“I swear I am going to break his perfect nose one of these days.” With a groan of annoyance, he finally separated himself from her body. She felt the loss profoundly, aching for him all over again. He rolled onto his back, throwing an arm over his eyes. Damn! He was too sexy for his own good and far too tempting.
“I think we need a place of our own. I can’t be doing with the interruptions. Only so much I can take before blood is spilled. There will be screaming, terror, running, general death, destruction, and mayhem.” He peeked out at her from under his arm.
Isabelle grinned before sitting up and swinging her legs off the bed. They were still shaky from the marathon lovemaking session, and she was unsure whether or not they would hold her weight. She turned her gaze back to Mammon. “Hmmm, you know that’s not a bad idea.”
Holy crap! Had she just agreed to move in with him? A week ago she would have laughed hysterically had anyone told her this would happen. But now, the idea of being parted from him pulled at her heart. He needed her as much as she needed him.
“Come on demon, let’s go be sociable and all that crap.”
“Being sociable is overrated. I should know.” Mammon shifted so he could watch Isabelle. He was going to do wonderful things to that ass one day. He intended to have her begging and writhing under him as he led her down dark paths of sensation.
With a groan of frustration, he looked down at his cock, which was standing proud and hard as if he hadn’t just made her whimper and break apart around him in pleasure. He dropped back onto to the pillow, accepting life with Isabelle was going to involve a perpetual hard-on. Once they were alone in their own place, he could bend her over the nearest object with no one to interrupt him. He intended to do that frequently.
He wanted to spend the day exploring the curve of her lower back and the sweet spot behind her ear. He also knew if they didn’t emerge soon, then Ze would barge in, regardless of their state of dress. Rolling from the bed, he cracked his shoulders before grabbing a pair of sweats. No doubt Isabelle would be hungry. The least he could do, being her male, was provide breakfast. Or was it lunchtime?
He exited the bedroom with a yawn to the sounds of his brothers’ voices filling the living room. Someone was arguing about the angels and if keeping Isabelle here was a good plan. Ignoring them, Mammon entered the kitchen and pulled open the fridge, the chill on his bare chest was pleasant given their heated lovemaking earlier. He didn’t realize the voices in the room behind him had ceased.
Pulling out the OJ, he lifted it to his lips and turned around. All eyes were on him. He placed the bottle on the kitchen counter and glared at them. He knew they were gawping at his scars. Before Isabelle, it would have made him feel self-conscious. Now, she’d accepted him as he was, it didn’t matter so much that his brothers saw the cost his imprisonment had wrought.
“I know I’m pretty, but geez take a fuckin’ picture.” They all dropped their collective gaze, and he shook his head, turning to his room just as Isabelle exited.
Isabelle left their bedroom dressed in clothing that Apollo, the dumb asshat, had brought for her. His female. The idea she was wearing clothing from the pansy-ass god just rubbed him the wrong way. He would be burning everything she’d received from him and buying her all new clothes as soon as he could. With his brothers around, however, he would rather she was dressed than naked, even if Apollo had provided the clothing.
The jeans hugged her ass in all the right places, clinging to her legs, down to her exposed feet. The sweater was a rich purple that made her violet eyes glow, and it lay over her like a second skin. How could any male be expected to think straight with a goddess like her in residence? One he knew he could have anytime he liked?
He grabbed a glass from the cupboard and poured her some juice as she approached him. Taking it with a smile, Isabelle stretched up on her tiptoes to press a kiss to his pouting lips, a knowing smile on her face. She raised the glass halfway to her lips, stopping as she became aware of the six pairs of eyes watched her with a mixture of amazement, wariness, and approval. Mammon observed her as her demeanor changed. Her violet eyes narrowed at all of them, annoyance sparking in their depths.
“Problem?” She raised a delicate eyebrow at the six demons. Clearly the idea they could be staring at the scars on his chest seemed to rile her. He felt a funny tightening in his heart. God he loved this woman. Murmurs of, “No ma’am” and “Sorry” rushed from his brother's’ direction.
