Page 37 of Widow

"I don't know if that's such a good idea." I ran my hands through my hair and looked down at her lying on the couch. She was too drunk to make any type of romantic decision. What kind of man would I be if I took advantage of her current state?

"Just…" Her bottom lip trembled, and a tear slid down her cheek. Oh God, I did not do well with crying women. It was one of the big downsides to owning two establishments that employed mostly women.

I let out a sigh and lay down in front of her on the couch. Lying beside her would be fine. If she tried to get handsy, I'd stop her. Probably.

I felt like I was about to fall off and onto my ass, so I wrapped my arms around her and scooted closer.

"Please, don't cry." I wiped away the few tears that escaped and couldn't help but look at her lips. She took one of those soft lips between her teeth, and I resisted the urge to lean in.

"I can't help it. I'm a freak. Every day I wake up, and I wonder if today's going to be the day that I don't come back from it. Or the day that the police arrest me, and no one can get me out."

"We're working to fix it, Lia." I wasn't sure how we were going to fix it, but she had three determined men on her side.

"But what if I hurt you? They might come after you."

I pulled her into my chest and ran my fingers through her long blonde hair. She clung to me as if I was her tether, holding her in place and keeping her from falling apart.

I barely knew this woman, but I felt the intense need to protect her. To save her from herself, or whatever was going on with her.

"I can't…" I pulled away and ran my thumb over her bottom lip as she spoke. "I don't understand why you're all still helping me."

"Does it matter?" I really wanted to fucking kiss her.

She sniffled and seemed to mull over my words. "Is it because I'm a damsel in distress?" She batted her eyelashes at me, and I looked down at her lips again.

I was going to kiss her, but then my phone rang. I let out a sigh as I slid off the couch to grab it from the side table. Lucifer never called; he was much more of a texter.

"Hello?"

"Where are you? Are you with Lia? We need a doctor." Lucifer's voice was serious, not that it was ever anything but.

"What's going on? We're at my place."

"I'll be there in a minute. Open up your balcony door." With that, he hung up the phone. I moved to the door to slide it open.

Lia sat up on the couch and rubbed her hands over her face. "What's happening?"

"I don't know. Lucifer said he needs a doctor. I maybe should have told him you’re a drunk doctor. I don't know if you will be much help."

"He needs a doctor? But I thought-"

Lucifer landed on the balcony, and Lia gasped from behind me. It was the first time she saw his wings. They were massive and folded back as he landed in the tight space of my balcony. They disappeared quickly into his back.

My own wings, which were bound inside of me, itched to come out. Anytime another angel was around, they wanted to burst free from my back but couldn't because they were magically tied.

Lucifer rushed in with Alaric in his arms. There was blood covering both of them, but it was clear Alaric was the one who was doing all the bleeding.

I cringed as several drops landed on my clean hardwood floors.

"Get him on the table." Lia moved towards the dining area and pulled my chairs away from the table. I really didn't want him on it, but there weren't very many options.

Lucifer set him down and put his hands over his thigh, applying pressure. "He was hit. I'd heal him, but the bullet is lodged deep in there. Is there a way you can get it out?" He was looking at Lia, who was biting her lip while taking Alaric's pulse.

"Why didn't you take him to a hospital?"

"Can't take him to a hospital, he's a demon. They would know as soon as the bullet came out that he was different."

"Who the hell shot him?" I asked as I moved down the hall to grab my emergency kit. When I came back, Lia had found a pair of scissors and was cutting up the pant leg of his jeans.

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