A Devil-ish Christmas

A Devil-ish Christmas

Follow Darek as he takes on a dysfunctional family, a bad Santa, and a pushy secretary with the best of intentions.

A devil-ish Christmas is:

• A 20 k teaser for the upcoming trilogy Devil Within.

• Set during book three.

• Explores the possibilities of a Darek/Cat relationship.

NOTE: This story is NOT PROFESSIONALLY EDITED. If a few potential grammar or punctuation errors kill you, then do yourself a favor and don't read this. If you're ok with that, then ENJOY! And MERRY CHRISTMAS!

PS: I did not mean for that to sound rude, lol. Constructive criticism is always welcome :)

Copyright by Daria M Paus. This text is not allowed to copy, share, or use for any reason without my knowledge. Please respect this.

Christmas was just around the corner, and the weather outside the panoramic windows of the skyscraper was as stormy as his inner world. Darek hated Christmas with a passion. It was everything he despised. Even from the top-floor office of the Rewera tower, the music and the sounds of the city reached him from the distance. The jolly tunes, making him want to scream.

A soft knock on the door forced his gaze from the swirling snow outside. The double doors swung open, revealing his secretary Cat with a coy smile on red lips.

”Aren’t you in the holiday spirit, Boss?” She shook her head at Darek’s scowl, making her blonde curls dance over her shoulders as she strode up to the desk. She dropped a stack of folders onto the sleek black surface, and hesitated for a beat before adding, ”You can’t worm your way out of this.”

Darek lifted his gaze, glaring at the woman who held his stare without flinching.

She cocked her head to the side. ”Don’t give me that look. I’m not scared of you.”

”Hmph.” Darek tried to remember when she’d gone from hiding behind the couch to challenging him upfront. Not that he was surprised. Cat had stuck with him for over twenty years, and the things she’d seen had been enough to give anyone a heart attack.

”You should be,” Darek muttered. He’d never tried to hide what he was, and the first time she’d seen him in his full devil form, she’d fainted.

Cat let out a sharp laugh, pushing a pair of black Gucci glasses up the bridge of her nose. ”If you’d wanted to torch me you would have long ago. You like me.”

”You wish.”

Cat wiggled her eyebrows, letting him know he was dead right. Her secret attraction to him was not a secret at all, but he wasn’t going to acknowledge it.

”What do you want?” he finally asked. ”If this is one more try to get me to celebrate—”

”Goddammit!” she cried out.” Don’t be such an ass. I shouldn’t have to try. You have a family. Be with them.”

Darek scoffed. ”A family who hates me.”

”Devin doesn’t.”

”Devin doesn’t even know me.”

”And whose fault is that?” Cat shot back.

Her words, impulsive but harmless hit him like a punch to the gut. Darek dropped his gaze, hoping she hadn’t caught the pain hidden under his steel gaze.

”Darek…” she began. ”I didn’t—”

Darek clenched his fists, a well-used distraction to the inner turmoil. He refused to show her how much her words had cut. How right she’d been. She didn’t understand. He’d had no choice when he’d walked away.

Lifting his gaze, he couldn’t help but enjoy the small jerk in Cat’s stance as his red eyes bored into hers. ”I did what I had to.”

She nodded, knowing him long enough to know he told the truth.

”Why do you hate Christmas so much?” she asked. ”It’s gotta be about more than Mila.”

It took all his willpower not to snap. When all he wished for was to throw her through the glass-wall for bringing it up, he managed to keep his calm, dropping his voice into an ice-cold threat. ”Don’t talk about her.”

Cat rolled her eyes. ”Why?” Placing her palms flat on the desk, she leaned forward. ”Because it makes you remember how it was to feel? To be human? Because it hurts? Because you regret—”

Darek shot to his feet, rounded the desk, and had Cat’s arm in his grasp before she could get away. Without another word, he forced her toward the doors, fast enough for her to scramble to catch up.

”Don’t come back until I ask for you.” He let go of her with a shove that sent her stumbling through the open doors.

Regaining her balance, she turned on him in time to meet his gaze before he slammed the doors.

He barely had time to settle in the chair before his cell phone rang. Surprised to hear from the private line, Darek considered ignoring it. No one called his cell, unless—Reaching for the phone, he glanced at the screen and froze.

Lili. Darek ran a hand through his hair, smoothing it back. The phone continued to ring. Muttering under his breath, he snatched it up, swiped to answer, and placed the call on speaker before snapping into the air.

”I’m busy.”

The silence made him frown.

”For fuck’s sake, out with it!”

”Grandpa?”

The little voice came through the phone, confused and hesitant. ”Are you angry?”

Swallowing down the surprise, Darek forced his voice to soften. ”What’s up, little one? Is Devin alright?”

He cursed the question the moment it left his mouth. So much for not caring.

”Mom doesn’t know that I called you.”

That the child’s mother didn’t like him was nothing new, but the little boy’s eagerness to be a part of his life never ceased to stun him.

”Davion,” Darek began, then frowned. What had he planned to say? That he had to listen to his mom? Fuck if he cared what she thought. The boy was old enough to decide for himself who he could talk to.

”Grandpa—”

”Ok,” Darek cut him off. ”Listen, you can’t call me that, it makes me feel old.”

The little boy giggled. ”You are old.”

”Hmph,” Darek tried not to feel offended, but found himself muttering, ”I’m forty-three, for fu—”

”You were gonna say the F word!” Davion exclaimed.

”I was not.”

”You were, you say it all the time!”

Darek scratched his neck. He was right, but that was not the point. ”Why did you call me?” he asked instead, hoping to divert the boy’s attention.

”You have to take me shopping!” The excitement in the boy’s voice dimmed the shock of hearing the request.

”Why me?”

”Coz I wanna buy a gift for dad.” Davion explained. ”And I don’t know what to get him.”

Darek tried to think of an excuse that a six-year-old would understand. I’m busy, or I have to work didn’t seem good enough anymore. He’d exhausted those lines years ago, and he couldn’t bring himself to use them on another child. He’d avoided the best he’d ever had with those words, and he’d regretted it ever since.

”Baby—” he scoffed at the choice of word. What the fuck was this child doing to him? ”Davion.” There, that was the level of professionalism that he felt ok with. ”I can’t, you—you have to go with your mom.”

”But I wanna go with you! Please!”

”I—”

”Please!” Davion begged. ”You never spend time with me,” he added in a small voice. Darek would’ve appreciated his manipulative skills if they hadn’t hurt so much. The words were the salt to his already bleeding wounds and he hated it, hated the season, and all it brought back. How would he be able to go on holiday shopping as if everything was ok? How could he look at all the bright lights and not take them as a taunting reminder of what he’d once had? How could he see all the happy people, the perfect dads, and their even more perfect families and not feel his scars burn from a time long gone?

He’d grown up in a world where Christmas, as well as any other day, meant pain. Where the only gift he’d ever gotten from his dad was a series of lashes that had him bleeding and unable to get up from the floor. His body, though strong and in flawless shape, still showed the evidence of the torture he’d survived for eighteen years. The rough scars were etched into his skin, reminding him of who he’d once been, and who he’d never have to be again.

”Grandpa?”

Caught up in the dark memories, Darek snapped, ”I said no!”

The call dropped, and it wasn’t until the image faded and the screen darkened that Darek realized what had happened. Cursing out loud, he pushed away from the desk and stood. Could this day get any worse?

A rap on the door, followed by Cat’s head peeking through the gap, had him frozen mid-step. It clearly could.

”Got a moment, Boss?”

”Didn’t I make myself clear?”

Cat grinned, then shrugged. ”I’m a naughty girl,” she winked. ”Wanna punish me?”

”What the fuck do you want from me?”

”Going somewhere?” She eyed his tall frame, her eyes lingering on his body a little too long, before skipping back up to his face.

”Yes.”

Cat gestured for him to sit. ”Might wanna hear this first.”

Darek frowned, but sat, crossing his arms over his chest, and leaned back in the chair. ”You’ve got five minutes.”

Cat wasted no time, skipping to the point right away. ”The Liberty Heights is selling. Make an offer and I’ll book a meeting ASAP.”

”The Liberty. As in the mountain conference resort?”

”What else?” Cat asked. ”I know you’ve had your eyes on that place for years.”

”Why now?”

”Apparently they’re suffering from health issues and are unable to run it.”

A smirk crept onto Darek’s lips. The location was breathtaking. Ever since he’d seen the luxurious resort, he’d decided to make it his. It was the perfect getaway. No people within miles and it had it all. Privacy and work possibilities, all wrapped into one gorgeously structured wooden mansion, outlooking the Cascade mountains.

”How do you know about this before me?”

Cat grinned, ”I have my resources.” She stepped into the room, closing the doors before crossing the black stone floor. ”Am I forgiven?”

Darek snorted. Far from it. But the day had suddenly taken a slightly more interesting turn, so he was willing to let her lack of manners slide.

”I’ll look into it.”

When she remained standing there, Darek lifted an eyebrow in question.

”What’s the bloody catch?”

”No catch,” Cat seemed to think, then she looked down at her hands. ”But those heartless bastards have no other slot available than the 24th. You’ll never make it back in time for Christmas Day.”

Darek couldn’t help but chuckle. That was what she worried about? It was bloody perfect.

”Schedule it, we’re going.”

”We?”

”You’d rather stay here?”

”No, I didn’t…” Cat grimaced. ”It’s just, it’s Christmas—” she cut herself off as she saw the look on Darek’s face. ”I know, I know, I have no family to spend it with. Thanks for the reminder.”

”I didn’t say it.”

”Jesus,” Cat scoffed. ”You should go alone. Might be good for you.”

Darek narrowed his eyes. It wasn’t like Cat to try to worm her way out of business trips. It used to be him forcing her to stay behind. ”What’s going on?”

”Nothing! You’re the one who wants to escape the holiday. Not me.”

”Fine, stay,” Darek snapped. Why did he even argue with her? She’d offered him the perfect excuse to get away, he should be happy. If she wasn’t as eager to get away with him, it shouldn’t be of his concern. He didn’t need her. He didn’t need anyone.

”I have to go.” Darek stood, brushing past her on his way out of the office.

”How long will you take?” Cat’s voice stopped him halfway to the doors. ”Don’t forget the meeting with—”

”Cancel it.”

”But—”

Darek held up a hand, cutting her off. ”I said, cancel.”

”Boss,” Cat tried. ”That’s not the best—”

Darek swirled around, fixating her with a cold stare. ”I know what’s best for Rewera Corp.”

Cat looked like she wanted to argue, but when the words never came, Darek turned his back to her.

*

Darek didn’t freeze, so the fact that he’d left his coat in the office wouldn’t have bothered him, if it wasn’t for the turned heads and open stares as he stalked through the heavy snow in nothing but a three-piece suit.

Seattle hadn’t seen this weather in years, and the temperature was far below normal. People huddled under warm winter gear to escape the icy winds tearing at their hair and faces.

Darek stopped amidst the stream of stressed people, pulled to a halt by the sight of the red coat on display in a frosty window. The memories slammed into him, drawing him nearer instead of away. Reaching out a hand to let it rest against the cold glass, he could almost feel her smooth skin under his hand.

It was the same brand, the same cut, and even the same red hue. Darek thought it had gone out of fashion by now, but there it was, tormenting him with its existence. No one could carry a coat like that as Mila had. It had been her favorite, and Darek had never grown tired of seeing her wear it.

Tearing his eyes off of the coat, he forced himself to move.

Fifteen minutes later he brushed the snow off his shoulders and hair and knocked on Lili’s door.

”You,” she said as a greeting. ”What did you tell him? He was crying.”

Ignoring her comment, Darek looked past her into the small apartment she shared with his son and grandson. ”Where is he?”

”That’s none of your business!” Lili snapped. ”Go away, don’t you have work to do?”

Brushing past her, Darek strode into the living room. ”Davion?”

The sound of running feet reached him before the boy did. ”You came!” he exclaimed. Then just as fast, his face fell as he recalled the last words.

”But you said no.”

”I’m sorry, kid,” Darek said. ”I didn’t mean that. Let’s go.”

Davion stared, then he exploded into action, running past Darek to dress.

”I’m taking him shopping,” Darek informed Lili, who stared as if he'd said he'd take him to the moon.

”Don’t look at me like that,” Darek snapped. ”He begged me.”

”Since when do you care about anyone else but yourself?”

”Since now,” Darek hissed. Leaning in to growl in her ear, he added. ”Don’t you dare say a word. You can’t keep me from him.”

