents are shit?”

  Will shook his head. “No. I was always able to be me, to be honest about who I am. I saw the change in you when you were at my mum’s. I wanted that for you.”

  Tom stared at the ring on his finger. “I was never going to have that. I was never even brave enough to try.” He’d have been kicked out for sure.

  “You did today. There were times I wanted to speak up, but I didn’t want to make it worse for you.”

  Tom looked over his shoulder at his parents’ house. For so long he’d let their disapproval live in his head that he hadn’t realized how much space it took up. There was so much more room without it. He could fill up the space with things he wanted in his life—like Will. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  Will nodded. “Just… I lived in fear for so long.”

  Tom put his hand on Will’s knee. “It’ll be okay. You’ll stop jumping at shadows and your body will calm down. It’s takes a while to adjust to normal life after….” He shrugged.

  Will glanced at him.

  This would be their normal life—Gods and demons and all that entailed. “I thought I’d lost my mind at the reunion.”

  “That’s probably what they were hoping for.”

  “Interference.” He wasn’t sure he would ever stop looking at shadows and expecting them to misbehave. “Shall we tell your mum we’re engaged?”

  Will gave him a tentative smile. “She’ll be happy for us.”

  Tom stood and pulled Will up. Then he placed a chaste kiss on his lips, content that they would have a future.

  They turned, but they were no longer alone. Lucifer sat on the hood of the car holding some paperwork. They walked over hand in hand. This time they’d deal with it together.

  “I thought you didn’t make deals with humans,” Will said.

  “I don’t. This is your release paperwork. I’ve checked it over, and it’s all fine.” Lucifer indicated where Will should sign.

  Will took the papers. “If you don’t mind, I’ll read it and get it back to you tomorrow.”

  Lucifer nodded and pulled out a business card. “Thought you might say that. Take an extra day, drop around the office after Tom leaves. I think you’ll be able to earn the rest of your soul back.”

  “And I’m not going to have my memory wiped?” Tom asked.

  “No. I don’t have NDAs either.”

  “Free will,” Will said.

  “Exactly.” Lucifer stood. “I’ll see you at work on Wednesday?”

  Will nodded.

  “Have a good flight, Tom. No more cyclones.” Lucifer winked.

  Tom stared. The cyclone that had kept him here had been his doing?

  Lucifer tapped the hood of Tom’s car, and it shimmered as though shaking off water. In its place was the SUV Tom had been thinking about buying but had been putting off because it was too extravagant. “Early wedding present.”

  Before Tom could say anything, Lucifer was gone.

  “This is so going to bite me on the arse later.” But he ran his hand over the gleaming paintwork.

  “Good thing you’ve got an in-house lawyer.” Will put the business card in his pocket.

  “You’re going to take his offer?”

  Will bit his lip and stared at the ground. “I want to earn back my soul. I’ll understand if you don’t want anything to do with me… and them.”

  “For someone so smart, you can be a total idiot, Will. I’ve waited twenty-five years to see you again, and I’m not letting you go, even if the devil asks nicely.” He pressed a hard kiss to Will’s lips. “You might be Lucifer’s litigator, but you’re my fiancé.”

  More from TJ Nichols

  Mytho: Book One

  Police officer Jordan and dragon shifter Edra might have to work together, but they don’t trust each other—even if sparks do fly between them.

  If anyone finds out Jordan’s a mytho sympathizer, it could kill his career. No one can know that he frequents the satyr dens and uses the drug Bliss. A dead satyr might not get much attention, but two dead humans who appeared to overdose on Bliss? That shouldn’t even be possible.

  And it might not be an accident.

  Edra, Mythological Services Liaison, has been covering up mytho crimes to protect the community’s reputation. With a mayoral election looming, the last thing his people need is a scandal.

  To get a murderer off the streets, Jordan and Edra will be spending a lot of time together, and it won’t be easy to keep up with their deceptions… or to keep resisting each other.

  3

  Order of the Black Knights

  Olivier Merlo works for a dangerous man. He does what he’s told without asking questions because he needs to protect his sister and niece. When someone gives his boss trouble, Olivier does what he does best. It’s a routine hit—until the victim’s brother starts poking around.

  Cody Anders left his family behind a decade ago—along with their wealth and influence—to live on his own terms. Still, he knows his twin didn’t die of a drug overdose, and he’ll do anything to find the truth. What he uncovers is a conspiracy that will topple his family and leave him staring down the barrel of a gun.

  Olivier must decide if he’s going to obey orders or free himself from the curse that has guided his hand for centuries. Cody, who challenges Olivier’s notion that no one can love him, holds the key to breaking his chains. But when the truth finally comes out, it might be more than Cody can accept.

  TJ NICHOLS is the author of the Studies in Demonology and Mytho series. Having grown up reading thrillers and fantasy novels, it’s no surprise that mixing danger and magic comes so easily. Writing urban fantasy allows TJ to make sure that evil gets vanquished and the hero gets his man.

  With two cats acting as supervisors, TJ has gone from designing roads to building worlds and wouldn’t have it any other way. After traveling all over the world and
Australia, TJ now lives in Perth, Western Australia.

  Website: tjnichols-author.com

  Twitter: @TobyJNichols

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/TJNichols.author

  Patreon: www.patreon.com/TJNichols

  By TJ Nichols

  Elf on the Beach

  The Legend of Gentleman John

  Lucifer’s Litigator

  Olivier

  Poison Marked

  The Vampire’s Dinner

  The Wolf’s Résistance

  MYTHO

  Lust and Other Drugs

  Published by DREAMSPINNER PRESS

  www.dreamspinnerpress.com

  Published by

  DREAMSPINNER PRESS

  5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886 USA

  www.dreamspinnerpress.com

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Lucifer’s Litigator

  © 2019 TJ Nichols

  Cover Art

  © 2019 Tiferet Design

  http://www.tiferetdesign.com/

  Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.

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