Where There's Smoke (34 page)

Chance looked at his father, wondering what he was up to. His father looked at him and smiled.

“A deal was made that if a person not yet a demon were to stay on Earth for one week and one day, their soul would be returned from whence it came.” He looked at the sky as the sun began to rise on the horizon. “It has been one week and one day. Her soul no longer belongs to you.”

“I took her to Hell!”

“No, you created an image to bring my son to you. She never returned to Hell. There was no tribunal. It was only a lure to steal something that didn’t belong to you. But you forgot about the passage of time while you fought with Chance.”

Vetis yelled and shook his fist. “You cheated! This isn’t over, Brother!” Before anyone could blink, Vetis reared back his arm and threw a deadly bolt of lightning straight toward Chance’s heart.

Chance shoved Destiny out of the way, bracing for the death blow, but a golden shield shot up in front of him. The bolt of lightning hit with such force that it ricocheted off the shield and shot back toward Vetis. Before the demon could even move, the bolt plunged into his chest.

Vetis stumbled back, hands grasping the bolt of lightning. In stunned surprise, he looked up. “You have killed your own brother? Flesh of your flesh?”

Jacob sadly shook his head. “No, I would not harm you, Vetis. It is by your own hand that you die.”

Vetis reached toward Jacob. “Then I am free at last?”

Jacob cast a warm light over Vetis and he transformed from demon to a man with similar features of his angel brother. “Yes, you are now free.” A tear dropped from Jacob’s eye, landing on Vetis. His body dissolved into a mist and was no more.

Chance closed his eyes, brushing his lips against the top of Destiny’s head. He felt as if he’d aged ten lifetimes.

“You’ll have to let her go,” his father said as he turned toward his son.

Destiny stiffened in his arms. “I won’t be born again,” she said, stepping away from Chance.

Chance wanted to pull her back against him and protect her from his father. Angels were notorious for their tempers if someone pushed them a little too much. What the hell was she thinking?

“Destiny, we don’t have a choice,” he told her. “I’ll make sure your next life is better than your last. I swear.”

“As my guardian angel?”

“Yes. I’ll watch over you.”

“It ain’t happenin’, babe.” She shook her head. “I’ve never had a choice. It’s time I did.”

As brave as she tried to act, Chance saw the fear in her eyes, but she didn’t look as if she would budge.

She planted her hands on her hips and faced the angel. “I refuse to be born again.”

Chance’s father turned his full attention upon Destiny, glaring at her. “You would question me? An angel?”

She drew in a deep breath and stood tall. “Yes, I would.”

The angel looked at his son. “And you want her? Still? In all her stubbornness?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“And so you should,” the angel told her.

Chance stepped to her side once more. He felt her body trembling, but she held her ground.

“She deserves some happiness,” Chance told Jacob.

“And can you give her what she desires?”

“I think so.”

“For all eternity?”

“And then some,” Destiny told him, raising her chin.

The angel shook his head. “The nephilim have always been unconventional.”

Jacob exhaled a deep breath, then narrowed his eyes as his gaze moved from one nephilim to the next. Dillon, Hunter, and Ryder began to fidget as they came under his scrutiny.

“But the fathers have all loved their offspring. We did not forget, as Vetis claimed. We have watched over all of you, even though you worry us at times. You are our sons and our daughters. We could do no less.”

“Then I can stay?” Destiny asked.

“Yes, you may stay.” He suddenly frowned. “But be warned: you are not to meddle in the lives of mortals. Our children do enough of that already.”

Chance bowed his head toward the angel. “Thank you, Father.”

As Jacob began to ascend, he spoke one last time. “Remember, you are all part angel, immortals. Try to at least be somewhat circumspect in your dealings with mortals. The occasional miracle, yes, barroom fights, no.”

Hunter fidgeted.

“And womanizing,” his attention turned to Ryder, whose gaze dropped to his feet, “will not be tolerated.” Jacob sighed. “Please try for a
little
decorum.” The clouds closed as he blended in and disappeared.

“Is he gone?” Destiny asked.

“Yes, he’s gone.”

“That was your father?”

Chance grinned. “Yeah, it was.”

Hunter frowned, not looking at all happy with the events that had transpired.

Ryder lightly punched Hunter on the arm. “What’s wrong with you? Everything has turned out pretty good, but you’re frowning. What’s up?”

Hunter looked at everyone. “Didn’t you hear him? He said all our fathers have been watching us.”

Ryder shrugged. “So?”

“Oh yeah. I see what you mean,” Dillon said, looking as though a light bulb was suddenly turned on.

“What?” Ryder demanded.

“Think about it, Romeo,” Dillon said as he stared at Ryder. “They’ve been watching us—watching
us
. We haven’t exactly been saints.”

Ryder’s mouth dropped open. “Oh fuck,” he breathed, then quickly looked upward. “I mean crap… Oh hell, I don’t know what I mean.”

Chance laughed. “If they were going to do anything, don’t you think they would’ve done it before now?”

Hunter slowly nodded. “Yeah, you’re right.”

Chance sensed how nervous Destiny had suddenly become. Being around four men would take a little getting used to, but he had no doubts she would soon fit in. When she eased out of Chance’s arms, he knew he wasn’t about to let her run away.

“Don’t even think about it.” Chance grabbed her arm and pulled her back into his embrace.

“Think about what?” she asked, evading his gaze.

“That you’re not a part of me now. You’re a part of me forever.”

“You could at least introduce us to our new sister,” Ryder said.

“Just don’t get any ideas.” Chance glared at the other man. “This one is taken.”

“Are they really your brothers?” Destiny asked.

“Not by blood, but by the bond that flows through each of us. And now through you.”

