Chapter Twenty-Five

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

“My God, she is such the cutest.” Khloë smiled down at the baby in her arms. “I want to eat her.”

“No, no eating,” bossed Asher, hurrying over to the sofa.

Khloë chuckled. “I was just kidding, little man. No eating Anaïs, I promise.”

He narrowed his eyes, apparently unconvinced.

“My boy already knows better than to take the word of an imp,” said Harper.

Larkin snickered. “Like it’s not something you make him recite as if it’s a mantra.”

“Well it’s pure truth,” Harper defended.

Piper would really have to agree with that. So it didn’t surprise her that Asher, who had enough Wallis in him to know his mother was right, watched Khloë closely as she cooed over Anaïs.

He seemed to have appointed himself as the hellpup’s protector—probably because, for him, it was the norm for people to have a personal bodyguard. Although his protectiveness was utterly adorable, they were all a little worried that he’d start pyroporting Anaïs into his arms whenever he pleased.

Piper exchanged an amused look with Levi, who stood off to the side with Knox. They all often turned up at Devon and Tanner’s after work to check in on the new parents and Anaïs. Larkin was temporarily taking over for Tanner as Harper’s bodyguard, since Levi had been reinstated as Knox’s bodyguard and was once more a fully active sentinel.

Levi had done as promised and cut back on his hours, only working however long he needed to. Not that she’d expected any different, given he was fully committed to their relationship and—by his own admission—didn’t like being away from Piper for long.

It was crazy how much her life had changed in such a short period of time. In addition to finding herself with a bunch of new friends—including Ella and Mia, who she’d finally met a month ago and clicked with instantly—she’d switched jobs, sold her house, and found herself with both an anchor and a mate.

A mate who’d slipped a black diamond ring on her finger a week ago.

It had shocked the shit out of her. Demons didn’t do such a thing lightly since, for them, a black diamond ring was a symbol of the ultimate commitment. So she’d been certain to make sure he wore one, too. Her demon was rather smug about the whole thing.

Sitting beside Khloë, Piper gazed down at the baby, her mouth curving. Only two weeks old, Anaïs was spoiled rotten. An endless amount of people from both their lair and Devon’s old lair had dropped by to visit, bearing numerous gifts. Raini in particular regularly went on shopping sprees and came back with clothes and toys. Hence why Khloë often accused her of jockeying for the position of best aunt—a position that Khloë felt should be hers.

Tanner tended to shoo everyone off fairly quickly, wanting Devon to get her rest. He was a super-proud father, and he’d allegedly been a terrific birthing partner … albeit a little bossy and impatient, as if pushing out a child should be simple enough. Still, Devon only tried to kill him twice.

Levi’s mind stroked over Piper’s. You ready to leave?

Just give me one minute.Smoothing her fingers over the pink blanket wrapped around Anaïs, Piper said, “I wanna have a hold.”

Khloë cast her an annoyed look. “Not yet.”

“You’re hogging her,” Piper complained.

“I don’t care.”

Levi smiled as his mate crossed her eyes. The most tolerant of the females, Piper seemed to have more patience for Khloë than the others, which he and Tanner outright admired.

Asher giggled. “Koey’s a meanie.”

Piper nodded, her lips curling. “She’s a total meanie.”

“Among other things,” grumbled Tanner, shooting the imp a narrow-eyed look. Well Khloë had been driving him and Devon nuts, put-out that they wouldn’t let the imp take Anaïs home for overnight stays so she and the baby could ‘bond without interference.’

Tanner seemed a little terrified at the idea of his child bonding too closely with a woman who appeared to have made it her life’s vocation to irritate as many people as possible on a daily basis.

Anaïs stirred, making a fussy sound, but then settled again.

“Aw, she snuffled,” said Khloë. “Like a little piglet.”

Tanner’s eyelid twitched. “No, not like a piglet.”

“Like a big, bad hellpup,” said Khloë with an eyeroll. “Better?”

Tanner grunted and crossed to the sofa. “Hand her over to me.”

The imp frowned. “Why?”

“She’s my daughter. I don’t need a reason.”

“Can I have a teensy, weensy hold first?” Piper begged him. “Please? I’m leaving in, like, five minutes.”

