Chapter Eleven

Gage

“Gage! Come back here!”

That was not going to happen. Gage leapt onto the arm of the couch before launching up on a carpeted shelf that hadn’t been there the day before. The shelves were an awesome addition to the room that Cary had claimed as their main space.

He bounced from one ledge to another before reaching the highest. He nearly had to crouch just to fit as the ceiling was so close.

“That’s not fair!”

Gage peered over the edge of the shelf. Cary was jumping up and down below him, but he had no chance of reaching Gage.

The door from Lucifer’s workshop opened and their mate stepped through. “What in the world is going on in here?”

Gage spit out the red bow he’d stolen from the tree and hid it under his paw. He laid flat, making sure that no one could see the bow under his paw.

“Daddy! Gage stole a bow!”

What a tattletale! ‘Mer’

“You did too! I saw you!”

Cary couldn’t prove anything. ‘Mer, mer, meow!’ Cary needed to stop telling on him!

“Daddy!” Cary stomped his foot.

Lucifer looked between him before he started to laugh. Huh, Gage hadn’t expected that reaction. By Cary’s outraged screeches, he hadn’t either.

“Are you boys bored?” Lucifer asked, strolling forward.

Yes, yes, he was. That was why he’d taken the opportunity to shift. The pretty red bow was just asking to be taken.

“No!” Cary argued. “Gage is a thief. The tree was perfect! He messed it up!”

Gage sneezed. Dramatic little brat! The tree was perfect because he and Lucifer had finished it by using magic. Once Cary had placed his favorite ornaments on the limbs, he’d quickly grown bored. Just as

Gage knew he would. The Santa village had kept Cary entertained as Gage and Lucifer enjoyed teasing each other while finishing up.

Aided by lots of rum and his other mate, Gage had more fun than he could ever remember. Admittedly, Gage and Lucifer hadn’t been as careful putting the balls, candy canes, ribbons, and tinsel and it had been a bit of a mess. Cary had been adorable playing with his Santa figurines. When Lucifer had made Satan figurines to join in playtime, Cary had grown incredibly excited. He’d been too cute to disappoint so when he hadn’t been looking, they had the magic move the decorations into the right spaces. Cary was just being a brat right now.

“Come here, baby boy.” Lucifer picked Cary up, setting him on his hip.

Cary’s thumb went into his mouth as he glared at Cary.

Lifting his paw, Gage began to groom himself.

“Gage, can you come down here?”

Gage ignored him. Not that he was being a brat like Cary. He just needed to clean his paws. He might have gotten something on them as he ran through the house. He was just being responsible and didn’t want to track a mess about.

“Gage!” Lucifer sounded exasperated.

“Bad kitty!” Cary said around his thumb.

Gage hissed at his mate.

Lucifer narrowed his eyes. Uh-oh. Twitching his tail, Gage considered his options. He was pretty fast as a cat. Also, he was safe up on the shelf. His mates couldn’t reach him.

“Hang on to me, baby,” Lucifer said. His wings burst from his back.

‘Mer!’ Oops, Gage might have forgotten about that little gift of his mate’s.

“You should have thought about that earlier,” Lucifer told him, floating up.

‘Meow, mer, mer, meow.”

Lucifer lifted him off his perch.

Gage hissed and kicked his legs—not that it did him any good. Lucifer passed him over to Cary, who immediately had a stranglehold on his neck.

Lucifer stole Gage’s pretty red ribbon and tossed it back at the tree, where it landed perfectly in place.

‘Mer’ That wasn’t nice. That was his pretty ribbon!

“Would the two of you like to see what I’ve been working on?” Lucifer asked.

Gage huffed. He might as well. It would take some time for him to figure out how to get his ribbon back. Cary would be suspicious now.

“Yes, Daddy.” Cary nuzzled Gage’s furry cheek.

Okay, maybe he shouldn’t have tried to take the ribbon right in front of Cary. That hadn’t been nice. And his mate wasn’t a brat. Cary was a very good boy. He licked Cary’s chin in apology.

