Page 35 of Married to the Devil

“Was any of that a question?” Stoneheart asks before sighing. “It’s better for people outside of my circle to know as little about me as possible.”

Ben nods. “I won’t share your secrets. Do you want bandages or?—”

“There’s skin protective film in there. Since you went through the trouble to flush the wounds out.”

Ben finishes his work in no time. Knowing that the wounds will be healed by morning helps, butpit fighting?

Quicker than I’d expect for him to move, Stoneheart grabs Ben’s wrist before he pulls away and brings the demon’s hand to his face, inhaling. Ben and I both freeze as the gargoyle breathes him in.

The act is intimate and sparks something curious in my belly.

“You’ve been touching my wife, Barnes,” Stoneheart’s pupils expand has he speaks against Ben’s skin.

My cheeks burn even as my heart sinks, but instead of threatening, the statement sounds like a purr.

“I’m surprised you can scent anything past the disinfectant,” Ben says instead of rushing to deny the claim.

“Her scent is one that I’m attuned to.”

That surprises me, but it shouldn’t. I am his claimed mate. I may be numb to the physical nature of it because I’m a witch, but he apparently isn’t.

The silence is tense as they stare at each other. There’s a playful light in Stoneheart’s eyes, but Ben’s stillness is full of trepidation.

Ben breaks the standoff. “Then, if Stella doesn’t object, you’ll have to add it to my tab because you’re not doing anything about it tonight.”

My mouth falls open.Object to what?

“You should rest,” Ben continues as he steps away from Stoneheart. There’s a shake under his professional tone, but his face remains placid. The gargoyle releases him. “If that’s everything, I’ll come back in the morning.”

Stoneheart considers him for a moment before giving his permission with a nod.

Ben looks to me and freezes. He hesitates like he doesn’t want to leave me alone here.

But I’m not afraid of Stoneheart. Maybe it’s the mating bite or the meticulous workshop he set up for me, but I can handle what he dishes out. My curiosity won’t allow me to leave the way Ben is anyway.

“See you in the morning,” I say.

“Barnes,” Stoneheart says right before the demon vanishes. Ben stills. His eyes on the injured gargoyle like he’s a cobra about to strike. “Thank you for watching over Stella. Her safety and happiness are a priority to me.”

They have another silent conversation that leaves me feeling like an uncomfortable third wheel, but Ben speaks up before I can voice my questions.

“Of course,” Ben says and disappears.

I turn on Stoneheart. “What was that?”

“I thanked him.” He rolls his shoulders with a wince.

“No, not that,” I say. There’ssomethingbetween the two of them. “What are you planning? What tab? What would I object to?”

Stoneheart tilts his head. “Don’t you enjoy his presence?”

“Husband.” The term is husky without my meaning it to be. “Don’t try and distract me.”

He must be very tired because he actually responds when I use the title, his eyes slit in pleasure.

His actions are so contrary to our wedding night that I don’t quite know how to interpret them. Which are his real feelings about me? Am I a pawn or a prize?

The pleased look morphs into a frown as if he’s frustrated that he reacted in such a way, but he goes back to a poker face before he answers me. “Barnes has a very unique skill. If hewere to eventually to come and work for us, that would be advantageous.”

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