The Devil You Know (Ceasefire Series Book 1) Read online

  “Want some fat Demon dick, do you?” Using his hips, he thrust up against me. I purr at the friction against my stretched jeans. It’s a decent size. Whoever he bangs wouldn’t complain.

  Firmly taking a hold of his chin, I lick my tongue across his parted lips. “I don’t do your kind, but I’m very interested in another pointy part of you.”

  Red eyes dilate at my actions.

  Running the tips of my fingers up his stubbled cheeks, into his hair, I find his horns. Short and black, they aren’t anything impressive. They’re smooth to the touch. Rubbing my fingertips over the bottom, I work my way up.

  The blood drains from his face. Whatever he’s seen in my expression he knows what I’m thinking is going to be painful. Way more than the hole I’ve left in his foot that’s still bleeding all over the floor.

  “Snatch, what was that you were telling me before about these?” Curling my hand around them, I begin to pump up and down as if they’re another hard-straining part of his body. One I can feel swelling below me. Oh, he likes that. Likes it a lot.

  “Errm, a demon losing his horns is shunned by the rest of his kind as it’s considered a weakness.” Snatch response is hoarse as he watches me.

  Moaning suggestively, I wiggle my arse in my prisoner’s lap. I’m dry humping him and he’s loving it. Getting him off isn’t my aim, but I don’t mind some teasing. It might loosen his tongue.

  Throat bobbing, his breathing elevates.

  All the blood is rushing south and I know his mind is clouding with lust.

  “Where’s the merchandise you’re transporting?” I ask in a breathy whisper against his ear. “Tell me where you’re hiding it and I’ll treat you real nice.”

  “Fuck you.” The answer is gruff.

  “Wrong answer.” Sinking my teeth into his ear, I bite down until I taste blood. The dark desire to make him bleed further coils through me. To cut through his flesh until my hands are covered in crimson, but I tamper it down, for now. Playing with him all night is something I don’t have time for. I need to extract the information as quickly as possible.

  Yowling, he jerks his head back. “Psycho whore.”

  He has no idea how accurate he is.

  “No, I’m just a very bad girl.”

  “I’m still not telling you jack shit.”

  Twisted smile on my face, I sit back. “Caesar.”

  Opening his duffel bag, my weapons expert produces a gouger. The implement is a long, hinged closed set of scoops. Normally, it’s used to dehorn cattle. Also, handy when you’re dealing with monsters. When you’ve battled demons for as long as I have you soon learn their weaknesses.

  “Now, don’t move. I want to make sure this is done safely.” I tell our prisoner as I accept the device Caesar hands me.

  “Get that thing away from me.” He hisses back.

  “Don’t make me gag you.”

  Dehorning is simple. It’s a method I’ve used before. On the outside of the horn he won’t feel a thing. It’s once the blade hits the inner core his pain receptors will start screaming.

  I have to move swiftly. He’s jolting his head around so much things might get messy.

  One blow to the jaw and he’s stunned enough for me to work.

  Placing it over his horn, I make sure to press the sharp scoops to the base and surrounding skin. Opening the handle forces the cutting edge together. It’s quick. Sudden. As it slices through soft flesh the demon shrieks in agony.

  Blood pours from the hole that’s left. It drenches his face as well as my hands. It’s a beautiful sight. Crimson, perfect, warm to the touch.

  “Hidden space under the sleeping area in the cab of the truck.” He sobs, shaking. I don’t know if it’s from shock or bloodless. Maybe both. But I just don’t care.

  Bending his head back with his good horn, I menacingly stare down at him. “You’re not lying to me, are you? Maybe I should remove this one to be sure.”

  “No, no please. It’s true.”

  He’s desperate. The fear is clear and real.

  “Caesar, tell Leo to check the cab.”

  Raising his walkie talkie, he mumbles into it. This shouldn’t take long.

  “He’s confirmed, there’s some kind of storage area tucked away below.” He informs me, retrieving the bloodied dehorner I hold out.

  The demon beneath me sags. Now that he’s given up the goods he thinks he’s safe. Doesn’t he realize he has a monster on his lap? Silly boy.