Lili shied away, shooting him a look that could kill. She turned to Davion, helping him into his gray winter jacket, zipping it up to his chin. She reached for a cap and pushed it onto his mop of dark hair, ”There, now you’re ready. Remember what I’ve told you, ok?”

Davion nodded, glancing up at Darek, who narrowed his eyes in suspicion. What had the little brat told him? Warned him about? Judging by the boy’s curious eyes, it was bad.

”Let’s go,” Darek urged. One more minute under Lili’s judging eyes and he wasn’t sure he could keep playing Mr. nice.

”Where’s your jacket?” Davion tugged at Darek’s hand as they strolled down the street amid the snow chaos. ”Don’t you feel cold?” he went on. ”I am cold. There’s snow inside my clothes.”

Darek stopped, crouched down to Davion’s height, and gave him a weak smile that couldn’t hide the disappointment. ”Wanna go home?”

Davion was quick to shake his head. ”I wanna be with you, but it’s cold!”

”Hm,” Darek thought out loud. ”I have a solution to that.” He stood, and in one sweeping moment, scooped the boy up onto one arm. Davion squealed, wrapping his legs around Darek’s waist and his arms around his neck.

”You’re warm,” he stated, making Darek chuckle. Glancing down, he scoffed at the melting snow around his feet. He was indeed warm, sporting a body-temperature far above the average human. It was one of the quirks of being half devil.

Pausing at that thought, he adjusted the boy against his body, settling his weight onto his forearm as if he weighed nothing.

”What did she tell you about me?” he asked.

Davion’s body tensed. ”I’m not allowed to say.”

”Hm.” Darek nodded to himself. Of course, he wasn’t. Starting to walk, he felt Davion relax against him, his attention drifting from the secret to the swirling snow around them.

”Why didn’t you like my dad when he was little?” Davion suddenly asked, making Darek’s stride falter.

”Mom says you don’t like kids, that you don’t like people at all. But you like me, don’t you?”

Fighting for his voice through the sudden tightness of his throat, Darek managed to choke out. ”Of course I like you.”

Davion shifted in his arms, wrapping his small arms tighter around Darek’s neck. ”I like you too. You’re the coolest grandpa ever.”

”You insist on calling me that, hm?” Darek muttered. Then he sighed, scrubbing a hand over his face to clean it from the snow. ”Your mom doesn’t like me. She says all sorts of things to make me look bad, ok.”

Davion was silent as he thought, then he blurted. ”Like you’re a devil.”

Darek nearly dropped the boy in stunned shock. They’d all agreed to never tell him unless it became necessary. He was over six and he was as human as the rest of the people scurrying across the streets. The devil-part wasn’t something he needed to worry about. Not anymore. It was a burden Darek had to carry, and he carried it alone.

”She told you that?”

Davion nodded, looking embarrassed as if he’d said something he wasn’t supposed to.

”She said you’re evil.”

”Hmph.”

”It’s ok,” Davion said. ”You won’t hurt me. I’m not scared, even if you are a devil.”

Darek swallowed down the emotions and tried not to let his memories get the better of him. Devin had been too small to understand what had happened that day, and in one way Darek was glad. But no matter the age difference, he saw so much of him in Davion. He just wished he could be as sure of himself as the little boy was. His undying trust in something he didn’t understand broke Darek’s heart. It would come a day when he’d have to leave. When it would be the only option to keep them all safe. Davion was right, he could never hurt him. But what would happen when that decision was no longer his own?

”Thank you, baby,” he whispered at last. ”It’ll be our secret.”

Davion gasped, pushed away from Darek so sudden he almost dropped him a second time. Setting the boy down onto the ground, he prepared for the worst. But instead of running or screening, Davion jumped up and down, an excited smile stretching across his face.

”It’s true!” he shouted. ”That is so cool! Do you have any superpowers, can you fly?”

People passing by shot them odd looks, making Darek ache to demonstrate just what he could do. But he held back. Roasting people on the sidewalk wasn’t the best idea if he wanted to blend in. Neither was sprouting wings and horns on the brightly lit up street.

”Sorry to disappoint you.” He reached out a hand, wiggling his fingers before Davion got the hint and placed his little hand in Darek’s.

”Now let’s go find that gift. What do you have in mind?”

Davion frowned. ”You will choose.”

”Me?” Darek grimaced. ”I haven’t bought a fu— gift in forever, I—” cutting himself off, he let out a long exhale. He could do this. How hard could it be?

*

”You gotta help me out here,” he said as Davion dragged him through a brightly lit mall. Holiday music filled the air, lifting the spirits of the last-minute-shoppers trying to find the perfect gifts for their loved ones. What was meant to be enjoyment and relaxation filled Darek with a low-grade panic. The over-the-top holiday decor. The endless stream of people. The women ogling him. It all had him locked in a whirlwind of darkness creeping up on him from both past and an inescapable future.

”Can we go in there?”

Trying to ignore the sheen of sweat coating his skin, he followed Davion’s gaze, eagerly roaming over the entrance to a toy store.

”Thought you were buying for Devin?”

”I am!”

”He’s not a kid,” Darek muttered.

Davion seemed to think. Throwing the toy store a longing look, he finally nodded. He looked around, pointing to a store that sold video games. ”That’s perfect!” He let go of Darek’s and ran off.

Cursing under his breath, Darek chased after him.

”Hey,” he called out. ”Who’ll pay for this?” he eyed the boy as he examined a PlayStation console.

Davion’s head whipped up, his eyes gleaming with mischief. ”You are!”

”Hmph.”

”Please!” Davion took his hand, tugging at it. ”He will like it.”

Darek shrugged. ”Yeah, ok.” The last thing he wanted was to argue. The faster he’d get out of this wretched place the better. And he didn’t mean the game store alone, the whole bloody mall was a trap that threatened to suffocate him. If one more woman stared at him as if he was some sort of a meal ready to be devoured, he’d break something. Only the little hand wrapped in his kept him from snapping.

Leaving the store with the wrapped package in his free hand, he couldn’t wait to get back out into the storm.

Davion beamed up at Darek. ”Now it’s your turn.”

”To do what?”

”Buy a gift of course!”

Darek wanted to scream but managed a controlled, ”Another day, little one, gotta get you home before your mom kills me.”

It made Davion giggle. ”We can do it tomorrow!”

Seeing a leggy brunette make her way over to him, Darek nodded, agreeing to whatever the boy said without listening. ”Sure. Now let’s get the fuck out of here!”

”You cursed!” Davion complained. ”It’s bad to curse.”

”I’m the devil, remember?” Darek couldn’t help but grin. ”A few bad words pale in comparison to that, don’t you think?”

Davion stared, momentarily taken aback by his statement. Before Darek could regret it, or think better of it, the woman came to a halt in front of them.

”Cute boy you have,” she winked. ”What’s his name?”

”I’m Davion, and I can speak for myself,” Davion stated, making Darek more than proud of his attitude.

The woman looked offended, then forced a smile. ”I can see that,” she grimaced at the boy, then turned her attention to Darek. ”I couldn’t help but notice you look a bit—lost,” she batted long dark eyelids at him before continuing. ”And possibly cold.” Her eyes roamed over his three-piece suit, before settling on his face. ”If you need someone to show you around, I’m your girl. I own the Louis Vuitton boutique down on Bellevue Ave.” She held out a hand. ”Tracy Waltz. As in Waltz magazine.”

Ignoring her hand, Darek huffed at her not so subtle bragging. ”Darek Rewera,” he said, at last, adding in a dry tone. ”As in Rewera Corp.”

The woman’s mouth opened, her jaw working but no words coming out. Darek couldn’t help but smirk. ”Sorry miss, I know my way around the city just fine.” I fucking should, he added in his head. Since I own it. She gulped, knowing it as well.

”I should’ve recognized you, Sir,” she breathed. ”Good luck with the—” she waved her hand at nothing in particular, then turned and slithered off.

”Wow!” Davion breathed. ”I wanna be just like you. ” His devilish grin made Darek suspect that he was learning a bit too quick.

”Lovely,” he muttered. ”Your mom will be thrilled.”

*

Returning with Davion, they ran into Devin outside the apartment building. His face softened the moment he saw his son, then his eyes traveled up the length of Darek, and his forehead furrowed in a confused frown.

”What are you doing?”

”The fuck does it look like!” Darek scoffed at his hostile tone.

”Grandpa!” Davion cried. ”Again?”

Muttering an excuse that he wasn’t sure the boy heard, he settled his gaze on Devin. ”I didn’t know that shopping with your grandson was a crime.”

Devin let out an exasperated sigh. ”Sorry,” he mumbled. ”I just—did you say you were shopping with Davion?”

”We bought a gift for you!” Davion beamed, gesturing wildly at the heavy bag in Darek’s hand. ”See!”

Devin’s eyes darted to the bag, then to Darek before settling on the boy. Finally, he smiled. ”That’s a big box, what’s in it?”

”I can’t tell you, stupid!”

Devin chuckled. ”Of course. Hey, run inside, your mom is worried.”

Davion hugged Darek’s legs, then ran off before he could react. Blinking at the door he’d disappeared through, Darek tried to recall a moment even close to what he’d felt with the boy. Coming up with nothing, and taking the absence of sweet memories like a taunting reminder of how wrong he’d chosen, his mood soured immediately.

”Don’t you fucking say it,” he snarled before Devin could open his mouth.

The scoff he received was anything but friendly. ”I wasn’t gonna, but since you brought it up,” Devin paused, waiting until he had Darek’s eye contact. ”Lili doesn’t like you spending time with Davion.”

”Hmph.”

”You’re a bad influence. You curse, you’re—” he gestured at Darek at large, and he didn’t need to hear it to know what he was aiming at.

”I control it,” Darek growled. ”I’d never hurt him.”

”You say that. But there wasn’t too long ago when you were ready to leave me—” his voice broke, and before he looked away, Darek caught the emotion in his eyes.

”Son.”

”No! Don’t!”

”Devin.”

He kept his gaze on the snowy ground, refusing to meet Darek’s eyes.

”I’m doing my best,” Darek said. ”I feel it. I’ll know when ’my best’ is not enough. I’ll be gone before that happens.”

Devin looked up, lifting his gaze to reveal his big dark eyes, so goddamn similar to his mom’s, now shimmering with moisture. ”Don’t you get it?” his voice was thick with emotion. ”I don’t want that. I don’t want history to repeat itself.”

”It’s not my choice.”

They stared at each other, neither of them breaking the contact. Devin was the younger copy of Darek, a fact that Darek still wasn’t sure what to feel about. Their facial structure was so similar that a photo of Devin could easily be mistaken as Darek at his son’s age. His hair was just as black. Only the way he wore it, messy and with long strands of spiky fringes hanging in his face differed from Darek’s perfectly cropped and sleek look.

”Spend Christmas with us. As a family,” Devin blurted. ”Just—pretend that we're normal, and I’ll do the same.”

Darek averted his gaze, resting it at the bare circle around his feet. Huffing at it, he stepped aside, melting a new circle as he contemplated how best to deliver the excuse.

”Let me guess,” Devin cut him to it. ”You’re busy.”

Darek nodded, disturbed at how much Devin’s disappointment bothered him. ”I have to go out of town. Business trip.”

Devin scoffed. ”On Christmas Day? You’re unbelievable.”

”It’s not my cho—”

”Of course it is!” Devin snapped. ”You always have a choice, but you’re choosing wrong, you always did. Why am I surprised?”

Before Darek could reply, Devin turned his back on him. He was halfway through the door when Darek called out.

”You don’t understand!”

Devin stopped. Hand on the door handle, he looked over his shoulder. ”I do understand,” he snapped. ”Work is more important than us. What’s not to understand?”

Darek watched the door shut, wishing he’d had the guts to explain it to Devin. But he couldn’t. Where would he even start? All he knew was that it hurt. And the only thing Darek knew about pain was to distance himself from it. The less he felt, the safer he was.

The elevator filled with music as he waited to reach the top floor back at the Rewera building. The merry tunes crept into him, with each beat making his blood boil a little hotter. The elevator car hitched, then came to a jerking halt that had Darek slam a fist into the wall in pure frustration. The music echoed in his head, taunting him with joy and happiness. Punching the dial buttons on the panel, he impatiently waited for the front desk to pick the call.

The moment the line cleared, he snapped. ”The bloody car is stuck on the 6th floor. Do something!”

”Of course, Sir, we’re on it. Can I—” The line went dead, and the moment Darek looked up, the reflection in the mirror made him startle back.

”Fuck off,” he snarled. ”Leave me alone!”

Two pitch-black eyes stared back at him, a smirk playing on lips that weren't his own.

