Demon's Fever (Hell Unleashed Book 1)

by T. F. Walsh

  Her body shook as she lifted her duffle bag and threw it over her shoulder.

  Levi had seen the look of desperation too often, and right now it oozed off Cary. “Do you have anywhere to stay?”

  “I’m fine, don’t worry.” Her words trembled. “Let’s get you bandaged first.” Her knuckles whitened from how tight she gripped the bag’s strap. He recalled her saying she didn’t know anyone in Detroit. Plus, finding a place to stay so late might prove difficult.

  “Hey Cary, how about you come and stay with me a few days while I’m in town? The hotel room’s large.”

  She stopped and frowned in his direction. “You’re not from Detroit?”

  “Ann Arbor in fact. I’m in town for a week, so feel free to crash with me until then. Work’s paying for it.”

  Her brow creased. “Not sure. I don’t want to impose.”

  He had no intention of grilling her about her money situation or anything. But if he could offer a temporary solution to her troubles, he wasn’t taking no for an answer. He took her duffle bag with his good arm. “Let’s head to the hotel, and you can patch me up there.”

  For those few seconds when she didn’t blink, he wasn’t sure if she was going to burst into tears, hug him, or maybe snatch her bag back. Everyone needed a helping hand at one time in their life. He’d received his fair share of assistance after he got arrested at the age of sixteen for Marcos’ murder. And he intended to be that support for Cary.

  Chapter 5

  Cary’s mind twisted. Evicted? Damn, she was so close to a paycheck she could almost smell the money. Figures she’d discover her landlord kicked her out in front of Levi.

  She’d lost her personal space, her home. The furniture she could do without since she picked it up from garage sales, but the memories stung. Her nights watching old black and white reruns of horror movies, fashioning her weapons, and eating Mexican take-out. Sure, she lived next door to a druggie, but the tiny apartment was hers. It was where she could leave the world behind and feel somewhat normal.

  But it had been snuffed, taken away without her say. The shitty end to the night burned a hole through her heart.

  An invisible hand squeezed the air from her lungs. Homeless. Not the first time, but she’d promised herself to never fall so low again. Last time she’d slept on the street, a group of guys thought it funny to harass those less fortunate. Yeah, she broke a few of their bones and didn’t regret a single blow.

  She mirrored Levi’s steps down the staircase until they reached the edge of the pool. She’d seen rats as big as her foot swim in there, and anyone braving the water would need a tetanus shot.

  Levi limped ahead of her. She snatched the bag from his hand, taking back her last possessions in the world. “I’ve got it.” Her stomach coiled in on itself at the heaviness of the night pressing down on her shoulders.

  He spun around and blocked her path, an eyebrow cocked, before seizing the bag out of her grip. “Got two arms. I’m good.” He offered her a quick smile. No sign of pity, and she respected him more in that moment than when he stood up to his boss. Or even the way he handled himself with the car demon. She’d received her share of scornful and sorry expressions, yet Levi didn’t behave that way.

  Brent was offering a potential full-time job, so the situation was temporary. It better be. Until then, she couldn’t live on the streets, begging for money for food and sleeping in the park. Though she shouldn’t be hanging out for too long with Levi either. He was a hunter and way too observant. What if he noticed her doing something suspicious, like reacting again if she touched his lasso weapon? Or steaming if he spilled holy water on her?

  But she had nowhere else to go. No friends or relatives. A few days with him wouldn’t hurt. She could hide her secret that long, right? At least, until she landed the job.

  “Hey, I’ll pay—”

  “Nope.” He glanced across at her as he opened the back gate. “Just a fellow hunter helping another.”

  “Thanks. Meeting a person who wants nothing back is as rare as finding a demon who doesn’t want to kill.” And just because Levi said he’d help, didn’t make it completely true. She’d been betrayed so many times that she expected it, but something deep in her gut insisted Levi was different.

  He huffed into a chuckle. “You’re funny and paranoid. But one’s gotta be in our line of work.”

