Greed's Charity (Seven Deadly Sins Book 1)

by R. A. Pollard

  “I am sorry. I have kept you here too long. Your demon will lose his mind if I don’t send you back.” Isabelle stood from where she had been sitting on the grass and went to the small woman.

  “If I can help Michael, I will. I promise.” The little woman nodded, a smile spreading on her lips, her small hand covering her heart. It was painfully clear she had once loved the angel who now planned to destroy the world.

  “You are a good spirit, Isabelle. Go back to your demon. You have an important task ahead of you.” She reached out, grasping Isabelle’s hands in hers.

  Isabelle felt her body becoming light as power tingled through her limbs. The green grass and blue sky faded, and the last thing she saw Ilianna disappearing. A hazy blackness swallowed her in warmth. The Oracle's words ran through her head, the weight of her fate weighing heavily upon her shoulders. But she would endure it—she had her demon and he waited for her.

  Mammon wrapped himself around her, determined she would wake with his scent all over her. Hot water lapped around her body, ensuring the chill from the air wouldn’t reach her. He turned his head against her neck as she began to wake from her unconscious state. Her eyes fluttered, and she turned her face to him. He tightened his arms around her, cupping her cheek and tilting her head back. He didn’t give her a chance to speak but covered her mouth, swallowing her words with a toe-curling kiss of desperation.

  She moaned softly into his claiming kiss. He was determined to infuse it with all the words he couldn’t utter, the fear he had experienced when she passed out in his arms. He would drive the paleness from her flesh leaving her with that luscious flushed pink he loved so much. Mammon finally broke the kiss, his eyes scanning her face before he pulled her head to his chest.

  “If you ever do anything so foolish again, Isabelle, I will not be held responsible for my actions. He could have killed you! Gods, the Pit caused me less pain than seeing his claws around your throat.” He was holding her so tightly each breath caused his body to tremble.

  “I’m sorry, Mammon. I had to do something. He was in terrible pain. How is he?” She twisted around so she could see his eyes. He growled, claiming her mouth again, not allowing her to speak. His tongue swept between her lips, his desperate demand answered when she melted against him.

  He gritted his teeth. He wanted to cover her, pin her, and drive into her body. Make her scream his name so she remembered who she belonged to. He wanted her to understand she couldn’t put her life at risk without him losing his mind. They were bound together, his sanity tied inexplicably to her. His fingers gently brushed over the bruises blossoming on her neck, which had been caused by Cercyn’s grip. Mammon’s eyes flashed with flame, his hand becoming a fist and his voice turning deadly.

  “If he were not already at Hades’ door, I would kill him myself.” She turned in his lap, straddling him in the large tub. Green fire licked over his skin, the scars standing out in stark contrast against the emerald light.

  “You, above all people, should understand the pain he felt.” She ran her hands over his marbled skin, the flames flickering between her fingers.

  Mammon curled his lip at her words, but kept his hands on her hips. “I thought were you passing from me. I knew I would tear down the walls of Hades to find you.” His powerful proclamation made tears glistened in her eyes. They spilled over and rolled down her cheeks in hot rivers. With a rumbled growl he pressed his forehead to hers, their eyes locking.

  “I would cross over for you.” He placed such conviction in his words a soft sob left her lips and she covered his mouth again clinging to him in desperation.

  Mammon responded, demanding control of the kiss, his tongue sweeping in and out of her mouth until she writhed on his lap. His blood pounded in his veins rushing straight to his cock. She was alive and panting in his arms, and his soul demanded he take her and claim her. His hand trailed down, slipping between her thighs. He sank his fingers into her tight body, giving her no choice but to submit to him. She gasped and rocked her hips against his hand. He knew she needed more by the trembling of her body in his lap, her movements almost as desperate as his.

  His hands caressed her skin, leaving trails of green flame that danced over the water’s surface. The flames enveloped her, spreading up and over her bare flesh. Judging by her gasps and the surprised look in her eyes, she hadn’t expected to be able to feel them.