”No need to be rude.” The undertones of danger, laced with seductive smoothness made Darek shiver. Staring back at the face, he couldn’t help but envy the absence of the triple scars sliced across his left cheek and forehead. The face in the mirror was more than handsome, it was perfection, and what had he expected from Lucifer himself?

”I’m coming for you. When you least expect it. You let your guard down, and you’re mine.”

Darek clenched his fists until his arms trembled with the tension. He refused to let it happen.

”Go back to hell where you belong,” he growled. ”You choose the wrong man to harass.”

The laugh made Darek’s skin crawl.

”When you least expect it.”

The image faded, and the car again filled with Christmas music. Darek stared back at his reflection. The two back eyes were replaced with steel gray, and the scars jumped at him from skin pale from the encounter.

A wave of rage swept over him. With a scream he slammed a fist into the mirror, watching it shatter into a million pieces that rained down at his feet. The music played on, cheerful and bright, as sticky black blood dropped onto the broken glass.

The elevator jerked into motion, coming to a halt at the top floor seconds later. The door slid open with a bright ding, revealing Cat’s startled face.

”What did you do?” she breathed. ”I heard the car got stuck but damn,” her gaze swept over the broken glass, to the black on Darek’s hand. The cuts had healed, leaving only an unexplainable pattern that resembled running ink over his knuckles.

”Nothing,” Darek snapped. Brushing past her, he stalked toward the office. Cat’s heels clicked against the floor as she ran after him to catch up.

”We’ll leave early morning at 24th, everything is arranged,” she called out. ”If you still wanna go?”

Darek stopped so abruptly, Cat slammed into his back. Jumping out of the way, startled by the contact, he scowled at her. ”Of course I wanna go. Why wouldn’t I?”

Cat fumbled with her words, and before she could speak Darek cut her to it. ”Have someone repair the elevator, and turn off the goddamn noise.”

”Will do.” She turned to leave, hesitated, before turning back. ”What’s gotten you so wound up, Dar?”

Darek shook his head, having no intention of explaining it to her. Something in him urged him to speak, to voice his thoughts. Before he could think better of it, he heard himself say, ”Devin wants me to spend the holiday with them.”

Cat’s grin made him regret mentioning it. And her words more so. ”It’s ok to want to spend time with your son. It doesn’t make you anything less of a badass boss.”

Darek couldn’t help but chuckle. Then just as fast, his face fell, the amusement replaced with his permanent scowl. ”It’s not gonna happen.”

Cat groaned. ”You stubborn—”

Darek lifted a brow in question, knowing all too well what she’d wanted to say, but hadn’t.

”Good choice.”

*

Darek spent the next morning ignoring the phone calls and buried himself in work. As much as he adored the little boy, he couldn’t allow himself to get too close. It could not end in any other way than a tragedy, and he wasn’t ready to break his own heart. Not again. Love was weakness. Love was pain. He’d learned it the hard way, and he’d rather be alone than go through a rerun of what he’d turned his back on, over twenty years ago.

Shuffling through the stacks of papers piled up on his desk, he found the one he needed and shoved the rest of the pile into a drawer to get the clutter out of sight.

Lifting the receiver from its cradle, he dialed the number written in the contact details of the document.

Tapping his fingers against the smooth granite as he waited, a noise outside the doors caught his attention.

Just as the call got connected, a knock on the door stole his attention.

”Hold on,” Darek muttered. Putting the call on hold, he stalked over to the door, yanked it open, and snapped, ”Didn’t I tell you not to dist—” His eyes dropped to the small body reaching barely to his waist. ”Davion? What the f—”

”You forgot.”

Darek gulped. He hadn’t forgotten, he’d chosen not to remember. The sad eyes that stared up at him made him wish he hadn’t.

”Look, I’m—I’m in the middle of something, go play with Cat, I’ll be with you soon, ok?”

Davion’s face lit up with hope. ”Ok!” He ran off, shouting Cat’s name. Darek looked after him, then closed the doors and went back to sit. Instead of continuing the call he’d begun, he left the man hanging, hitting the button that connected him to Cat’s desk.

”Take him home,” he said the moment her voice reached his ears. ”I don’t have time to—” he cut himself off as the words stuck in his throat. ”FUCK IT!”

”Boss?”

Darek sighed. ”Let Devin know the boy’s here. Gotta wrap this up.”

”Good choice,” Cat repeated his own words back to him and Darek cut the call with an irritated growl. When he connected the other line, it was dead.

Slamming the phone down, he rolled the chair back to fast it hit the glass wall. Cursing under his breath, he made it back to Cat’s desk.

Davion looked up from a notebook, which he was happily drawing in. ”Dad knows I’m with you.” He informed. ”Can we go now?”

Suspicion formed on Darek’s forehead. He found it hard to believe that Devin had let a six-year-old walk alone on the busy streets of Seattle.

”He knows,” Cat confirmed. ”Doesn’t mean he’s happy about it. This little rat sneaked out alone.”

”Don’t call me a rat!” Davion complained.

”Why not, rats are cute,” Cat ruffled his hair, ”And so are you.”

”Eww,” Davion scrambled away from her. ”You’re embarrassing!”

”I thought you were with your mom?” Darek thought out loud. Turning to Cat, he added. ”When’s he coming back?”

”Devin?”

Darek nodded.

”Jesus, let the poor boy enjoy his family.”

”It’s been a month, he gotta learn before—” he cut himself off. He couldn’t say it out loud. He couldn’t even think about it.

”Hey,” Cat’s voice was soft, ”You’re not going anywhere. We’ll find a way.”

”Hmph.” He didn’t believe it, and neither would she if she knew the full truth. She didn’t know what was inside of him. What was coming.

*

”Mind if I join you?”

”DAD!” Davion let go of Darek’s hand and darted over to hug Devin who caught him and swung him into the air. The little boy shouted with joy.

Darek watched with bittersweet memories coursing through him. That had been him, once, only Devin had been three instead of six. He’d never touched him after that. Seen him only from a distance, hidden in the woods as he’d spied on the family he’d left behind. He’d spend half of Devin’s life protecting him by staying out of it, the other half resenting him for the same reasons. Blaming him for Mila’s death, when in reality, it had never been Devin’s fault.

Darek nodded, torn between liking the idea, and not. He’d do anything to undo his mistakes, but the past was as untouchable as the future. And he still needed the distance, now more than ever. If not for Devin, but himself.

”Are you mad at me?” Davion asked.

Devin crouched down to the boy’s level. ”Just promise me not to run off again.”

”But I wanted to see grandpa.”

Devin’s eyes darted to Darek’s, then back to the boy. ”I’ll take you. Anytime you want. I’m not gonna stop you from spending time with him.”

”Mom and Maya won’t let me.”

”Let me deal with them.”

”Can we go see Santa?”

Devin stood, adjusted the boy's clothes, then nodded. ”Let’s go. Dad?” He threw Darek a look, and Darek had no choice but to follow.

Jingle Bells played over the open square, and at the end of a long queue of kids accompanied by parents, sat Santa himself. He was easy to spot. Despite the decorated area, he stuck out like a needle in a haystack with his bright red costume and long white beard. Darek scowled at his loud voice and eager hands as he patted his lap for the next child to climb up.

”Don’t look like that,” Devin hissed. ”This is supposed to be fun.”

”Hmph.” Darek huffed, gesturing toward the old man with a jerk of his head.

”What’s fun about an old pedophile dressed in rags?”

Devin gaped. ”Seriously?” he hissed. ”Don’t you dare ruin this for him.”

Before Darek could comment, the queue cleared and it was Davion’s turn.

”Go ahead,” Devin gave him a little push. ”Tell Santa your wish list.”

Davion hesitated a moment, then climbed the two steps to enter the round stage where Santa sat in an oversized chair, surrounded by mock gifts and candy canes.

”And who’s this little boy,” he bellowed.

Davion managed to whisper his name, suddenly lacking the precious bravery he’d show in front of the woman in the mall.

Santa’s eyes narrowed behind a set of heavy glasses, ”And this gentleman over there is your dad?” he asked, nodding toward Darek.

Darek tuned out his reply, focusing all the attention on the man under the Santa uniform. His sudden interest in Darek was not just suspicious, it was alarming. The fact that the man knew who he was didn’t bother him. Most people did, and most of the things they thought they knew were rumors that never were confirmed, but dead-on right. The recognition in the man’s eyes as they narrowed in a hot stare that burned into Darek was more than that. It was personal.

Davion came running back, snapping Darek out of his head and back to the moment.

”Santa is scary,” he breathed. ”He said he will come to my room when I sleep. Why would he do that?”

Devin and Darek exchanged looks.

”That’s how he delivers his gifts, Bug,” Devin soothed while Darek clenched a fist.

”He sounded mean, he doesn't like me.”

”Son of a bitch.” Darek shook off Devin’s hand as he tried to stop him and cleared then steps in one flying stride, sending Santa flying back from a fist to his nose. Chaos broke out around him, people scattering and kids screaming and scrambling out of the way as the man balanced on the edge of the stage.

”You sick bastard,” Darek lifted the man from his collar. ”If I see you anywhere near MY kid, you’re dead.” He let go with a shove, sending Santa into the fleeing crowd.

”Dad,” Devin hissed. ”DAD! DAREK!”

Darek pivoted, seeing Devin with his hands over Davion’s eyes. The stunned expression on his face was enough to anchor Darek, slowly bringing him down from the rush of anger that had made him wish for that man’s blood on his hands.

Shooting the man still struggling on the ground a disgusted look, Darek jumped off the stage. He landed gracefully next to Devin who rounded on him, shouting, ”What the hell was that? Have you lost your mind?”

”Let me go,” Davion squirmed out of Devin’s grip pushing away from him and stopped at a safe distance from both of them.

His eyes were brimming with tears as he stared at Darek. ”You hit Santa!” His lower lips started to quiver.

Darek huffed. ”That son of a—he’s not Santa.”

”HE IS!” Davion started to cry.

Both Devin and Davion looked shocked enough for Darek to feel the need to explain. ”I know that man. He’s been trying to get to me for years.”

”And when he saw you with Davion he…” Devin let the sentence trail off, but Darek nodded.

”He took the chance to hit a sore spot.”

Devin nodded his understanding, then looked around. ”This place will swarm with cops in no time. We have to get out of here.”

Darek cursed under his breath. Devin was right. He’d snapped, and he hadn’t seen it coming. Losing his calm in public wasn’t his thing. No matter what, he kept a level of professionalism to his every move, never giving the fire within away. Hearing what the son of a bitch planned to do to Davion was all it took to open up the floodgate of pent up rage and humiliation. In the aftermath, Darek didn’t regret punching him. He only regretted not punching him harder.

”Come on kid, gotta go.”

Davion backed away, staring up at Darek with tears rolling down his cheeks. ”Go away!”

His words hit Darek like a punch to the gut, sucking all air out of him as if he’d been hit physically.

”I don’t wanna go with you anymore!”

Darek managed a grim nod, then he shot Devin a look before spinning on his heels and stormed away.

*

”You did what?” Cat exclaimed.

”You heard me,” Darek muttered. ”Don’t make me say it again.”

Cat groaned. Shoving papers out of the way, she leaned her ass against the desk, and half sat, staring at Darek who leaned back in his chair.

”You decked Santa?” she asked as if hearing him say it once wasn’t enough. ”In front of how many kids?”

”That’s not the point,” Darek snapped. ”He was not Santa for fuck’s sake!”

”And how many kids know that?”

Darek sighed, muttering under his breath. ”Point taken.” Not even Davion had listened to his explanation. He’d knocked out Santa, therefore he was a bad man. Darek didn’t mind what anyone thought of him. Let them think he was evil. They’d be more than right. Let them all run and hide like the pathetic weak little—he cut his train of thought, cursing out loud.

”He hates me now.”

”Davion?”

Darek nodded.

”You screwed up, big time.”

”Hmph.”

”Santa is sacred for kids, how can you not know that? I believed in him until I was twelve. You just killed his—”

”Goddamnit, Cat! That’s enough.”

Groaning, she reached out, grabbing him by the tie, and rolled his chair closer. ”Let me make you feel better, bad boy.”

Darek huffed, slapping her hand away. Cat grinned, letting a foot run up his leg. ”There’s more to life than Santa and little boys,” she winked.

”Like what?” His voice dropped into a growl as his mind shifted its focus. Following Cat’s shiny high heeled boot as it traveled up his thigh made him well aware of her intention, and he wasn’t gonna stop her. He could use the distraction.

”You naked on this desk,” she purred, rubbing him through the thin layer of his slacks.

