Page 38 of Infernal Hearts

Levi turns his attention back to him. “Can’t you see we’re in the middle of a conversation?”

“Oh, good, the asshole from the clinic.” Michael looks to me. “Are you with him now?”

“It’s not like that, Michael. And not here.”

Michael’s voice cracks with a pleading tone. “If not here, then where?”

I snap. “Can you seriously just leave me alone? I don’t want to talk to you. Not here. Not tonight. Not ever.”

With a step forward, Michael puts his hand on my shoulder—head down and looking up at me. “Please. Let’s just go find a quiet booth and we can talk this over.”

Even his face brings back pain, and I can’t stand another second looking at it. “I don’t want anything from you. It’s over. It’s been over for quite a while.”

And then he says the words I never thought I’d hear come from his mouth again.

“Jason, I love you. Seeing you today gave me feelings all over again. Give me another chance.”

I should have known better. I should have seen it coming when he dumped me. But him doing this? My blood steams through my skin just as soon as those words leave his mouth, but I don’t even have time to say another word. Levi steps in.

“He said no, fuckface.” Levi flashes a perfect smile as he yanks Michael’s hand off my shoulder and pushes him back.

Michael raises himself up to his full height, inches from Levi’s face. “I wasn’t talking to you.”

“And he’s not interested.” Levi chuckles to himself and gets dangerously closer. “Figure that out.”

Michael’s knuckles go white, and his jawline goes sharp. He’s ready to fight. “One more word. I dare you.”

“I don’t think you’d like what might happen.” Levi takes another sip of his drink. “Now run along and play nurse with someone else.”

Michael winds up his arm and throws a punch straight at Levi’s face. My stomach lurches, but Levi catches it effortlessly and just smiles. My jaw drops—I can’t believe he’s that fast even when he’s been drinking.

“That wasn’t very kind.” Levi’s fist clenches with a blank stare on his face. But he doesn’t seem to gain any joy from the situation like I thought a demon would.

Michael winces as his joints sickeningly pop. A hiss escapes his mouth, and his knees buckle.

But while Michael’s focus is on Levi, Levi’s eyes flick down to the necklace around Michael’s neck. A purple crystal, wrapped in a leather cord. “What’s that?”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” The words barely escape his gritted teeth.

Levi squeezes harder followed by another crack. “Your necklace.”

What a fucking disaster. This isn’t how I wanted things to go. At all. “Let him go, Levi.”

“Not until he answers my question.” Levi twists Michael’s arm, spinning him around and pulling him close to his chest. His free hand strokes the cord, scrutinizing it.

“I found it in the woods.” Michael pushes back against Levi’s might, but Levi doesn’t budge.

Levi takes his free hand and turns Michael’s face to his. They glow violet as soothing words escape his lips. “Give it to me.”

Michael’s resistance completely drops as he yanks off the chain and drops it into Levi’s palm. A bright glow flashes one more time from Levi, stunning everyone in the room.

“Go on with your nights. Forget what just happened. Nothing to see here.” Everyone immediately goes back to laughing, drinking, and playing pool as if nothing happened. The purple light disappears, and his eyes return to their dark shade as he turns back to Michael. “Thank you.”

His face goes ashen as the tendons in his neck pull taut. After a flurry of rapid blinking, Michael finally speaks. “You—you’re a demon.”

“And you’re some heartless asshole who can’t take a hint. Leave Jason alone. He’s already made it clear.” Levi’s lip curls as he pushes Michael away.

Michael stumbles to the ground. He pushes himself up with his good hand and faces me, trying to fight back tears. “Jason, please. Forgive me. I know I fucked up, and I regret it all. I’m trying here.”

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