  “You’re just full of revelations, aren’t you?” Her breathy voice was cut off as he grinned and leaned in, biting gently along her throat.

  “You ain't seen nothing yet.” He literally purred the words into her ear, hands massaging her ass.

  His thick cock now stood hard between them, pressing against her belly. Reaching between them, Isabelle she took him in her hand. Mammon threw his head back with a groan, sparks igniting in his lower back. If she kept this up, he was going to embarrass himself like some untrained teen.

  Isabelle felt powerful and wanton. The fact she could have this magnificent male trembling at her touch spurred her on. She ran her hand along his length, rubbing her thumb over the weeping head, and drawing a hiss from between his teeth. She teased, tightening her grip around the hot, steely flesh. As much as she wanted to spend her time teasing and exploring his body, that could come later. Right now she needed him inside her.

  Lifting her hips, she positioned herself over his velvet head, and slowly began to envelope him in her body. His wide girth stretched and spread her, as glorious pulsing sensations rushed over her skin. His hands moved to her hips, pulling her down hard onto his length. Mouths met in frenzied heat, tongues dancing, mimicking the hard thrusting of their bodies as they merged in lust and need. This was no sweet love making—this was desperation, a craving driving them both towards oblivion.

  She arched her back, exposing her peaked nipples for his mouth. Taking one between his teeth, he bit down then released the blushed peak, and her body flooded with wet heat at the exquisite pain. Sucking the tip between his lips, he flicked his tongue against the sensitive bud. He knew how to play her until he had her writhing in his arms.

  Isabelle rocked against him, whimpering softly, his name leaving her lips in a breathy prayer. His cock slid deeply in and out of her core as their bodies met in frantic urgency. The demon growled and wrapped his arms around her, holding her still for his hard thrusts. His stubble-covered chin rasped over her sensitive skin while he kissed across her chest to the other breast. He lavished them with bites and kisses until she begged softly for him to ease the building pressure in her body.

  Isabelle loved that he could bring her to such abandon, that he understood her need to come apart almost as desperately as she needed to breathe. She felt his hand sliding between them, his thumb pressing against her swollen clit, rubbing. He took her clit between his fingers, pinching until she exploded around him.

  Shock surged through her body her release hitting her like a train. Threads of pleasure rolled up her legs, into her core, washing through her veins. Her whole body drew tight like a bow string, as wave after wave robbed her of thought. The demon continued to rub her clit in slow circles, keeping her body teetering on the edge of pain and bliss. He had killed her with pleasure, and she was going to pass over happily, feeling the bliss of it, her whole body burning alive.

  In this dreamy state of post-coital bliss, Isabelle vaguely heard Mammon’s roar. She did, however, feel his teeth against her throat as he bit down in his throes of pleasure. The sensation only served to heighten her experience. She was floating, the energy rushing through more like a drug running through her veins. She felt his hands on her cheeks, then his mouth covered hers, pulling her back to earth. They kissed languidly, tasting one another. No words were necessary.

  They remained that way, panting, leaning on one another, lips and tongues exploring. Her body continued to pulse around him softly, the echoes of her orgasm drawing a low groan from his throat. They separated from the kiss. Mammon licked his dry lips and leaned against the tub. Isabell
e smiled and placed her head against his chest, listening to his thundering heartbeat. Yeah, she felt just the way he did. Movement was impossible.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Isabelle rested her head against his shoulder, her hands still gripping his arms. She couldn’t string two thoughts together. Her brain was on hiatus and she so didn’t care. Her whole body was tingling, floating happily in the glowing aftermath. Gods she wanted this to last. She didn’t want to return to reality. Letting out a soft sigh, she pulled her mind back to reality, sitting up with a slow smile.

  “Let’s do that again. As many times as is humanly possible.” She looked around the bathroom, her skin flushed from pleasure. “I have decided I love this bathroom. We’re never changing it.”