“It’s going to feel strange having a family. I’ve never really had one,” she admitted.

“Can you at least cook?” Hunter asked.

She smiled when she looked at him.

He blushed.

“I can’t even boil water.”

“Anybody up for Mama Paula’s?” Dillon asked.

Hunter was thoughtful for a moment until his stomach began to rumble. “Okay, but don’t embarrass me this time.” He glared at Ryder.

“Me? Embarrass you? You’re the one who ate four platters of pancakes.”

“They were good,” he defended himself. “But, you on the other hand, were practically having sex—” He quickly glanced toward Destiny, then cleared his throat. “You were flirting a heck of a lot with the new waitress. Made her all giggly until she almost dropped the platter of food.”

“You mean your
third
platter of food,” Dillon casually mentioned.

Hunter frowned. “I told you I was hungry. And even though Mama Paula keeps her restaurant nice and clean, I sure didn’t want to be eating off the damn—I mean dang—floor!”

Dillon and Ryder laughed, then looked toward Chance and Destiny. “You two coming?”

She looked at Chance. Silent communication passed between them.

“We’ll catch you later,” Chance told them.

The other three grasped hands, then closed their eyes. In an instant, they disappeared.

“Are they always like that?” she asked.

Chance sighed. “No, sometimes they’re worse.”

“I like them.”

“For all eternity?”

Could she love him for all eternity? He had his answer when she melted against him, then raised her face. He lowered his lips to hers. She felt so perfect, so right in his arms. He stroked her tongue as his hands caressed her back. The kiss ended, but he still held her close.

“I can and will love you for all eternity,” she said.

“Now what do you want to do?” Destiny asked. “I mean, here we are in your penthouse apartment. All alone. Just the two of us.”

It was about time, too. They hadn’t had a moment alone in the last two weeks. Hunter, Dillon, and Ryder monopolized Destiny’s time. If he didn’t know better, he’d think they had never been around a female.

But she was his now. “I can think of a few things we can do,” he said as he slid the zipper down on the back of her dress.

Her light laugh floated around him as she stepped out of his arms, mischievously shaking her head.

Chance crossed his arms. “And just what do you have in mind?”

She put a finger to her lips. “Shh. Just follow me.” She turned on her heel and made her way toward the bedroom. Chance followed at a slower pace, wondering exactly what she was up to.

She stopped, then shimmied out of her dress. She wore a skimpy pink-and-black bra and thong, except she still had on her heels, and he was already hard just looking at her.

He drew in a sharp breath right before he jerked his T-shirt over his head and tossed it away. Damn, he already liked what she had planned.

For a moment, Destiny seemed to forget what she was doing as she stared at his bare chest. “You’ve really got some serious muscles.” She shook her head, then reached back and unfastened her bra, letting it drop to the floor.

Chance tried to swallow and couldn’t. He could only stare as she blew him a kiss and sauntered down the hall. He drew in a deep breath and caught the scent of the heady perfume she wore. The alluring aroma wrapped around him, hinting at a night of untold pleasure.

And there was a reason he was standing in the middle of his living room with his tongue hanging out?

He toed off his boots, kicking them out of his way. Next went his socks. His jeans and briefs came off at the same time.

“Here I come, baby,” he said under his breath as he hurried to the bedroom.

The door was closed. He grinned, but the door wouldn’t be closed for long. He pictured Destiny on the other side, lying on the bed, completely naked with her legs spread in invitation. One he planned to take her up on.

He opened the door and immediately heard the sound of a waterfall. He frowned. Had she left the water running in the bathroom? His frown deepened. She wasn’t in the bed waiting for him. In fact, he could barely see the bed. The whole room was cast in dark shadows.

“Dillon told me you loved the water. Especially swimming, no matter how cold it gets.” Her voice came from the shadows. Even though he searched with his eyes, he couldn’t make out her form.

“Dillon’s an asshole,” he grumbled.

She chuckled. “Rather than cold water, I thought I’d substitute the sound.”

“It’s nice. Now can we make love?”

“You do look as though you’re ready.” She sighed. “Very ready. Did I ever tell you how much I love your very thick, very long dick?”

His dick jerked in response to her words. “You’re killing me.”

“Nope, it’s too difficult to kill a nephilim.”

“You’re getting pretty close.”

Destiny chuckled as she snapped her fingers and half a dozen candles came to life. Then she stepped from the shadows. His torture had only begun. She wasn’t naked. No, she wore what amounted to a thin red scarf that she’d draped over her body, and a red and black necklace that sparkled as it captured the candlelight. The scarf hid absolutely nothing from his view, but was sexy as hell, casting shadows over her tempting curves.

She was fire and ice as she ambled nearer. Chance couldn’t take his eyes off her. She had her hands behind her back, which thrust her chest forward. Her nipples were taut, begging him to take them into his mouth.

When she was closer, Destiny unfastened the scarf and ran the silky material across his shoulders, over his chest, just brushing his dick. He shivered as the sensation she created rippled over him. Before he could get used to the scarf, she moved to a small, low table, so low it was practically on the floor. An assortment of colorful glass bottles were arranged neatly on top, along with a small warmer that had one bottle sitting inside.

He sniffed as another aroma tickled his nose. Chocolate? What had she plotted? He grinned. He might not be exactly sure what she was up to, but he had a feeling he’d like it. She stopped at the table, her back to him.

He’d liked watching her breasts bounce ever so slightly when she walked, and the thatch of curls between her legs was sweet to look upon. He didn’t mind whatever game she played, though. If she wanted to be the seducer, he was more than fine with it. As long as she didn’t take too long. His dick throbbed.