Page 20 of Immortal Throne

“I don’t need your permission to come in. I’m a demon, Sloane. Not a vampire.”

“More like pain in my ass.”

“Look, I’m trying to be polite and try things the human way here. I know it’s what you’re used to. Since you’ve been playing mortal your whole life.”

I snorted. Why did that sound like some backhanded comment?

I wasn’t fooled.

He talked about mortals as if they were beneath him—beneath us—but how could I not feel mortal, demon or not, when I’ve been handed a death sentence?

Whatever. I didn’t need to listen to this. “You can fuck right off, Dante. Or whatever your actual name is. I’m not letting you in.”

I pushed the door, but he reached out lightning-quick and gripped my arm through the small space. With his skin warm on mine, he shouldered his way closer, the chain on the verge of snapping and his face pressed against the door jam.

“Let me in, Sloane.” His words flowed over me like smooth butter. Enticing and seductive, his command curled around me. Coaxing me to do just as he demanded. And suddenly, against my own common sense, the urge to step back and open the door seized me. My fingers twitched as the command washed over my skin, taking control of my muscles. I wanted to let him in.

Worse yet, I wanted to take him into my bedroom and let him do all sorts of naughty things to me. I’d do anything to keep him speaking and have that deep rumbling voice caress my skin like a lover’s touch.

Horrified, I jerked back and gripped the door tighter, ready to slam it in this asshole’s face.

I’d never wanted to punch and kiss someone at the same time in all my life. Fuck him for making me feel that way. The bastard.

“Let him in, Sloane,” Chupey said with a huff from somewhere behind me. It was enough to make me pause. “He’s a guardian.”

“Am I supposed to know what that means?”

Mr. Dante craned his neck for a better view around me. When he spotted my dog, he smiled. “Chupe, old buddy. Great to see you.”

Wait, they knew each other? This was getting weirder by the second.

Chupey hacked as if a hairball had caught in his throat even though he was hairless. “I wish I could say the same, Ryker.”

Ryker? The guy’s name was Ryker?

As I glanced over my shoulder, he seized the chance and shoved the door open, snapping the chain and throwing me back at the same time.

“Hey!”

Ignoring me, he shouldered his way inside my apartment and kicked the door closed behind him. He crossed the threshold in two long steps and made his way to Chupey who was lounging on the back of the oversized armchair.

Anger spiking, I clenched my fists. What was stopping me from knocking this guy’s lights out right now? Then I’d toss his unconscious ass out for Alice to deal with. Or tomorrow’s trash collectors.

Glancing at me and then my balled hands at my side, Ryker said, “What? Do you want to hit me, Sloane?”

“I’d say it’s long overdue.”

Chupey sighed and shook his head. “Let’s not make this any more messy than it already is.” He peeked at me, tongue lolling out of the side of his mouth. “Ryker being here can only mean one thing.”

“And what’s that?” I asked.

Opening his arms wide, Ryker grinned. “Your father is dead.”

---