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  Jared carefully reached in, sliding an arm under her knees and behind her back, pulling her from the car. She felt all that strength—sinews, muscles, and power—as he tugged her against his chest. Elizabeth nuzzled against his neck and allowed his warm, fresh scent to consume her. She memorised him in that moment. He smelled like fresh air, sweat, and man. He didn’t coat himself in anything fake. He was just—Jared.

  Her fingers fisted the front of his shirt and she heard him chuckle.

  “Happy to see me, Bethy?” His laughter pierced her heart and she wished with all that she was that she could have him.

  Elizabeth knew in that moment. Her heart wouldn’t be allowed his. She couldn’t doom him to this life. She would stay out the month, figure out a way to break this bullshit debt, and give him his life back.

  “You have no idea.”

  With that she snuggled in closer as he took her into the home.

  ***

  Elizabeth felt the heat of the sun on her lids. The warm body she rested on didn’t shift as she snuggled in closer. His arms were already tight around her. Her fingers grazed his bare chest and the tips of her digits glided along the defined abdomen. She’d known the guy was ripped but when he had pulled off his shirt before getting in bed with her... yeah, nothing could have prepared her for Jared.

  She felt like she had been sleeping for weeks, but she knew it was just the day. At some point during the night she remembered Jared getting up. He had been gone for hours before he returned and slipped back into bed.

  That hadn’t been the original plan. He was just supposed to drop her in the bed and leave. Elizabeth recalled some heavy begging and more tears. Embarrassment colored her face as she nuzzled into the crook of his arm. That belly-deep laugh that she was getting used to as his brought her head up to look at him.

  He was awake.

  Reality was kicking in and the fact Jared was the hottest man she had ever slept with—in real life.

  “Mornin’,” he mumbled before stretching out his body.

  Elizabeth eased away from him but he quickly tutted her. His strong arms wrapped her back up and he pulled her close until she was splayed on top of him. She felt a telltale nudge of something against the thin fabric of her cotton panties—is some point she had lost her pants and was only in the t-shirt she’d driven in, and her panties—and she sucked in a breath.

  “Sorry. It’s a daily habit, love.” He nudged her chin with his index finger.

  Her cheeks burned and she felt thirteen again, crushing on Matthew Leonard, the hottest guy in school. Matthew had not-so-subtly rejected her in the middle of her entire English class when she’d asked him to the seventh-grade dance.

  This moment felt similar.

  Only it came with morning wood and a hot body under her.

  Jared’s finger continued its silent exploration as it skimmed up her jaw, dancing slowly over her burning cheeks. Her eyes fluttered and she gazed at anywhere but him.

  “I had no clue...” He paused.

  Her eyes found his and she froze. The only other person to look at her with that much heat in their gaze was Asmodeus. With Jared it was different, though. It wasn’t just hot burning lust that reflected in his deep pools. It was awe, respect, compassion, and lust. It flickered like a tiny flame. Yet the stiff sign of that lust nudging her damp panties wasn't so tiny.

  She felt her face heat further and diverted her gaze.

  "OH! I have something for you." Jared shifted her off him carefully and reached over into the drawer of the bedside table.

  Elizabeth peeked over the top of his shoulder. She watched the muscles in his back work as he shifted things around in the drawer. Jared made a slight sound of triumph with his throat before flipping around and facing her again. He pulled himself up to sit back against the headboard. Lifting his hand, he dangled between his fingers a silver chain. Hanging from the beautiful links was a light blue stone that looked oddly like her blue celestite, although hers was much larger. This one looked about the size of the circumference of the tip of her thumb. As it swayed slightly, dangling from his large hand, it caught the light. The refractions glittered all over the walls and small rainbows danced on the simple surfaces in the room. Elizabeth reached for the stone but he pulled it away from her.

  Her eyes went wide as she looked at his playful expression.

  “Now, I got this for you. I told myself if you really made it here I would get to put this on you myself. This is my reward for patience and getting you here safe.” He gestured with his head for her to turn around.