  “As my lady wishes, although…” He lifted his head and took a good look at the tub, a smile spreading on his sinful lips. “Jets, we need jets. Many jets.”

  Isabelle blushed all over. She knew what jets could do when positioned in just the right place. She had been a virgin, not dead. Power showerheads were a single girl’s best friend, at least when your batteries died, anyway.

  The idea of jets and showerheads had her mind contemplating all sorts of sexual experimentation. A grin grew on her lips. Her demon had no idea what he had unleashed in her. She slid from his lap, reclining in the large tub. The water was lukewarm now, but she wasn’t one to waste resources. She would deal with it as is.

  Her mind travelled back to the moment she’d awakened, recalling his words. He’d said losing her would be worse than his time in the Pit. She turned suddenly to study him. This whole experience had rocked him, she could see it in the strain around his eyes and the way he wouldn’t stop touching her. Just the smallest touch, his hand on her ankle, his fingers brushing her leg.

  “Mammon, tell me what happened after Hades took you.”

  His eyes moved from the water to her. “After hiding Kathrine, I knew I wouldn’t get away scott-free. I expected punishment. I just didn’t expect Hades to lose his mind completely. The Pit is a dark place in the underworld where my Father locks away the people who have displeased him. I displeased him. Greatly.”

  He reached for her and she willingly let him pull her onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist and brushed his lips against her shoulder. He kissed each small bruise from Cercyn’s grip. She allowed him to do so, knowing he needed to have this measure of control over the situation or he would never be able to get through his story. He took a breath and rested his chin against her shoulder.

  “Five hundred years in the Pit was my punishment for letting Kathrine go. I’m pleased to say he never got a track on her again, or you might not be here now.” He brushed her wet hair to the side and placed a kiss behind her ear. “The things that happened to me, even though I know they changed me, made me harder. And despite it all, I wouldn’t change what happened. For the Fates righted the injustice by bringing you back into my life when I needed you. Trust me, I am angry at Hades and the Fates for separating us the way they did. But everything happens for a reason, right?”

  She nodded in his arms, and his grip tightened around her.

  “The time in the darkness made me the man I am today,” he continued. “The man who loves you.”

  He’d said it! The words every little girl dreams of hearing from her knight in shining armor. She touched his face, a smile on her lips. Maybe he was correct. Maybe he had to go through such pain so he could fight the Malakhim now. That knowledge, however, didn’t make her feel any more kindly towards the Fates and their meddlesome tendencies. As for Hades, she had a feeling he regretted what he’d done. Unfortunately for the old god, he was either too stubborn or too clueless to work out how to fix it. She was sure it was a bit of both.

  She could see the painful memories flashing over his features. He purposely kept his eyes down, not looking at anything just staring, frozen in the past. He finally lifted unseeing eyes, and Isabelle kissed his forehead, then his temple, trailing feather light kisses down to his lips. After a moment, he responded pulling out of the memories, his eyes lightening. He would always be dogged by his past, but it would be a fight they would face together. She was determined she would break this cycle of memory and burn the images from his soul.

  “Is there any soap by chance?” Isabelle’s soft question brought a smile to his lips. She secretly hoped so. Her hair was in desperate need of a wash. Lack of shampoo notwithstanding, she would rather have semi-clean hair than greasy hair any day.

  Mammon exited the tub, and she took ample opportunity to ogle his fantastic naked backside as he made his way to the door. He returned with a pile of blankets, towels, clothes, and even a bar of soap. On top of the pile was his phone with a flashing text message light. He handed her the soap and placed the towels at the edge of the tub within easy reach.

  Isabelle sunk into the tub, humming with pleasure as she lathered up her hair. Later she was going to take a long hot bubble bath with candles, wine, and all that girly shit, but until then, this was heaven. She rinsed the suds from her hair, pulled the plug on the tub, and grabbed a towel. As she dried off, Mammon reached for his phone, his forehead creasing in a frown as he read the message.

  “What is it?”