Tanner took Anaïs from a whining Khloë and carefully settled her in Piper’s arms.

Piper grinned. “Yay, thank you.” Cuddling the hellpup close, she nuzzled her soft dark hair. The sight made Levi’s chest squeeze.

“Where are you heading off to?” Khloë asked her.

“The Underground,” Piper replied. “Levi’s fighting in the combat circle tonight. Larkin and I will be among the spectators.”

“Ooh, I’m so there,” said Khloë.

“Yes, please take her with you,” Tanner said to Piper. “I need a break.”

Khloë frowned at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Devon made a speculative sound. “I think it might have something to do with how you keep waking Anaïs to play with her—despite us reminding you over and over to never wake a sleeping baby—and then scrambling out of here when you can’t get her to stop bawling. Oh, and there’s the whole you drawing a you-know-what on Tanner’s face while he was napping.”

Khloë huffed. “I’m never gonna understand what you all have against baby hippos.”

“It wasn’t a—” Devon cut herself off and took a deep breath. “You know what, I’m not going to let you get me all worked up. I’m not. I’m going to stay calm. Serene. Placid—”

“Constipated.”

“Khloë.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, did the log finally leave the clogged pipe after all?”

Devon’s face flushed. “Stop it.”

“Wait, it hasn’t? Damn. I was hoping the right pooportunity would come along for you.”

A hiss slid through the hellcat’s teeth. “Woman, stop.”

Khloë wagged her finger. “Now, now, Miss Hissy, there’s no need to get all constipangry.”

“And it’s time we left.” Keenan hauled the imp off the sofa, ignoring her chuckles. “Come on, let’s leave them in peace before someone throttles you.”

“Yes, take her,” Devon urged, baring her teeth. “Take. Her.”

Feeling his lips quirk, Levi looked down at his mate. “Now are you ready?”

“Yup.” Piper stood, nuzzling Anaïs once more, and then handed the baby to Tanner. “Thank you for letting me come visit. Again.”

Once goodbyes had been exchanged, everyone left the new parents and their hellpup alone. Levi drove Piper and Larkin to the Underground while Khloë and Keenan followed in their own vehicle.

Arriving at the combat circle, Levi didn’t do his usual thing and immediately go backstage to ready himself for his upcoming duel. Instead, he escorted Piper and the others to one of the front spectator rows. The place was filling up fast, since the first fight would soon begin.

Levi gave her a quick kiss. “You good here?”

“Sure.”

“Stay with Larkin at all times.”

Watching her mate walk away, Piper rolled her eyes. The cloud of lethal danger that had once hovered over her might be a thing of the past, but he remained as protective as ever. Not that he shouldn’t. The demon world featured a lot of brutality, and there was always a possibility that people might strike at him through her … much like Enzo had done.

The entire lair had taken Enzo’s betrayal hard. Levi still stupidly condemned himself for trusting the Force member with her safety, no matter what Piper said. He also paid the shithead regular visits at the Chamber, as did Dez’s family, to punish the two males they held responsible for Dez’s death.

Jasper and Sefton were more than adequately punished for the vandalism to Piper’s home and car. They’d kept a low profile ever since. Celeste, too, had kept her head down since experiencing whatever punishment Knox had dished out. Piper hoped it would stay that way. Hoped.

“Right,” began Keenan, “who wants drinks or food from the concession stand?” Once he’d taken orders, he headed off with Khloë. They returned relatively fast and handed out their purchases.

Piper happily took her popcorn. “Thank you.” Spotting a familiar face coming to join them, she smiled. “Oh, hey, Jolene.”

The grandmother of both Harper and Khloë—a woman who also happened to be a badass Prime who very few demons cared to tangle with—returned her smile. “Piper, always a pleasure. You remember my daughter.”

Piper nodded and waved at the woman. “Hi, Martina.”

“Hey, sweetie,” she said.

Both women settled themselves near Khloë just as the imp looked up from her phone and turned to Larkin. “Did you really shoot chips of hell-ice at Teague’s ass?”

The harpy gave an indifferent shrug. “He deserved it.”

Khloë only snickered.

Piper had asked the imp what ‘oath’ she’d been referring to that day at the racing stadium. Khloë had openly told her how she’d made Teague promise not to get involved with any of her friends because, in her words, he was a total player.