  Elizabeth shifted on the bed, turning her back to him. She gathered her hair and draped it over one shoulder.

  “Funny you say this is your reward. I thought it was the whole sleeping in the same bed nearly naked,” she teased.

  She could feel the heat from the stone; it was nearly uncomfortable as it rested right between her cleavage. Elizabeth felt the slight double pump of her heart when it fell against her skin. Her gaze locked onto the beautiful stone and it was then she realized it wasn’t just the stone; it was set in an elaborate handmade setting. The silver wire swirled around it, with intricate designs along the stone and making up the finding that latched it to the chain.

  Elizabeth hadn’t realized Jared had moved in front of her. His voice jerked her from her careful examination.

  “They say you have to keep blue celestite next to your heart. I read that an angel is linked to each stone and that when you wear it an angel will be watching over you.” His voice was low and lulling. It seemed to rumble from his chest and the deep vibrations settled right between her legs.

  Good grief, give it a break. He’s just keeping you safe.

  Elizabeth glanced up at him through her lashes. She watched his body visibly tense and he leaned closer.

  “I thought you could be my guardian angel,” she whispered.

  He winked, surprising her a little. Jared jumped up and, walking across the room, reached for a t-shirt hanging over a chair in the corner. He slipped it on quickly, covering up all that male perfection.

  “Oh, I am, Bethy. Make no mistake about that.” He paused, opening the door. “Your clothes are in your bags at the foot of the bed. I’m savvy enough to know that girls don’t like their things touched. Get yourself dressed and come on downstairs. The monks aren’t as uptight as I thought they would be.”

  He leaned his body against the doorframe, shoving his hands in his pockets. Jared watched her as she slowly slid from the bed, making her way over to her bags. His eyes on her were like tiny fingertips sliding over her flesh. Gooseflesh rose all over her and she muffled a whimper.

  “Well, there is the guy who runs it. He is mute, but he knows his shit. He’s the only man to ever break a deal with the devil.”

  She froze.

  Halfway to her bag of clothes, she felt her whole body go rigid before she glanced at him over her shoulder. Their eyes met and he nodded, his expression suddenly all serious.

  “Yeah, so get dressed and get downstairs. He is the one that told me to get you that stone. I’m confident that we can make this a home base as long as we make no mistakes.”

  Jared pushed from the frame and made his way over to her. He was so close she felt his body heat radiate through her flesh. The stone resting between her breasts seemed to pulse with the beating of her heart. He pushed her hair out of her face, and the pads of his callused fingers brushed over her cheek, sending a shiver through her body that seemed to rise right in that tight little unused nub between her legs.

  No, shut it off. Shut it off right now, Beth!

  He tucked the hair behind her ear.

  “I will keep you safe, if I have to die doing it. He will have to walk over my dead body to get ahold of you. I swear that to you now,” he promised.

  Sucking in her bottom lip, she nodded. His gaze had become too intense. He leaned in, his lips pressed hard against her forehead.

  “Get dressed and let’s get this started.”

/>   He left the room, throwing her another wink over his shoulder and she couldn’t help but smile. Once he shut the door behind him, Elizabeth let the weight of everything descend upon her as she collapsed on the edge of the bed. She toyed lightly with the pendant as she mulled over the last forty-eight hours.

  Too much had happened way too fast. All she wanted was freedom. Her free will had been destroyed the moment her father fertilised the damned egg in her mother’s womb.

  Her parents.

  They were a totally different issue altogether. She had no clue if she would ever speak to them again.

  No.

  She would.

  The day she broke the curse. Destroyed all this bullshit, including her family’s incredible wealth obtained by this ‘deal’. She would knock on their door and watch them lose it all. Elizabeth got the sinking feeling her parents only had her to continue their ‘good fortune’.

  She took a deep breath and got to her feet. Enough wallowing and more action. All out of tears and sick of running, she needed to figure out an attack. If they were the people and the place where she would plan that battle—so be it.

