Page 121 of Allegiance

She laughed, and her melodious tone did absolutely nothing for him.

Yes, he’d gotten on that ride once.

Yes, he’d been married at the time, and he still carried that sin on his not-so-lily-white soul.

“Aww, did you just tell me I’m pretty?” she asked, batting her eyes. “I think you like me, Remmy. I know you liked me a lot that one night we spent in bed.”

Again…she’d drugged him.

So, hell, no.

Oh, don’t get him wrong. Artemis was gorgeous, and unfortunately, that was the trap.

She lured you in with that attractiveness, but her darkness, her games, and her evil spirit were enough to make you want to shrivel up and die.

She was the epitome of succubus.

If you weren’t careful, she’d eat your soul. New Orleans was the perfect place for her.

When he said nothing, she got the hint.

He was done playing.

“Whatcha working on?” she asked, putting her chin in her hand as she batted her eyelashes at him.

Against better judgment, he answered her.

“I think you know exactly what I’m working on,” he said.

Oh, she did.

“Still looking for Chevy?” she asked.

Remmy kept it short and sweet. He wasn’t going to give anything away that might feed the beast.

HER.

“Yep.”

“Did you guys hit that bar that I suggested?” she inquired. “Or did Elizabeth tell you not to because she has to always butt in to save the day?”

He stared into her eyes.

“For the record, if I was going into a dark place where my life was in danger, I would take her any time. You? I’d never turn my back on you. She’s trustworthy, Artemis. YOU ARE NOT.”

She smiled.

“Good plan. If you trust me, you’re dumb and then dead. At least you know better. You might actually survive the city. Here’s a piece of advice.”

He rolled his eyes.

The last thing he needed was for her to give him advice.

“Don’t dip your stick in the pretty barkeep. It might make you feel something and god knows that can’t happen. Then, you have to let go of your dead wife.”

He slammed his hands on the table, and she jumped.

“Don’t,” he hissed as people stared. “Don’t even say her name or bring her up.”