She focuses on me. “You were able to find their dad. Good job, Ben.”

“They’ve been through enough. I didn’t want to force them to stay with strangers.”

“You’re good with them. Kids.”

I shrug, uncomfortable. “Maybe I can just relate to wanting the world to make sense.”

“And for good to triumph over evil.”

My lips twitch. “Everyone wants that. Unless the Devil is involved. Then we would definitely want him to win.”

I pull her to her feet. “I want to make sure they’re taken care of.”

We find Silas and the happy family in the penthouse entryway.

Torin Black looks exactly as a demon should—human. We are beings of energy and especially for those born on this plane, the human form is what is common. He’s a mountain of a man and probably terrifying if he weren’t on his knees clutching his children as if they may disappear.

“I’m so sorry,” he murmurs, kissing their hair. “I was so worried when I heard.”

My throat swells at the scene.

“Do you have any word on their mothers?” he asks.

“They were taken though a fae gate, but we have a team looking for your mates,” Silas says.

Torin shakes his head. “We aren’t mates, but they’re my friends. Carrie and Beth are in a relationship together. I was just supposed to be a sperm donor.” He looks down at his kids, who obviously know this story, with chagrin. “But I got a little attached without meaning to. Thankfully Carrie and Beth don’t mind.”

“Demons bond naturally,” Tim recites.

Torin nods, swinging his son’s arm. “That we do, buddy.”

I blink at the reminder. I almost never spend time around demons, and it can be easy to forget that part of our natures. I’ve never been a concern since I haven’t created any organic bonds before.

“You’re a co-parent?” I ask, not wanting to dwell on thoughts of bonds.

“As often as their mothers and work will allow me to be,” Torin answers. “I have the paperwork to prove it if you need. I want to get these two home.”

“Where’s home?” I ask while Silas nods for the papers. There’s a strange tightness in my throat at the idea of the kids leaving. It’s silly. Of course he’s going to take them home. That’s the whole reason we contacted him.

“I keep an apartment in this territory where we stay when I get time with them,” he explains. There’s stress to his mouth like he’s worried we won’t let him claim his children.

“Will you allow a guard to go with you?” Silas asks.

Torin lets the question sink in before nodding. He understands the unspoken reasons. None of us want to state the risk in front of the kids that whoever was responsible for their abduction could target them again if they think the kids saw something incriminating.

“I’d welcome extra eyes from the Devil,” Torin says.

Silas nods. “Very good.”

It feels like no time passes at all before Torin leaves and takes the kids with him. I wave, morose that I may never see them again.

“Have a fucking great day!” Timmy calls back, and I wince.

28

STELLA

I pant.Swollen heat beats through my body as I surface from a dream of tangled bodies and teasing fangs. I don’t know what time it is, but it’s still dark. I blow out a breath, still half asleep and trying to push against the covers, but they don’t move.