Chapter 30

Lucifer

When Beatrice called to ask if we could meet for lunch instead of dinner, I took it as a sign I shouldn’t reveal the truth to her today. She needed to make it a short date so we wouldn’t have any time alone. I planned to tell her soon, but this wasn’t the sort of discussion I wanted to have in a public place. We’d decided on another human restaurant, making it easier to avoid having my identity get out before I could talk to Beatrice alone.

“Sorry I’m late,” she told me as she hurried into the small diner.

“You’re fine,” I assured her, standing to give her a lingering kiss that had my dick throbbing and begging for release. I needed to tell Beatrice the truth soon. I wanted this woman, and I wasn’t sure how long I could wait to have her.

“Wow,” she breathed out. “You really know how to kiss.”

“I’m glad you’re pleased,” I murmured, gesturing for her to sit in the booth. We were at another hole-in-the-wall place Beatrice loved. This time, I hadn’t put up any resistance since I’d thoroughly enjoyed my food the last two times we’d gone out. Looking over at the door, I frowned, wondering where her security was.

They finally wandered in, looking out of place in expensive suits.

“What are you looking at?” Beatrice asked before looking over her shoulder and waving at her guards.

“You know them?” I asked.

“They live in my neighborhood,” she explained. “I thought they were following me and Persephone to the grocery store yesterday, but it turned out they were shopping. I’ve been a little paranoid. I’m trying not to be weirded out that they came here for lunch. Why are you glaring at them?”

“I just don’t like people following you around,” I lied. “I should go talk to them.”

She grabbed my arm when I started to rise. “Don’t you dare!” she warned. “I don’t want you scaring my neighbors. They seem nice, and I really shouldn’t be worried about them having lunch here.”

“I think it’s smart to be cautious,” I insisted. I’d wait until later to have a word with her guards about their carelessness. The two demons should have no problem following a witch without being spotted. At least, they hadn’t revealed what they truly were. It seemed she thought they were human.

“Thanks for agreeing to meet me for lunch,” she began. “I hate changing our plans, but I need to work on Persephone’s mom a little before she meets you.”

If my guess regarding Persephone was correct, I understood why her mother was so fearful of fallen angels. Persephone’s destiny wouldn’t be an easy one. It was another thing I needed to talk to Beatrice about. She needed to know more about Hades before he learned of her friend’s existence. Once that happened, an abduction would soon follow.

“I understand her fears,” I assured her. “Angels can be frightening. Fallen angels are even more frightening because of the stories about us.”

“Are you about to tell me the stories aren’t true?” she asked.

I shook my head. “No, I’m not going to lie to you. Some stories are true while others aren’t. We’re all scary bastards, but we’re not soulless killers.”

“Good to know,” she told me as she studied her menu. “I’m not big on soulless killers. Have you already decided what you’re having?”

I nodded, glad for the change of subject. “I haven’t had a burger in about fifty years,” I admitted. “I think I’ll have that with onion rings.”

She frowned at my choice.

“No burger?” I asked.

“No onion rings if you’re hoping for a kiss goodbye,” she replied.

“Fries it is,” I said with a grin.

The waitress came to take our orders, and Beatrice talked me into having a milkshake with my food. My last milkshake had likely been around the time of my last burger.

“I’d like to fix dinner for you at my place,” I began. “I know you can’t get away tonight because of your visitor, but maybe you can slip away tomorrow.”

“You cook?” she asked doubtfully.

“Why is it so hard to believe that I cook?” I asked.

“Do you?” she asked.

“I cook,” I assured her. “I usually cook meat, but I’m sure I can come up with something you’ll like.”

“I don’t want to know what kind of meat you cook, do I?” she asked.

“Probably not,” I replied. “Why the sudden visit from Persephone’s mother? I thought you said she was coming out in a couple of weeks.”

“That was the plan,” she replied. “Persephone let it slip that I’m dating you, and her mom panicked. I’m sure if her mom met you, she’d see not all angels are bad.”

I choked on my water.

“Are you okay?” Beatrice asked as I tried to get my choking under control.

I nodded and held up a finger to indicate I needed a minute. Seeing me definitely wouldn’t make Persephone’s mother feel more at ease. If anything, she’d grab her daughter and make a run for it. When I was finally able to speak again, I said, “It might be best if you don’t introduce her to any fallen angels this visit. Give her time to get used to the idea.”

“You’re probably right,” she agreed. “It’s not easy changing people’s minds.”

“True,” I agreed. “Once people have a preconceived notion about you, it’s nearly impossible to get them to see you in a different light.”

Beatrice reached across the table and put her hand on mine. “I know what you mean, and I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with that. I guess we have more in common than I thought.”

I opened my mouth to speak. I wanted to tell her the whole truth now. This felt like the right time to do it, but I hesitated. It might be the right time, but it was the wrong place. “We do have a lot in common. I already care a great deal for you, Beatrice.”

“And that surprises you,” she deduced.

“Yes,” I confessed. “I’m not used to letting people get close to me.”

“Neither am I,” she replied. “This has been a strange year for me. I’ve made more friends this year than I have in the last decade.”

“I’m glad you’re opening yourself up to others,” I told her. “Actually, part of me doesn’t want to share you with anyone, but I suppose it’s good that you have friends.”

She laughed. “If I didn’t have friends, we never would have met. It was Persephone who dragged me off to The Cauldron.”

“For that, I am eternally grateful to her,” I stated. “Ah, there’s our food. You’re right about how fast they are.”

“Thank you for trying all these places with me,” she said with a smile.

“Thank you for taking me to them,” was my response. “I was doubtful at first, but I’m enjoying your choice of restaurants.”

“So, food trucks the next time we go out?” she asked.

“If I must,” I replied with a sigh. In truth, I’d do anything to see Beatrice smile.