“What’s so enviable?” Izzie’s voice floated into the room.
Hunter opened his arms when the lovely shifter strolled up to him. “Cariño, I only have eyes for you.”
She hit his chest. Keeping her eyes on him, she said to me, “It’s good to see you, Monte. Staying for brunch? I could whip up something.”
“That’s okay.” I wasn’t just being polite. Hunter and his grandfather were the chefs in their household. My friend frequently joked that Izzie could burn water. “I’ve got something to take care of.”
Hunter wrapped his arms around his wife and said, “Off to work?”
“Naw. Going to fix something else I broke.”
I didn’t see my situation through Hunter’s eyes. I’d never been one to crave sex without an attachment, even though I’d met plenty of women who relished the status. I was a man who wanted the commitment.
Chapter 8
Pandora
I should have had my head examined thinking I could enter the human world and satisfy my desires. Full lives weren’t possible for shinigami. We had one purpose in the world, and spending time with someone who made me feel good wasn’t it.
Truly, I wanted to do my job and not cause trouble. But I didn’t understand why it had to be so cut and dried. There were so many blasted rules surrounding my race of beings. We couldn’t marry. We couldn’t have offspring. We couldn’t enjoy sex. Hell, we couldn’t indulge in it unless it was an assignment. The way I saw it, we were a race banned from happiness.
In the end, I supposed it didn’t matter. Between Madame Izanami and Death, I’d eventually be found. If my employer located me, there’d be a lengthy lecture before she unraveled me. But my husband-to-be would keep me from banishment to the shadows. Instead, I’d walk down the aisle. In any case, I was doomed.
Thinking about an eternity as the bride of Death was disturbing. Destiny was fucking with me. Snuggling up to a cold entity each night wasn’t acceptable.
Not after Monte.
As I slammed my suitcase closed, my phone rang, and I picked it up without checking the screen—something I rarely did. “Hello?”
“Pandora, it’s me.”
The sound of my partner’s frantic voice gave me pause. I’d forgotten to contact her.
“Hope.” I plopped down on the bed and slipped my feet into my heels. “I’m so sorry I didn’t return your call.”
“You don’t have time for apologies,” she admonished. “You need to hurry and get your ass back in Yomi.”
“Let me guess,” I said flippantly. “Madame’s looking for me?”
“Of course, and she’s pissed, but your problem is with Death. The entity is coming for you.”
“I figured he would eventually, but how did you know he was coming?”
Hope breathed heavily into the phone. “Death showed up at our apartment again. After he left, I went to Izanami for some info. That promise Death mentioned? She agreed to an arrangement with him when you were created.”
“Fuck no!” I hadn’t considered that Madame had set up the walk-down-the-aisle moment.
“Pandora.”
I wouldn’t become the bride of Death. Maybe if I refused, I’d only have to endure Izanami’s punishment.
It will not come from Madame Death.
True, but fucking Death—a cold, heartless lover—every night would be a punishment too.
“She should have consulted me.”
“You know that’s not how things are done in our world.” Hope paused for a moment. “Pandora, I don’t see how you have a choice.”
Shinigami didn’t get a say in how we existed or in what assignments we took. It was the prevailing reason Madame used for not giving us hearts and souls, but when it came to me, somebody goofed. I felt something beating erratically in my chest.
“I don’t—” Someone knocked on my door. “Hope, I’ll contact you when I can. For now, if Izanami asks, just tell her I’m still in Japan.”
“I’ll do no such thing. I happen to like my existence.” She disconnected the call.
Tossing my phone aside, I dragged my feet across the room. Nobody knew I was there other than Michaela and Addie. I stood with my hand on the knob. “Who is it?”
“Monte.”
What the hell? I yanked the door open. Instead of being cordial, I lit into him. “What do you want?”
He leaned his tall frame against the wall and gazed at me with hooded eyes. “I just want to talk. We can go somewhere else.” He jerked his head toward the steps. “There’s a bar downstairs.”