“No, Isabelle. We were just…thank you. There is nothing else we can say but thank you.” Ze’s voice almost broke on the words. Isabelle nodded to them and leaned back against him. Fuck, he felt like he could defeat the damn Malakhim single-handedly right then. He wrapped an arm around her waist.
She smiled up at him. “He’s worth it.” Yep, there went that funny heart tightening, melty feeling again. He returned her smile, another small piece of his soul falling into place. His brothers stared at them, well, at her, in awe.
It was in that second Mammon knew. From the looks of adoration and respect in their eyes, from the ghost of a smile on Lucifer's lips, the Seven Deadly Sins would lay down their lives for her. She was more than a Seer to them. She was the woman who had saved their little brother. She had been the one to pull him from the abyss, expose him to the light, and hold him, despite the pain inside his shattered soul. She was, in a word, his savior.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“Okay, so let’s break this down.” Isabelle watched as Lucifer stood at the head of a large table. Apparently, he had been up all night assembling all the data on the Malakhim he could find. He was Pride, after all. Mammon had told her even when they were first created, Lucifer had been a master tactician, his mind always ten steps ahead of the enemy. Which was a damn good thing, because this wasn’t a game. They were fighting for humanity, and the stakes had never been higher.
“I have compiled everything we know.” He turned to a large whiteboard behind him and began taping names to it. Abbadon coughed, clearly attempting to hold back a laugh, and leaned over to Isabelle.
“We have our very own CSI board.” The whisper was followed by subdued laughter from the demon and a grin from Isabelle.
“I heard that, Abbadon.” Lucifer kept his back to the room and finished taping paper to the board. “Besides, CSI’s got nothing on me. Now, we know the names of the seven Malakhim, thanks to Father. We can also speculate when Uriel reported Isabelle being taken, Michael wouldn’t allow such a mistake to slide. I know, because I wouldn’t. This plan of his boarders on certifiable, so I doubt he is firing on all cylinders.”
“Thanks to Isabelle, we know they are after the jar. Father is strengthening the defenses as we speak. I know you want to go aid him, Tanus, but I need you here. Your innate ability to sense rage will help us if they come for Isabelle. I have no doubt Michael is enraged right now. Having his best laid plans go to hell has got to be taking its toll.” Lucifer turned his ruby eyes to Isabelle.
“It is clear they need a Seer. I seriously doubt you’re the only who can open the jar. They must know where other Seers are, or at very least be searching for them. Isabelle, this is where I need you. You’re the only link we have to them. Maybe we can use your abilities to find them. It is a long shot, but we must be proactive here.”
Isabelle nodded slowly, afraid. She knew what finding them would entail. It would mean opening herself fully to the world, exposing that raw nerve, this time with no barriers at all. Mammon’s warm hand pulled her from her chair, and she slid into his lap as he wrapped his arms around her. No doubt he could tell she was on edge at the idea of this. Despite it being the only way forward, if it bought her pain she knew Mammon would prevent her from harming herself.
“If we can pinpoint the other six Seers, we may be able to get to them first. Bring them here for protection. Speaking of which, Apollo said he can shield the whole building by tomorrow. Considering the possibility these women will need to be here awhile, I say we spread out, use th
e lower rooms. We have kept the building vacant, so we have plenty of floors with empty apartments. I suggest we use this floor as our main meeting room.”
“We also need a place to train. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am out of touch with swordplay. If I remember my history, angels prefer blades over any other weapon. The swords they fight with are imbued with divine magic. They will do serious damage to us if we’re injured by one,” Ze announced from the corner of the room. He rolled his shoulders, locking eyes with Lucifer.
“Agreed. I suggest we convert the vacated bedrooms on this floor into a training center. I leave that to you, Ze.”