While Piper understood why the imp would extract such a vow from him, she felt it was a real bummer for Larkin and Teague. The chemistry between them was insanely off the charts, and Piper had the feeling they’d suit in more than a sexual sense.

Levi himself had said that if anyone could handle Larkin’s demon, it would be Teague. “Her entity’s level of crazy would be nothing to him,” Levi had added. “Hell, he and his demon are psychotic enough to like it.”

So, yeah, it was a shame.

Another male materialized, dressed in a ratty-assed tee, faded jeans, and a plain red cap. He was munching on popcorn and reeked of weed.

Piper recognized him straight off, since she’d been at Harper and Knox’s place a few times when he abruptly showed up. It was none other than Lucifer, the devil himself. Or Lou, as he preferred to be called.

He had a soft spot for Asher, referring to the little boy as his nephew. Which was why neither Harper, Knox, nor the sentinels had much patience for Lou. Then again, the obsessive, psychopathic man-child wasn’t popular with anyone but his satanic cult ‘followers,’ which seemed to suit him just fine since he was highly antisocial.

His nose wrinkled at the sight of Larkin’s slush puppy. “I don’t know how anyone can drink that stuff.”

The harpy’s brow creased. “I don’t know how anyone can be you and not loathe themselves, and yet …”

Lou smiled. “God, you’re so rude and bitchy. I like it.”

Larkin gave a quick shake of the head. She had a knack for handling him. Basically, she treated him like a spoiled child who shouldn’t be either seen or heard. And he appeared to find it entertaining.

“What brings you to the combat circle?” Piper asked him.

“The siren songs that are screams of sheer unsufferable agony,” Lou deadpanned.

Piper licked the inside of her lower lip. “All right.”

Jolene peered down the row. “Hello, Lou.”

His upper lip peeled back as he stared at the female Prime, who he had absolutely no tolerance for. He cut his gaze to Keenan. “I still have no idea how you could mate a Wallis imp. I mean, what were you thinking? Or were you simply not thinking?”

Keenan sighed. “You really need to let it go. And maybe also go find another seat.”

Lou let out an indignant sound. “Excuse me, I am sitting with my friends.”

Jolene frowned. “What friends?”

“Lauren and Pippa,” he replied, smug.

Larkin exhaled heavily. “They’re not our names.”

“Yes, well, I prefer to have pet names for the people in my life,” said Lou. “What is wrong with that?”

Larkin lifted a hand. “If you must sit here, don’t talk. The mere sound of your voice offends me.”

Lou grinned. “Best. Bitch. Ever.”

Staring at him, Martina shook her head. “Not many people actually bother me, but I truly struggle to deal with you.”

“There’s a support group you can join,” Lou told her. “They have meetings every Sunday at a chapel on Piss Off Street near You Suck Balls park.”

Khloë frowned. “Sorry, where?”

Piper snorted.

Cheers rang out as the umpire made his way into the center of the dome, microphone in hand. He called out the first two contestants—both of whom were female—and the duel soon began.

Piper spent a lot of time flinching and wincing. When it came to the combat circle, it was a case of, ‘Anything goes.’ So there were a lot of dirty moves, snapping of bones, and somewhat sadistic torment—which her demon thoroughly enjoyed witnessing. For Piper, however, it wasn’t always so easy to watch. The only blessing was that neither contestant actually died. Because yeah, that happened occasionally.

Duel after duel took place. Some were over fast, others were dragged out. Some fighters left the dome conscious, others were knocked clean out.

Her nerves were rubbed raw by the time Levi entered the circle. His eyes were cold, his face was blank, and he fairly radiated self-assurance and determination. He didn’t look her way. He was utterly focused on his opponent—a guy by the name of Cisco.

Piper took a moment to study Cisco. He was taller. Broader. Carried himself with confidence. She’d seen him fight before. He was a damn good brawler and boasted a few offensive abilities, so he wouldn’t make this easy for Levi. Her reaper would win, though. He’d never lost a fight. Not once.

Then again, neither had Cisco.

The umpire exited the circle, a bell rang loud … and then the two males were moving. Fast. Explosive. Savage.