  Chapter Two

  The throne of Satan, or the emperor, was really a sumptuous office with three doors. The walls were lined with oak from floor to ceiling and the large desk was mahogany. Asmodeus sat in his chair, swivelling his feet in the thick pile of the carpet. Sitting opposite him was Baal. The emperor had his eyes fixed on the computer screen, his fingers erratic over the keys.

  “Explain to me how in hell I lost her. I can’t feel her, I can’t sense her. No force on this earth or any other can defy my link to her. It’s been almost twenty-four hours, Baal. Give me reasons, explanations as to how this can be?”

  “I don’t know, my lord. Its unprecedented, never known it to happen before.” Baal looked confused.

  “Utter bullshit. I feel something, like a blur in my mind, some form of blocking. I’ve looked in the archive, nothing, no mention of this in hellish history. Have you done as I asked? Have you got my servants looking for her?”

  “Of course, as soon as you ordered it. Several hundred lower class started to roam southern Italy.”

  “And, anything?”

  “Not a sign.”

  “Then she has help. Some bastard is keeping her shielded. It would explain it. She has angelic protection. Power of this kind is by the archangels and above.” Asmodeus had tried everything over the last few hours. She had beaten him. He had never thought it possible. Yet, could she stay hidden? What bastard angel had afforded himself time to lay his talents to keeping her safe, and why? Surely one human female, albeit a beautiful one, didn’t justify all the attention from the old man’s forces. He probably had no idea it was going on. He had made many enemies in his short rule and threefold before that in his ascent to the throne. He wasn’t about to have a shortlist thrown before him. He slumped back in his leather chair, made not from the hide from animals but the flayed flesh of humans thrown into the pit. Lucifer had ordered it made. He was a sick bastard.

  “I want you to go look for her, Baal. I want you to oversee the search. It’s too random. Go put some effort into it, make it an organized, detailed search. Look everywhere, leave no door unopened, no window not peered through. Search the airports, the ports. I know she is still in Italy; my heart says so.”

  “Straight away.” Baal got up and left, taking the door to the lift.

  Asmodeus rocked in the chair, shuffling his feet. He swivelled and turned, his fingers locking as he decided what to do. The anger was building. Elizabeth couldn’t possibly block him. All the herbs, the potions which she had surfed on the internet were mild and unable to provide the protection she needed.

  “Why did I take this job?” He cursed Lucifer under his breath. He knew that the bastard lord of hell would know the answer. Yes, Lucifer was smarter than him. It riled him. Pushing his chair back, he stood and paced the room, eying both the doors to his sides. One led to the bedroom, the second the consulting and meeting room. The bedroom. The huge oval bed moved with writhing bodies, corrupted females who wished to worship him. They cavorted with each other to give him pleasure, kissing, licking and sucking. Fingers slid in pussies, tongues too. Pussies rubbed pussies. Moans and groans filled the red room, his thoughts lost in the lust of it all. Asmodeus stepped up to the bed, walking among them. Hands reached up, pulling and ripping his expensive clothes, rendering him naked. He went to his knees as the corrupted stroked and caressed him. Relief touched his flesh. He responded, slipping in between them, letting them ravage his human form. He lay down and bade them adore him. Asmodeus allowed himself to get lost in them.

  An hour later he opened the door. Once more he appeared immaculately dressed in an Armani suit. He checked for any updates; there were none. He made his way to the lift and pressed up. In seconds he was inside, watching his domain from the glass window. The nine levels passed by. All seemed fine. He had too much to think about, even if the whole world was on fire. Only Elizabeth filled his mind right now. Over the last five hundred years or so he’d had mild rebellions from lesser demons. It was only to be expected. Yet some days it left him wondering if it was all worth it. For once it left him with respect for Lucifer and everything he had to cope with.

  At least he felt refreshed. The sex had made him relax. He needed more distractions, and he provided himself with one.

  The lift doors opened. The yacht was huge, docked in the port of Trani. It gave him reason to smile. The weather was perfect. The sun beamed down and a soft wind caressed him. The top deck behind him was laden with bikini clad girls, dancing to the latest club anthems. Drink was plentiful, dished out by two bartenders with a demonic glamor protecting their ugly appearance. Mammon stood waiting for him.

