Page 10 of How to Accidentally Become the Devil

I see a flash of blue just before I fall to the bed, the unexpected weight of a hellhound knocking me off balance. Flaming paws pin me to the bed as Fireball attacks my face. Guess someone missed me. I chuckle as I scratch the back of his neck, accepting all the love he wants to give. I’ve been away too much lately. I’m going to have to make it up to my sweet boy.

“Alright, sweet boy. I know, I know. I’m sorry. I won’t stay away so long anymore,” I tell him as I sit up with him in my lap. “In fact. I have someone I want you to meet.” It’s past time I introduce my favorite girl to my goodest boy.

“But first, I need to find Zar. You know where he is?” His fiery tail wags and he yips before jumping down and running to the door. Chuckling, I follow him out of the room and down the hall to the back door. The curtain is pulled back so I can see our entire backyard. I stop short when I see my serious, asshole twin lounging, on a fucking pink flamingo float, in the middle of our pool.

What the fuck?

Is that a little pink umbrella in his drink?

I slide the door open and step outside, staring at my brother as if he’s been body snatched.

“Who the hellareyou?” I blurt, enjoying it a little too much when he almost falls off his float at my sudden appearance.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” he snaps.

“Ummm. Pretty sure I still live here.”

“Really? Think Fireball may argue against you there.”

Rolling my eyes, I kill the small talk. “What the fuck happened on thatmission?” I demand.

He freezes, much like Belz did earlier when we were talking about it. Yeah. Something’s definitely up.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He brings his glass to his lips, avoiding looking at me as he takes a sip of his fruity cocktail. My brother is drinking a fucking cocktail. What is happening right now?

“You can stop lying to me now. I already talked to Belz, and even if I hadn’t, that,” I point my finger up and down him, “was suspicious as fuck.”

His head jerks toward me. “What did he tell you?”

Not as much as you just did with your reaction.

“Enough. How aboutyoutellmewhat happened and why you’ve been hiding it from me?” I arch a brow as we stare into each other’s eyes. Twin eye contact is a serious thing. He finally gives in and climbs off his float.

“If I’m going to have this conversation again, I’m not doing it on a fuckingflamingo,” he grumbles as he climbs out of the pool.

“Hey. You’re the one that was on it,” I tease.

“Because it’s the only float Fireball hasn’t chewed a hole in,” he gripes.

“Oh my Devil! Are you drinking frou-frou drinks on a flamingo floatie?” Oz’s boisterous laughter rings out through the yard.

“Didn’t you hear Oz? I’m retired!” Zar yells to Oz before muttering under his breath. “Oh great. The gang’s all here.”

I’m surprised it took so long for them to catch up to be honest. I spare a glance their way. “Zarreth was just getting ready to let me in on the big dark secret. I’m sure you’d like to know too, right Oz?”

“Always like knowing a demon’s biggest darkest secret.” He smirks.

I smile at my brother but it’s far from friendly. “You were saying?”

Flipping me off, he wraps a towel around his waist and sits on one of the lounge chairs, again avoiding eye contact.

“I wasn’t on a mission…”

No shit Sherlock. I figured that much out.

“I was chained up in Luc’s torture chamber.”

“I’m sorry, you werewhat?” I couldn’t have heard him right. There’s no way he just said what I think he did. One look at Belzar confirms he’s telling the truth.

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