Page 50 of The Devil's Dilemma

I took the chip from Conrad and handed it to Austin.

“Keep this on you at all times when I’m around.”

“Why not just let me go and never see me again? And if the chip protects me from you, surely it does from everything else.”

That was always a chance, but I didn’t think so.

We could test the theory, but Austin had had enough of tests for now, and I needed to get back to work.

I’d neglected my duty for the past couple of days, but I also needed to check a few things and wanted to talk to someone.

A demon I’d known for years. A good friend.

“Look, I’m sorry I killed you, but it was important to establish some facts. We’ve done that now, but you should rest. Let me help you back to bed.”

I reached for him, and he recoiled, moving out of my reach.

Damn it if that didn’t hurt, and I had no idea why.

I stepped away from him and gestured for Conrad to help him, then watched from a distance as he assisted him back to my bed.

Tension simmered beneath my skin, ready to erupt at any moment at the thought of his hands on Austin.

I wanted to push Conrad away or, better still, chop his fucking hands off.

Where had that irrational thought come from?

I had to get out of here—and quickly—before I did something to my closest friend I would surely regret.

I put on my boots and stormed from the apartment, slamming the door behind me. Ignoring everyone, I stalked to my office and flung myself into the swivel chair.

Why did I feel so incensed?

I pulled out my phone.

“Perfect Shores Funeral Home.”

“Hey, Zeke. It's Dante. Is Mal about?”

“Dante. It’s been a while. I’ll go find him. He’s with Jason.”

Mal and I had met when Zeke had tried to resurrect Jason’s dead husband. I’d got involved because shit like that didn’t always work. Zeke had been lucky he’d not been banished permanently to earth. I knew how inconvenient that could be.

Mal had petitioned on his behalf, and between us, we’d released Jason from the contract, nullifying it.

“Dante, how are you?”

“Mal, my favourite demon undertaker. How much do you know about angel marks?”

Chapter twelve

Austin

He fucking killed me!

And he did that to test a theory. Unbelievable. Was my life so inconsequential that he thought he could do that and then bring me back to life again?

Although Conrad had brought me back. I didn’t think he had anything to do with it.