The Darkest Passion (Lords of the Underworld #5)(93)
Author: Gena Showalter

Disbelief glimmered in her eyes like tears. “I didn’t believe her, but she was right. You…you love her.”

Aeron didn’t allow himself the luxury of answering. If he admitted, even to himself, that he loved Olivia, he wouldn’t be able to let her go when the time came. He would keep her, no matter the consequences. “Tell me what happened when she left. Tell me the truth, damn you!”

She opened her mouth. To lie. He knew it; Wrath sensed it. “Don’t.” With anyone else, the demon would have plagued him with an urge to lie in return. Legion’s sins had never bothered Wrath before, hadn’t even registered, but as pissed as they were with her, things were changing. “The truth, godsdamn it. Only the truth. After everything I’ve done for you, do I deserve anything less?”

“Y-you’re right. I—I’m sorry. I just thought…I thought it’d be easier for you if you thought she was…willing to leave you.”

No. Fuck, no. A raw cry from him, from Wrath. “So Galen…”

“Has her. Yes. I’m sorry, Aeron. So sorry.”

Having his suspicions confirmed…well, he might as well have cut the heart from his chest and torched it. His beautiful Olivia was indeed with his enemy, probably hurting unbearably, for mercy was not something Galen’s army practiced.

He tilted back his head and roared.

“Aeron. Tell me what I can do to—”

“Quiet!” As he glared over at her, he bit the inside of his cheek until he tasted blood. “You’ve hurt a woman who gave up her life to save us. Us. Not just me, but you. She’s the reason you’re still here.”

“I’m sorry,” Legion repeated raggedly, pulling from his gaze and peering down at the floor. “I really am.”

“Doesn’t matter.” That didn’t bring Olivia back.

Punish.

Wrath’s demand, tossed out so determinedly, threw him. Even though the demon had been edging in that direction already.

She betrayed us.

Careful. Wouldn’t you rather save Olivia? Aeron asked.

Anger morphed into sorrow. Heaven.

He’d take that as a yes. Pushing Legion from his mind, Aeron stalked to the closet and began to prepare for Lucien’s return, strapping on as many knives and guns as his body could hold.

Just in case, he also grabbed what remained of the River of Life. Half the bottle. Strider hadn’t heeded his instructions all that well, but a little was better than none. Hopefully, Olivia wouldn’t need any. But if Galen had hurt her, there wasn’t a hole the bastard would be able to hide in or a piece of fabric he’d be able to shield himself with. In the end, Aeron would find him.

Vengeance.

Yes. Vengeance would be his.

WHAT HAVE I DONE? Legion thought, horrified, as Aeron stalked out of the chamber he’d decorated to amuse her. He was suffering. And she was the cause. He was right. He’d only ever treated her with kindness, and she’d reduced him to this. His eyes were bleak, his voice ripe with despair.

Her stomach churned with sickness. She would have done anything, anything, to make this better for him. Maybe…maybe even step aside so that he could be with Olivia again. No. Don’t think like that. Because she’d made that wretched bargain with Lucifer, her course was set—and so was Aeron’s.There had to be something else she could do, though. Something that would make him happy again. Something like…

The answer hit her, and she closed her eyes. No, no, no, she thought. Then, Only way.

For Aeron.

With shaky hands, she tugged on her clothes. A pair of pants and a T-shirt she’d borrowed from Danika. She could get the angel back. Not for Aeron to be with, but so that he could finally tell her goodbye. Legion couldn’t follow spirit trails like Lucien, but she could sense her brethren. That’s how she’d found Aeron the day they’d first met. She’d sensed his demon nearby. She could sense Galen, as well.

I should never have let him leave with the angel. Despite the Cloak hiding him, she’d known the moment he stepped into this room. She’d said nothing, too busy hoping he’d destroy her competition. I’m a bad, bad girl.

Find him. Yes. Okay. That’s what she’d do. She’d present Aeron with both Olivia and Galen. And then Aeron would love her again.

“LEAVE ME ALONE, child.”

“I’m not a child.” Gilly placed her hands on her hips, the picture of feminine pique. Too-young feminine pique. “You need someone to care for your wounds.”“My wounds,” William told her with a frown, “are healing just fine.” Since the moment he’d returned to the fortress, riddled with slices, she’d been fussing over him.

Yeah, he liked it. What man wouldn’t enjoy being cared for? But the fact that he had to keep reminding himself that Gilly was too young for him was freaking him out. He shouldn’t have to remind himself that he preferred older, more sophisticated women.

He shouldn’t have to remind himself that he even preferred married women. Gods, did he love married women. The brokenhearted, too. They were easy pickings. Actually, anyone with low self-esteem was an aphrodisiac to him. He seriously jonesed, watching them bloom under his flattery. But adorable little Gilly?

No. No, no, no. Off-limits. Always. No matter her age. With all the women he’d been with—and yes, there’d been thousands—he knew you didn’t play with the toys in your own home. That left too big a mess. You played with other people’s toys in their homes.

“Why are you being this way?” She tucked a dark strand of hair behind her ears. A delicate ear. An ear made for nuzzling.

Idiot! “Get out,” he said more harshly than he’d intended.

She flinched, and then a blanket of hurt fell over her lovely features. “And go where? The other girls are with their boyfriends, and I don’t like hanging out with the single men.”

Uh, hello. “I’m single.”

“Yeah, but you’re not like them,” she said, gazing down at her shoes.

That was true. He was way more handsome and intelligent. Probably a little more deadly, too. “Gilly,” he said on a sigh. “I think it’s time we had a chat. I’ve sensed that you have some…feelings for me. I don’t blame you. Hell, I commend you for your intelligence and keen appreciation of beauty. But we’re friends, you and I, and that’s all we can ever be.”

“Why?” Those big eyes with their too-long lashes flicked up, pinning him in place, giving him ideas he shouldn’t be having. Like teaching her that pleasure didn’t have to be ugly.