CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Five months later

"The answer is still no," Viper told the scruffily dressed fallen angel in front of him. " Go home. "

Lou—or Lucifer, as some called him—planted his hands on the compound gate. "Oh, come on. I thought we were friends."

"Why?"

"We used to hang out once upon a time, remember? Back before we both fell?"

Viper hadn't spent time with him willingly . Plus … "That was a long time ago."

"Neither time nor space can impact the strength of true friendship."

"We never had a friendship." They'd been work associates, no more. "You were asocial then, and you're still asocial now."

Lou frowned. "Hey, I have lots of buds."

"Your only real ‘bud' is a six-year-old kid." Knox Thorne's son, Asher, to be more accurate.

"Age is just a number. Now come on, let me see her."

Viper sighed, and his entity rolled its eyes. Three times a week since his daughter was born a month ago, Lou had turned up at the compound asking to see her. But Viper wasn't really keen on having the devil anywhere near his baby girl.

Not that Lou was the pure-evil, all-powerful figure that humans imagined him to be. In fact, he was a mercurial, finicky, emotionally immature individual who—though on the psychopathic scale for sure—was more interested in getting high and annoying people than causing actual destruction.

"You don't think I'm going to kidnap her and deliver her to the big G or something, do you?" asked Lou, incredulous. "Because that'd be dumb of you. And I never took you for dumb. Callous, vindictive, cynical, and devious, yes, but not stupid."

"You sure have flattery down."

"You want flattery? Let me in, you big sexy thing, you."

"Jesus, Lou—"

"Don't bring him into it."

"—just go home."

Lou pouted. "It's not fair that everyone gets to see her but me."

"Actually, barely anyone has seen her." Neither he nor Ella had taken the baby off the compound yet, not even using teleportation. You could say they were a little paranoid for her safety, as were their inner entities, but it wasn't without reason. They were only allowing Ella's family and Luka access to the baby for now .

No celestials had come for the child, nor had any demons. But if they were going to, then now—while she was at her most vulnerable stage—would be the time to do it.

Ella's kind hadn't exactly welcomed the idea of another half-demon half-celestial, but they'd been more bothered by how the Uppers had targeted Ella, Mia, and Joe. So bothered, in fact, that they'd gone after Earth-bound angels in retaliation, just as Viper had predicted they would. All Earth-bounds had since then been called back to the upper realm for their own safety, which they were probably thrilled about, since most weren't fans of Earth.

"This is the thanks I get for being courteous enough not to barrel right past all your security measures," Lou huffed. "You know I could. But I pressed the buzzer, all polite and shit. That should earn me greenie points."

"Brownie points."

"Them, too."

Door hinges behind Viper creaked, and then … "You're here again ?" asked Jester, his tone far from welcoming.

Viper peered over his shoulder to see Ella, Jester, and Darko filing out of the clubhouse.

"Hey, little bro," Lou called out to Jester, grinning. "Still not a smiler, huh? That's all right, I'm not taking the lack of warmth personally."

"You should," said Jester.

As the trio walked toward Viper, Ella looked from Jester to Lou, her eyes wide. "Wait, you two are brothers?"

" Half- brothers," Jester clarified. "And I resent the familial connection."

Lou's brow pinched. "Ah, don't be like that. Holding grudges isn't healthy."

Ella frowned at the devil. "What did you do to him?"

"Nothing," replied Lou. "He'll never forgive me for falling from the upper realm and leaving him alone."

Jester's brows snapped together. "I never gave a fuck that you fell. Life was easier without you. We actually had a party."

Darko smiled at the memory. "That was a good night."

"Then what's with the grudge?" Ella asked.

"No grudge," Jester told her. "He just pisses me off."

"Who doesn't? Oh, right. No one." Lou turned to Viper. "Now, back to why I'm here … Just let me see the baby this once. Five minutes. Then I'll go."

Viper cocked his head. "Why do you wanna see her so badly?"

"I'm curious," Lou explained.

"Again, I gotta ask why?"

"She's a singular being. Who wouldn't be curious?"