Fists flew, slamming into noses, jaws, temples, and ribs. Feet snapped out, ramming into knees or thighs. Power rippled around the space as crackling orbs, telekinetic energy, waves of despair, and balls of hellfire sailed through the air.

Like her demon, the crowd was loving it. They yelled, booed, or egged on the fighters.

Piper was somewhat torn. On the one hand, watching Levi fight—seeing all that power, strength, and pure viciousness he exhibited—flustered her feminine parts. Seriously, she should probably light a candle in penance for getting off on this so much. But on the other hand, it was impossible not to worry for him. Especially when such duels had been known to result in death.

And so, on the edge of her seat, Piper splayed her hands on either side of her face. Every hit he took made her stomach twist. Her comfort? Levi was more than holding his own and had very few injuries.

Winces echoed around the dome as a telekinetic blast sent Cisco crashing into the wall. He’d no sooner scraped himself off the floor than a hellfire orb smashed into his face so hard his head snapped back.

“Well damn,” said Lou with a cruel chuckle. “Levi’s on form tonight.”

He was. He really—

She jolted as her mate took a crackling ball of whatever-the-fuck-it-was to the solar plexus. It knocked the breath from his lungs and sent him stumbling back a step. “Jesus Christ.”

Lou nudged her. “Oh don’t bring him into this.”

Ignoring that, Piper watched as Levi retaliated fast, telekinetically swiping Cisco off the ground and bashing him into the ceiling. Well, ow.

To his credit, Cisco recovered quickly. More punches and kicks were exchanged. More blows of power were traded. More bruises, cuts, and burns were caused.

Biting her thumbnail, Piper watched as a telekinetic hit slammed Cisco against the wall. Then Levi was there, hovering his hand near his opponent’s abdomen. Cisco doubled over, guttural cries of pain escaping him. She could guess what ability her mate was utilizing right then, and she wasn’t the least bit surprised when Cisco threw in the towel.

Piper and her group were instantly on their feet, cheering and clapping. They weren’t the only ones. Many spectators even chanted his name, though Levi paid no heed to it. Nor did he cockily pace around the circle, smiling at the crowd. He … well, he made a beeline for Piper. He wrapped his hand around the back of her neck and kissed her hard, robbing her of breath. She melted into him, unable to do anything else.

He snatched her off her feet, tossed her over his shoulder, and strode toward the vaulted steps.

“Hey!” she yelled. “What the fuck?”

He ignored her, descending the stairs that took them backstage.

Oh, she was so gonna rip him a new one.

Inside a private room, he set her on her feet and backed her into the wall as his mouth once more crashed down on hers. It seemed like she wasn’t the only one who got all stirred up by the fight. His tongue licked into her mouth as a hand collared her throat. Her breath hitched, her nipples tightened, her lower stomach clenched … and her control became a thing of the past.

Later. She’d rip him a new one later.

He kissed her like he needed her to breathe. Like she was his only source of oxygen. His tongue delved deep as he plundered her mouth and swallowed her every breath.

No one had ever made her feel the way Levi did—so wanted, so needed, so fucking possessed. It was exhilarating and intoxicating for both Piper and her demon.

*

Feeling like his entire body pounded with the need to be inside her, Levi broke the kiss long enough for them to whip off each other’s tees. Then he was again feasting on her mouth, lapping up her taste. Once more keeping a dominant grip on her throat with one hand, he used his other hand to stroke and explore and again lay claim to what would always be his.

Images flickered through his mind—all sent to him by his demon. The entity wanted her helpless. Wanted her to only be able to take what they gave.

Liking the idea, Levi used power alone to cuff her wrists and pin them high above her head. She gasped into his mouth. He swallowed the sound, grinding against her, his cock heavy and throbbing.

She kissed him harder, moaning in what could only be described as feminine demand. He softly slid his fingers into her hair, gently kneading her scalp … just as he bit her lip hard and tightened his hold on her throat, knowing the dual sensation of gentle and rough pushed her buttons.

Sure enough, her pupils dilated and her breath snagged in her throat. “Levi.”

“Need to be in you right fucking now,” he said, his hands dropping to her waistband. He only took the time to free one leg from her jeans and panties before tearing open his own fly. He cupped her pussy, his fingers probing. Hot slickness coated his fingers, and a growl crawled up his throat. “Already wet.” Just how he liked her.

