Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 131708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 527(@250wpm)___ 439(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 659(@200wpm)___ 527(@250wpm)___ 439(@300wpm)
As the trio walked toward Viper, Ella looked from Jester to Lou, her eyes wide. “Wait, you two are brothers?”
“Half-brothers,” Jester clarified. “And I resent the familial connection.”
Lou’s brow pinched. “Ah, don’t be like that. Holding grudges isn’t healthy.”
Ella frowned at the devil. “What did you do to him?”
“Nothing,” replied Lou. “He’ll never forgive me for falling from the upper realm and leaving him alone.”
Jester’s brows snapped together. “I never gave a fuck that you fell. Life was easier without you. We actually had a party.”
Darko smiled at the memory. “That was a good night.”
“Then what’s with the grudge?” Ella asked.
“No grudge,” Jester told her. “He just pisses me off.”
“Who doesn’t? Oh, right. No one.” Lou turned to Viper. “Now, back to why I’m here … Just let me see the baby this once. Five minutes. Then I’ll go.”
Viper cocked his head. “Why do you wanna see her so badly?”
“I’m curious,” Lou explained.
“Again, I gotta ask why?”
“She’s a singular being. Who wouldn’t be curious?”
Ella psychically reached for Viper, letting her mind bump his as she said, Maybe we should grant him his wish this once. If we don’t, he’ll only teleport straight into the clubhouse one day. Mayhem would then ensue. For some reason, no security measures appeared to keep Lou out. Or do you think he’ll hurt her?
He wouldn’t hurt her, he loves the idea of her, Viper replied. He’d be more likely to protect her with his life purely because her mere existence pisses off the people he most hates.
Ella had figured as much. Then I say we grant him his five minutes. “If we do let you in, will you stop coming here every day?”
“Absolutely,” Lou told her, nodding slowly.
“He’s lying,” said Jester.
Lou put a hand to his heart. “My word is my bond, bro.”
“And now he’s lying again.”
Ella looked at Jester. “You know, now that I know you’re brothers, I see why you’re always so sure people are feeding you bullshit. You grew up with a compulsive liar.”
Lou flinched back, offended. “Who says I’m a compulsive liar?”
Ella hummed. “Larkin. Piper. Levi. Harper. Jolene—”
“Jolene?” Lou grimaced. “She blurts out more porkies than anyone else. I tell you, I’m uncomfortable with how much time she spends around Asher. She’s not a good influence on children.”
Ella lifted a brow. “And you are?”
“Totally. I played a big part in raising my little bro, you know. And look what a fabulous job I did. He’s cold. Ruthless. Asocial. Intolerant. Hates everyone and everything.”
“I can see why you’d be proud,” she deadpanned, but her sarcasm appeared to go right over Lou’s head, because he looked immensely chuffed. Her inner demon shook its head, incredulous.
Are we letting him inside or what? she asked Viper.
He heaved a sigh. Fine.
“Five minutes,” she told Lou. “Then you leave, and you don’t return.”
The devil grinned in delight and then teleported to her side. “I always did like you, Ellen.”
“It’s Ella.”
“I’m just using my pet name for you.”
“Right.” She led him into the clubhouse, unsurprised at the unwelcoming looks he received from the Black Saints they came across. Entering the nursery, she shot Mia a quick smile. “We have a visitor. He’s not staying long.”
Mia straightened in the armchair at the sight of Lou, her psyche touching Ella’s. You sure about this?
It seems the best way to get rid of him, and I don’t read him as a danger to the baby. Ella and Viper moved to stand at one side of the crib while Lou and Jester stood at the other. The rest of the Black Saints stayed close, protective.
Lou smiled at the cooing baby girl in the crib who was kicking her little legs and munching on her fist. She had Ella’s facial shape, but she was all Viper—dark hair, gem-like blue eyes, demanding nature.
Her cooing stopped as she stared up at Lou through assessing eyes that were far too aware and sharp for her age.
“Oh, she’s just like a tiny doll,” said Lou. “What’s her name? Tell me it’s something cool like Cruella.”
“Her name is Lilibeth,” Ella told him.
His brow creased. “Why?”
“We gave her three options. That’s the one she chose.” She’d sent Ella a psychic nudge of approval on hearing the name ‘Lilibeth’.
Lou’s eyes rounded. “Really? How fascinating. Can I hold her?”
Viper’s brows slid together. “No.”
“Oh, don’t be a grump,” Lou complained. “I’m not gonna hurt her.”
“Answer’s still no,” Viper told him. “She wouldn’t let you anyway.”
“Why not?”
“You’re a stranger.”
Lou recoiled, as if hurt. “I’m practically family.”
“In what reality?”
“Can I at least try to pick her up? I’m curious as to what she’ll do.”
Viper sighed. “Go for it.”
Looking all gleeful, Lou reached into the crib … and got wacked by an ultraviolet wave that sent him skidding backwards.
Ella’s demon snickered, as proud as it was comforted by Lilibeth’s ability to fend people off in such a way.