Page 9 of Angel Betrayed

Sam slammed the door as his gaze swept the street. Down the road and to the left, a black van waited in the shadows.

He stared at that van, then he grinned.

Come and get me, bastards. He almost crooked his finger in invitation.

Because he wasn’t a dumbass demon, and he could smell a fucking setup a mile away. Even when the setup was wrapped in the scent of jasmine and wore a pretty smile.

Not that easy to get to me.

He climbed in the car and gunned the engine.

Time for the real games to begin.

With a flick of his fingers, he locked the door and sealed Seline inside with him.

“He took the bait,” Alex Graham said as he yanked the ski mask off his face. “The blind fool fell for her just like all the others have done.”

So it would seem.

Rogziel eased back in the seat and watched the Jag’s red taillights disappear around the corner. The growl of the engine echoed down the street. He had waited so long for this moment, and now, finally, Sammael’s punishment was at hand.

It only seemed fitting that a demon would be the one to send the Fallen to hell.

Sammael had always had a weakness for women and for sin. By the time Seline was done with him, there’d be nothing left of his old friend.

Good.

Ready to burn again, Sam?

Because the fire was sure ready for him. Those flames had been waiting, and it was time for Sammael to face his punishment.

Hell.

Chapter Two

Seline knew where Sam lived. She’d staked out his place shortly after arriving in New Orleans. So when he drove right past the exit leading to the Quarter, her palms began to sweat.

“You never told me the guy’s name.” Sam’s voice was quiet, but held an edge that had her tensing in the leather seat.

“J-John Moorecroft.” She thought the stutter in her voice was a good addition. Because a woman who’d nearly been stabbed would be stuttering and trembling, wouldn’t she?

He glanced her way. “John Moorecroft is in prison. His drug ring was busted up six months ago, and the bastard is rotting in a cell because he took out a cop during the bust.”

All true, and all facts that had made the New Orleans news. Yet there were details that hadn’t made the papers. “He might be in jail, but he’s still got plenty of power.” She licked her lips. “He took out a hit on me from his cell. Even inside, he still has men ready to jump for him.” For the right price. “You don’t cross him and get away clean.”

They were on the interstate now, and he was driving too fast. Everything passed her in a blur.

“I don’t know any other names,” she admitted, keeping her voice low. “I don’t know who came after me tonight. Probably just some flunky looking to cash in on the bounty that’s on my head. I-I just want it all to end.” Her breath expelled in a rush. “How do you think the cops knew to make that bust? I was the one who tipped them off.”

“So you killed John’s friend, and turned him in?” He gave a low whistle. “Now he’s jonesing for your death.”

Not like it was the first time. “I was working at a bar.” The cover always worked. It was easy enough for her to get hired at places like that and to work the owners and staff. “I met a man, his name was Philip Drew. Philip was?—”

Insane. The madness had pushed to the surface so easily when he drank. She cleared her throat. “He and John grew up together. They were friends.”

The city lurked behind them. A glittering trail of hazy lights reflected in the water. She swiped her hand along the door handle. “Where are we going?”

He glanced her way, and a faint smile curved his lips. “Don’t worry. I’m just taking you someplace safe.”

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