Twisted Luck Page 4

  Somehow, I faked enjoying my meal despite it tasting like cardboard and glue. Not their fault, because the steak was a perfect cut, the sauce on the veggies light and flavorful.

  It was all Leo’s fault.

  Him I ignored. For me, it was a cozy dinner for three with an obnoxious shadow in the next chair over. My skill set allowed me to do this so only Leo noticed. He had shot me curious glances that had turned to narrowed glares by the time my steak was finished.

  A pause in conversation seemed to offer an escape, and I couldn’t have been luckier when my phone rang. “Oh,” I exclaimed as I glanced at the number. “Mom, I think this is the bank. I’m going to take this.”

  She bobbed her blonde head eagerly. “Yes. Go.”

  I rose and grabbed my drink, walking swiftly toward the back. I headed out the side door to the infinity pool that overlooked Long Island Sound, the sky now painted pink and orange in sunset. “Hello?”

  “Ms. Denning?”

  “This is she.” I walked across the lonely patio to a group of chairs.

  “This is James White from Power America Bank. I know it’s a Sunday, but we have some great news.”

  I sank into a chair next to the pool. “I’m surprised you’d be investigating my account on a weekend, but I’m thrilled to hear from you.”

  “We’re here for our customers, Ms. Denning, but yes, this is unusual. With some stroke of extreme luck, we’ve discovered the identity of who hacked your account.”

  “Seriously?” For once, I was liking this luck aspect.

  “Does the name David Grant ring a bell?”

  My ex. “That ass.”

  James chuckled. “I guess it does.”

  “Sorry.” I tucked a wisp of hair behind my ear and leaned onto my elbows. “How?”

  “We found several check transactions that were conducted in his name. Some blatant forgeries as well, which we apologize for. The teller who handled those will be dismissed immediately.”

  “So David took my checks, forged them, and cashed them?”

  “In a nutshell, yes.”

  Which made sense why I’d never really noticed until a big chunk of change went missing. I was a horrible accountant. A little here and there over two years was an easy feat for a dirt bag like David, until he took a chance and emptied my account.

  What I didn’t get was why.

  I cleared my throat. “And what will happen to him?”

  “Well, you can take matters into your own hands if you wish. But if you let us handle this, we’ll have to prosecute.”

  “Really.” I sat a little taller. The ring of justice echoed in my ears and vindication swirled through my veins. “By all means, do what you do best.”

  “Excellent. I’ll contact you soon with more details, Ms. Denning. I hope you have a great night.”

  I ended the call, thrilled for once to have something go my way.

  “Sounds like you got some good news.” Leo sank into the chair opposite me, his wine glass settling onto the glass tabletop with a clunk.

  “Nosy.” I tucked my phone in my purse, and that still-swirling taste of victory gave me the power to shoot Leo a cool glare. “I don’t want to deal with you here, so take a number and get to the back of the line.”

  “Now, now. I’m just here to celebrate your newfound luck. Seems to be working out so far.”

  “I think we celebrated enough last night.” And damn my body for remembering the details as lust coiled in a familiar ache that had me squeezing my thighs together. That intoxicating cologne swirled on a breeze from the water, tickling my nose and my libido. My body wanted to book a room and indulge in a repeat performance.

  “And that’s the beautiful thing.” He leaned in and took my hand in his large one, caressing my skin with his thumb. “The party has just started, Olivia. Last night was just a taste of the high.”

  “Oh, I’m off the party train, thank you very much.” I yanked my hand from his and waved him away. “This is a mess. Who would believe my one-night stand is my soon-to-be step-brother? This is going to make every holiday awkward.” I closed my eyes. When the images of Leo’s naked body above mine barged forward, they flew back open. “I just can’t believe that was a chance meeting.”

  “Oh, it wasn’t. I knew who you were.” His smile spread across his face like ice taking over a deep freeze.

  “You…did.” I stared as I swallowed bitter disappointment. “Well, you got what you wanted. I don’t know how or why, and I don’t want to know.”

  “And what do you think I wanted?”