  She glanced behind at the apartment one last time. On the bright side, she’d no longer have to live in a crappy hovel. With the absence of running hot water. And screaming neighbors. She joined Levi on the shadowy street, and the breeze tossed a newspaper into the air as a heavy-bassed song played in the distance.

  Levi shifted the bag’s strap onto his shoulder. “When I was younger, I got myself tangled in a massive legal ordeal and was accused of a crime I didn’t commit. My parents weren’t around when the incident happened, and I was alone. But Brent showed up and gave me a lifeline no one else extended. Everyone needs help sometimes.”

  The streetlights cast shadows beneath his soft eyes, his stare haunting. Who the hell was this guy? She’d bumped into him by accident, now he turned out to be an angel in disguise. Tears pricked her eyes.

  For the past six years, she’d lived alone. She’d fended for herself and fought damn hard for it too. To have someone care for her that she barely knew made her grateful. The last someone who’d cared so much was her dad. She missed him so badly; his jokes, his training, and even his burnt meals. The safety and comfort of family. Just having someone to fall back on when the world turned to crap.

  “Brent sounds decent.” Her words came out barely a whisper.

  Levi broke into a mocking laughter. “Brent does what benefits him. But yeah, I appreciated his help, I’ll give him that.”

  She assumed Levi had his boxers in a knot from the earlier building accident. But she couldn’t be picky over jobs. Especially in Detroit where at least fifty people turned up to a cleaning position.

  Once they reached the main street, Levi flagged a cab. “It’ll be quicker this way.”

  No arguing from Cary as she jumped into the backseat with Levi climbing in alongside her. He placed the duffle bag between them. “Lux hotel, please.”

  Fifteen minutes later, they drove through a nicer part of town where every streetlight worked, fewer homeless people huddled on the streets, and billboards glowed with diamond watches and sunglasses that cost more than Cary’s possessions. Once at the hotel, she got out of the cab and gawked at the skyscraper rooms she’d never be able to afford.

  “Who did you say you were again?”

  He smiled, the edges of his eyes crinkling, and led her into the main foyer. Chandeliers dripping with crystals lined the ceiling. Pearl white marble swept along the floor. The walls were decorated with grand paintings of cities around the world. Staff wore white, tailed suits. And what was the gorgeous floral smell?

  The opulent lobby was larger than a house, and Cary felt as if she’d been swallowed by it. The desperate urge to rush outside in her ten dollar tennis shoes pricked her flesh.

  She could never pull off the polished mien look, yet Levi didn’t come across as a person who lived in luxury either.

  Levi had seen the dump she called home, and suddenly, a fire of embarrassment crept up her neck and across her cheeks. Then she remembered, he’d said Argos paid for the hotel.

  He headed to the counter and chatted about who knows what as Cary stared at a golden statue of a Phoenix near the front door. Couldn’t be real gold or someone would have stolen it by now.

  Someone touched her elbow, and she snapped around. “I’m here with—”

  Instead, it was Levi greeting her with a smile. “Ready?”

  Cary’s laugh came out taut and nervous. “Sure.”

  “First, house rules.” He strolled down the marble hallway lit up by golden lanterns attached to the wall.

  “Rules?” She followed him to the elevators.

  “No taking advantage of me while I sleep
or shower.”

  She snorted a giggle at the sarcasm in his voice, drawing attention from an elderly couple stepping out of the hotel restaurant. Cary and Levi entered the elevator and left behind the accusatory gazes. The door dinged shut, and Cary released the breath caught in her throat. The most luxurious building she’d visited was a Brazilian steakhouse kitchen she’d busted into while chasing a possessed. A meal cost a month’s paycheck from her dishwasher job. Sure it smelled like heaven on a donut, but she couldn’t even get a job at the place. After bagging the possessed, she got out of there fast.

  Levi placed a flat object in her hand. His fingers brushed against her, and that small touch sent a charge of electricity up her arm and into her stomach. She glanced at the small rectangular card in her palm.

  “Door key. You can order whatever food you want. It’s on the room tab.”

  “Covered by Argos?”