A smirk played on Darek’s lips. ”Wrong, darling.” Before Cat could ask, he had her on her back, holding her down with one hand as his other worked to push up her skirt. She grinned up at him, squirming around to adjust the position and get whatever had been behind her from digging into her skin.

”This works too,” she breathed. ”But did you intend to stab me with those pens?”

Darek chuckled, holding her up enough to swipe the desk clean with his free arm. ”Better?”

”Much.”

*

It was past Davion’s bedtime when Darek knocked on Lili and Devin’s door.

”Dad?” The surprise on Devin’s face made Darek feel more out of place than he should. What was so strange about him stopping by their apartment before heading home?

Huffing at the lie he tried to tell himself, he knew he couldn’t use that excuse. Not when he lived one elevator ride above his office. He never had to leave the tower if he didn’t want to.

”I want to apologize,” he cringed inwardly at the word.

”Wow.” The surprise on Devin’s face grew. ”Never thought I’d hear you say that.”

”For fuck’s sake don’t make it harder!”

Devin’s chuckle and gesture to enter lightened up the mood slightly, but as he stepped into the hallway, he still felt like an intruder.

”Tell me one thing,” Devin begun. He paused, eyeing Darek for too long before he dared to go on. ”I’ve never seen you lose your cool like that.”

Darek lifted an eyebrow in query. ”What’s the question?”

Devin looked down at the floorboards, kicking a toy car out of the way before lifting his gaze. He studied Darek long enough to make him tense in anticipation of what was coming.

”Something bad happened to you, didn’t it?”

Darek scoffed. ”You’ve seen the scars, isn’t it bloody obvious?”

Devin shook his head. ”I didn’t mean that, something else. That’s why you reacted so bad when that man said he’d come for Davion at night?”

Darek's breath caught in his throat, his whole body stiffening as the impact of the words shook his world. No matter how hard he'd deny it, the initial reaction, the brief second of traitorous body language he couldn’t control, gave him away.

”Please don’t shut me out,” Devin whispered.

Darek met his gaze briefly, then he turned toward the door. ”Tell Davion I’m sorry.”

”Dad,” Devin’s hand on his shoulder stopped him. ”It’s ok.”

Darek slowly turned back, glaring at his son.

”It’s ok,” Devin repeated. ”What you did. That asshole threatened Davion. I’d have hit him too if I’d understood the meaning.”

”Can I see him?”

Devin nodded, walking before Darek to the boy’s room. He stood in the door as Darek sat down at his bed.

”Hey, little one.” He smiled at Davion’s sleepy eyes gazing up at him. ”I’m sorry about Santa.” He looked down at his hands, forcing himself to go on. ”You were right. He was scary. He said some bad things to you. I got scared too.”

Davion frowned. ”You were scared of Santa too?”

”Yeah. But you know what, that man was not the real Santa, that’s why he was scary. He was pretending to be Santa? Are you following?”

”Santa is real.”

”He is. But that man was a bad man who dressed up as Santa to trick kids like you.”

Davion’s eyes lit up as he understood. ”That’s why you hit him?”

”No, baby, I hit him because he said bad things to you.”

A thoughtful look settled on Davion’s face, and before Darek lost his nerves, he pushed on.

”Promise me one thing.”

Davion nodded.

Darek hesitated, lowering his voice in hopes of Devin not hearing. ”If a stranger comes to you at night, as that man said, then you scream really really loud. Can you promise me that?”

One more nod. ”I promise.” Davion wiggled out of the covers, sitting up. ”Did you scream?”

”Sorry?”

”When a bad man came to you?”

A startled breath slipped past Darek’s lips. Swallowing down the sudden lump in his throat, he managed to choke out. ”No.”

”Why not?”

Darek squeezed his eyes shut, trying to keep his breath from trembling as he forced himself to whisper. ”I didn’t have a good dad as you have.”

Davion shifted, throwing himself around Darek’s neck. It took a moment for Darek to react, to loosen his stiff muscles enough to hug him back. Glancing over the boy’s shoulders, his eyes locked on Devin. The shine in his eyes was enough to know that he’d heard every word.

*

Devin followed Darek outside, standing in his silence as if he wanted to say something but didn’t know how to.

”Don’t,” Darek warned. The last thing he wanted was to talk about something that had happened nearly forty years ago. Done was done, nothing he could do or say could change that.

”Don’t go,” Devin said, surprising Darek with the odd request.

Arching an eyebrow he asked, ”What, wanna cuddle me when I sleep? I’m not a baby.”

Devin’s mouth formed an O of confusion, then when it finally dawned on him, he chuckled. ”I meant for Christmas,” he breathed. ”Not tonight. Obviously.”

Darek shifted his weight, crossing his arms over his chest as he thought of what to say. ”I can’t.”

”Or won’t?”

”It’s not that easy.”

”It can be.”

Darek sighed. ”I only have bad memories of Christmas,” he said at last. ”The few times with—” he swallowed down the emotion, forcing himself to go on. ”With Mila and you, all they do now is remind me of—Fuck it, Devin!” He threw out his hands in exasperation. ”Why are you doing this to me?”

”What?”

”Making me talk! Why do I tell you this?”

A smile crept onto Devin’s lips, making Darek huff. ”Don’t look so goddamn pleased.”

”We missed many years, but it’s not too late to catch up.”

”It is.” Darek dropped his gaze. ”I’m going tomorrow morning.”

Devin hung his head, but knew better than to protest and Darek was glad. It wouldn’t lead to anything. Darek had made up his mind. The doubts and regrets meant nothing. He had to go away. Staying with them was more than he could handle. He couldn’t pretend in front of Devin, and especially not in front of Davion. They did something to him, touched him where no one else had. No one but Mila. He couldn’t hide from them, and when he was with them, he didn’t even want to.

No way could he sit through the holiday and pretend he wasn’t hanging on by a very thin thread. When the worst thing that could happen was letting go, he couldn’t take that risk.

”I’m coming for you when you least expect it. You let your guard down, and you’re mine.”

Darek shuddered as the voice whispered in his head, taunting him, reminding him.

”I expect you back at the office after the holidays.”

”I’ll be there.”

Darek forced a smile. ”See you around, son.” He turned to leave, praying Devin would let him go, and hoping he would not.

The words never came, and as the sound of the closing door reached his ears, he dared to look over his shoulder. The street was empty. The silent snow, the only company as he walked back to the car and slid inside.

Darek leaned his head back, closing his eyes, and let out a breath that filled the car with steam. He was alone at last. Just the way he’d wanted it. Tomorrow he’d be far away, at a safe distance from everyone around him.

*

”We’re taking the car?” Cat chased after Darek as he crossed the distance from the elevator to the black mustang on the garage floor exclusively reserved for him. ”I’d thought you’d have someone fly us over there. It’d save time.”

”Exactly.”

She muttered under her breath. ”You don’t want to go home for Christmas, I get it, and we don’t have to. I’ve already booked accommodation for the night.” Cat grabbed his arm, forcing him to a halt. ”It’ll take over four hours by car. It’s slippery as fuck up in the mountains, and—”

”If you don’t like it, stay here.”

”Why do you insist on driving?”

”It keeps me focused.” Before she could protest, he tossed a suitcase and a duffel bag into the trunk, slammed it shut, and slid into the driver seat. ”Now get the fuck in or I’ll go without you.”

Cat dumped her bags next to his, then flopped into the passenger seat, shaking her head at his stubbornness. ”If you get us killed, I’ll haunt you forever, I swear to god.”

Darek couldn’t help but chuckle. ”I’m not scared of ghosts.”

”You’d be scared of me.”

Three hours down the road, and Darek started to regret the decision. With every passing minute, the weather got worse. The snow was heavy and thick around them. As they left the highway, the smaller road was not cleared of the masses that had gathered overnight.

”Don’t tell me I told you so,” Darek muttered.

”You could at least have taken the SUV.”

Darek scowled at her, refusing to admit that the massive Lexus would've made it through the snow effortlessly.

”Next exit, to the right,” Cat gestured to the steep road curving up the mountain looming over them.

”Gotta be fucking kidding me,” Darek muttered.

”Have you even been out here?”

”Of course I have.”

”Obviously not in the winter.”

She was right. Again. Just as he was about to say ’I know what I’m doing’, the car skidded across the curve, losing the grip of the road, and spun until it slammed into a snowdrift by the side of the road. The snow exploded upward, raining down on the car in big chunks that made Cat scream in horror. The engine gave a few coughing sounds, then died as the car came to a rest, ass down into a ditch.

”FUCK!”

Turning to Cat, he hissed. ”Are you alright?”

”Fine,” she breathed. ”Just great! YOU IDIOT!”

Huffing at her outburst, Darek thought of the options. He was strong, but not strong enough to push the car out of the bloody ditch, at least he doubted it. He could fly for help, but that meant giving the devil too much power. Before everything had changed, he wouldn’t have hesitated. He’d had the devil wrapped around his finger. This was different. He couldn’t change back and forth and own it. Giving Lucifer the reigns meant not getting them back. Ever. It was what he waited for, Darek was sure of it. And hell if he’d let the bastard win.

”Got any brilliant ideas?” Cat asked.

As much as he wanted to say ’of course’, he came up empty. The lack of control ate away at the last of his nerves, and it was with a great strain that he managed to keep from taking the anger out on Cat. Calling for help went against everything he was, but it seemed to be the only option.

”Call someone.”

”Who?” Cat challenged. ”We’re not in the city anymore.”

”Just fucking DO IT.”

Shooting him a look that she surely wished could kill, she fished out her cell, thought with it in hand, then after one more glare at Darek, she dialed a number.

After being redirected three times and waiting for what felt like an eternity, Darek started to regret not making the call himself. No one would dare to put him on hold.

”They’ll send someone,” she informed at last.

”How long?”

”A freaking hour, min! It’ll be cold.”

The alarm in Cat’s voice made Darek roll his eyes. Wasn’t she the bloody drama queen?

To prove his point, she added. ”We’ll freeze to death before they come!”

One of Darek’s hands shot out before he could think. Snapping her seatbelt off, he grabbed her, pulling her out of her seat and onto his lap. One arm around her waist, he pressed her to his front.

The alarm in her voice was replaced by anger. ”I’m not gonna fuck you if that’s what you’re thinking.” She squirmed against him, trying to break free in the tight space squeezed in between the wheel and Darek’s body.

”Sit still and shut up,” he growled. ”I won’t fuck you, I’m keeping you warm.”

Cat let out a dramatic sigh, then relaxed slightly. ”I would enjoy it if I wasn’t so freaking mad at you.”

”Stop talking.”

And she did.

Cat never held a grudge. Less than twenty minutes later, she snuggled up against him, taking advantage of her position and the unnatural warmth that radiated from his skin. Darek tried not to care, not to feel anything but annoyance at her proximity. The longer she sat, the hotter the car grew, and the harder it was to ignore her ass wiggling against him.

”Sit still,” he growled. ”Or I won’t be able to keep that promise.”

Cat froze momentarily, then her body vibrated in a soft chuckle.

”Then don’t.” She gathered her legs, managing to reposition herself. Straddling him, she hovered her lips over his, holding his gaze as her hand traveled down.

”Cat,” Darek warned, rolling his head to the side. She knew the rules. It was sex. Nothing more, nothing less, but it never stopped her from testing those boundaries.

”You want this,” she murmured against his neck, drawing a deep growl from his throat. He did, and he did not. She was too close, too intimate.

”Stop!” Yanking her away with one fistful of her hair, he watched her grin back at him, challenging him. She removed her hand as well, never breaking his stare.

”Don’t want me, huh?”

The loss of her touch spiked the frustration, filled him with an aching urgency to take her.

”Don’t play games with me.”

Cat gave a coy smile but knew better than to argue. He’d never force her, and she’d take what he was willing to share, or she’d get nothing. She knew it as well and kept her lips to her self, and her hands on the only part of him he’d ever allowed her to touch.

*

They made it up the mountain two hours later than scheduled. Once he parked the rental jeep outside of the three-story wooden mansion, his mood improved slightly.

The windows and front door were framed with glittering white lights that made the whole building sparkle as bright as the starlit sky above. The lights reflected in the snow that spread out around the house like a white blanket.

A curtain on the top floor flicked, making Darek realize there were still people in the house.

Scanning the open area in front of the building, he was surprised to find only one car other than their own.

Surely there’d be other people interested in the property? What about the broker he was supposed to meet?

He wasn’t worried about the competition. He’d give them an offer they could never decline. Money wasn’t the problem. Once he wanted something, he made sure he got it, and this was no difference.