“I know many things have to change, but we must not stray from our task of keeping the balance. I have a feeling we will be needed now more than ever. As such, we will work in pairs, rotating out, with one taking a break each night. I wish I could say this was all some bad dream, but what the Malakhim propose to do is very real. We won’t be the only ones fighting I’m sure. It’s not just the gods who need humans to survive. Michael is underestimating the importance of humanity in keeping this world turning. I am not going to sugar coat shit—this stinks. The whole thing. All we can do is find a way to stop them. Until we can remove Michael and ensure that one of his lackeys doesn’t take up his banner, all we can do is keep Pandora’s Box safe. Isabelle, Mammon, you two go pick an apartment.”
“Why do they get first pick?” Abbadon whined.
“Because they require more privacy than the rest of us. Now shut it or you get the shed on the roof.”
“Unless, of course, you would like me to remove your eyes if you ever, even accidently, see my female naked or in any state of undress.” Mammon’s voice was deadpan lethal, eyes focused on his brother the whole time.
“Good point. Pick away!” Abbadon grinned wide, holding up his hands.
Isabelle hid her own smile and turned her face towards Mammon’s neck. He was developing a smug side, she had to admit she liked this possessiveness.
His hand tightened on her hip, bringing her attention to his face. “Come on, let’s go look at the apartments.”
Nodding, she slid from his lap. Lucifer handed over a keychain full of keys, and she suddenly felt all domestic. Keys to a new apartment with her man. Funny, despite the end of the world situation, she still wanted to grin like an idiot.
Mammon led her from the main apartment to the fire escape stairwell. He pushed open the door and pulled her to a halt. He had to voice his worry now they were away from his brothers. They all expected her to just find the other women overnight. He touched her chin, tilting her face upward so their eyes met.
“If finding the other Seers is going to bring you pain, I will not allow Lucifer to bully you into it. No one is going to harm you again, even inadvertently.” His frown increased with the seriousness in his voice. Mammon could sense she was on the verge of tears, and her gaze dropped quickly.
She drew a deep breath. “It will hurt, but I’m going to do it anyway…” He opened his mouth to argue, but she silenced him with a hand against his lips. “Those women might be out there, as lost as I was. In as much pain as I used to be. I can’t sit by knowing they could be living that way. I’ve lived it, and I know the loneliness that comes from having a gift you don’t understand, one you can’t even control. I need to do this, Mammon. I need you there with me. Please say you will be? No matter how much it hurts. I can’t do this alone.” Her violet eyes implored him to understand her position on this.
“I can’t bear to think of you in pain, Isabelle.” He cupped her cheeks with his hands and stared into her eyes. “Promise me, Minx. If it gets too much, you must stop. Swear it.” Intense fear for her etched his heart. She nodded, and he relaxed a little, pressing his forehead to hers. “I will not leave you to face this battle alone. You’re mine. Your care and happiness is mine to covet, mine to provide. I am the Sin of Greed, after all. I covet things exceptionally well.”
She moved to the stairs, took two steps, and then turned around. This put her just a hair taller than him. Mammon went to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He couldn’t resist running his hands over her ass and pulling her towards him. With a smile, she leaned in. She bestowed one small kiss upon his lips, easing her mouth over his. She pulled away but then dropped another on his upturned mouth and another. His hands tightened on her each time, until he was growling against her lips.
Trailing kisses along her jaw line, he worked his way towards her throat, nibbling and nipping at spot right behind her ear. He relished the fact that goosebumps rushed over her skin, that his teasing could draw those soft whimpers from her lips. He knew exactly what he did to her and took insane pleasure from the fact her knees were going weak and her hands gripped at his hair. Chuckling softly against her neck, he picked her up, allowing her to slide down his body.
He could feel some of the old demon he used to be returning, and with it the urge to tease, to bring a smile to her kissable lips, to drive his brothers crazy with pranks. He had forgotten so much while imprisoned. Was it possible to go from being lost in darkness to insanely happy in a matter of days?
“If we keep this up, demon, we won’t be picking a new apartment.” Her voice sounded breathy. Mammon grinned down at her. He was going to have her all to himself soon, in an apartment with no interruptions from his brothers.