  I reach behind my back. A sturdy grip greets my fingers. Thrusting the knife into my captive’s chest, I twist the blade, enjoying every second as he screams. He doesn't last long. Direct hit to the heart never does. Still perched on his lap, I relish every twitch and jerk of his body as the life ebbs out of his red eyes.

  “Can I just say I’m terrified and yet powerfully aroused right now.” Snatch mutters, plucking nervously at the sleeve of his sweatshirt. “You’re like a wet dream and a nightmare in one.”

  I throw him an amused look. “Gabriel said no survivors.”

  “It scares the shit out of me how much you enjoy doing all this.”

  He should be frightened. I do enjoy it. The beast within me, my darker side revels in what I do.

  I don’t bother to reply. Instead, I free my bloodied knife and wiggle off the corpse.

  My clothes are ruined. Blood is everywhere, but I wear it proudly like war paint. It’s not the first time. Won’t be the last.

  “Let’s get this package and get the hell out of here.”

  Someone will send a clean-up crew for this mess. It’s procedure. Either our side or theirs. No one can risk the world discovering what’s going on. It would risk a panic. One neither Heaven or Hell can afford.

  “Houston, we have a problem.” Leo’s muffled voice calls from inside the front of the truck.

  “Now what?” Climbing up to join him, Snatch brings up the rear. We find him topping off his liquor from a stash the occupants must have kept.

  “This item Gabriel wants isn’t exactly what I was expecting.” Hands shaking, he manages to spill some of the alcohol over his jeans.

  Fighting the urge to slap it out of his hand, I grit my teeth instead. “Why, what is it?”

  “It’s not a what, but a who.” Nudging his chin down, my gaze follows the movement to the compartment hidden below the cabin bed. It’s only open a crack. Within lays darkness.

  Dropping to my haunches, I take a good hold and heave it up.

  “Holy shit.” Snatch whispers behind me.

  Looking down, I see the girl.

  She’s young. Around sixteen or seventeen at a guess. Dark blue haunted eyes stare unblinkingly back up at me. Whoever she is, she’s traumatized. I’ve seen that look too many times before not to know.

  “Snatch?”

  “Oooh shiny.”

  “What do you mean, shiny?”

  The look on her dirty face reminds me of the one my brother wore when our uncle finally found us in the school basement as children. Unease twists inside me. The memory leaves an unpleasant taste in my mouth.

  “Her aura is really bright.”

  Shifting on my feet, I try to dispel my mental discomfort. “Like what? An Angel?”

  “Nope.” He replies, popping the P. “More like disco lights.”

  “You don’t know what she is?”

  “Not a clue,” he confirms.

  “Fantastic.” I sigh.

  She must be important for the demons to have her and our archangel to want her.

  “You two get her out of here and I’ll phone the boss.” Turning, I leave the cab of the truck before they can argue. I don’t want to feel pity for her. She’s nothing but a job. Softer feelings are better from the guys. If she needs comfort and a therapist that has nothing to do with me.

  Caesar gives me a questioning look as I jump down.

  “You’ll find out in a second.” I assure him. Fishing out my phone, I hit speed dial.

  “We got the girl. Who is she
?” I say, the moment Gabriel picks up my call.

  “It’s on a need to know basis.”

  “And let me guess, we don’t need to know.”

  “Exactly. I need you to sit with her until I can give you the all clear to bring her to Cease Fire.”

  I wait a beat. This is not like him. He sounds...guarded. As if something isn’t quite right. “Are you expecting trouble?”

  “Something like that,” he confirms.

  Why does that not sound good? In all the time I’ve known him he’s never gone for games. It has me worried. “Fine, but don’t keep us hanging too long.”

  Not waiting for him to reply, I cut the conversation short. Hanging around here for too long will only get us caught. We need to move.

  Glancing around, I find Snatch and Leo helping the girl down. I was kind of expecting her to fight. Demons aren’t known for gentleness. God knows what they did to her. More than likely she’s been abused and raped repeatedly. Head lowered, she moves timidly, not saying a word. She’s a skinny thing. Looks half-starved from the way her clothes hang from her slender frame. Again, memories from my past try to sift to the surface but I suppress them back.