  “Rent is, but I claim meals and anything else as tax deductions on my personal business. I’m a bounty hunter for actual people in my day job.” He shrugged like it was no big deal.

  “Damn, you really want to take down the baddies on all sides.” Considering he faced demons with the militancy of a tank, those criminals breaking bail must crap their pants when Levi arrived.

  Up on the thirty-third floor, Cary stepped out on to blue carpet into a small hallway with wallpaper that glinted beneath the chandeliers. Levi went right, and she followed. No screaming or curry smells coming from the neighboring rooms.

  Levi held the door open. Straight ahead, her gaze settled on the windows overlooking a city of lights.

  “Whoa.” She stepped inside, past the leather couch facing an enormous flat-screen television. A kitchen to her left. Self-contained apartment. Footfalls sounded behind her and she turned to find Levi climbing a metal, circular staircase in the corner of the room.

  “I’ll put your bag in the spare bedroom.”

  For a moment, Cary froze on the spot, ogling the lavish surroundings, and the hunk being a gentleman. She pinched herself until it hurt. Yep, it was real. But it was only until she got her crap together and gained a job. Besides, if Levi had wanted to hurt her, he’d have done it in the alley, not here where everyone in the foyer witnessed them arriving together.

  For now, a hot shower sounded incredible, and she intended to enjoy every second of her time in the hotel. She kicked off her boots and raced upstairs.

  Showered and her hair still damp, Cary wore slacks and a T-shirt with the words: This is my lazy superhero costume. She crashed on the leather couch in the living room, studying the plates of tacos littering the coffee table, along with several burritos and two overflowing platters of nachos. Way too much food for two people. “Who else is joining us?”

  Levi grinned as he glanced in Cary’s direction. “I’d have to order more food if that were the case.”

  “Geez, you’re an eating machine.”

  Levi padded barefoot across the room with two glasses of soda. His upper arm was wrapped in bandages. She’d insisted on covering his shoulder too, but he said he felt better. Now, he wore dark blue slacks and a T-shirt that hugged layers of muscles. Not to mention the licks of ink along his arm that curled up across his collarbone.

  He set a drink in front of her then slumped on the opposite end of the long couch and stretched his legs. He gulped back several mouthfuls before reaching for a taco. “I can put away ten of these bad boys for starters. Besides, wasn’t sure how hungry you were.”

  Cary dove in and polished a burrito in no time before grabbing a plate of tacos. The salt from the food gurgled in her stomach, but hunger won out over a bit of discomfort. “I didn’t realize how hungry I was.”

  The burger and muffin she had at the cafe wasn’t enough for the day. Her high metabolism meant she ate a lot and regularly to avoid crashing out.

  Levi flicked on the television to a black and white movie. The silent kind where the words were written on a black card between each small scene.

  “Leave it,” she blurted, dribbling crumbs of chips down her top.

  “This movie?” Levi stuffed half a taco into his mouth.

  “Check out the monkey man costume. Hilarious.”

  An hour later and there was still so much food left, but Levi wasn’t slowing. His appetite was insane.

  She fell back into the couch and patted her belly. “I am going to explode.”

  “Love seeing a girl eat well.”

  “Right now you’ll have to roll me to bed.” She hiccupped, and Levi released a deep rumbling laugh. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

  There was something contagious in the softness of his chuckle, the way it sounded warm and hearty.

  Her breaths came quick in between unstoppable giggles. Not a fake laugh she sometimes forced around others. It was authentic and tears gathered at the corners of her eyes. Her anguish melted away like snowballs in a sauna. She wanted to commit the moment to her mind and never forget it.

  Levi was on his feet, collecting the empty dishes. “God, that was good. Amazing food and company.”

  She stayed on the couch, watching the silent movie, not wanting the night to end, because then she’d have to accept her life had cycled out of control. That was a problem for another day. Not tonight when she shared a hotel room with a stranger who turned out to be kinder to her than most people she’d ever encountered. And somewhere along the way, she dropped her guard, but for once, she didn’t care.