  He looked up at her, his eyes tense. “My brothers have gone to Tartarus. Cerberus and Hades were attacked by the Malakhim. They’re going to help defend the box. Isabelle…”

  “Go, help your family. I am a big girl. I can take care of myself.” She grabbed a second towel from the stack and began rubbing her hair.

  “I almost lost you less than an hour ago. I can’t leave now.” His grip on the phone caused his knuckles to turn white. She fully expected the plastic case to shatter under the pressure. Clearly he was torn between protecting her and his need to aid his family. His eyes were frantic with indecision.

  “Mammon, you must go to them. I can’t bear the idea of you losing a brother out of concern for me.” He swallowed hard and pulled her into his arms, his lips pressed to her hairline as he spoke.

  “You don’t leave this building. Understand? Abbadon left some clothes for you. Asmodeus is upstairs with Cercyn. Stay with my brother. He knows what you’re to me. He knows I can’t lose you.”

  Isabelle tilted her head back to place a kiss on his chin. “I will do as you ask. Now, go help your brothers.”

  Mammon was at war with himself, leave her and take up the fight, or stay behind and quite possibly lose his brothers. Even her words didn’t help. He pulled her against him and breathed in her sweet scent, which calmed and aroused him all at once. His heart rebelled against the choice he knew he must make. He wanted to be the one to protect her. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Asmodeus, but it was an imperative pounding in his blood. The idea of leaving her here, even with Asmodeus, made his heart stop in his chest. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to take her and leave.

  But he was also one of the Seven Deadly Sins. As the youngest brother and son of Hades, he had an obligation to his kin and to his father, to the oath he took on the day of his creation. He lifted his hand and rubbed the mark that had been branded on his shoulder. He pressed a gentle kiss to Isabelle’s lips and gave her a small smile.

  “Damn it, woman. You have gone and done it now. Making me think about others before myself. Promise me you will not leave Asmodeus’s side?” He was shaking, his voice tense when he spoke.

  “I promise.”

  He nodded, finally releasing her to grab a towel for himself. Gathering his clothes from the floor, he rushed to dress. He had to get to Tartarus before he changed his mind.

  Isabelle had watched him leave. Half the time she had expected him to turn around. He had kissed her like his life depended on it, making sure she was soft and pliant, her eyes dazed, before he released her. She couldn’t help the fear tightening her gut. He was going off to fight, and she was stuck here. Not that she would be much help in a fight; she would just be in the way. Isabelle would rather his attention were
fully on the task at hand, than on her and her safety.

  Pushing open the door to the upstairs, she could hear Asmodeus moving around somewhere in the room. Her eyes came to rest on the blood-stained carpet, once a rich cream color. A shiver went through her. She made her way to the bedroom and knocked on the door. She entered to find Asmodeus leaning over Cercyn, changing a bandage.

  The demon that had attacked her was sprawled across the bed, bandages covering his arms and legs and many more on his chest. He was no longer in demon form. Right now, he looked like any normal man, his skin pale in the light, white hair stained red, dried blood on the side of his face. Slowly his eyes opened, locking on her. They were the most amazing shade of orange and yellow, the colors of a spectacular sunset.

  Asmodeus straightened, smiling wide. The Sin of Lust was in his ‘I’m related to Hades’ form. Tall and lithe, his face was smooth, not a trace of stubble on his chin. His blue eyes looked up from his task, and he gestured her over.

  “Isabelle, I am glad to see you’re okay. We worried Cercyn here had inadvertently harmed you in his crazed state.” The voice of Lust had one goal: to turn you into a puddle at his feet and beg him to take you. When she’d first met him, she’d felt it, the tightening of her skin, her insides turning to mush. Now, however, it was just a normal voice to her ears. He grinned and suddenly she was caught up in a bear hug, her laughter filling the room.

  “It’s so nice to finally be around a female who doesn’t start stripping the moment I open my mouth. At first I thought I was the luckiest son-of-a-bitch alive. Look what I can do! It got old pretty quick.” Letting her down, he turned his head back to the resting demon.