  I shrugged, not wanting to think about it. “My virginity?”

  He cocked his head. “It was a nice touch. A cherry on top, if you will.”

  Despite his light words, a shiver ran over my skin. “On top of what?”

  He contemplated at me over his wine glass as he sipped the red liquid, the eye contact never breaking as he mulled over the flavor, nodded, and set the glass down. Those beautiful lips quirked into the slowest, most triumphant, most evil smile I’d ever seen. “Your soul.”

  “What?” Deep inside, something shrank and recoiled as if trying to find my soul to protect it. “No.”

  “Oh, yes. Sealed with a kiss and blood.”

  Horror stole my voice and sent a chill up my spine. The blood signature on my sheets hadn’t been a figment of my imagination. Nor had been Leo. This had to be a bad dream. All of it.

  He chuckled. “No, you weren’t dreaming. So much easier than trying to get blood from you another way. I’m a little squeamish.”

  I fought for clarity as I shook my head. “I didn’t make a deal.”

  “Oh, you did. You said you’d sell your soul for luck. I took you up on the offer.”

  “I—” I licked my numb lips as my foggy words rebounded in my brain. “It was a joke.”

  One of his broad shoulders raised in a casual shrug. “There are things one shouldn’t joke about.”

  I blinked. He didn’t disappear. I didn’t wake up from a dream. My heart pounded into my throat, and I clutched my chair as the blood drained from my face and skin, pooling somewhere at my feet.

  The chill of numbness washed over me as I stared at this gorgeous creature. “What are you?”

  “I’m a demon.”

  “A—a demon.” Terror gripped my insides in a way one imagined in horror movies. My life flashed before my eyes in a blur of confusion. The panic and pain of past abuse mixed with a quiet Christmas carol under a tree—just Mom and I. A day on the beach in college morphed into my fourth birthday, and me hiding in a closet as they screamed and yelled. I fought the urge to cover my ears and eyes with my hands.

  Instead, I channeled that special gift to let the numbness filter in. Everything spun until clarity ruled and numbness reigned. My panting breath roared over the background noise the panic had created. I just couldn’t grasp it. One night of a drinking pity party had left me here, facing this gorgeous demon in a suit.

  My life—the shitty and the good—was over.

  What had I’d done?

  “You sold your soul. To me,” the demon offered, bringing me crashing back to reality with his quiet, smug voice. “For the price of good luck.”

  I hadn’t said that aloud. Did that mean he could read minds, too?

  “Yes.” He smiled and nodded. “When I wish. The skill comes in handy.”

  I breathed, and the numbness lifted enough for me to think clearly. The “luck” explained why my head didn’t ache today from all the booze, along with other parts. Any loss of virginity story I’d heard from a girlfriend involved discomfort or pain, especially the next day. The throbbing ache between my legs had nothing to do with pain and everything to do with wanting sex. Now. With him.

  I stared harder. Perfect features, firm lips, and a strong, firm jaw on top of a tall, muscular frame. He could be model or an actor. He could be anything other than here with me. Weren’t demons ugly?

  “First the Bible, and then television, mess
ing with the facts.” He sighed with mock exaggeration. “Some demons are ugly, yes. But if you want to play the entire human field, you need to dress for success from the inside out.” A low chuckle reverberated from his side of the table. “In your case, though, I stripped for success.”

  Cheeks blazing, I glanced away from his perfect, smug face to the elegant restaurant where my mother dined, unaware of what I’d unwittingly done.

  Oh God, my mother. Samuel. He had to be in on this, too. That explained why he seemed too perfect for my mother. Too attentive. Too pushy to get her down the aisle. “Is Samuel…”

  Leo gave a single, slow nod. “It’s a family business. Unfortunately, your mother’s soul is proving to be a hell of a lot harder to acquire.”

  “So let me get this straight. Your and dear old Dad’s ‘acquisitions’ business is stealing souls. Samuel told you I was in dire straits, you swooped in, saw I was drunk, and you just took my soul.”

  “I didn’t take anything; you offered. I told you to name a price. You asked for luck. We sealed the deal with a kiss and blood.”