“It’s okay. I love you too.” Cary petted his head. With the thumb that had been in his mouth.

‘Mer!’ That was gross! He batted Cary’s hand away.

Cary giggled. “Sorry!”

“My silly boys.” Lucifer carried them back across the room. “But I do have something to show you.”

They entered the workshop and Gage perked up seeing his incomplete train set, town, and models. That would be cool to work on. He’d already built several things for Lucifer. He hadn’t gotten back to work on his train.

“Over here,” Lucifer said as he took them past Gage’s table. Now he wanted to play with his train. ‘Mer!’

“Just a minute,” Lucifer told him.

“Play?” Cary asked.

“Yes, you can both play. Maybe that will keep you out of trouble.” Lucifer stopped in front of something covered by a sheet.

“I not trouble,” Cary babbled. “Gage bad.”

Gage swiped his paw at his mate.

Lucifer laughed. “I’m sure it was just Gage.” He set Cary down.

“Was!” Cary said.

Gage leapt from Cary’s hold onto the table. He nosed at the sheet, curious what Lucifer had been working on all morning.

“Tell me what you think about this.” Lucifer dramatically whipped the sheet off the table.

“Wow!” Cary exclaimed.

Gage leapt off the table and shifted back to human. He covered his nakedness with magic instantly as he bent to peer at the well-built four-story playhouse. “You did this? In just a morning?” The craftsmanship was amazing.

“I did. It’s for a little girl in Arkansas. She wants a doll house more than anything in the world. That wasn’t what she asked for though. She asked me for a job for her dad, a new stove for her mom, and a baseball bat and glove for her brother. As much as she wants the dollhouse, that wasn’t what she asked for.”

Gage straightened. “How do you know that.”

Snapping his fingers, a letter appeared in his hands. Lucifer passed it over. “It was written with her pure heart. My gift allows me to read between the lines to see what isn’t there.”

“That…” Gage placed the letter carefully down next to the dollhouse. He grabbed the front of Lucifer’s silk robe and yanked him forward. Gage kissed his mate hard. Nipping his lip until Lucifer opened for him.

He wasn’t good with words. Gage knew how to get through to Cary, yet he was still learning about Lucifer. His amazing, sweet, wonderful mate. He drew back to smile at Lucifer. “I know you told me that you made the toys. I didn’t really get it. I thought you just waved your hand and the toys appeared.”

“I could do that,” Lucifer started.

“No, you couldn’t.” Gage caressed Lucifer’s cheek. “Because every time you read one of the letters, you’re making miracles happen. I bet you’ve already figured out a way to find that little girl’s father a job.”

“I made some phone calls to people I know in the area.”

Just as Gage figured. “And the mom a new stove.”

“Raffle at the grocery store.”

“And her brother will get the bat and glove.” Gage shook his head. “I’m so sorry that I didn’t get it. I want to help.”

“Me too.” Cary sidled up to their side. “I want to help too.”

“Thank you.” Lucifer closed his eyes as he held them both tight. “Thank you for even trying to understand.”

“I love you.” Gage smiled up at his mate.

Lucifer’s eyes widened. “I love you too.”

“Me three!” Cary shouted.

Gage laughed as he pulled both his mates into a three-way hug. He had miscalculated the importance of why this month meant so much to Lucifer. It wasn’t just for the children that misspelled Santa. Lucifer helped the entire family.

He kissed Lucifer again before dropping to his knees.

“What?” Lucifer swallowed hard. “What are you doing?”

Gage grinned up at his mate as he tugged on Lucifer’s silk lounge pants. “I’m going to suck your cock while you kiss Cary.”

“You don’t have to.” Lucifer’s fingers brushed his hair from his forehead.

“He doesn’t have to,” Cary said. “Gage wants to. And I want my kisses.”

“I…” Lucifer gasped as Gage yanked Lucifer’s pants down to his knees.

Wrapping his fingers around Lucifer’s already hardening cock, Gage gave Lucifer’s shaft several long firm strokes.