Honestly, I didn’t want anyone else listening in on our conversation. With our chemistry, it was dangerous being alone with him, but I’d chance it. I stepped to one side and allowed him to enter. Closing the door, I rested my head against the wood, trying to summon strength.
“Pandora.”
Monte’s pleading voice snagged my attention, and I faced him. Searching for a reason to speak, I settled on gratitude. “I should thank you for last night. You allowed me to feel what I’d never been able—”
Before I could finish my thought, Monte’s rough lips claimed mine. It was a hungry kiss full of passion and desperation. I moaned as he lifted me into his strong arms. The next thing I felt was the soft bed against my back. No, I couldn’t allow . . . He said he wanted to talk . . .
“Monte, no,” I complained.
“Give in.” He reached for my feet and removed my shoes.
Resist him, my brain said, while another part of me wanted him to keep going. “I-I—”
Monte knocked my suitcase to the floor. His gaze met mine, and then he yanked my pants off. Unzipping his jeans, he uttered, “Get something straight. I’m going to fuck you, and then we talk. Only truth between us, Pandora, or I walk out of here.”
His commanding tone, bordering on arrogance, was damned sexy. But always a smart ass, I countered, “How about I fuck you? When I’m done, you’re welcome to walk out of here. No words necessary.”
A low rumble came from Monte as he spread my legs wide, pushed my panties aside, and plunged his thick cock deep inside of me. I gasped.
“Too late. I’m. Fucking. You.” Each word was punctuated with a well-placed thrust.
Damn. I wanted to say something, but my voice was lost. A crescendo of emotions hit me all at once, and then my toes curled . . . My hips lifted . . . I gritted my teeth as strong vibrations swept through me. The bed creaked beneath us, and the headboard slammed into the wall. We were so fucking loud I was surprised nobody knocked on the door. Monte came with a shuddering cry. I buried my face in his chest—slightly embarrassed—as he flipped us over.
He brushed his lips over the top of my head. “Don’t go. Stay with me.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth.
It wasn’t a lie, but what kind of future could we have together? I had responsibilities in a nether region while Monte’s world was with the living. Not exactly a perfect match.
“Who called this morning?” he demanded.
That man would be the end of me, but maybe, just maybe, he’d help me figure a way out of my predicament. Would telling him the truth really hurt anything?
“I told you it was my roommate. When you arrived, I was on the phone with Hope.”
“And?”
I sat up and moved away from Monte. Telling him might not hurt, but I couldn’t look him in the eye and do it. “She had news for me.”
“About your boss?”
“Yes. I expected Izanami would search for me. It’s her job to know where death spirits are at all times, but Death is hunting for me too.”
The mattress rocked as Monte came close. “Why?”
I swallowed hard. “Before I came to Havenwood Falls, Death let me know that I was to marry him. Turns out Izanami made a match between us.”
“The fuck that’s happening!” Monte exclaimed, leaping off the bed and picking up his jeans.
“Calm down.”
At that moment, a knock from Michaela would be welcome.
Monte’s voice became as cold as ice and sharp like a scalpel. “Do you want the match?”
“No!” Slowly, I went over to him and ran my fingers over Monte’s taut forearm. “We have to be smart about handling this. Nobody survives confrontations with entities like Death.”
Monte nodded while his jaw clenched and unclenched.
“We need to deliver a message to Death. Preferably by someone who won’t be afraid of the outcome.”
Monte scrubbed a hand over his scruffy face. “There’s a reaper in town. Maybe he’d do me a favor?”
“We won’t know until we ask him.”
Chapter 9
Monte
The last time I saw Shade was at the Dirty Knuckle. I shouldn’t have assumed he’d still be in town or hanging out at the bar.
“You sure?” I asked, almost disbelieving that Shade simply vanished.
“Positive,” Rhys said as he wiped down the counter. “He said something about work and then high-tailed it out of here.”