”If we’re too late I’ll fucking kill you,” he snapped, making Cat snort.

”I wasn’t the one who ran the car into a ditch.” She jumped out of the car, rounded it, and opened Darek’s door. ”Relax, bad boy. You’re just in time.”

Darek huffed at the nickname, slid out of the car, and stood for a moment, breathing in the fresh mountain air. The cold was refreshing. Soothing his overheated skin and calming his nerves.

”I better be.”

He smoothed out the wrinkles in his suit jacket and adjusted his pants, then flicked the door shut and headed for the front entrance with long confident strides.

The moment he stepped through the door, he knew something was wrong. It was too quiet. Too still. The foyer, abandoned but still bright.

”Hello?” he called out.

The sound of footsteps made him spin in the direction of the sound. He froze, staring at the man walking up to him.

”Surprise.”

”Devin?” The disbelief dripped from his voice. ”I don’t understand.”

For a moment, Devin looked uncomfortable, as if he’d been caught doing something wrong. Then he let out a quick breath, the words coming in a rush. ”Please, don’t be angry.”

Darek looked around, spotting Cat lingering in the door. She looked at Devin, as if seeing him there wasn’t strange, and it dawned on him.

”You set me up,” he stated, addressing no one in particular. Scoffing, he shook his head. ”Fucking unbelievable.” Darek turned to Cat. ”What the fuck have you done? They’re even selling?”

”Yes,” Devin said.

For the first time since seeing him there, dressed in a suit identical to the one Darek wore, he noticed the documents in his hand.

Devin held them out. ”These are yours.”

Darek took the folder, flicking it open to eye the top page, and realized it was all he needed to see. At least for now.

”I had to sign it in my name, but feel free to change it. It’s yours. Welcome home.”

Darek could only stare. It was rare to throw him off balance. Devin had not only managed to keep him in the shadows long enough to buy the property under his nose, he’d also done it for him.

”I’m impressed,” Darek said at last. ”Nice work, son.”

Devin grinned, flashing Cat a look before turning back to Darek with an awkward look on his face.

”Hold that thought,” he said. ”There’s one more thing.”

”What—”

”GRANDPA!”

Darek whipped his head around in time to see Davion rush down the grand staircase that curved its way out of sight to the second floor. He ran to Darek, who managed to catch him as he threw himself in his arms.

”You came!” the little boy shouted. ”I’m so excited!”

Darek scooped him up, turning to Devin with a look that demanded answers.

”We couldn’t let you be alone at Christmas,” Devin nearly whispered. ”Please don’t be mad.”

”We?” Darek shot Cat a look. Her expression said it all. She’d been in on it. She’d tricked him.

His voice was calm as he spoke, but the undertones of venom didn’t go unnoticed. ”What part of ’I want to be alone’ didn’t you understand?”

”Dad,” Devin tried. ”I know that’s not true. You’re just—” he cut himself off, gulping as he saw the dark expression on Darek’s face.

”Hey, Bug,” he reached for Davion, taking him from Darek who set him down and forced a smile that hid the silent rage underneath.

”Go to mommy, ok, I’ll be with you soon.”

Davion hesitated, then ran off. Darek watched him disappear up the stair as the full truth dawned on him. ’Go to mom.’ They were all there.

”How dare you?” he snarled, taking one step toward Devin, and when he spoke again, his voice was ice cold. ”Enjoy your Christmas, I’m outta here.” Before Devin could even begin to protest, Darek spun on his heels and stalked toward the door.

Cat’s attempt at stopping him was rewarded by a shoulder to her side that sent her tumbling into the wall.

”ASSHOLE!” Her words echoed in his head, but he didn’t stop. He didn’t care what she thought of him. Not after what she’d done.

*

Cat kicked the car door shut, pushing Darek out of the way with a force that sent him staggering back. Before he caught his balance, she pushed him again, making him slip and fall back-first into the snow.

”Don’t you dare run away!”

Darek scrambled to his feet, catching her by her arm with the intension to fling her aside. Cat latched onto his arm, grinning up at him as he realized his plan to get rid of her failed.

”Nice try,” she hissed. ”I know you.”

”You know nothing.” Darek’s eyes flashed red. ”Get out of my way.”

”Or what?”

”Don’t test me.”

Cat didn’t back down despite the danger reflecting in everything he was. He didn’t need his devil-form to be intimidating, he was as dark as he was breathtaking, all on his own.

”Gonna hit me? Huh? Go on, do it!”

Darek lifted his free hand, but instead of punching her, he gripped her wrist and forced her fingers off of his arm.

”You think that of me?”

”No,” Cat said. ”I don’t, but I didn’t think you’d run away from your family either, and you proved that wrong.”

Darek let go of her with a shove that sent her flying back. ”Fine!” he snarled as Cat dropped onto her ass, skidding over the slippery ground. ”I’m the monster, the bad guy, what the fuck did you expect?”

Cat looked up from her position in the snow.”I know you don’t want to be. Not anymore.”

”That’s not up to me.”

”You can choose.”

”Don’t say that,” he growled. ”Don’t you dare say those words!”

”Why?” Cat stood, snow clinging to her clothes as she inched closer. ”Hit a sore spot? I know Mila said that to you.” She took a step closer, adding in a softer tone. ”You can’t hide from me, I know everything, Dar.”

”Stop!” He backed away, needing to create a distance, to get away from the conflicting feelings, the rage that had every muscle of his body tensing until he trembled under her gaze.

”Don’t make the same choice again.” Cat grabbed his arms. ”You have two boys in there who love you. Don’t do this to them.”

Darek jerked himself free from her grip, shooting her a glare before slipping into the car and slamming the door in her face.

She was wrong. It was too late for choices.

Cold snow slid down his back as he reversed the car onto the road. He shot the mansion one last look and faltered.

With his foot hovering over the gas, he watched Davion through the frosty window on the top floor. His little hands were up against the glass, and his eyes following Darek’s every move.

The anger that had, minutes ago, consumed him, deflated as fast as it had flared up, leaving him defeated and with a heavy heart. The image of Davion blurred until he saw Devin in his place. His chubby little hand reaching for Darek as he got in the car and drove off to not return for days. He’d lost precious time with him because he’d been scared. Of his feelings, of what he could do if he’d lost the battle against the devil. He’d ran once, and he could never get those years back. He could only regret not getting more time with his family. Mila was dead, and as much as it crushed him to accept that, he had to let her go. But Devin was still there, begging him to try again.

Cursing under his breath, Darek parked the car and sat, staring at the house as he tried to prepare for something he’d never thought he’d do.

He could fight demons, as long as they weren’t his own.

”Good choice,” Cat said as he stepped out of the car.

Darek huffed. ”Don’t flatter yourself, it wasn’t you.”

Glancing at the window which was now empty, Cat smiled and nodded. ”I know.”

*

Cat walked with him back into the foyer, but instead of stopping there, she grabbed his hand and pulled him with her through an arched doorway to the left. Darek was too dazed to protest. In fact, he appreciated her attempt to help. She did know him, well enough to know that he’d need a few minutes in private to pull himself together. The worst thing that could happen was facing them all when he was still reeling from the previous whirlwind that had swept through him.

She let go of him by a row of tall stools, lined up by a shiny wooden bar. Instead of sitting, he leaned back against the counter, sucking in a few well-needed deep breaths to calm his pulse. He’d lie to himself if he said he wasn’t terrified.

Cat came back carrying a pair of tall glasses. ”Looks like you need this.”

Taking one, he eyed the creamy white drink. ”Eggnog?”

”With extra bourbon,” Cat winked, tipping her glass to his. ”Cheers.”

Taking a sip, he realized she was serious about that extra. ”Trying to get me drunk?”

Cat snorted. ”No such luck, I know it doesn’t work on you.”

Normally, she’d be right about that, but that was before Lucifer. Not that he’d correct her. She already knew too much. Sipping the drink, he enjoyed the way the smooth liquid burned its way down his throat.

”At least try to relax.” She jabbed him in the chest. ”You’re as hard as a rock.”

Darek arched a brow, making Cat scramble to correct herself. ”I meant tense. Don’t give me that look!”

”Which look should I give you then?”

”A decent one,” she hissed. ”Davion can come running any second.”

Darek chuckled, downing the drink in one long gulp. ”Don’t worry. I’ll behave.”

”Do I even want to know what that means?”

Darek jumped at the sound of the voice, his eyes darting to see Devin in the archway.

”No,” Darek muttered. ”You don’t. Listen,” he paused, placed the empty glass on the counter, and took a few steps toward Devin. ”Let’s do this.” It wasn’t what he’d intended to say, but there was no point trying to explain, to make excuses. He was there, and he’d decided to stay. That alone said more than any words could.

A hesitant smile crept onto Devin’s lips. ”You’re sure?”

Darek scoffed. ”Don’t push it. I’m here, aren’t I?”

”That’s all I ask for,” Devin said, then added in a whisper. ”Thank you.”

”I should go,” Cat spoke up. ”This is for you guys, I wasn’t supposed to even be here.”

”You’re family,” Devin rushed to say. ”You’ve been around forever. Of course you should be here.”

Cat glanced at Darek as if to see his reaction. He’d never say it, he refused to even acknowledge it to himself, but he needed her there, probably more than ever.

She knew him, more than he’d realized, maybe even more than Mila had.

Seeing Cat’s expectant eyes, searching his for any sign of agreement, he suddenly was at a loss for words.

How could he admit to wanting her, without making it sound awkward. Without making it seem like he needed her.

”Boss?” she asked. ”A word?”

Darek swallowed hard, then forced himself to say it. ”Stay.” It was short, a command more than a wish, but the way Cat’s lips pulled up in a grin made him realize she’d gotten the hidden meaning, and he hated her for it.

”That’s settled then,” she breathed. ”I’ll go get the bags.” She ran off, leaving Darek to stare after her. When she was gone, he turned his gaze to Devin who looked between them.

”What’s going on between you two?”

”Nothing,” Darek muttered. ”The fuck you think of me?”

”Is that a rhetorical question?” Devin crossed his arms over his chest, eyeing Darek with a new set of eyes. ”Because I don’t think it’d be that odd if you like her, I mean, she’s good-looking and nice, and she’s stood by you for as long as I can remember.”

Darek huffed. ”Don’t you have something to do?”

”Listen,” Devin went on, ”I know she can never replace mom, but—”

”DON’T go there,” Darek warned, cutting him off before he could even begin to talk about that.

”It’s ok to love someone again, it’s not—”

”For fuck’s sake, Devin!” Darek snarled. ”I don’t LOVE.”

”Yeah, of course not,” Devin’s face hardened along with his voice. ”Should’ve remembered your lack of a heart. Why are you even here if you don’t care about us? Why didn’t you just hit the road when you had the chance?”

Darek opened his mouth to talk, but closed it just as fast. There was no easy answer. Nothing he could say without exposing his lie. But what he was doing was wrong, it was exactly the kind of thing that would destroy him, and possibly everyone around him, as well. He couldn’t afford love. It wasn’t for him. It had never been. He’d tried, he’d surrendered to the feelings once, and it had ended in a disaster.

Devin nodded at his silence. ”See?” the bite in his tone was gone. ”That says it all.”

”I didn’t say anything.” Darek growled. ”Don’t jump the gun.”

”In this case, I’m willing to take the risk.”

Darek shook his head at Devin’s stubbornness. Why couldn’t he give up? Let him be. Leave him the fuck alone. It would make everything so much easier. He knew loneliness. He knew solitude. He knew how to bend anyone to his will. This—was way out of his comfort zone, left him vulnerable in the most terrifying ways, and he hated it.

*

Following Devin up the stair, Darek tried not to look like he was nervous. It wasn’t his style, and he’d be damned if he’d start now. He could face crowds, lead meetings with men as powerful as himself, possibly even more. But he’d never let their positions throw him off his own throne. He’d once been a scared nobody who’d trembled in his stolen suit as he’d walked the floors of the tower he now called home. He’d come a long way. From being a loser to one of the most respected and feared men in the state, possibly even the country. He’d had to admit, the rumors of him being possessed by something dark and evil had helped him polish that image to perfection. He’d used it to his advantage, ruling the city from the top-floor office of Rewera Corp, the leading pharmaceutical corporation in the country.

He long ago stopped being scared. He’d forgotten what it felt like, but as his eyes landed on the people hanging out in the heavily decorated seating area he’d stepped into, he was reminded.

”Look what the cat dragged in,” Maya sneered, glaring up at Darek from her position on a huge gray leather couch. Darek glared back. He would have appreciated the play of words if it hadn’t been directed toward himself.