Cary turned Lucifer’s face toward him and started to kiss their mate.

Lucifer’s fingers tightened in Gage’s hair.

Perfect. Leaning forward, Gage ran his tongue under the head of Lucifer’s cock before swiping up, catching the burst of precome from the tip. He quickly swallowed down his little treat before he took Lucifer’s cock into his mouth and sucked hard.

Lucifer’s legs shook.

Gage peered up at his two mates while they kissed and rubbed each other. It was quite the sight as Gage sucked his mate’s cock. His own erection was straining against his shorts, but he ignored his own needs.

He stroked as he tongued at the heavy vein on the underside of Lucifer’s cock. That had his sexy mate thrusting into his mouth. With his free hand he gripped Lucifer’s ass cheek and pulled him forward while swallowing the tip of Lucifer’s dick down his throat.

He hummed in approval as he continued to pleasure his mate. Gage wanted his reward for giving the blowjob. He wanted Lucifer to spill down his throat. He sucked harder, added a little twist to his strokes.

Lucifer tugged hard on his hair, but Gage wasn’t giving up his snack.

He urged Lucifer to thrust again.

“Gage! Baby!” Lucifer warned.

He hummed.

Lucifer plunged his cock deep and stilled.

Gage caught the first drops of come on his tongue. He pulled back to ensure he didn’t miss a drop as Lucifer continued to give up his seed. Gage licked him clean then sat back on his heels, gazing up at his two mates.

He laughed seeing that Lucifer’s hand was covered with come as he held Cary’s limp dick.

“I couldn’t help it!” Cary whined. “I love kissing him.”

“Me too.” Gage rose and kissed Lucifer, reveling in the taste of his mate. He pulled back. “Put us to work, Daddy.”

Lucifer’s smile warmed Gage’s heart.

* * * * *

Lucifer

He’d been mated for two weeks. It was the middle of his favorite month. Lucifer had never been happier in his entire life. He’d given up his paradise to take the task of housing and punishing the evil souls of the realms. Somehow, all that changed when he met his mates. Lucifer was living in his paradise once again and that was due to Gage and Cary.

His family tried to spend time with him even though they all had important jobs as well. Lucifer’s friends had left their home and moved with him when Lucifer had made his private plane. Life should have been good before he found his mates but he’d been so lost.

Mates.

The world lost meaning, for many of the older paranormal creatures stopped finding their mates. It happened so long ago yet somehow no one noticed until it was too late.

Magic had to have been used. Manipulated. That pissed Lucifer off. Just like it did when he thought about the town that Gage and Cary had been raised in. Magic was a part of Lucifer’s soul. He loved the magic like it was a child to him.

All the uses of magic and someone had decided that mates shouldn’t be found. He tried not to look over the shoulders of those who had taken on the task of figuring why or who would have done such a terrible thing. Lucifer was growing impatient with not having answers though. Especially now that he’d found his mates. Everyone should know the peace and love that he felt.

Lucifer stroked a hand down Gage’s furry spine as his shifted mate purred from his lap. Cary crawled around the floor, moving his cars in a race as he made vroom-vroom sounds.

Cary was fully regressed complete with a diaper, onesie, and sippy cup.

Gage took time every day to shift into his feline form.

Every day that passed Lucifer could see with his own eyes how happy his mates were there with them. They started their mornings with snuggle sessions that usually ended with what Cary called sexy times.

After breakfast they headed to the workshop. Lucifer was pleased that they were keeping up with the daily letters that came in. He had no doubts that he would be able to grant the wish of every boy and girl that wrote him. It was the first time that Lucifer wasn’t stressed about getting all the work done before Christmas Eve.

Every evening Cary got his little time as Lucifer watched over him. Gage either played with his train set or shifted.

Lucifer found that he’d started to enjoy mundane tasks that he’d abandoned to magic. He cooked their meals, did laundry, had even started to dust the house himself. The house liked to provide and so did Lucifer.