Ella psychically reached for Viper, letting her mind bump his as she said, Maybe we should grant him his wish this once. If we don't, he'll only teleport straight into the clubhouse one day. Mayhem would then ensue. For some reason, no security measures appeared to keep Lou out. Or do you think he'll hurt her?

He wouldn't hurt her, he loves the idea of her , Viper replied. He'd be more likely to protect her with his life purely because her mere existence pisses off the people he most hates .

Ella had figured as much. Then I say we grant him his five minutes. "If we do let you in, will you stop coming here every day?"

"Absolutely," Lou told her, nodding slowly.

"He's lying," said Jester.

Lou put a hand to his heart. "My word is my bond, bro."

"And now he's lying again."

Ella looked at Jester. "You know, now that I know you're brothers, I see why you're always so sure people are feeding you bullshit. You grew up with a compulsive liar."

Lou flinched back, offended. "Who says I'm a compulsive liar?"

Ella hummed. "Larkin. Piper. Levi. Harper. Jolene—"

"Jolene?" Lou grimaced. "She blurts out more porkies than anyone else. I tell you, I'm uncomfortable with how much time she spends around Asher. She's not a good influence on children."

Ella lifted a brow. "And you are?"

"Totally. I played a big part in raising my little bro, you know. And look what a fabulous job I did. He's cold. Ruthless. Asocial. Intolerant. Hates everyone and everything."

"I can see why you'd be proud," she deadpanned, but her sarcasm appeared to go right over Lou's head, because he looked immensely chuffed. Her inner demon shook its head, incredulous.

Are we letting him inside or what? she asked Viper.

He heaved a sigh. Fine.

"Five minutes," she told Lou. "Then you leave, and you don't return."

The devil grinned in delight and then teleported to her side. "I always did like you, Ellen."

"It's Ella."

"I'm just using my pet name for you."

"Right." She led him into the clubhouse, unsurprised at the unwelcoming looks he received from the Black Saints they came across. Entering the nursery, she shot Mia a quick smile. "We have a visitor. He's not staying long."

Mia straightened in the armchair at the sight of Lou, her psyche touching Ella's. You sure about this?

It seems the best way to get rid of him, and I don't read him as a danger to the baby. Ella and Viper moved to stand at one side of the crib while Lou and Jester stood at the other. The rest of the Black Saints stayed close, protective.

Lou smiled at the cooing baby girl in the crib who was kicking her little legs and munching on her fist. She had Ella's facial shape, but she was all Viper—dark hair, gem-like blue eyes, demanding nature.

Her cooing stopped as she stared up at Lou through assessing eyes that were far too aware and sharp for her age.

"Oh, she's just like a tiny doll," said Lou. "What's her name? Tell me it's something cool like Cruella."

"Her name is Lilibeth," Ella told him.

His brow creased. "Why?"

"We gave her three options. That's the one she chose." She'd sent Ella a psychic nudge of approval on hearing the name ‘Lilibeth'.

Lou's eyes rounded. "Really? How fascinating. Can I hold her?"

Viper's brows slid together. "No."

"Oh, don't be a grump," Lou complained. "I'm not gonna hurt her."

"Answer's still no," Viper told him. "She wouldn't let you anyway."

"Why not?"

"You're a stranger."

Lou recoiled, as if hurt. "I'm practically family."

"In what reality?"

"Can I at least try to pick her up? I'm curious as to what she'll do."

Viper sighed. "Go for it."

Looking all gleeful, Lou reached into the crib … and got wacked by an ultraviolet wave that sent him skidding backwards.

Ella's demon snickered, as proud as it was comforted by Lilibeth's ability to fend people off in such a way.

As for Lou … well, he laughed. "Oh, that is fantastic . I adore this kid."

He would.

Lou walked back to the crib and grinned down at her. "Such a merciless little sweetheart, aren't you, Lilibeth? Yes, you are." He flinched as a telepathic slap hit his cheek.

Ella wrinkled her nose. "She doesn't like it when people do all that baby babble. Finds it condescending." As would any advanced infant, she supposed.

Lou joined his hands, his eyes bright with sheer delight. " Please let me adopt her. I will do literally anything—"

"No," both Ella and Viper stated.

