Page 47 of Raising Hell

Cas and I both tense, on the verge of pouncing, when Rory takes a small step forward, shoulders squared.

Our rose has found his thorns, it would seem.

I can’t wait to watch him stab something.

“Sick?” Rory interrupts, anger marring his voice as he addresses him for the first time. “No, this is a loving relationship between three people who couldn’t imagine life without each other.”

Something deep in my chest rages at his words. It thrashes and screams, demanding me to tear his clothes off and fuck him right here… claim him in front of his ex and everyone else in this building.

I resist the urges, if barely.

Confidence radiates off Rory as Johnny stares, dumbfounded. “It’s a tough concept for you, isn’t it? Given your struggle to satisfy one partner, I’m sure you can’t comprehend the idea of two.”

Johnny recoils, and I can almost see the blood dripping off those sharp thorns from the prick.

Rory’s attention shifts to the man who stands behind Johnny. “Hi.” He lifts his hand in an awkward little wave, and I can’t help the grin that twitches on my lips. “What’s your name?” he asks, his normal gentle aura returning.

“Danny,” the man says, uncertain as he uncrosses and recrosses his arms over his chest.

Rory gives him a kind, genuine smile. “Well, Danny, I hope the two of you are happy together.”

Dredging together the scraps of his dignity that remain intact, Johnny somehow manages indignation as he interrupts. “Of course we’re happy! We’re getting married!”

Rory ignores him.

“I understand what it’s like to think you’re the center of Johnny’s universe,” he continues, pretending his ex doesn’texist. “Enough time has gone by that I hope he’s changed, and loves you in the way you deserve, but if he doesn’t… well.” Rory trails off, wearing another sweet smile as he glances up at me and Cas before refocusing on Danny. “If he doesn’t, don’t settle for less.”

Johnny is still stammering, head as red as an overripe tomato and looking like it might pop at any moment as Rory reaches out and squeezes the new fiancé’s hand, who can’t hide his surprise. “Know your worth.”

“Please,” Johnny spits, voice full of venom, and Rory finally looks at him. “Youwant to talk about worth? The dull, plain has-been that is forgettable at best. Do you know what comes to mind when I think about our relationship?Nothing. You werenothing, Rory, never anything more than a pathetic—”

A loud gurgle chokes his words as my hand closes around his neck, lifting him clear off the ground. He grabs my wrist with both hands, struggling and kicking as he tries to pull himself loose from my grasp.

“You… will…apologize.”I growl, teeth clenched as white-hot rage courses through my body.

Johnny’s terror is a palpable thing as I allow a tiny flash of power to flicker in my eyes. I bare my teeth, ready to snuff out his pitiful life, when a soft touch lands on my biceps. “Amon,” Rory whispers, and I spin to face him, still snarling. “Amon, he’s not worth it.”

“He dares to insult you.” My lips are pulled back in an angry twist as I turn to him and shake his weak human body, but Rory squeezes my arm and forces my attention to stay on him.

“Don’t waste your energy on him when you could use it on me,” he taunts with a sultry smirk, and my anger gives way to a surge of something entirely different. Johnny groans as I release him and his legs buckle underneath him, body crumpling to the ground as he sucks in a rasping inhale.

I pull Rory against me so roughly our bodies knock together, my lips colliding with his as I push all that excess energy into a kiss that makes him gasp. “Good boy,” he murmurs, and I groan against his mouth. My zipper bites into my cock as it pushes against the front of my pants.

Cas releases a barely audible whimper, drowned out by the ruckus of the club, before positioning himself behind Rory, pinning him between us.

It’s the best place for him, after all.

“Do you trust me?” Cas asks, and Rory turns to plant a kiss on his lips.

“Of course.”

The smile that crosses Cas’s face is full of wicked intent as he whispers in his ear, so low even my demon hearing can’t detect it. Rory freezes, his breath catching as he pulls back, his wide eyes locking with his. He’s nervous, and I’m about to step in and tell Cas to back off when he nods.

“You’re sure?” Cas asks, leaning in and dropping a kiss on his forehead.

He nods again, but it’s not enough for Cas. “Words, Rory.”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

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