The best were the times that he could see how much what he did meant to his mates. Giving Cary his nightly baths. Helping Gage hide all the ribbons he stole by replacing them on the tree where Cary didn’t figure it out.

Little things that only meant something to the three of them.

Being a Daddy turned out to be much more involved than Lucifer had ever thought. Being called by the title had made him hot but what Lucifer was learning was why they all had gravitated to the lifestyle. And the fact that they each received something different but special from it.

He’d given up his home, his purpose, everything that made him…him so that his demons could grow and find happiness. Lucifer was still sure that he’d done the right thing for them but that left him feeling alone and broken. Lucifer could have gone home, back to his paradise, to his family, and he hadn’t. Instead, he had locked himself into his own private plane.

Lucifer understood more about himself just by loving his two mates and taking care of them. They’d given Lucifer back his purpose.

His fingers shook as he continued to pet Gage.

‘Mer.’

“I’m fine,” Lucifer assured his mate.

Cary’s head popped up. “Daddy?”

He smiled at his baby boy. “I really am fine. Just thinking.”

Gage began to knead his leg. Lucifer hissed as he picked him up and set him on the floor. Cary crawled over to him. Lucifer sighed.

“I’m just happy,” he told his two mates as they peered at him. Their gazes trusting and loving. Lucifer slid from his chair to sit on floor next to his mates. “I realized that I had cut myself off from everyone. I still have my friends, but we don’t get together as much as we used to. When we first moved to this plane, we had game nights, went for drinks, visited other realms. I don’t think I’m the only one who got stuck in this half-life I’d been living before you.”

“What are you going to do about it?” Gage had shifted and now sat cross-legged, wearing a ratty pair of shorts.

“I’m not sure. I just know that I want to help the others.”

“It wouldn’t be the same,” Gage said. “You’ve found your mates. That’s going to be hard for those who haven’t. You can still make sure they’re not staying locked inside their homes.”

“Play!” Cary said clapping his hands.

Lucifer laughed. “Yes, baby, go back to playing.”

“No!” Cary said stubbornly. “You play with friends. Have fun.”

Oh! Fun. They used to have fun together. “We could start doing things together again,” Lucifer said. He would drag his friends out if he had to.

“I know that Asmos likes movies,” Gage said. “He could come over and have movie nights with us every week.”

“That’s a great idea.” Lucifer grew more excited. “Bel loves to cook. Since I’ve started making food again, I could have him over. He could even help me some nights. He has his own specialties.”

Cary nodded. “More friends, Daddy!”

“Yes. More friends. And I can show you other realms too. We’d need to take protection. My warriors could travel again.”

Gage knee-walked over to straddle his lap. “It sounds like you’ve got it all figured out.”

Lucifer grasped Gage’s ass, tugging him forward.

“No sex. I play.” Cary crawled off.

“Okay, baby boy.” Lucifer had learned quickly that any kind of sexual touch pulled Cary from his regression. He was careful to allow Cary to come out of his little space on his own. Cary also didn’t care if he indulged with Gage as Cary remained little.

Gage leaned forward and started kissing him. He liked when his mate’s skin was bare to his touch. Even with the snowstorm still raging outside, Lucifer kept the house warm enough that Gage never had to wear much clothing. Lucifer considered it a perk.

Lucifer’s spine began to vibrate, and he pulled back. He smiled at Gage. “Brace yourselves. You are about to meet my brother,” Lucifer told his mate.

Gage scrambled off his lap. “Brother?”

There was a bright flash of white and they were no longer alone.

“Or brothers, to be more accurate.” Lucifer jumped to his feet. “Michael, Gabriel, Urial. You don’t call before barging in?”

It was Michael who spoke. He scowled at Lucifer’s mates who huddled behind him. “You aren’t alone? Why aren’t you alone?” he demanded.

Lucifer lifted a brow. That really wasn’t his brother’s business.

“I told you we shouldn’t surprise him,” Gabriel said.

Michael turned on Gabriel. “You knew!”