Piper’s heart jumped as he gripped her ass and lifted her like she weighed nothing. The power shackling her wrists didn’t release her, it kept her pinned to the wall, pulsing and flexing. Which her demon totally dug. The blunt head of his cock bumped her folds and—

He slammed her down on his cock. Buried his full length inside her in one ruthless, unapologetic move that told her she was his to do with what he wished. And then he was fucking her. He didn’t thrust. He planted her on his cock over and over, using her brutally even as he looked at her like nothing else mattered.

It was wild. It was savage. It was carnal. And she absolutely drowned in it all.

A rush of cold swept over her skin as his eyes bled to black. “All fucking ours,” said the demon. Just like Levi had done, it bounced her up and down on its cock. But the demon was rougher, more impersonal … as if she was a mere sex toy it was using to get itself off.

Soon Levi was back, feverishly impaling her on his shaft. But the demon surfaced again shortly afterwards, dialing up the level of sexual aggressiveness once more.

On and on it went, winding her tighter and tighter and tighter until she couldn’t take anymore. Her release struck her like a white-hot bolt of lightning and thundered through her. It was a storm that wrenched a scream from her throat and scattered her thoughts so completely she was barely aware of Levi locking his cock deep in her body as he exploded.

Once their orgasms had finally subsided, she nuzzled his neck. “Congrats on your win.”

He pressed a kiss to her head and released her wrists. “Thank you, baby.”

She lifted her gaze to his. “Still, that whole throwing me over your shoulder thing—”

“You liked it.”

“I did not.”

He smiled. “Liar. You simply feel compelled to whine because you think you shouldn’t have liked it.”

“Um, excuse me, I do not whine or—”

“And you liked watching me fight. I reckon you were wet before I even touched you. Am I wrong?” He raked his teeth over her lower lip. “Tell me the truth, I dare you.”

She sniffed, planting her hands on his shoulders. “I can admit that watching you fight is kind of like foreplay. But it’s also nerve-wracking at the same time. I don’t like seeing you hurt.”

“But you were wet all the same, weren’t you?”

She tossed him a haughty look. “Are we done here? Because I’m ready to leave.”

Feeling a chuckle rumble out of him, Levi threaded his fingers through her hair, drinking in the sight of her, pure male possession filling him from head to toe. “Do something for me.”

She narrowed her eyes. “The last time you said that, you slid a ring on my finger and asked that I never take it off.”

And she’d agreed on the condition that he’d wear a matching one. Like he’d ever have objected. His demon was still unbelievably smug that she’d claimed them. “I need you to do something a little different this time.”

“What?” she asked, wary.

“Take my surname.” He palmed the side of her face. “I know it’s not always done. I know you might not think it necessary. But we’ll be starting a family at some point.” The more he saw her cuddling and fussing over Anaïs, the more he imagined her with their baby. “I want us to have the same surname when we do.” He held his breath as he awaited her answer.

A little smile curled one side of her mouth. “Sounds reasonable,” she said, sliding her hand over the Pied Piper tattoo on his upper arm that she’d given him weeks ago. “I’m all about being reasonable.”

A contented sigh slipped out of him. He gave her a soft, lazy kiss. “Thank you. Love you, baby.”

“Love you right back. Always will.”

“Promise?”

“Yes.”

He swept his hand down her body to cup her hip. “And you promise to never do something stupid like try to leave me?”

“I do.”

“And you promise to never remove that diamond ring?”

“Absolutely.”

“And you promise to always obey me in all matters regarding your safety?”

She gave him a solemn nod. “I swear it on my hamster’s grave.”

Levi felt his lips flatten. “Your hamster. Right.”

“I’m not fond of that tone.”

“On a serious note, did you ever have any pets at all?”

“Sure I did. Including my hamster. His name was Wotsit. He was killed by Mom’s cat. Super tragic.”

“Your mom doesn’t have any cats. Never did.”

“Now that’s not true.”

“I call bullshit, baby.”

Piper gaped. “I can’t believe you don’t—”

Levi cut her off with a hard kiss. “Woman, you’re a menace. But you’re my menace. One who, I must add, never owned a hamster in her life.”

“I did too!”