”Funny,” Cat brushed past Darek and sat next to Maya. ”Where’s Lili?”

Maya pointed toward the ceiling. ”Trying to get Davion to sleep.”

Darek followed her hand motion, imagining the little boy tucked into a bed somewhere on the third floor and wished he was there instead of facing her.

If he’d know she was going to be there too, he would have left when he had the chance.

Without another word, he left the group, stalking across the room toward the smaller stair that would take him to the sleeping loft. Darek knew his way around the mansion. He remembered every room and every corner, having memorized it the first time he’d seen it. It was the opposite of the penthouse. The sleek less-is-more design of the skyscraper made him feel like the businessman that he was. The dark color scheme and the open structure and luxurious modernity fit him to the bone. It spoke of power and authority. It was handpicked by him and reflected his personality down to the knife-sharp polish, and the blood-red Rewera logo above the main entrance.

The mansion was purely constructed of wood. It was old, and every delicate detail was proof of it. Despite the stark contrast to what he usually surrounded himself with, it had caught Darek’s attention and refused to let go.

The third floor was entirely made up of bedrooms, designed to house guests or overnight business meetings. They were small according to his standards, but airy enough not to feel confined. Walking past several closed doors, he made a mental note to have the loft rebuilt to one master bedroom and a few extras for guests.

Peeking into the room furthest down the corridor, a smile tugged at his lips.

He didn’t dislike Lili as much as she did him. She made Devin happy, and as corny as he felt admitting it, it made him happy too. He’d spent too long resenting him, too many years in misdirected hatred, and he hadn’t been the only one who’d suffered because of it. Devin had too.

”He needs to sleep,” Lili’s voice didn’t hide the hostility he’d learned to ignore for Devin’s sake.

”I don’t wanna sleep,” Davion complained. ”I want grandpa to stay.”

Lili sighed, shooting Darek an exasperated look. ”I don’t know what they see in you,” she stood, nodding toward the boy tucked into an oversized bed. ”Don’t hurt them.”

”Hmph.”

Lili stopped by the door, lowering her voice so only Darek heard her. ”I’m not talking about the devil.” She eyed Darek as he stood, waiting for her to go. The last thing he needed was her lecture.

”They trust you, they expect you to be a part of their lives. If you can’t commit to that, then don’t give them false hope.”

”I’m here,” Darek growled.

”For how long?”

Her words wormed their way into his heart. She was right. He couldn’t promise them forever, but he refused to think of that now.

”I’m not going anywhere.”

Lili looked up at him, her expression as hard as his. ”You better not.”

With those words, she left, momentarily stunning Darek with the subtle action. She’d gone from not letting Davion see him, to leaving him alone with the boy. Trusting him with the role of the dad he’d never gotten the chance to be.

Darek watched her back as she disappeared around the bend that would take her to the stair, then slid the door close before walking over to the bed.

”Hey little one,” he whispered.

Davion’s eyes popped open, staring up at Darek in stunned surprise. ”You stayed!” he exclaimed, throwing off the covers to jump into Darek’s arms. ”I made a gift for you. I wrapped it myself too!”

Darek pulled his little body closer, allowing himself the warm feeling that filled him.

”What is it?”

”I can’t say.”

”What about a hint?”

”No!”

The firm tone made Darek chuckle. The boy sure knew how to make his point.

”Not even a tiny hint?”

”NO!” Davion pushed away from Darek, glaring up at him with his little face twisted into a perfect Rewera scowl.

”No huh? Are you sure that’s the best decision?”

The brief confusion on the boy’s face made him laugh, and he was rewarded by a little fist to his stomach.

Darek rubbed the spot in mock pain. ”Did you just punch me, little one?”

”You try to trick me.” Davion pouted. ”That’s not nice.”

Darek chuckled, ruffling his hair. ”Neither is hitting people.”

”But…”

Darek lifted an eyebrow, urging him to go on, curious to what he was thinking.

”You hit Santa.”

Darek winced. He’d hoped the boy would have forgotten that. ”He deserved it.”

Davion frowned, then his face lit up. ”You did too.”

”I did?”

”Mmhm!”

Darek chuckled. ”Ok, little one, I’m sure I did.” He was silent for a moment, then added. ”You know what, if you’re gonna hit someone, gotta aim for the face. Or—” he gestured with a jerk of his head toward his crotch. ”If you wanna floor a guy, that’s where to aim.”

Davion stared, and Darek added with a wink. ”Don’t tell your mom I said that.”

”I won’t.”

”Good boy, now sleep.”

Davion flung himself down onto his back and pulled the blanket up to his chin. ”Read to me.” He demanded, eyes locked on Darek. ”Please!”

”Do you have a book?”

”It’s on the table.”

Darek’s eyes drifted to the nightstand, and just as he’d said, a book lay opened to its middle spread. Darek reached for it, flicked through the pages, and frowned.

”Now Dasher, now Dancer—the fuck is this?”

Davion giggled. ”Read from the start, stupid!”

Darek scoffed, but closed the book, scooted over to sit next to Davion on the bed. Leaning back against the headboard, he opened the book, reading the first line.

”Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house…”

His voice hitched as Davion shifted, crawling closer to snuggle against his side. Slinging one arm around him, he went on, ignoring how his voice deepened with emotion and pushed on.

When he reached the last line, Davion was already asleep.

Darek closed the book, setting it aside, let out a slow breath, and closed his eyes.

*

He awoke to the smell of coffee and blinked at the sharp light filtering through white curtains.

”Good morning.”

Darek squinted through heavy eyelids, not yet fully awake. Devin smiled down at him, and it wasn’t until he felt the movement against his side that he remembered where he was. His first instinct was to get away, to shove everything somewhere deep down where it couldn’t bother him. But the smile on Devin’s face, and the relaxed little boy still deep asleep and cuddled up in the warmth from his body, kept him from moving.

Devin held up his smartphone, chuckling at Darek’s horrified expression as he stared at the photo on the screen.

”I had to eternalize this moment.” Devin shoved the phone down a pocket in his jeans. ”He really likes you.”

Darek gulped, nodded. Devin was right. The little boy had taken an instant liking to him. He didn’t even understand why, and he hadn’t been too keen on returning the feeling. But there he was, with a stiff neck and a numb arm, all so the little boy could sleep safely next to him and wake up to a Christmas Day morning with nothing but happiness in his little heart.

”Not a word about this,” Darek muttered.

Devin snorted. ”Merry Christmas to you too.” He tossed something on the bed. Darek’s gaze drifted to it, eying the fabric with suspicion.

”The fuck’s that?”

”That’s your Christmas outfit.”

It was then Darek noticed Devin’s clothes. The black jeans was nothing to complain about, but what he wore on top was something he’d rather die than be seen in. The sweater was not only bright, it was ugly. Written with white on a red background was the words: Nice, Naughty, and Tried my best. In front of each word was a square box. Devin’s shirt had the box Tried my best, ticked.

Darek could only guess that the garment tossed at his feet was identical to the one Devin was wearing.

”Don’t even try,” Devin cut him to it, knowing exactly that he was going to refuse.

”Everyone has one. And you will too.”

"Hmph."

*

Running into Lili while making it back from a shower, Darek cursed the single bathroom. The people who’d built the place were idiots. With a capacity for lodging over ten, only one shared room for showering was ridiculous.

The startled look on her face and the reddening of her cheeks made Darek huff.

”Geez,” she breathed. ”Get dressed, you’re not alone here.”

Darek’s eyes darted to the towel wrapped around his hips and snorted.

”If I were alone I wouldn’t wear this. Now fuck off and stop staring at me.”

”I wasn’t!” Lili exclaimed. ”Gosh, you’re impossible.” She shot him a disgusted grimace before darting down the corridor.

Darek found an unclaimed room and tossed his duffle bag and the hideous sweater onto the bed.

Picking up a pair of black slacks, identical to what he’d worn pre-shower, he dropped the towel and slid into the trousers. He didn’t need a mirror to know they fit perfectly. Grabbing the red sweater, he held it up for inspection and groaned.

”You’ll look cute in that.”

Darek swirled around by the sound of the voice, scoffing as his eyes landed on Cat. She stood in the door, dressed in her own just as hideous sweater, and somehow made it look sexy.

”How long have you been standing there?”

She grinned, dropping her voice into a purr. ”Long enough.”

”That’s so?” Darek lifted an eyebrow.

Cat licked her lips, inching closer to him. ”Do you know how delicious you are?”

Before Darek could pull the sweater over his head, her hands landed on his chest, gliding over his skin too slow. ”So warm,” she breathed. ”So tight.”

Every muscle in his body hardened under her hands, his pulse skyrocketing. ”Cat,” he hissed. ”The fuck?”

She pushed away from him, removing her hands with an innocent smile on her red lips.

”Don’t fucking touch me,” he muttered under his breath, pulling the sweater on with a huff. She knew better. She knew what it did to him, how he couldn’t stand hands on his scarred skin. He’d struggled to let Mila touch him, and she’d been the only one he’d dared to lower his defense with. Cat didn’t know the details, and he’d make sure she never would.

”Don’t push me. Ever.”

”Ok. Boss.” The pointed look she gave him, let him know she wasn’t going to keep that promise. Somehow, Darek couldn’t deny the spark of excitement that her provocative edge ignited in him.

Cat whipped out a pen from the waistband of her skirt, grinning up at Darek as she popped the lid, and drew a fat white cross over the Naughty-box on his sweater.

Scowling at her, he snatched the pen from her hand and did the same to hers.

Before she could speak, Davion’s voice and running feet hitting the floorboards reached his ears.

Darek looked toward the corridor in time to see the boy bursting through the door. Out of breath from running up the stairs, he panted, ”Come on! Hurry!”

”What’s the rush?”

”There’s hot chocolate with marshmallows!” Davion spun on his heels and was gone before Darek could blink.

Cat jerked her head toward the door. ”You heard him.”

Having no choice but to follow, Darek tried not to feel too out of place in his ugly sweater and walked with Cat until he found the group seated around a long table on the bottom floor. The room had transformed overnight, or maybe he simply hadn’t noticed the glittering garlands and lights. Had he been that blind that he’d walked straight past a huge tree decorated with a kaleidoscope of colors and lights. He’d downed the eggnog by the bar, and never even noticed the dining hall a few steps to his right.

”Naughty, huh?” Devin looked up from a steaming cup of hot chocolate. While he was busy waiting for Darek’s retort, Davion stole the marshmallows he hadn’t yet dropped into the drink.

Giggling, he stuffed them into his mouth to hide the evidence of his theft. Darek couldn’t but smirk at his attempt to swallow them down.

Ignoring Devin’s statement, he sunk onto a chair next to Devin and tried to ignore Lili and Maya’s eyes on him.

”Pay up!” Lili reached out a hand to Maya, a triumphant grin on her face.

Maya, muttered under her breath as she slid a bill from her purse over to Lili and scowled at Darek.

”What?” he growled. ”What did you bet on?”

”Whether you’d wear the sweater or not.” Lili said.

”I knew he would!” Davion exclaimed. ”She said never.”He pointed at Maya, giggling at her sticking her tongue out to him.

Cat sat next to Darek, clearing her throat, her eyes scanning the table. ”Better than expected,” she stated, steering the conversation elsewhere. ”When were they here?”

”A few hours ago,” Devin confirmed.

”Who?” Darek looked between them. ”What’s going on?”

”Relax Boss.” Cat rolled her eyes, ”For once, leave the reigns to someone else. We’ve got this.”

”Hmph.” Darek scanned the table and the stunning variety of breakfast. He had no idea of what was going on, but he could take a good guess, and he had to admit, whoever they’d hired to cater to them was doing an excellent job.

”Chocolate or coffee?” Devin asked.

Darek arched a brow at the options. ”Got something stronger?”

”I want something stronger too!” Davion exclaimed.”

”No, you don’t.” Devin pushed his mug of hot chocolate toward the boy. ”Take this if you want more.”

Davion’s eyes lit up as he grabbed the mug. ”Did you know that the best place to hit someone is in the balls?” he asked in between sips of the hot drink.

An abrupt silence spread over the table, four sets of eyes turning on Darek.

”What?” Darek hissed. ”He should know how to defend himself.”

”He’s six,” Lili complained. ”He doesn’t need to defend himself.”

”Come on, it’s Christmas,” Cat tried to meddle. ”Let’s enjoy this.”

Maya scoffed. ”Maybe we could if some people weren’t here.” She shot Darek a look.

”Someone knows a table-prayer?” Cat tried. ”Might brighten the mood.”