Gabriel ignored Michael’s outrage. He crossed over to Lucifer and pulled him into a hug. “Hello, brother.”

Lucifer pounded Gabriel on the back. “Father told you?”

“You know he isn’t good at keeping secrets,” Gabriel replied. “He was bursting at the seams. It only took a nudge.”

He snorted. Lucifer had asked for his father not to share the news about his mating yet, but he’d known it was a long shot. Lucifer just wanted more time with his mates before his family descended on them. He’d have liked more time to prepare his mates.

“If you don’t stop looking at him like that, we’re going to have a problem,” Gage’s voice held an edge Lucifer had never heard before. He turned to see Gage blocking Cary from view as he vibrated with anger.

“Why is he wearing a diaper?” Michael demanded.

Cary gasped before he turned and ran out of the room.

Lucifer barely caught Gage as he launched himself at Michael. He cradled Gage to his chest, disgusted as he saw Michael had drawn his sword.

“Easy. I got this. Go check on Cary,” Lucifer whispered in his ear.

Gage growled back.

“Please. Let me talk to my brothers.”

Gage pushed out of his arms. He pointed at Michael. “I want him out of our home. Out of Cary’s home. I know damn well that he can see we all wear matching mate marks.”

Gage was gone before Lucifer could respond. He’d transported himself away. That wasn’t something he did often. And Gage was correct. Their marks would be visible to each of his brothers.

“Put the sword away, moron.” Uriel smacked the back of Michael’s head.

“How dare you!” Lucifer roared. “You come into my home and disrespect my mates. Threaten them!”

“I didn’t even know you had mates,” Michael yelled back. “Because you didn’t tell us!”

“It was none of your business!” Lucifer shouted. “Michael. Brother.”

“Don’t!” Michael took a step forward.

“I banish you from my realm. Leave now!” He clapped his hands and Michael was gone.

His heart was slamming in his chest. Lucifer’s hands shook. His vision became blurry.

“Luci!” Gabriel grabbed his arm and shook him. “Do you know what you just did.”

Gage and Cary. He knew that Gage and Cary had been threatened, embarrassed, and Lucifer had protected them. Would always protect them. Even if that was from his own family. A calmness filled him. He blinked his eyes clear. “I removed a threat to my mates.”

“He didn’t mean it,” Uriel told him. “You know what a hothead Michael is.”

“That is no excuse. He is my brother, and he should have embraced my mates.”

Uriel sighed. He was used to having to clean up Michael’s messes. This time Lucifer wouldn’t be lenient. Mates were everything!

“Yeah. I’m sorry. I hope your mates won’t hold this interaction against all your brothers.” Uriel looked visibly upset.

“My mates are kind and loving. They won’t. But I need time with them.”

His remaining two brothers nodded.

“Michael insisted we come. He was worried that you were working yourself too hard finishing the Christmas projects and were too stubborn to ask for help,” Gabriel told him. “He loves you. He just has a shitty way of showing it.”

Lucifer nodded to show that he heard Gabriel. There came a time and point that bad behavior needed to be addressed and changed. Instead of the family always making excuses for Michael they needed Michael to grow up.

He’d talk to Michael. Not to apologize. Lucifer will always put his mates first. He’d let Michael know that his behavior had better change if he wanted to be around Lucifer’s mates. To continue their relationship. Lucifer needed to set boundaries with his family.

“We’ll leave you alone with your mates,” Gabriel said. “Please call us when you’re ready for us to meet them properly.”

“I will,” Lucifer promised.

He waited for his brothers to leave before he reached out for his mates. They weren’t in the house. Lucifer grew weak. Would they leave him? No! He couldn’t live without his two mates. Lucifer loved them already. They were his whole world. Lucifer transported himself to the bedroom. The last place his mates had been.

Lucifer saw the note on his pillow immediately. He picked up the torn notebook paper with shaky fingers.

We went back to the human realm. We’re not leaving you. Please come join us. We just needed to feel safe.