Not the news we needed. Shade was the only direct line to Death that I knew.
Pandora glanced up at me. “Now what?”
I shrugged, not knowing the answer. Until the reaper returned, I hadn’t a clue of how else to get information about the entity. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what to tell you.”
“I have a suggestion.” Pandora took my hand. “We could find a hellhound. Their connection to Hell could be helpful.”
Technically, I could go to Liam or Savage. They were hellhounds, but they had enough shit on their plates without me adding to it. There was another hellhound who’d help me out, though.
* * *
Oscar Vega, also known as Gunner, was the sergeant at arms for SIN. At this time of day, if he wasn’t at Cerberus Delivery handling business, he’d be at Get Buffed!.
The local gym was open to the general public, but from noon to two o’clock the facility closed down, and supernaturals were the only ones allowed inside. The one-story building was located on Petran near the clubhouse, making it convenient for any of the members to use. Lucky for us, the only vehicle in the lot was Oscar’s bike.
A bell sounded as I pushed open the glass door. Pandora and I crossed the lobby. As we walked past the reception desk, we were met by the hulking hellhound.
I was at least an inch taller than Oscar, but he had me beat when it came to girth. The male had a frame like a Mack truck on steroids. The tank top and pants he wore looked like they were etched onto him. I guessed it added to the intimidating appearance.
Oscar pushed his shades into place as he dipped his chin. “Axel, didn’t ’spect to see you here. Finally, thinkin’ ’bout doing some trainin’?”
Lifting weights was never my idea of exercise. A good run through the mountains was enough to keep me fit. “Naw. Gotta few questions for you.”
Oscar’s gaze turned to Pandora, but his next words were meant for me. “When did you start hanging with reapers?”
She cleared her throat, put her hands on her curvy hips, and stared up at the hellhound. “I’m not a reaper, but I’d expect that assumption from the likes of you.”
My heart stopped. Common sense dictated that you didn’t insult someone you wanted a favor from. To my surprise, Oscar laughed loudly.
“I like this one, Axel. You should keep her around. ” The hellhound folded his beefy arms over his broad chest. “What can I do for you, Miss Not-A-Reaper?”
Pandora grinned. “Death wants a wife, and I’ve been chosen for the deed.”
Oscar let out a low whistle. “That’s some fucked-up shit. Axel, what the hell have you gotten yourself into?”
I opened my mouth to speak, but Pandora held up her hand. “It’s not Monte’s fault. The arrangement was made by my employer, Madame Death, without my knowledge.”
Oscar stroked his chin and cocked his head to one side. “So you’re one of those fucking death spirits?” He shook his head, turned, and walked farther into the gym.
We followed behind, stopping in an area with treadmills and bikes. Oscar parked his ass on a piece of equipment that didn’t look strong enough to hold him.
He glanced over his shoulder, as if we weren’t actually alone, before continuing, “To be honest, hellhounds have nothing to do with the Japanese shadow realm Never even been to it. So what do you want from me?”
Pandora sighed. “I need to find out where Death is. He’s coming after me.”
Oscar and I both stared at her.
She pushed a hand through her long locks. “I left Yomi without Madame’s permission.”
“Wouldn’t she be the one coming for you?” Oscar asked.
Pandora shook her head. “She won’t leave the Land of the Dead. Instead, she’ll dispatch her league of demon soldiers.” Pandora regarded me with her bright green eyes. “I don’t plan on returning to the shadow realm It’s possible for me to stay a step ahead of the demons, but Death might be more of a challenge.”
I didn’t doubt for a minute that the entity would come to town searching for whatever—or whoever—he wanted.
Oscar scowled. “I really don’t think I can help you. What you need is a bona fide reaper. But—”
“You’ll keep your ear tuned?” she urged. “If you hear anything, will you let Monte know?”
Slowly, Oscar’s lips turned up—a rarity for the hellhound. “I can do that.”