The impending fight with the Malakhim seemed like such a faraway thing right then. Something surreal. He couldn’t fight that future yet. So until he could face that battle head-on, he would fight all the little battles in between, especially the ones where he got her hot and bothered.
He gave her ass a pat, then reluctantly released her, pointing her in the direction of the lower floors. In truth, he hadn’t explored the building yet. He knew there were apartments lying empty below the main floor, but until Isabelle came into his life, none of it had mattered.
They went down one flight of stairs and exited into a dim corridor. He eyed it critically; this would need redecorating. It looked like a hotel corridor from one of Abbadon’s horror movies. He half expected to see two small girls holding hands and Red-Rum written on a wall somewhere. It felt too cramped here, too many doors. He found himself wondering how much leeway Lucifer was going to give him regarding renovations. His mentally planned which wall he was going to knock down first.
Isabelle took the keys from Mammon. He was clearly preoccupied, frowning and nodding to himself. He was no doubt having some manly inner conversation regarding the floor and what he was going to do with it. Flicking through the keys, she found four for this floor. Heading to the first door across the hallway, she slid the key into the lock and pushed open the door. She walked in, eyes scanning the open space.
The apartment was huge, taking up an entire corner of the building. A massive bank of windows ran across the two outer walls. The whole area was exposed to the light. It brought a wide smile to her lips.
A small kitchen sat against an interior wall. She snorted. Well, that would definitely have to go. She wanted a larger kitchen than this. She had always dreamed of one day having one of those huge chef’s kitchen. Beyond, the floor dropped two steps into what would be the living room, hardwood flooring spreading from corner to corner. The whole room felt light and airy. She loved it. Her demon, however, was glowering at the windows, muttering to himself.
“So, what do you think?” she asked.
“Too exposed. This glass is flimsy. It will have to be replaced, possibly reinforced. We can knock through to the apartment next door, open this place right up.”
“And pray tell, Mammon. How are you going to reinforce the windows?” Leaning back against the small kitchen counter she watched his mind working.
“I know people. Well, Lucifer knows people. So it is sort of like I know people. We will get them fixed or beat it out of Apollo.” He seemed rather too happy with his version of the renovation plan.
“We’re not beating it out of Apollo! He has been nothing but kind to us.
No beating the god.” Mammon grumbled and placed his hands on her hips.
“The lecher provided you with revealing attire. He planned on watching you walk around in those jeans. I know, because it was my plan.” That earned him whack on the arm, which only served to bring a smile to his lips. Okay he was cheating. His smile made her stomach do flip-flops.
“Testing. Can anyone hear me?” A static crackle filled the room.
Mammon pulled away from Isabelle and went over to a small intercom beside the door. He pressed the talk button with a frown. “Yes Tanus, we’re here.”
“Good. This thing still works. Needs updating, but we will be able to communicate throughout the building. Lucifer is letting me update the security system!” Isabelle grinned and Mammon shook his head. It was clear Tanus was ecstatically happy when technology was involved. He must be in heaven right now.
“I hope Lucifer has a good credit limit. All these planned changes are going to cost a fortune.”
“This is Pride we’re talking about. I know for a fact he has investments in half of the top 500 companies in the US. Makes a point of informing us he won’t pay for everything anymore. He has more money than Hades stashed away. Don’t let his penny pinching worry you,” Mammon scoffed, returning to her side.
Isabelle couldn’t imagine having so much money. She had sunk everything she had into her education, hoping, like millions of others, for a better life on the other side.
“What is it Isabelle?” How could he tell with just a look she was thinking gloomy thoughts?
“Just wondering what I will do with my courses. I was due to graduate this year. Finally, after four years. Is it selfish of me? The world might be on the brink of destruction and all I can think about is my stupid degree.” She covered her face with her hands, knowing she needed some perspective. She could only fight what she could see, though. She felt him pulling her hands from her face and turned her gaze up to him. He shook his head, leaning in, pressing his lips to her hairline.
Greed's Charity (Seven Deadly Sins Book 1) Page 19