  And hot, decadent, better-than-chocolate sex… My cheeks burned. “You weren’t really forthcoming on the terms of the deal.”

  “That’s business. You need to read the contract in full, Olivia. Hasn’t anyone ever told you that?”

  “I don’t remember a contract.”

  “You were drunk.” He toyed with his wine glass, swirling it, the dark-red liquid reminding me of my blood on my sheets. “I mean, really. A stranger buys you a drink, and you just offer your virginity on a platter? As I said—easy.”

  I gripped the edge of the table, my knuckles turning white as pure rage flooded my blood. “I want to see my contract. Now.”

  “I’m afraid I can’t do that. That would be incredibly tedious and painful, seeing the original is on your back. Invisible to humans, of course. But I can show you this…” He flicked a finger, and my right arm glowed.

  I gaped. There, etched into my skin between my wrist and elbow, was my signature, and above it, his.

  “All I can offer you at this time is proof you signed. That is your signature, is it not?”

  I swallowed around the lump in my throat. “Yes.”

  “Good.” He finished his wine and pushed the glass away, making room for him to lean on his elbows. “First, we need to come to an agreement of sorts to make this…acquisition…go a heck of a lot smoother.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t need to agree to anything.”

  “No, you don’t. But it makes life…easier if you do. Better. Sweeter.” He gestured between the two of us with an elegant wave of his hand. “If we’re on the same page, we both get what we want.”

  “You got what you want.”

  “You’ve gotten the wrong impression of me, Olivia.” He placed a hand on his firm chest and crisp shirt as if offended. “No, this is a win-win sort of deal. Samuel and I like a certain standard in life. We’re not your garden variety, horror movie demons. We like nice things. Money. Fine wine. Your cooperation sees to our happiness. In return, you have good luck.”

  Well, thank goodness I got the upscale demons and not the bottom of the barrel ones. “And you steal souls to achieve this level of…happiness.”

  “Watch your wording,” he scolded. “We offer a price that suits both parties and pleases all involved. You signed the contract, I will give you access to the finer things in life, and we both live happily ever after for a set amount of time.”

  “That’s…parasitic.”

  “It’s symbiotic,” he corrected. “Each gets what they need to survive. We don’t collect souls like people collect baseball cards. We pick and choose and find a business relationship that works well for us. And the sooner you get on the same page, the better your life will be. Luck is on your side.”

  I contemplated what this meant. The winning of the trip, the meals. My bank account debacle solved on a Sunday. This was the tip of the “better” iceberg, one that would lead to so much more if Leo had a say in it.

  Even though I knew the answer, I had to ask. “And people just…they just give in? Drink the Kool-Aid?”

  “So far, I haven’t had much dispute. Each contract is different, though. Most I have very little contact with over their years.” He tucked his hand under his chin and tapped his lips with his finger as he contemplated me. “Because there was sex involved in your contract signing, I’m afraid we’re going to be a little more…intimate.” Intense vibes seemed to hum from him, weaving their way around my nerves.

  “Intimate.” The slow simmer of desire bubbling since Leo had walked into the room threatened to boil over. I’d been successful in ignoring it, but now…

  That vibe intensified from his direction. Everything girlie inside of me throbbed and pulsed with exquisite need, from my nipples to my core.

  I tossed my hands up to ward him off. “I’m not doing you again, buddy. I learned my lesson the first time.”

  Leo chuckled, his eyes darkening with lust. “Well, when I fuck you in the coat room, it will technically be the fifth time.”

  “No.” He couldn’t…he wouldn’t. I glanced toward the front of the restaurant, licking my parched lips in part fear, part anticipation.

  “Oh, yes.” He held my gaze captive in his assured, lustful one. “I own your soul and your pussy, Olivia.”

  “No,” I insisted, despite dying a little on the inside. Said owned part clenched around a fresh flush of wetness. I wanted him enough to screw him here on the table, guests be damned.

