Page 26 of Half Dead

“What makes you certain?”

“I’ve seen it up close many times.” He paused. “At one point, Kane wore the impression of it on his cheek.”

“Impression? Like Lucifer hit him so hard, he left an imprint of the cufflink?”

“Worse.” Dantalion closed his eyes, as though the memory was too painful to mention. “Lucifer branded him with it. After we escaped, Kane was able to find a healer to remove it.” The demon’s nostrils flared. “I knew this day would come, though I tried my best to prevent it.”

“I know, and so does Kane.”

Dantalion’s gaze lowered. “I suppose you’ll be presenting that to His Highness now.”

“That’s the plan.”

His lips compressed to form a thin line. “I would rather be gone when that happens.”

Alessandro stuck his head into the conversation. “Whatever it is, just deliver the bad news and then immediately distract him with sex. Works like a charm.”

“In that case, I’m glad you’re the one delivering the news,” Dantalion said with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. The demon’s concern was palpable.

I gave Sunny one last scratch behind the ear before I went in search of my immortal beloved. Lucifer didn’t seem like the careless type. Knowing the history of the cufflink, I nowwondered whether it had been left deliberately as a subtle threat. It pained me to be the one to poke that old wound.

The doors clicked open one at a time, allowing me to pass through without raising a hand. I silently thanked Dantalion for the advanced notice.

By the time I reached Kane’s inner sanctum, the former prince of hell stood ready and waiting by the door with a cocktail glass in each hand. I breathed in his familiar scent of musk, sandalwood, and pine.

“Sweets for my sweet.” He handed me a glass in a gallant gesture.

My eyes widened at the sight of the fancy drink topped with whipped cream. “Chocolate martini?”

“Even better. Mudslide.”

“Dessert in a cocktail glass. Right up my alley.” I licked the whipped cream. “What’s in it?”

“Vodka, ice cream, heavy cream, Kahlua, and Irish cream.”

“That’s a lot of cream.”

“Alessandro requested that I add it to the drinks menu, so we made a test batch. I wholeheartedly approved and thought you would, too.”

“Oh, I wholeheartedly do.” I took a sip and moaned.

“You just reminded me, I also bought new sheets.”

My gaze slid to the gray-blue sheets covering the massive bed. “Aw, they’re a pretty color.”

He inched closer to me. “They certainly are. They match your eyes.”

“Dessert in a fancy glass and new sheets. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

He brushed the hair from my eyes. “Do I need a reason to spoil you?”

The mudslide went down my throat as smoothly as the name suggested. Kane regarded me with a wolfish grin. “Lorelei Clay. The great devourer. First of her name.”

“Sorry, it’s that delicious.”

“No need to apologize to me. I could watch you swallow all day.”

The alcohol warmed my insides. “Don’t tempt me.”

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