Page 65 of Fear the Fall
He senses my fear, and it throws me off kilter.
“How can you read me so well?” I say, hating the amazement in my voice.
“Like I said, you’re radiating distress. I can practically taste it,” he scoffs, but not at me, at my reaction. “Who’s hurt you, Victoria? I swear I’ll end them.”
I lower my head. “Too many people lately.”
“I’m going to murder Ezekiel.”
My head snaps up at Luke’s premature threat of violence. “Would you stop? I didn’t come for your help in homicide. I’m here to warnyou.”
His lips curl into a wide smile that takes over his entire face. “Warn me? Why, love, you wound me if you think I require warning about anything.”
“It’s not funny, Luke. One of your demons has been laying the groundwork to overthrow you. He’s working with a coven, and they’ve created rings that allow demons to come out in the daylight. He has a damn amulet around his neck to hide himself from you.” My voice pitches and hands fly up into the air in exasperation, as this information does nothing to change his expression of carelessness.
He nods his head and begins to clap. “I must say, your detective work is sexy as hell, love. You could give the FBI a run for their money.”
I groan, running my hands down my face in agitation. “Luke, stop. I’m serious. This is bad.”
He moves toward me, placing his hands on my shoulders. I know he means to calm me—and he does—but he also manages to set my insides on fire. He has to realize how his touch affects me still. Even after everything, the pull to him is so strong, I want to fall to my knees and beg him not to leave me again. I shut my eyes tightly, trying to shake off the disgusting way he controls me without even trying.
“I know about the plan, and I can assure you he’ll never win, Victoria. I’ve got it under control.”
My breathing is ragged from the effort it’s taking to keep my cool.
“A witch friend says otherwise. This coven the creature is working with is dark, Luke.”
His eyes watch me closely. “Darker than me?”
Our heads are close, mere inches apart. If I leaned in, I could feel his lips on mine once more. “I...”
“Victoria.” My name slips off his tongue, sounding like a virtue, and my eyes close, unwilling to allow him to see how affected I am.
“Please stop touching me,” I say in a controlled voice, trying to show restraint. His hand falls from my shoulder, trailing a slow line down my arms, causing goose bumps to rise in their wake. The warmth disappears with the loss of his touch.
“I’m glad to see I’m not the only one affected by our proximity,” he says, smiling boyishly, and I internally grimace at just how much it affects me. This is the Luke I fell for, charming and playful. Being here like this with him isn’t good for me.
“I was almost killed, Lucifer. That doesn’t seem like you have everything under control,” I say wearily. “Unless you don’t care about my life.”
“That was an unfortunate slip that will never happen again.” His words come out as a near growl, his fists are clenched at his sides, and his face contorts, showcasing a barely contained rage.
“He said he planned to capture me as a trophy.”
Luke’s features darken and I take a step back, frightened by the depth of darkness I see.
“He will never touch you again.” The words are grated through his teeth.
“A war is brewing, Lucifer. I know it. The Nephilim know it. And so do the angels. You need to quit with the ego and admit it. You don’t have this under control. Leeanna and Michael are so desperate they sent me to the coven.”
His brows raise. “Bastards are scared. Good.”
“We can’t beat his army if we don’t work together.”
“Never. I’ll do this alone.”
I roll my eyes, tired of this conversation going in circles.
“Then I’ll leave you to finish whatever game you’re playing with your demons,” I say, turning my back on him. “I suggest you end it soon. It’s getting out of hand.” I open the door to the truck and look over my shoulder once more at Luke. “If you ever cared for me at all, Lucifer, I beg you to end this.”