  “I know you can feel the hum of attraction. I owned you from the moment I walked into the room, and your panties are sopping wet despite how much you hate me. Once you respect my ownership, we’ll come to a wonderful agreement. One that will make us both very happy.”

  I squirmed on my damp panties, hoping he didn’t notice. “Such as?”

  “You had wanted a perfect life. At least the facade of a relationship. I’m the complete package of looks, devastating sexual skills, and charm.”

  “Ego.” I rolled my eyes.

  “Yes, well. The Seven Deadly Sins are a demon’s code of ethics. And for a limited time, all of my perfection will be offered to you. Frankly, you’re not going to get better from a mere mortal. Teamed with your power of luck, the world is our oyster.” He gestured grandly to the darkening sky. “And the pearl is in your court. All you have to do is comply.”

  A waitress appeared from out of the blue, set fresh glasses of champagne in front of us, and vanished. I stared at the sparkling liquid and contemplated the gentle stream of bubbles. A toast waiting to be had, a seal to the deal Leo presented.

  A traitorous part of me considered it. He was hot. He offered toe-curling sex. From what he had said, I was going to die at the end of this, like it or not. At the rate my life was turning around, I could see a pattern of good stuff lurking on the horizon in a tempting way.

  Why is it so bad to want a better life, a devilish voice whispered. You’ve had crap for luck. Imagine what your life could be like now.

  But somehow, my mom would end up paying with her soul, too.

  “I heard that.” Leo leaned in on his elbows. “Participating in my offer will benefit your mother, too.”

  “Oh?”

  “Despite the ultimate outcome, Samuel is truly fond of your mother. Your mother’s biggest wish is to see you in a happy, successful relationship. Your cooperation will ensure that all of us remain satisfied as one big, happy family.”

  The ultimate outcome…big happy family… The lust-filled fog lifted enough for my mind to read between his vocal lines. I blinked. “Let me get this straight. We’re going to pretend I’m happily in love so my mother will sell her soul? Wouldn’t it have been smarter to force her to sell because my life sucked?”

  “Well. From your point of view, perhaps.” Leo cleared his throat and shifted in an uncomfortable manner that he hid quickly with a smile. “The wonderful thing about our magic is that we can twist a p
erson’s desires so it’s all crystal clear in their mind. She was too focused on your miserable life to allow Samuel’s magic to work properly. Once you’re on the path to happiness, she’ll be more focused on her upcoming nuptials.”

  “She’ll never buy that crock of crap.” But unease skated up my spine.

  My mother was a hopeless romantic, and she had been way too focused on my break up with David. If these demons were able to read thoughts, then Samuel knew this. His black magic would have no trouble twisting her perception. In fact, that was probably why she’d been acting so weird lately.

  Leo adjusted his tie then met my gaze with a smug smile. “She’ll buy the crock and a cow to crap in it. You will cooperate, Olivia.”

  They knew. Even deepest, secret desires weren’t safe. There had to be a way out of this. I searched for a safe place deep inside me where his prying mind couldn’t venture and hear. If I had to do this, I vowed to make this a temporary deal. I’d find a way out of his clutches if it was the last thing I did.

  A frown marred his lips. “Whatever you’re plotting, stop.”

  It worked? I buried the glimmer of hope behind a glare. “Just wondering how to kill you.”

  He flicked a wrist in dismissal. “TV has it all wrong, so don’t bother.” He lifted his glass of champagne and tipped it toward me. “I say a toast is in order. To the beginning of a wonderful relationship.”

  I didn’t want to. But my shitty childhood had taught me that sometimes, you had to go with the flow. Wait until the time was right to make your move.

  I lifted my champagne flute and drained it before his glass could clink mine. “Only because you demand it.”

  “Mouthy Olivia. Samuel said you had spirit.” Leo arched a brow. “Right now, I’d have to agree with my father that you need to be taught the rules.” His smile grew predatory and dirty. “I have something to show you in the coatroom.”

  That dark magic attacked me again, bringing another fresh pulse of moisture on the throb of distinct need. No. I couldn’t want him, not now, not knowing what I knew. But that surge of desire strengthened under the heat of his gaze.