”You’ve gotta be joking?” Darek muttered.

”I know one,” Maya smirked, then clasped her hands as in prayer. ”Bless us God, bless our food and drink. Keep us safe from evil, and remove the devil from our table.” She glanced at Cat, who shook her head at Maya’s made-up prayer and not too subtle hint.

Darek’s fists clenched in his lap. Focusing on the tension, he tried not to act upon the anger simmer below the surface. Breaking her neck was more than tempting. He’d wanted to do it since she’d showed up with that goddamn knife and ruined everything.

”Someone, remove the witches too,” he muttered under his breath.

Maya’s face hardened, her dark eyes shooting daggers at Darek.

”Some people are innocent.”

”Hmph.”

”Who’s a witch?” Davion asked. ”I don’t like them, they’re scary.”

”That’s right, little one,” Darek shot Maya a look. ”They’re the real evil. Stay far away from them.”

”What do they do?”

”They hurt you. They watch you suffer, and then they pretend to be innocent when you hunt them down to burn them.”

Davion gaped. ”How do they look?”

Darek shrugged. ”They can look like anyone. But usually, they look like her.” He jerked his chin toward Maya. ”Dark and twisted, with a cold gleam in their eyes.”

Maya let out a cold laugh. ”You know what the devil looks like?”

”That’s enough!” Devin said. ”Can we at least try to have a normal breakfast here?”

”I’m with him,” Lili agreed, brushing a hand over Devin’s arm.

”Then we’re three,” Cat joined in.

”Of course.” Maya smiled sweetly. ”Normal. Might have worked if you’d locked the doors to Hell.”

Darek’s breath hitched, a growl crawling up his throat. ”Some things should never have been born,” he hissed.

”Some things should have died long ago,” Maya shot back.

”You little—”

Maya abruptly stood, pointed a finger at Darek, and hissed. ”No one wants you here.”

Lili grabbed at her, trying to pull her back down without success.

”Everyone wishes you were dead!” she added, driving the last nail in his coffin. Darek’s eyes flashed red, his body tensing as he gripped the edge of the table, leaning forward with a threatening snarl that had Maya jerk back.

”Stop!” The fork clattered against the plate as Devin dropped it and grabbed Darek’s arm, yanking him back against the chair. ”You too!” He shot Maya a glare that spoke more than any unsaid word, then focused back on Darek.

”Relax,” he hissed. ”Don’t let her get to you.”

”You’re taking his side?” Maya snapped, jabbing her knife in the air. ”Aren’t you a daddy’s boy?”

”Stop being such a bitch!” Devin shot back. ”He’s trying, he has changed.”

Maya snorted. ”It doesn’t matter, it’s too late.” She turned her eyes on Darek, cold and hard, just like her voice as she added in a hiss, ”I’ll never forgive you.”

Darek’s voice was equally cold. ”I don’t care. You’re a parasite, you’re nothing to me.”

Maya opened her mouth to speak but closed it with a scoff.

”Don’t fight!” Davion’s voice trembled, tears brimming in his eyes. ”Why can’t you like each other.” The tears fell from his eyes.

”Bug,” Maya said. ”We don’t like bad people, you know that.”

”He’s not bad!” The boy wailed. ”You are bad! You lied!”

Maya’s eyes shot to Lili and Devin, then back to the boy. Before she could speak, Lili beat her to it.

”She had to, baby, we’ve talked about that.” She stroked his hair. ”No one is bad, ok.” She threw Darek a look, daring him to disagree or make a scene. He huffed, returning the glare until Lili averted her eyes.

”Guys,” Cat tried.

”Right.” Maya’s voice dripped with sarcasm. ”No one is bad.” She leaned forward, palms on either side of her plate. ”I refuse to sit at the same table as him!”

”You don’t have to if you’re dead,” Darek hissed.

Maya leaned forward. ”Go on, kill me. That’s what you’ve always wanted.”

”Don’t tempt me.” The wood crumbled under his grip, sharp splinters piercing his flesh as he squeezed the table harder.

In the back of his mind, he felt Devin’s hands on him, heard his voice, but the words were drowned by the roar of the fire inside. It burned stronger than he could stand, scorching every thought and reason, making him forget why he needed to hold on.

”Let go.” The voice whispered in his head. ”I’ll take care of them all.”

”No,” Darek growled. Fighting the power swirling through his system with all he had, he knew it wouldn’t be enough.

”Devin.” He hissed the name through clenched teeth. ”Get away from me.”

”What’s happening?” Davion’s little voice reached into his overheated mind.

”What’s wrong with grandpa?”

Darek struggled to breathe, to keep himself from exploding like the ticking bomb that he was. Lucifer’s presence was stronger than ever. It was a matter of when, not if, and the only thing Darek could do was hold on, even when he knew he was slipping.

”Don’t you dare give up the fight! Think of Devin!” The sudden hands on his chest, pushing him back against the chair, drew an inhuman growl from his throat. His arms flew out, ready to rip anyone to pieces for daring to control him. A pair of strong hands closed around his wrists, pinning his arms behind his back.

The chuckle that rolled off his lips weren’t his own. Neither was the black eyes that locked on Maya across the table.

”Dad.” Devin couldn’t hide the panic from his voice more than he could stop his hands from trembling as they clutched Darek’s arms. ”Fight it! FIGHT!”

Clinging to the sound of his voice, and the feel of the hands pressing him back into the chair, he did. He fought. Grasping at every straw he could hold on to. Hanging onto every word whispered, every soothing touch, every reason not to burn the house to the ground and bring Hell to earth.

*

Trembling in the aftermath of what could have destroyed them all, Darek sat in utter silence. He’d won, but the shame coursing through him didn’t allow him to feel the victory. He’d let the devil feed on his weakness, fueled him with untamed anger.

Lifting his gaze, he forced himself to look at Devin and Lili. Knowing they could read the unsaid ’thank you’ in his eyes, he held their gaze a moment before dropping his eyes to his lap. Picking splinters from his palm, he heard Davion’s small voice.

”Mom, dad?”

”It’s ok, Bug,” Lili soothed. ”Everything is ok.”

”Is it?” Maya’s voice was grim. Throwing Darek a pointed look, she hissed. ”That’s the man you protect? That’s the man you want Davion to grow up with?”

”Don’t tell me what is best for my son!” Devin said.

”Someone has to!”

”That’s not you.”

Darek shot Maya a look, a smirk creeping onto his lips. ”Better luck next time. Witch.”

”Devil,” she shot back.

”Maya!” Lili shrieked, covering Davion’s ears.

”That’s enough!” Devin said. ”You promised to give him a chance.”

”I lied. ”She turned to Darek, ”Go back to Hell where you belong. Lucifer.”

The name cracked like a whip through the air, stealing Darek’s breath and chilling his blood.

”Fuck you,” he hissed, shooting to his feet so fast the chair tipped over. The last thing he heard as he left the room was Davion’s crying.

He slammed the front door, steering into the snowy morning light. He didn’t care where he was going, whether he was dressed for the cold or not, he didn’t freeze anyway, and all he wanted was to get away. To be alone, to breathe, to cool the raging fire inside and avoid snapping and proving Maya right. He was so close, balancing on the edge. The vibrating tension crawling under his skin. The danger lurking just below the surface.

Stopping at the edge of the mountain, far enough not to see the mansion, he finally dared to unclench his fists, surrendering a fraction of the paralyzing tension that had his body in an iron grip.

Lifting his gaze to rest on the clouds on the horizon, he drew in a ragged breath that chased the anger away.

He felt the presence of another person before he heard his voice.

”She went too far.”

”She’s right.” Speaking with his gaze locked on the mountains stretching out below him, Darek wished he could let go and fly away. What would it matter if he lost the battle? He’d never wanted to be good anyway. Giving control to the devil would free him from the suffering. He’d never have to feel anything again.

”Dad.” Devin’s voice was low, apologetic. ”Come back.”

Darek scoffed, turning to face Devin with a scowl that hid the pain underneath. ”Why? So I can turn devil on you all the next time she speaks?”

”You’re stronger than that.”

”Am I?”

”Nothing happened,” Devin whispered. ”Don’t beat yourself up over it.”

”Hmph.”

”Since when did you care what people think of you, anyway?”

”I don’t.”

”Then why are you out here?”

Darek spoke after a long silence, letting a nugget of truth slip. ”I’m hanging on by a thread. You saw it. I could’ve snapped in there. I could’ve hurt her. I wanted to.”

”No.” The urgency in Devin’s voice made him regret the confession. ”I refuse to accept that.” Devin stepped closer, laying his hands on Darek’s shoulders. ”You’re stronger than him. He can’t win.”

Darek dropped his gaze to the melting snow at his feet. ”It’s not like last time. You don’t know what it’s like now.” He lifted his eyes, daring to meet Devin’s gaze. ”I’m fading away, it’s a matter of time. I’m him. I’m Lucifer.”

”NO!” Devin shouted. ”Don’t you dare say that!”

”Son—”

Devin shook his head, silently begging him not to give up. Darek didn’t want to. He wanted to go in there and be a normal man, who could enjoy the holiday with a normal family, but he knew better. And if it wasn’t karma, he didn’t know what was. He’d spend a lifetime destroying everything and everyone with no regard for the lives he’d crushed in his vendetta against humanity. He’d gotten what he wanted. Revenge. Power. He’d never thought there’d come a day when that wouldn’t be enough. And once it had, it was too late.

”One day,” Devin whispered. ”It’s all I’m asking.”

”What happens after that?”

”I don’t know.” Devin wrapped his arms over his chest, trying to keep the cold away but shivered visibly despite the jacket he’d grabbed on his way out.

”I just—” he cut himself off, looking away before whispering. ”I need you, don’t go.”

Darek’s eyes stung. ”Goddammit, Devin,” he cried out. ”Don’t do this to me.”

Devin managed a weak smile. He hesitated, then flung himself into Darek’s arms.

Taken aback by the sudden act, it took too long until Darek could bring himself to move. Just as Devin began to move away, he placed his arms around him, yanking him closer in a hug tight enough to crush him against his body.

”God, I hate you,” he growled, knowing Devin wouldn’t take the word seriously.

”I hate you too,” Devin whispered, and Darek knew he meant the opposite.

The way he clung to Darek, how he held on to him as if he was saying goodbye, was more than enough to make Darek’s vision blur with unshed tears.

”Don’t give up,” Devin whispered.

Darek squeezed his eyes shut. How could he do anything else than agree?

”I won’t.” He sucked in a ragged breath that rippled through his body. ”I’m trying. I’m trying Firefly.”

*

Darek refused to look at Maya as they settled in the room for the second time that morning. He was better than snapping and snarling at a fucking girl. But every word coming from her mouth was a reminder of who she was and where she’d come from. He couldn’t take it. Her hatred toward him was as intense as his toward her. They would never get along. Hoping for the impossible was bound to disappoint. Yet, he saw it in Devin’s eyes. The hope for the perfect family and he hated to be the one to crush his dream.

Sitting at the far end of the couch, he kept his eyes on Davion and prayed for the strength to make it through the day without killing someone.

Davion gathered all the presents, piling them up on the table, and no one had the heart to tell him to calm down.

As the event went on, Darek seemed to be forgotten, and he didn’t protest. Even Maya loosened up, laughing and joking with Lili, Devin, and the boy. Darek watched them from his position on the couch, not making a sound in fear of disturbing the peace that had settled over the room.

Davion’s happy squeals and the smile on Devin’s face was all he needed. It was more than he’d hoped for after the previous fight. If they wanted to pretend that he didn’t exist, he wasn’t gonna disappoint them.

Lili and Devin sat close together, smiling at each other with so much love that Darek had to look away. When he glanced back, Davion climbed over their legs, reaching for the package that he had bought together with Darek. When he couldn’t lift it, Maya was there to help.

”Whoa,” Devin exclaimed. ”I get the biggest one?”

”It’s heavy!” Davion stated, jumping up and down as he waited for Devin to open it.

”It is, Bug,” Devin smiled, patting the tiny space between himself and Lili. Davion took the hint, throwing himself down between them, making Lili fall to the side with a cry.

Darek looked down at his hands, trying to pretend that he didn’t care. He hated Christmas, so why should it matter if he was the bloody Christmas ghost? He hadn’t even wanted to be there, he’d wanted to be alone. Lifting his gaze to the people huddled around Devin, he’d never felt lonelier.

A hand on his arm made him flinch away from the touch.

”You alright?” Cat’s voice was equally low.

Darek nodded but remained silent. The hand was back, making him fight the urge to shake it off.