  “Any news?”

  “Well, nothing concrete, my lord. We are narrowing it down. Searches are being made, city by city, town by town, village to village. There is no sign of her between the convent and here. We have searched further south, as far as Calendano and Molfetta, so she is beyond that.”

  “Good, that’s something at least. Things are moving on. Has Baal reported in?”

  “Yes. Nothing at any Italian airport or port. She is still in the country.”

  “Thank the lord. Keep looking.”

  Mammon nodded and turned.

  A couple of young women walked down the stairs towards Asmodeus. They were famous actresses. Both smiled at him.

  “How do you two get all this time off? Shouldn’t you be working?”

  The tall one, a blonde with curves to die for, sidled up to him. “I’m newly single, my sexy lord of lust. Surely you wouldn’t deny me that sweet tasting cock of yours for a night of unbridled passion.”

  “Of course not, and you, my sexy peach. Are you going to join in?”

  The shorter one, her red hair tinted, ready for her next role, grabbed his and the taller one’s ass. “I’m ready when you are, you horny devil.”

  “I hope you are as talented as the characters you portray?”

  The tall one answered. “I’m more the hungry one. My friend here likes it rough and hard.”

  “I make my character look like a kitty cat, sweetie, as you’re about to find out.”

  Asmodeus took each one by the arm and walked them towards the lower deck window, leading to his lavish bedroom.

  “Permission to come aboard, my lord Asmodeus.”

  The redhead turned. “Oh, can we bring him too? He’s gorgeous and by the look of him, he’s hung like a...”

  Asmodeus almost cringed at the voice. It was instantly recognizable to him. “You. You dare come to my home?” He turned. “Girls, go get undressed. I’ll be with you in a couple of minutes.”

  “Can we make out while we wait?” Blondie asked.

  “Yes, warm everything up for me.”

  They both giggled, held hands and stepped inside.

  “‘Depraved Soul.’ You really called your boat ‘depraved soul’. Amusing.�
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  “Why are you here, angel? What does the bastard Azreal want with me?”

  Azreal smiled. Dressed casually and seemingly confident, he stood with his hands in his pockets.

  “Am I not your nemesis? Taking to fucking A-list celebs, I see. I hope there are no paparazzi around. Your face will be on the front pages tomorrow, maybe even tonight. What are you calling yourself these days? Oh wait, I see through your glamor. Let me see.”

  Asmodeus took a step forward, trying to keep his alter ego, a famous celebrity safe from him.

  “You are kidding me. Well, at least you are popular and newsworthy. I admire your blatant ways, Asmodeus. A little below their status, a little old maybe, and still married. Oh well, good luck with that. I actually prefer your true face.”

  “So do they.”

  Azreal laughed.

  “I am not disguising myself for them. Anyway, that aside, you─why are you here?”

  “Why do you think?” Azreal stepped onto the yacht.

  “Not another step, you deceiver.”

  “Me, deceiver. That’s funny coming from you, the dark deceiver.”

  “You’re the one protecting her, my Elizabeth. I feel it, the shield is within you.” Asmodeus was fuming inside.

  “And how does that make you feel, my lord?” Azreal asked.

  “You have been the dagger in my side many times, and here you are again spoiling my plans.”

  “It is what I do, Asmodeus. I am the thorn in your side.”

  “Thorn? Spear, you are a fucking spear.”

  “The spear of destiny perhaps.”

  “I should tear you down right now, rip out your fucking soul.”

  “She is not yours.”

  “She is. I have the right to her soul, her body and her flesh.”

  “Not in our realm, not in the angelic world. All deals which Satan or any of his lessers pursue are considered void. They are sealed under false intrusion and deception. In those cases, we the righteous, the host of the fight for all that is good, will hound you until the deals are broken. They are not legal. Humans are weak and have no right to consultation in your so-called deals. Therefore she is not yours, nor ever will be.”