The Sinner

Cas was in my living room, looking devastating in all black. My stomach fluttered at the sight of him, masculine and potent and so very beautiful.

“Oh, you’re here,” I stammered. “It’s about time we go…”

My words trailed at the expression on the demon’s face as he took me in. His eyes widened, his lips parted. The room went still in the few seconds of his stunned silence, then his brows furrowed angrily.

“What happened to you?” he demanded. “Why are you dressed like this?”

The reaction hurt me more than I expected, especially since—for a moment—he seemed overwhelmed by me in the best way.

“The girls took me shopping after work.” I smoothed down the front of my dress that felt even tighter than it had in the store. “You don’t approve?”

He started to speak, and I shocked myself by cutting him off.

“You know what? Never mind,” I said. “I can wear whatever I want, and I don’t need—or deserve—your judgment about it. And FYI, no woman does.”

“I wasn’t—”

“I didn’t do this for your approval. I did it for Guy. For our grand plan to save your soul, remember?” I tilted my chin up, lip trembling. “Isn’t that what this is all for?”

Casziel’s jaw tightened. “It is.”

“Then let’s go.”

I grabbed my purse and headed for the door, keeping my face turned away. If I cried, it’d ruin my makeup.

Fourteen

We arrived at the 5 Bar on West 32nd. The karaoke lounge was busy for a Tuesday night, but most of the patrons were Ocean Alliance staff. Abby, looking stunning in green, waved frantically as she nudged Jana by the arm, nearly spilling her drink.

“You’re here and you look wow!” Abby crowed. “Doesn’t she?”

“You do,” Jana said. “But you always did.”

“Now she’s extra,” Abby said. She pushed between Casziel and me. “I think I can guess your favorite color,” she said to him. “Not that I’m complaining. Black is so you.”

I’d had the same thought but never said it out loud. Hearing it from Abby felt like she was claiming a little piece of him.

“Come on. Let’s all get a drink.” Abby linked arms with both of us, then leaned in to me. “Guy is already here, and he didn’t bring a date for a change. Coincidence? I think not.”

At the bar, Kimberly and her fiancée, Nylah, were talking close and laughing. They both stopped when they saw us approach, and my boss’s eyes widened. “Lucy? Is that you?”

I tilted my neck to let my hair fall in my face, but it was piled up on my head. I felt exposed, nowhere to hide. “Abby did it. For fun.”

“Well, you look great,” Kimberly said. “Cas, was it? This is my fiancée, Nylah.”

“A pleasure,” Casziel said, taking the woman’s hand. “And congratulations to you both.”

“Thank you,” Nylah said. Like everyone else, she stared at him a little longer than necessary, like she couldn’t believe he was real.

“I just can’t get over your accent,” Abby crowed at Casziel. “You really have to tell us all about yourself. Start with Iraq and finish with meeting our little Lucy.”

“I’m sure Cas doesn’t want to give us his life story in a karaoke bar,” Kimberly said, shooting me a soft smile. “We’re here to sing. Badly. Are you up for some karaoke, Cas?”

“Sure,” he muttered, his eyes hardening at something over my shoulder. “I do a mean ‘Sympathy for the Devil.’”

I followed his dark gaze. Guy Baker was approaching, looking wholesome and handsome in jeans and a button down rolled up at the sleeves, beer in hand.

“Good evening, ladies,” he said with his usual grin. He nodded at the demon. “Cas.”