Page 39 of The Devil's Dilemma

I turned. Conrad stood behind me in the now dark room, the only illumination coming from the streetlights outside.

“What time is it?”

“It’s almost eleven.”

“I should be downstairs on the floor.”

“It’s fine. I’ve seen to it. There’s nothing for you to do. I assumed you’d still be here, seeing how he seems to have your full attention.”

“Did you find out anything?” I took one last look at Austin and led Conrad into the lounge, flicking on a couple of lamps.

I poured another whiskey and offered one to Conrad. He declined, and I took my glass and gazed over the city.

How many others like him were out there, or was he the only one?

I’d not heard of anyone this century having the mark, so why him? Why indeed?

“Other than a grandfather, he has no living relatives I could find. His mother died when he was six. His father left him a year later. He’s lived with his grandpa, as he calls him, ever since. After a nasty fall, the old man’s ailing, though.”

“Do you have his mother’s name?”

“Not yet. I’d need to dig around a little more to get that information. All I know is he works at a bar in the city and has done for a while. Other than Joel, Pete, and Freddie, he has one other friend. A girl called Amber. He works with her at the bar.”

“So he’s a loner, then.”

“He has a handful of close-knit friends, but that’s it.”

I knew almost less about him now than I had before. Well, nothing useful. It was his past that intrigued me, not the present.

For the first time today, I felt weary.

“I need to sleep.”

The events of last night, coupled with today, had me exhausted.

I couldn’t sleep in my bed, though.

That was occupied by a particularly attractive man who might or might not be an angel.

The moment I laid eyes on him, I’d known there was something about him, but never had I expected him to be the exact opposite of me.

Where I was darkness, he was light. Except that still didn’t feel right to me. The serenity and calm I’d normally associate with angels was missing with Austin.

Yes, he didn’t carry the corruption or immorality I did, but he wasn’t beyond reproach himself. I sensed his misdeeds, as I did with many people.

That awareness helped me decide if they belonged up in the clouds or down with the sinful and wicked.

He had grey areas, traits that would give others pause for consideration.

“Well, you can’t sleep in there.” Conrad’s voice startled me from my thoughts.

He was making up the sofa, plumping the pillows.

“You didn’t have to do that.” Although I was glad he had.

I unlaced my boots and slipped my shirt over my head. My trousers were next, leaving me in my boxers.

“I’ll be back in the morning to see how sleeping beauty is in the other room. Get some sleep, boss. I have a feeling it’s going to be less boring around here for a while.”

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