Page 59 of Half Dead

I squeezed his hand. “Let’s not get competitive. We’re trying to charm information out of him, remember?”

Kane’s face hardened. “I can’t believe we’re doing this. Josephine would’ve chained me to the wall if she’d known.”

I dusted off the shoulders of his jacket. “Let’s be honest, she’d dress you in bubble wrap if she thought she could get away with it.”

Kane blew out a nervous breath. “I’m beginning to rethink our plan. What if this was his intention all along? Get us alone, without our defenses.”

“We have built-in defenses if we need them.” An image shimmered behind him as the ward activated. “If you’ve changed your mind, though, tell me now. I’ll go outside and deliver the disappointing news personally.”

Kane froze. “He’s here?”

“At the gate.” I straightened his tie. “I can tell him to leave. The ward is up.”

Kane strode to the window and peered outside. “He’s shorter than I remember.”

“It’s been a long time. He’s also standing far away.”

“I know how perspective works, thank you.”

“If you want to run, I’ll go upstairs and pack a bag right now.”

He seemed to mull over my offer. “No. I don’t want to look over my shoulder for the rest of my life. The sooner we know what his plan is, the sooner we can find a way to thwart it.”

I lowered the ward.

Kane’s phone trilled, and he slipped it out of his jacket pocket. “It’s Dantalion.” He put the great duke of hell on speakerphone.

“Lucifer just breached the gate of the Castle!” Dan’s voice blasted through the phone.

Kane wore a wry smile. “You don’t say.”

“Shall I attack him from behind?”

“I appreciate the offer but stand down. We’ll take it from here.”

“Thank you, Dandelion,” I yelled over Kane’s shoulder.

Kane disconnected the call before Dan could argue.

“He’s only looking out for you.”

“I know, but I don’t want him putting himself in harm’s way on my account. He’s done quite enough of that for one lifetime.”

I adjusted his collar. “He’s loyal to you.” I kissed his cheek. “And so am I.”

Kane turned so that our lips locked. I felt his aching need for reassurance in his kiss and did my best to oblige. My fingers found the silky hair at the nape of his neck.

“Ahem,” Ray said. “You might want to save the heavy petting for dessert.”

I broke off the kiss. “Ready?” I asked.

Kane’s face darkened. “No, but I’m willing.”

I opened the door to greet the demon, who held up a bottle of wine. Never in Joseph Edgar Blue III’s wildest dreams would he have imagined Lucifer himself as a guest in his home. No doubt he would’ve loved it.

“I come bearing gifts.” His gaze landed on Kane. “Well, well. What have we here?”

“Lucifer,” Kane said tersely.

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