  “Caesar, Leo, take her to the safe house. Gabriel wants us to babysit her for a few days.”

  I know it’s not what they want to hear. We’re going to have to take this in shifts.

  “Seriously?” Leo questions, annoyance clear.

  “Yes. Tomorrow Snatch and I will take over. Get her fed and cleaned up.”

  If he makes this difficult I’ll end up punching him. I’m not thrilled about this either, but there is nothing I can do.

  “Why can’t you do it?”

  “I’ve got plans tonight so I can’t.”

  I haven’t forgotten my date with Max. It’s been in the back of my mind the whole day. I’ve been unable to shake him from my thoughts.

  “Ooh, more dick?” Leo asks, eyes narrowed on my face. I must have let something slip in my expression. Shit. I don’t do personal stuff with them. What I do on my own time is my own business. Two worlds I keep separate.

  “Just do as your told,” I growl back.

  Chapter Seven

  From my vantage point I study Max. I’m ten minutes early. Deliberately so I could stake out the place and gauge my date sober. Habits die hard.

  The cut of his black tailored suit emphasises his sheer size. He’s all muscle, shoulders broad and powerful. Sex on legs. Drawing the looks of every female in the area.

  Black hair slicked back, his handsome face hints at a cold ruthlessness some might not see straight away.

  Arrogant. I can see that from the way he holds himself. As if he expects others to fall all over themselves to please him. He has all the trappings of a rich business man. Expensive clothes, good looks. Yet there’s something dangerous about him. What it is I can’t be sure. It’s lurking beneath the refined sophisticated facade. All I know is that something inside me recognizes it. And it draws me like a moth to a flame. I want to get burnt.

  Heels tapping down the side walk, I make my way towards the cafe. The frosty November evening air chills my skin beneath my leather jacket. It’s cold as fuck.

  I’m wearing my little black dress. Hair loose around my shoulders, I check my make-up in a shop window as I pass. It’s something I normally don’t wear. Lipstick red to match my hair, the eye shadow I went for gives my eyes a smokey alluring look.

  My leg holster is disguised as a garter belt. It makes it easier to conceal the six small knives I carry. This might be off duty and a date, but I refuse to go unarmed. I feel naked without a weapon. Just having them on me makes me more relaxed. The only place I go without carrying is to see my Brother.

  Max’s gaze snaps my way. Green eyes intense, they rove over me from top to bottom in a hot hungry wave. Just one look and my knees go weak.

  “Mavi, you look very sexy this evening.” He tells me when I reach him.

  “You don’t look too bad yourself,” I counter.

  Is it bad that I want to jump him now? Strip off his fine clothes and fuck him senseless. What the hell is wrong with me?

  Max’s sexy lips curve up in an open mouth smile. “I’m glad you decided to accept my invitation.”

  Nervousness flutters in my stomach. For once I’m unsure how to act. This is so far out of my element it makes me feel awkward.

  “Shall we?” He asks, holding out his hand.

  Taking it, I let my fingers lace with his. “Is it far? The place you’re taking me?” I ask, trying to mask my nerves.

  “No, not at all. Only a ten-minute walk.” Gallantly, he directs me down the street away from Leicester square. We fall into a natural pace. Tucking me into his side, the warmth of his big body sends heat through me in waves, making me shiver.

  “So, tell me, what do you do?”

  “Acquisitions.” He replies, the arm around my waist resting on my hip, bringing me closer.

  “Stocks and shares?”

  “No, something more successful than that and yourself?”

  “I’m a problem solver.”

  Max doesn’t question my vague answer. It’s a relief. We both have secrets. We’re dancing around them which is probably for the best. Whatever he does in Cease Fire I want to keep separate from this. I never mix business with pleasure. Another one of my rules.

  “Are you married?” I can’t help but ask. He’s way too good looking not to have some kind of female attachment.

  “No.”

  “Got a girlfriend?”

  That earns me an amused smirk.