I stepped forward and extended my hand to my brother in crime. “Thanks, man.”
Not letting up on his grip, Oscar pulled me in. “Do whatever is needed to keep that one. You seem happy with her.”
* * *
After settling things with Oscar, I played tour guide. While checking out the shops in the town square, Pandora noticed Callie’s Consignments.
“Can we, Monte? I’ve never been inside a real store.”
A response wasn’t necessary. She practically dragged me into the consignment shop. Callie, a gypsy demon and the shop’s owner, looked up as we entered.
“Be with you in a minute,” she called out, and went back to ringing up a customer.
I really didn’t expect to see her here, since she’d been traveling with Ronan. Her cousin, Nikita, had been managing the shop in her absence.
Pandora walked ahead of me, touching every rack as she moved. I chuckled softly. Watching her was like watching a kid in a toy store. Slowly, it sunk in that there were things in the world she had yet to experience.
By the time we reached the center of the room, the olive-skinned woman with waist-length brown hair had stepped from behind the counter. She smiled at us and said, “Apparently, Hunter James started a SIN shopping frenzy. I’ve never seen so many biker dudes wanting to touch vintage clothing in my life.”
“Yeah, my friend doesn’t mind shopping where I—”
“Can’t stand it,” Callie chimed in. She looked at Pandora. “So this visit is your idea?”
“Guilty.” She extended her hand. “The name’s Pandora.”
“Callie. What can I help you find?”
“A pair of jeans. I’ve never worn them,” Pandora admitted.
Callie’s forehead furrowed. “Follow me. I just got in a few new pairs, mostly designer. I’m sure we’ll find something you’ll like.”
While the ladies headed to the back, I did my own perusal of the racks. One never knew what they’d find in Callie’s. Hunter picked up Izzie’s engagement ring from there. Izzie even found her wedding dress in the shop. Me? I was just killing some time. It wasn’t like I was in the market for anything special.
Not yet, but one of these days . . .
“What do you think?” Callie’s voice floated toward me.
Turning around, I saw a breathtaking vision of loveliness. Pandora spun around, wearing a pair of curve-hugging jeans with a V-neck sweater that matched her jade-green eyes. I didn’t know which look I preferred—that one or the black leather. Either way, she was stunning.
“You think so?” Pandora asked. “This is so casual, but I like it.”
Callie held up a brown suede jacket. “You might want this. It’s getting a little nippy outside.”
Pandora slipped it on and sank her hands in the pockets. “This feels nice. I’ll take it.”
“Go ahead and ring it all up.” I removed my wallet.
“No, Monte,” Pandora protested. “I do have money.”
“How?”
She lowered her voice and explained, “It’s a necessity when escorts enter this world.”
“Understood, but let me do this. It’s a gift.”
Her eyebrows touched before she bent her head, allowing me to settle the bill.
Callie placed Pandora’s clothes in a bag. Leaning over the counter, she lowered her voice and said, “It’s good to see you with someone. It’s been a long time, Montezuma.”
“Yeah, it has.” I glimpsed over at the female who made my pulse quicken. “Too long.”
We thanked Callie for her help and headed out. The sun was beginning to set, and my stomach growled, affirming it was getting late.
“Hungry?” I asked.
Pandora slid her hand around my elbow. “I could eat.”
“Good. I know just the place.”
* * *
In a matter of minutes, I parked my truck in the parking lot for Burger Bar. In all honesty, I probably ate there at least once a week. Something about a well-cooked burger and a chocolate shake just made everything all right.
Pandora bit down on her burger, and her eyes rolled. She grabbed a napkin and wiped the mayo from her mouth. “This is so good! We have nothing like this in my world.”
I pushed a basket of fries toward her. “Don’t forget these. They’re to die for.”
Her eyebrows lifted as she looked at me.
Poor choice of words. “It just means that they’re really good.”
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