Chapter 13

Thirteen

T hey were sitting outside having a glass of wine at midnight when a long, black Cadillac pulled up.

Cody rolled his eyes and grinned at Phillip. "That's a little ostentatious, isn't it?"

"He likes to think he's intimidating." Phillip flicked his fingers in a dismissive motion. "So 1980s."

"I know. I mean… maybe a hearse, but there's nothing like a duallie to make a statement."

"Such a cowboy." Phillip rose, the movement deceptively languid. He knew better.

"I am, I admit it." Cody was armed, and the world was much less silent than it appeared.

"Well, boy. How dare you force me to come to you," Phillip's uncle snarled as he stepped out of the car. He would never pass for completely human, not like Phillip. And he was wrong. There was a foulness about him.

Cody let Phillip take the lead here. It was his family, after all. But he did want to rip off the demon's head and shit down his neck.

"Because I have no reason to come to you, Uncle." Phillip sneered, and oh, didn't he know how good the damn demon was at that. "What do you want?"

"You know what I want."

A quiet rustle sounded, and a demon bodyguard who stood next to the car disappeared.

That had the distinct feel of a hunting kitty taking its prey. These dicks had no idea what they were in for. He grinned, thinking of it.

"What are you smiling at, you trashy half-breed?"

"I was thinking about sucking your nephew's cock, that was all."

"You smarmy little fuck. I should have just had them kill you. He would have come to me then."

"I would have killed you." Phillip shrugged. "I still might."

"Can you see, you bag of pus?"

The demon's words affected him not at all.

Especially not when another demon disappeared with a flash of gold scales.

His grin widened. Dragon for the win.

That just left the assistant. "Um, sir?"

"Shut up, Asmodin. I'm busy," Uncle Asshole snapped.

The little demon bowed his head, waiting.

"You're not going to get any satisfaction, Uncle. Shoo." Phillip's hand brushed over his back.

"You slimy, ungrateful little bastard." The uncle, whose name he'd honestly forgotten, spat on the ground.

Phillip drew himself up, and that hand moved away from him as the smell of brimstone filled the air. Right, no singeing the vampire.

"I am no bastard, Uncle." Phillip's voice rang crazily, echoing as if they were in a small space, not outside in West Texas. "I am Phenex Dentalian Darque, aka Phillip, aka the demon who is going to kick your sorry ass." Phillip advanced down the stairs, smoke starting to rise from his skin, horns and wings appearing on his head and body respectively.

Oh, you are so pretty.

Shut up, love. I'm busy.

There was the softest peep as Denver's boys took Asmodin, and he laughed to cover it. "You're in trouble," he sing-songed.

Uncle Dickweed looked around, then frowned, and Cody could actually see the realization hit him. "What have you done with my men?"

Phillip's laugh boomed out. "We took them out of the equation, old man. Now we can face each other fairly."

The temptation to stick his tongue out was huge.

"I have the power of the entire family behind me." Jean-Luc growled, and the ground began to shake.

"Do you, indeed? I highly doubt that. I know that Prixappa married out, for instance, and Ignatius left to form his own clan." Phillip radiated pride. "Just as I am doing."

"This trash is not your clan!"

"Ooh… I haven't been called rodeo trash in minutes." Thack's voice behind his shoulder made him chuckle.

"I have," Cody stated. "Like just moments ago."

"Lucky duck."

"I'll tear you into pieces for speaking!"

Thack's horns started growing. "I'd love to see you try."

Phillip stomped one foot, and a growl rang out. "Make your move or stop wasting my time."

"I want the relic, boy. It's mine as the head of the family."

"It was given to me. I did with it what I pleased. It is out of your reach."

"I want it!"

"No." Phillip didn't even try to sound worried.

Magic built in the air, and he heard Thack chuckle. Yes, they'd made up a special treat for Uncle Jean Luc if he tried to hurt them with magic.

"I will burn you all!" Jean Luc stared at Cody. "And I will starve you, endlessly. I will chain and starve you until the end of time!"

"Tried that already," Cody scoffed.

"You will not." Phillip's voice was getting softer and softer.

Easy, love. He stroked Phillip's spine, nice and easy.

Phillip vibrated, but he waited, which was good. They had to choose their moment carefully.

"I was offering a trade," Jean Luc sneered. "Show him, Asmodin."

Obviously Uncle missed something, eh, love?

Apparently, yes. "Show me what?"

"Asmodin!" Jean Luc looked about, then scowled. "You took him too. Well, rah fucking rah. I had jewels for you. Gold. Now I'll just take what I want." He raised his hands, lightning arcing between them.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Uncle? There are repercussions." Phillip was honor bound to ask.

"I will strike you down." Energy built, the old demon trying to scare them, he could tell.

Cody blew out a long breath, then slowly, and deliberately, flipped the motherfucker off.

Jean Luc roared, and magic flew out of his fingers in an attack, which was just what they needed.

"Now!" Thack thundered, and Phillip moved like a lightning bolt on his own, sprinting down the steps toward the pen where the bull stood waiting.

Then Uri appeared behind Jean Luc and the demon lord began to scream as those white wings wrapped around him.

"No! No! What are you doing?" Sparks flew, thunder slammed across the clouds, and a blinding glow had him shielding his eyes. The bull was bellowing, and Phillip's laughter made Cody want to do bad things to him.

When the laughter faded, there was a wild bucking from the bull, and cowboys started coming from everywhere to see, to bet who drew that beast first.

"He's gonna be a winner. Got all that rage and the built-in urge to buck," Denny drawled. "I like it."

"Mmm. You weirdo," Blaine murmured at his mate.

"Mmhmm… he hurt the boss. We're going to keep an eye on him until he settles in." Denver grinned slowly. "We caught the guards, boss, and they're… with the dragons. What should we do with his right-hand man?"

"Bring him to me. I'll be in the office." Phillip looked at him. "Want to come with?"

"I can't wait. Do we get to fuck after?"