  The room’s lights dimmed, and Levi joined her. Perhaps it was the full stomach, the comfortable couch, or that Levi wasn’t the guy she anticipated, but tonight was perfect. She expected Levi to make a move, and sure, she would have pushed him away, but she respected him for not. He was unlike any guy she’d ever met.

  Chapter 6

  The movie credits rolled across the television screen, painting the room in a dim glow. Levi glanced at Cary who remained curled in the corner of the couch, fast asleep, with her hands tucked under her cheek. One leg lay stretched across the seat, her foot pressed into his thigh. Not that he minded. It had been too long since he shared a relaxing night with anyone. He’d meant to catch up with hunters while in Detroit, but either he was neck-deep in demon shit, or they were busy with their own lives.

  Back in Ann Arbor, his bounty hunter business, where he tracked down actual criminals who’d skipped bail, was taking off. And with keeping the streets clean, he barely had time to scratch his butt. But at least he had a group of guys working for him to keep the bail jumpers under control.

  So it was refreshing to take a night off, watch silly movies, and eat too much food.

  Cary’s soft breaths deepened. He wanted to care for her despite the horny guy inside him reminding him of the curve of her hips, the softness of her lips. But what she needed right now was a friend, someone reliable, not a sleazebag making a move on her.

  He had faced his fair share of fucked-up-luck, and he’d been homeless too. He had lived on the streets after being accused of killing his best buddy. So, yeah, he understood Cary’s predicament.

  He got up. Sleeping on the couch always left him with a sore neck, and he couldn’t do that to Cary when he had a spare room upstairs.

  “Bed time, my little kitten.” He lifted her into his embrace as if she were a child. Dark hair with reddish hues draped across Cary’s shoulder like a blanket. Half way up the stairs, her eyes fluttered opened and her body twitched. He tightened his hold to stop her from falling out of his grasp.

  She stared at him with sleepy eyes, the faint glow from the television lit up her dark lashes, the blush on her cheeks. “W—what happened to Monkey Man?” Sleep slurred her words.

  “He escaped his captors and is free.”

  Her eyes slid shut. “Good.” Her head cradled against him, her breaths deepening.

  He nudged open the door to the spare room with a foot and entered. Moonlight from the wide window threw a silvery hue across the king-size mattress. It glinted against the wooden bedh
ead carved into floral patterns. He laid Cary on the bed. The soft blankets cuddled against her sides. He reached across her body and drew the blanket over her body.

  Her fingers brushed his. The feathery touch surged through him, leaving him breathless.

  “Thank you.” She curled up beneath the covers.

  Levi retreated. “Good night, Cary.” He shut the door behind him and padded back downstairs, not ready for sleep.

  The waft of buttery pancakes teased Levi’s nostrils. He rolled over in bed and opened his eyes to the morning sun. It shone bright against a cloudless sky. With a stifled yawn, he climbed out of bed and combed his fingers through messy hair. At the end of the bed lay his jeans. He dragged them on and headed downstairs, following the enchanting aroma. Last night he ate for three men, yet that morning, his stomach growled.

  Cary stood in the kitchen, her back to him, cooking over the stove. She still wore her pants and T-shirt. A messy bun of hair heaped on top of her head. Loose strands tumbled around her shoulders, reminding him of red liquorice strips.

  A plate of pancakes lay on the counter behind her. He tracked closer, took one, and rolled it up before stuffing half into his mouth. Fluffy. Buttery. Perfect.

  “You often steal people’s food?” Cary twisted around, holding a spatula in her hand. Her gaze dipped to Levi’s bare chest before flipping a pancake onto the pile. She grabbed two empty plates and set them on the table.

  “Hey, any food in my apartment is fair game.” He sauntered around the counter. His arm swept across hers, and for those few seconds, they stared at each other. A wild hunger glided behind Cary’s gaze, the kind that had zilch to do with food. Then her attention slid south.

  He suppressed the chuckle pressing against the back of his throat.

  She glanced away nonchalantly and perched on a bar stool.