Gage and Cary

He blew out a sigh of relief. His mates didn’t have to take the time to leave him a note, but they had. Lucifer would have tracked them down either way. Begged for forgiveness if he needed to. He’d banish anyone and everyone from his plane if it was what his mates wanted.

Lucifer straightened his robe nervously before transporting himself to be with his mates.

He popped up in the living room.

Gage was cradling a crying Cary to his chest.

Lucifer’s heart broke. He took a step forward but a hand on his shoulder stopped him.

He turned with a snarl on his lips.

“Hey,” Bel said.

He’d forgotten his friend was there.

“I’m making Cary some tea. Why don’t you join me?”

From the glare he was receiving from Gage, it might be best to give his mate a few more minutes to calm down. Lucifer nodded before he followed Bel into the kitchen.

“How are they doing?” Lucifer asked as Bel walked to the stove where a kettle was brewing.

“Cary hasn’t stopped crying. Gage hasn’t said a word. I figured it wouldn’t be long until you came after them,” Bel said. “What happened?”

“Michael.” Lucifer said the name with a growl.

Bel sighed. “What did that fucking asshole do this time?”

“Insulted Cary. Threatened Gage.”

“Does he still have a head?” Bel questioned.

Lucifer snorted. “Gabriel and Uriel were there as well.”

“At least that’s something.” The kettle began to whistle. Bel pulled it from the fire before pouring the water into a mug with a tea bag already hooked to the side. He passed the mug to Lucifer. “I’m going to give you time alone with your mates. Call me when you get back home.”

“Thanks, Bel.” Lucifer smiled at Bel disappeared before his eyes. Why couldn’t his brothers be more like his friends?

Knowing it was time to face the music, he carried the mug into the living room.

Cary was wiping his face with a tissue. At least he wasn’t crying any longer. Lucifer rushed over and knelt in front of his little mate.

“I’m sorry, baby. I’m so sorry! I banished Michael from my realm. You never have to see him again if you don’t want to.”

Cary sniffled and didn’t meet his eyes.

Lucifer turned to Gage. “I mean it. I’m sorry he threatened you.”

Gage glared. “You think I care about that overgrown playboy fucking angel threatening me?” He rose with his hands fisted at his side. “He embarrassed Cary! Made him feel ashamed for being little.”

“I know,” Lucifer said. “I—”

“There is nothing wrong with age regression. We’ve spent hours researching the dynamic. It doesn’t make us sick or—”

Lucifer cut Gage off with his mouth against Gage’s lips. Gage had done the same to him many times. He hoped that it would stop Gage’s rant. Lucifer barely pulled back an inch. “I know.”

“There is nothing wrong with our relationship,” Gage said. The fury was gone now.

“I love being a Daddy. It was what I was thinking about earlier. I don’t think we ever got that far.”

“What were you thinking about then?” Gage whispered his question.

“Let’s sit,” Lucifer urged.

Lucifer pulled Gage down on the couch, relieved when Cary climbed into his lap. “Are you okay, my baby boy?”

“Yes, just embarrassed. I don’t like your brother.”

“Me either. Sometimes. Michael is a bit of an ass at times.” Lucifer shook his head. “It’s a long story.”

“I don’t really care,” Gage grumbled.

“I know.” Lucifer pulled Gage closer to his side. His overprotective mate would be harder to convince to give Michael another chance. Cary, their sweet human, he might have to help Lucifer bribe Gage. He really did want his brothers and mates to get along.

“We’re supposed to be safe in our home,” Gage said with a scowl. “That is not safe! Only a second of warning before people can just pop in. We wouldn’t have even had time to put on clothes if we’d been naked. Cary…” Gage’s eyes sparkled in anger. “He didn’t have time to change his clothes.”

“It’s my fault,” Lucifer confessed. “I told my father of our mating but asked him not to tell anyone else.”

Both his mates stiffened.

“Why?” Cary asked quietly. “Are…are you embarrassed of us?”

“Never!” Lucifer exclaimed. “I just didn’t want my nosy brothers to bombard us. I have a lot of brothers remember. We would never get any time alone. I wanted time with you both. It might have been selfish of me.”