Lou dropped his arms to his sides, his face falling. "You're such selfish people."

"And your time is up," said Viper.

"Can I bring Asher with me next time I visit?"

Viper's jaw went tight. "There won't be a next time."

"I told you he was bullshitting," Jester piped up.

Lou smiled at his brother. "You've missed me. I see it now." At Jester's growl, he raised his hands. "Fine, I'll go. I don't believe in outstaying my welcome." He waved at Lilibeth. "You take care, Missy. Uncle Lou will be back to see you soon." Then he was gone.

Ella weakly shrugged. "At least he'll stop coming several times a week."

"Don't be so sure he will," mumbled Jester as he and his brothers trickled out of the nursery.

"As you're back, I'm gonna go pee," declared Mia, pushing out of the chair before then leaving.

Viper scooped up Lilibeth and cradled her against his chest, his palm supporting the back of her head. "You had fun kicking that idiot's ass, didn't you, baby girl?"

Ella felt her mouth flattened. "I thought we agreed that we wouldn't curse around her."

Viper gave Ella a look of amused affection. "Baby."

Yeah, okay, it probably was unrealistic to think that a club of bikers could avoid swearing altogether, but they could at least give it a shot.

"Now that there's only us three"—Viper's gaze dropped to her chest—"you gonna finally show me what's under that bandage?"

"You act like I've been hiding it from you for weeks." Ella sent out a gentle wave of magick to close the door and flick the lock. "Raini only finished, like, twenty minutes ago."

She whipped off her tee and, wincing as the tape tugged on her skin, peeled off the bandage on the swell of her breast. A tattoo of a little heart-shaped bottle filled with crimson liquid sat on a diagonal angle, a tag attached to it that read: Drink Me .

She'd had Raini do it because, as the mate of a descendant, the succubae already knew about the curse that befell fallen celestials. Any other tattooist might have asked uncomfortable questions.

"It's fucking amazing," he breathed.

It was. "I can hide it with glamor if I ever need to, though I don't think anyone would see the ink and think, Ooh, Viper drinks blood. I'm not interested in risking it, though."

"You said you were getting a magick-related tattoo."

"So I lied because I wanted to surprise you," Ella said with a go sue me shrug. "You marked yourself for me. No way was I not gonna do the same for you."

"And I fucking love that you have." He pressed a quick kiss to her mouth. "I'm also gonna take you up on that Drink Me invitation as soon as we're alone."

Ella smiled. "I'll look forward to it."

"So will I."

Lilibeth let out what could only be described as a give me attention shriek.

Ella chuckled. "Feeling left out, huh?" She carefully took the baby from Viper and nuzzled her soft hair, loving the smell of her. "She's perfect."

"She is." Viper curled his arms around them both. "Just like her mom."

"Ooh, smooth."

"I don't suppose there's a joint on the floor anywhere here, is there?" asked Lou from somewhere behind Viper, who went stiff as a board. "I think it might have fallen out of my pocket when Lilibeth whammed me."

"Go," Viper bit off without even looking his way.

"But I can't find my—"

"It isn't here, go ."

"So rude." Lou must have gone up on his tippy toes, because his head appeared in Ella's line of sight as he waved at the baby again. "Bye, bye, Lilibeth. I'll see you very—ow, kid, that hurt." Rubbing at his cheek, he disappeared once more.

Lilibeth's small mouth hitched up, and she let out a high-pitched coo of what might have been amusement.

Viper gave her a look of approval. "Yeah, we don't like him, do we? So if he comes back, feel free to slap him as many times as you want."

Ella blinked. "You're actually encouraging our daughter to attack the devil?"

"Do you want her to be like Asher and call him ‘Uncle Lou'?"

"Not for a second."

"Then we keep up the hostility."

Ella snorted. "Fine. But I'm not so sure he'll be bothered that much. He seemed to find her antics supremely entertaining." She smiled at Lilibeth and then kissed her downy cheek. "We all do. How could we not?" Ella looked back at Viper, finding him staring down at her wearing the most intense but warmest expression. "You okay?"

His lips tipped up. "Never been better, baby. Never been fucking better."