Page 16 of Premonition of Peace

“We’re putting the finishing touches on now. Everything should be done by Friday,” Mick said.

“Thanks,” I replied. “I’ll schedule the designer to come in over the weekend and start furnishing the place.”

“Sounds like a plan, boss.”

He was about to hang up when I stopped him. “Before you go, there’s something we need to discuss.”

“Hit me.”

“I’m implementing a new protocol going forward.”

“A new protocol?” he echoed, sounding confused.

“Yes,” I said, lowering my voice. “From now on, all communications over phone or in person need to start with a code word. Yours is ‘dandelion’.”

“Dandelion?” He chuckled lightly, but didn’t argue.

“Yes. It’s essential that before getting into any details with me, I need to provide you with this code wordwithout you prompting. That bit is important. You can’t ask me for it.”

“Is, uh, everything okay?” Mick asked hesitantly.

“Someone has been impersonating me,” I admitted, but rushed to add, “I don’t think they mean harm, but I can’t tip them off that I know. If it happens, just notify me via text and you can relay fake information if necessary.”

There was a pause on the other end, and then Mick said, “Understood, Ms. Le Fay. I’ll make sure everyone on the team is aware that any calls must come through me.”

“Thanks, Mick. Have a good one.” I hung up the phone and picked up my tea, taking a sip. Turning around, I nearly jumped out of my skin. Lucifer was standing shirtless, watching meagainas he leaned casually against the fridge, a bemused expression on his face.

“Code words?”

“What iswithyou and creeping around shirtless?” I placed a calming hand to my heart and gave him a miffed look.

“It’s not my fault your hearing is subpar compared to other supernaturals, little witch.” He shrugged, reminding me of one of my many ‘failings’ by nature of being a witch. Our lack of superhuman qualities was a bit of a sore spot for me, particularly in the immortality department, but I wasn’t getting into that right now. “Now, what is this with the code words?”

I rolled my eyes. “Katherine is still impersonating me, and I need to find her.”

“Again?” he replied, arching an eyebrow. “What do you need to find her for?”

I gnawed on my bottom lip, toying with how much to tell him. “You won’t tell anyone else?” I asked.

The look he gave me had a flush spreading across my cheeks in seconds. Lucifer leaned forward, his abs flexing as he slowly stalked toward me.

“What do you think?”

I pressed my lips together. “That I need an answer.”

His arms came down on either side of me, caging my body between them. The heat radiating from him was smoldering. “I care little to nothing for most creatures, the singular exception being you. Your secrets are safe with me and havealwaysbeen safe with me.”

I swallowed hard. “And you won’t try to interfere?”

A smirk lifted one corner of his mouth. “Me? Interfere?”

“Yes, you. The pushy demon who doesn’t know how to take no for an answer. I need you to promise me you won’t get involved.”

“It involves you. I can’t promise that.”

“Lucifer.”

“Little witch.”

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