Page 31 of Dead Heat

“He really is,” Josie murmured.

“I admire your courage and your dedication to the cause. If I wanted to return and fight, it would be an honor to have you by my side.”

Canto lowered his head. “You flatter me, sire.”

“But you should leave here and never return, and nevermention my name again. If Lucifer believes I have an interest in ousting him, it will stir up his desire to find me.”

“To be fair, sire, the desire never left him. He only became distracted by other matters.”

“Where have you been staying?” Josie asked.

“A cave near the river. It’s quite spacious.”

“Return through the crossroads tonight and we’ll forget you were ever here,” Kane said.

“As long as you forget Kane is here,” Josie added.

Canto bowed. “If that is your command.”

Josie glared at Kane until he said, “It is.”

The demon scampered to the exit.

“Dantalion’s getting sloppy,” Josie said. “I’ll speak to him when he gets back from his mystery errand.”

“Dan didn’t know he was being followed,” I countered.

Josie turned to scowl at me. “Exactly my point.”

“I’ll speak to him,” Kane said.

Josie’s nostrils flared. “She’s making you soft, Sullivan, and it’s going to get you killed.”

“Perhaps death is preferable to a life that isn’t well lived.”

Josie made a disgruntled noise at the back of her throat. “I’ll be sure to tell that to your corpse. I feel like I don’t even know you anymore. The old you would’ve let me disembowel Canto if I’d asked.”

I cringed. “Yikes. I’m glad I didn’t know that version of you.”

Josie lifted her chin a fraction. “That version of him would’ve wiped the floor with his enemies and anyone who gave off the slightest whiff of betrayal.”

“I prefer the version who chose to build a better life in Fairhaven.”

Josie didn’t like my response. She flipped her dark ponytail over her shoulder. “Mark my words, Kane. No good deed goes unpunished.”

“I’m willing to take my chances, Josephine, but I appreciate your concern.”

Her face turned stony as she looked at me. “Congrats, Clay. You’ve just signed his death warrant. Enjoy the sex while you still can.” She marched out of the lounge and slammed the door behind her.

I shot an accusatory look at Kane. “You told her about us?”

“That’s your takeaway from this conversation?”

“I just thought you were more of a gentleman.”

“If you must know, I didn’t tell her. She guessed.”

I observed the twitch in his cheek. “You’re worried about Canto.”

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