  “Relationships are something I never have time for. Yourself?” He tells me smoothly.

  “Not really. Work keeps me pretty busy.”

  It’s not a lie. Gabriel usually keeps us buried under a heavy workload. Keeping the end of the world from happening is a twenty-four-hour job.

  We’re travelling down side streets I’m not familiar with. Wherever he’s taking me, it isn’t somewhere on the main touristy areas. It’s intriguing.

  Shivering again, I do a quick sweep with my gaze. Shops lay in darkness. The only light is provided from the street lamps which pierce the winter dark.

  Max comes to a stop. “Here we are.”

  Frowning, I stare up at the closed book shop. The metal shutters are down, all locked up tight. Above a painted sign reads: The Bookworm’s Delight.

  “Here?”

  He chuckles. “No, here.” Tugging me to the left, he reveals our real destination.

  The steps lead down to a heavy wooden door. A neon sign in blue brightens the night right above it.

  “The Playground?”

  “An exclusive club.” Taking my hand again, Max squeezes my fingers gently.

  Is he trying to impress me?

  Heels tapping on the concrete, I follow him down.

  Rapping his knuckles on the door, the sharp quick sound makes me shift excitedly. All the mystery has my imagination running wild. What is this place?

  “Patience, Flower.” Murmuring, he brings my hand to his lips. As he brushes his mouth over my skin, colour flushes my cheeks. How can one simple act feel as if he’s already touching other parts of my body?

  His expression is positively mischievous. Lips tilted up in a ghost of a smile. Those beautiful green eyes of his look brighter than usual. Playful.

  A brick wall of a bouncer opens the door. The guy is so big he has muscles on muscles. His nose is so bent it looks like it’s been broken more than a dozen times.

  “We’ve been expecting you, Sir.” He says, voice so deep it’s practically a growl.

  Without a word Max ushers me inside.

  I find myself in a narrow corridor.

  “May I take your coat?” A smartly dressed woman asks as she hovers beside us. Shrugging out of my leather jacket, I deposit it into her waiting arms. Max removes his own expensive coat before handing it over.

  He smiles in her direction.

  Flustered, her cheeks go a love
ly shade of pink.

  I can almost hear her panties dropping to the ground. Max doesn’t affect just me. It looks like other women are just as susceptible to his charms.

  Catching my elbow, he draws me along until the room opens.

  Music is playing. Lights dimmed, I can see the sea of bodies dancing. Leather, latex, and naked flesh is as far as the eye can see.

  It’s a sex club. My date has bought me somewhere that’s caught me completely off guard. I really was not expecting this.

  People look our way causing a stir in its wake.

  Max owns the room with his presence alone. It’s as if they can all sense it.

  Hand on my lower back, he urges me forward. Moving around the edge of the dance floor, we make our way towards an area with tables and chairs. Movement distracts me to my left.

  A woman is grunting and squealing as a guy pounds into her from behind. With a cock also in her mouth that’s all she can manage. They are completely oblivious to the crowd watching. Around them others are engaged in fetish sex play.

  It’s hot as fuck. I’m no innocent. I’ve been to places like this before on several occasions. BDSM has always fascinated me.

  In the past I thought it would be an outlet for my baser urges. Letting myself go. Giving off steam and handing control over to someone else. Problem is I was never able to submit to a Dom. Trust is hard for me to give.

  Red eyes flash in the dimness at the back. Demons. Places like this always entice their kind. They thrive on sex and pain. As long as they aren’t harming anyone we get along in these situations. If they don’t fuck with me I won’t fuck with them.

  We’re shown up onto another level into a VIP area.

  “Interesting choice for our date.” I comment, slipping into my seat.

  “You don’t come across as the shy type, on the contrary, I concluded this was something you would enjoy.”

  Max is right. It is. Am I so easy to read? That thought makes me feel uncomfortable.

  Effortlessly, he takes his place opposite mine.

  “Bring us a bottle of your most expensive champagne.” He instructs the waitress with a dismissive look.

  “Are you celebrating?” Smiling, I watch her scurry away.