“That makes sense,” Cary agreed. “The wanting time with us. It’s like we’ve been in this magical bubble.

Lucifer glanced at Gage.

“Doesn’t seem like that worked out,” Gage said bitterly.

“No. Michael thought I might need help making this year’s gifts. Gabriel came with him because he did know about us being mates. My father isn’t the best at keeping secrets. Uriel came…well because he’s Uriel and he just likes to visit. And he keeps an eye on Michael.”

“I want better protections for our home,” Gage demanded. “No one should be able to pop right in.”

“I swear. If anyone comes into the realm, they will land on our porch. They can ring the doorbell like everyone else,” Lucifer vowed.

“Okay,” Cary said. He nuzzled under Lucifer’s chin. “Can I have my tea? My tummy still hurts.”

Lucifer leaned forward to pick up the mug he’d set on the coffee table.

“I want to stay here for a few days,” Gage said.

“That’s fine.” Lucifer would agree to anything to get that furious look off his mate’s face. He understood Gage’s anger. Lucifer loved his brothers too though.

“Fine.” Gage stood. “I’m…I’m going to go for a walk.”

Lucifer opened his mouth, but Cary shook his head. Gage needed space. From him? Or was this something that Gage needed to work out himself?

Lucifer let Gage go. Watched his mate walk out the front door. Even though it hurt his heart a little.

“He just needs time,” Cary said.

“I’ll make up for this.”

“It really isn’t your fault,” Cary told him. “You didn’t know they were coming.”

“I should have thought about it. My brothers always come to help me. They had no idea that I’d be caught up because you both have been helping me.”

“They really do love you,” Cary said.

Lucifer snorted. “They don’t always show it the best way.”

* * * * *

Gage

It was late by the time that he returned to the house. Gage used the bathroom in the hall to shower before he went into the bedroom. He wasn’t really surprised to see Cary passed out on Lucifer’s chest. Or Lucifer sitting up against the wall holding their mate.

Gage propped his shoulder against the doorframe.

Lucifer was reading a letter. Probably one of the many that he received from children all over the world. From other worlds or realms. He loved Lucifer and it hurt to be angry at him. Gage didn’t like the feeling.

“Are you still mad at me?” Lucifer asked quietly. He didn’t even look up from the letter in his hands.

“Yes.” Gage hated to admit his true feelings. He didn’t want to be feel this way at all. Gage just didn’t know how to stop being so mad!

“What can I do to make this right, Gage?” Lucifer set the letter to the side. He looked up but Gage had to look away. Lucifer was hurt. Gage didn’t want to hurt him.

“I don’t know,” Gage confessed. “Did Cary get any more little time?”

“No. He wasn’t really in the mood. We watched a movie then took a bath. Where did you go?”

“You didn’t have me followed?” Gage had wondered if there had been demons watching him.

“No. You deserve your privacy. Now that we’re mated, I would know if you were in trouble, and I could get to you in an instant.”

“I went home.”

“You saw your parents?”

“No. I snuck into the old tree house in the backyard. The lights were all off in the house. I just needed something familiar.” He managed to force himself to look back to his mates.

Lucifer’s eyes were sad.

Gage wanted to go to him. To release the pain. He didn’t even blame Lucifer fully. Lucifer hadn’t known that his brothers would show up. None of them were thinking about outsiders intruding on their alone time. So why was Gage still filled with anger?

“Are you coming to bed?” Lucifer asked.

“I…”

“Come to bed, Gage,” Cary said sleepily. “We don’t sleep apart. Ever.”

His mate wasn’t wrong. Gage pushed off the doorframe to cross the room. Lucifer slid down the wall as Cary rolled over. Gage climbed onto the mattress and gathered Cary into his arms. As Cary settled against him, Gage reached out and snagged Lucifer’s wrist. Lucifer sighed deeply as he spooned behind Cary, but he did entwine his fingers with Gage’s.