”Don’t,” he hissed out the warning, not wanting to draw attention to himself.

”Come on,” Cat complained. ”Don’t be an ass.”

”Hmph.”

She patted his back, leaning in to whisper in his ear. ”I know what you’re thinking.”

”I doubt it.”

Cat hesitated, her hot breath tickling his neck until he had to move away from her proximity.

”You don’t have to go through it alone,” she shifted closer, glancing up at him over her glasses. ”All you have to do is let me in.”

Darek’s head whipped around to stare at her. ”Excuse me?”

”You heard me.”

”Thanks, but no thanks.” He muttered, feeling oddly touched by her words, but refused to acknowledge it. He didn’t need her. He didn’t need anyone.

”Grandpa!” Davion flopped down next to him, holding out a small gift wrapped in shiny red paper. ”It’s for you!” he stated proudly, shoving the package into Darek’s hands as he kept on staring at it.

Darek glanced at the others. Devin looked back, an encouraging smile on his lips. Even Lili’s gaze was soft, shining with joy instead of the hostile edge in her pale blue eyes. He didn’t bother to look at Maya, he knew what he’d see. A scowl so similar to his own and eyes as gray as the couch she sat on. Despite knowing better, he couldn’t stop his eyes from flickering to her, confirming what he’d already guessed.

She tensed the moment their eyes met, hers narrowing in a cold glare.

”Open it, stupid!” Davion snapped him back to the present. Lifting his gaze, he couldn’t help but chuckle at the boy’s impatient expression.

”Calm down, little one.” Smirking at the boy’s frustration, he began to carefully open the wrapping. Once open, he tipped the packet to its side, watching something dark slide out into his palm. Taking it up, Darek realized it was a bracelet, made up of black leather strings, pinched together by a set of square silver-gray beads.

”It has our names on it!” Davion stated, taking the bracelet from Darek and twisted a few beads to reveal his name. ”See!” he beamed. ”Davion!”

On another set of strings, a row of five beads made the name ’Devin’.

”Take it on!”

Darek reached out his arm as in a haze. Even though the bracelet looked too professionally made to be entirely a six-year-old’s creation, he knew it had been the kid’s idea. With a little help from mom or dad, the thing looked as flawless as if it was purchased ready-made.

Davion's little fingers tied it in place around Darek’s wrist, and when he was done, he held on to his hand. ”Now you can’t forget us,” he stated. ”And you can look at it when you miss us.”

Darek’s eyes stung with sudden emotion, and as he managed a raspy, ”Thank you,” a traitorous tear slid down his cheek.

”Grandpa is crying!” Davion exclaimed, making Darek huff. Scrubbing a hand over his eyes, he muttered. ”Don’t be ridiculous.”

A hand on his shoulder, a silent gesture of support that he didn’t even want, made his chest tighten further. The need to remove her hand, to maintain the distance he’d forced between them burned hot within, but he remained motionless. Cat’s touch meant nothing, she was nothing—yet she seemed to know exactly when his strength wavered, and never failed to offer her own as backup.

”It’s ok if you are.” Davion spoke up, forcing Darek to forget about Cat and focus on the boy.

He jumped onto Darek’s lap, throwing his arms around his neck, giggling at his, ”Uff, careful where you place your knees,” before whispering in his ear.

”I know a secret.”

Twisting his head to look at the boy, Darek raised an eyebrow in question, but Davion shook his head.

”You’re one hell of a tease, aren’t you.”

”I’m not allowed to say.”

”Hmm.” Darek didn’t have much faith in the boy’s secret-keeping skills, and it proved that no one else had, either.

”He’s gonna blow it,” Lili said after an unusually long silence. Turning to Devin, she added. ”Might as well let him say it.”

Davion’s head whipped to stare at her, his eyes growing wide. ”Can I, mom? Can I tell him?”

”Sure.”

Darek looked at Devin, then at Lili, suspicion in his eyes as he took in their shared nervousness.

When no one spoke, he poked Davion’s side for attention. ”So? Out with it!”

Davion giggled, then blurted, ”I’m going to be a big-brother!”

The words hit him like a bolt of electricity, stunning him into paralyzed shock. When he finally managed to look over at Devin and Lili, they were both staring back at him, waiting for the reaction with held breaths and joined hands.

”Surprise,” Devin breathed. ”You’ll have a granddaughter, as well.” He gulped visibly, searching Darek’s face for any sign of what was going on in his head.

”A baby girl!” Cat cooed. Jabbing Darek’s shoulder, she added. ”Look at that, grandpa.”

Darek scowled at her, listening to her congratulate Devin and Lili, unable to form any sort of speech himself. He was happy for them. Devin deserved a second chance more than anything. It wasn’t until he glanced down at the bracelet that he understood why he felt so crushed by the news that normal people would be overjoyed with.

”You can look at it when you miss us.”

Darek squeezed his eyes shut, refusing to cry over a few words from a six-year-old. But it wasn’t just the words. It was him.

”One day, that’s all I ask.” Devin’s words echoed in his head.

”What happens after that?”

”I don’t know.”

But they knew. They might get more than this day, but they both knew the days were numbered. The baby-girl would be nothing more than a name on a string of leather. One more cut that would never heal. He wasn’t sure he’d get to see her. The devil grew stronger, pushing him toward the end. The end he’d choose. The end he had to implement to keep them all safe—from him. He’d chosen wrong too many times to count. This time would be different.

”Dad?” Devin asked at last. ”Aren’t you gonna say something.”

Darek spoke with his eyes on the bracelet. ”I’m happy for you,” he managed to choke out. ”I truly am.” He swallowed down the lump and forced himself to look at the happy couple. ”Does she have a name?”

Devin and Lili shook their heads. ”Not yet,” she said. ”Something on D, can’t break the tradition,” she added with a laugh. ”We’re open to suggestions.”

”From me?”

Lili shrugged. ”Why not?”

”Good idea,” Maya muttered from her corner. ”Let the devil choose the name.”

”Please,” Devin hissed. ”Don’t ruin this.”

Maya sighed. ”Fine, I’m sorry.” She shot Darek a look, and for a brief moment, her stone-hard gaze softened.

Did she feel guilty? Darek couldn’t help but wonder. His impending doom was her fault, and she knew it as well as everyone else did.

*

The day crawled toward an end. After tucking Davion in for the night, Darek stopped in the doorway back in the living room, taking in the scene. The lightning was dim. Living candles had replaced the bright lights and a fire sparkled in the fireplace. Lili was lying down on the couch, her head resting in Devin’s lap and one of his hands absentmindedly played with her hair. Maya sat at Lili’s feet. Her legs were drawn up and as she leaned on her side against the cushions.

They looked so peaceful that Darek hesitated to enter. The soft music playing somewhere in the background added to the relaxed atmosphere.

”I’m not like you,” Maya spoke in a soft tone, addressing Devin. ”I can’t forgive and forget like that.”

Devin sighed, and it took a moment for him to reply. ”He’s different. He’s trying so hard.”

Lili rolled her head to look up at Devin. ”I’ve noticed it too. I used to hate his guts but now—I don’t know, maybe there’s something more to him than slick hair and expensive suits. He’s so good with Davion. I was wrong to keep him away.”

Devin brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. ”I love you.”

She grinned. ”You know I love you too.”

”Geez,” Maya muttered. ”I’m still here.”

”You love us too,” Lili kicked her legs, making Maya scoot out of the way with a snort.

Maya smiled. Then her face fell. ”Listen,” she began. ”I can’t forgive him, and I know he’ll never forgive me. But for what it’s worth, I do wish for a different outcome.”

”I know,” Devin whispered. ”Me too. It kills me to know that he’ll be—” His voice broke. And when he tried again, it was just a whisper. ”I don’t want to lose him again.”

Darek cleared his throat, tapping his knuckles against the door frame. Three heads turned to stare at him.

”How long did you…” Devin’s voice trailed off as he saw the look on Darek’s face. ”Dad…”

Darek shook his head. ”Don’t.” One word was all he needed. It spoke of all the things he didn’t want to say, the things he couldn’t express in front of them.

”Maya.” He crossed his arms, leaning against the doorframe. ”For what it’s worth,” he copied her words. ”It might have been different if you hadn’t tried to kill me.”

She chuckled at his straightforwardness. ”Karma,” she said. ”You’ve only got yourself to blame.”

Darek huffed. ”I don’t regret what I did. Not after what your witch of a mother did to me.”

Maya straightened, eyes narrowing as she watched him. ”And what exactly was that?”

Darek shook his head.

”Enough to die for?” Maya challenged. ”You murdered my parents, and for what? Revenge?” She scoffed, lowering her voice as it had begun to rise. ”You can pretend all you want, you’ll never be anything more than a heartless self-centered—”

”Monster?” he suggested, cutting her off. ”I could have been if it wasn’t for you.”

”Don’t tell me you’re at each other’s throats again?”

The voice behind him made Darek turn his head to see Cat coming to a halt beside him.

”They are,” Lili sighed.

”Jesus fucking christ,” Cat groaned. ”What did it take this time? Five minutes?”

”I’d say five seconds,” Lili said.

Devin nodded to confirm, shooting Cat a look that begged her to do something.

”Look!” Lili pointed to something above Darek and Cat’s head. ”You guys are standing under a mistletoe.”

They both followed Lili’s gaze, and there it was, the little plant dangling from a red ribbon right above their heads.

”How sweet,” Maya sneered. ”Cat,” she challenged, ”You may kiss the devil.”

Darek rounded on her, snarling, ”Stop calling me that!”

”Hey,” Cat grabbed his shoulders, spinning him back to face him. ”Relax, what the fuck is wrong with you?”

Darek opened his mouth to speak but was abruptly cut off as Cat’s lips smashed against his. During a few seconds of stunned confusion, he couldn’t move, then for a brief moment, his body betrayed him by responding with a deep growl against her lips.

His hands landed on her upper arms, squeezing until she gasped into his mouth. Darek’s mind caught up, memories and feelings slamming into him with a force enough to make him lightheaded. Pain. Pleasure. Fear. Love. Everything he had pushed away, shoved deep into the darkest corner of his soul where he never had to be reminded. Faceless women. Mila. Mila… He’d fucked more women than he could remember, but he’d never kissed anyone but Mila. Never let anyone else touch him.

Ripping Cat off of him, he shoved her away with an inhuman snarl that had everyone jumping to their feet, ready to run.

”You liked that,” Cat challenged. ”I know you did.” Her hands were back, gripping his arms.

”Don’t touch me.”

”Why not?”

”Because I fucking say so,” Darek growled. ”Because I don’t want it, because I can't stand the—” his voice broke. ”I can’t—”

”Shhh,” Cat soothed. ”It’s just me.”

Darek let out a sharp laugh. That didn’t help. Who the fuck did she think she was?

Cat’s hand slid down his arm, reaching for his hand, and something in Darek snapped. Swatting her hand away, he grabbed her, flinging her over his shoulder.

Cat screamed, squirming in his grip. ”Let me down! What the hell?”

”Shut up.”

Catching three startled faces staring at him, he hesitated for a brief moment, then swirled around so fast it drew another yelp from Cat.

”Ehm,” Lili called out. ”There’s a sleeping child in the house!” she blurted, saying what was on everyone’s minds.

*

Darek threw Cat down onto his bed, holding her down with the weight of his body, channeled into two strong arms pinning her’s over her head.

She stared up at him, her eyes gleaming with excitement and challenge. ”What are you waiting for?”

”Stop,” he growled, eyes flashing red as he hovered over her. ”Stop taunting me, you don't’ know what I’m capable of.”

Cat’s lips twisted into a grin. ”Go on, bad boy, show me what you’ve got.”

Darek snarled, pushing off of her with a shove that would leave bruises against her wrists. ”I can’t do this, I’m too fucking mad at you.”

Cat scooted back to sit. ”Never stopped you before.”

”But it’s stopping me now!” He snapped, spinning around to slam two hands up against the wall. ”I can’t do this.”

The sound of Cat scooting over the bed made something in him clench. Every muscle in his body tensing in anticipation of her touch.

It never came. Instead, her voice reached him. ”Do what exactly? What are we talking about here, Boss?”

”Whatever you think can happen between us,” Darek gritted out. ”I’m not blind.”

Cat chuckled, then the sound of her feet against the floor.

”Don’t,” Darek hissed. ”It will never happen. You’re wasting your time.”

A hand landed on his back, and it took all his willpower not to jerk away from her touch. ”I’m damaged goods, Cat, I’m not—”

”Shhh.” She wrapped a hand around his arm, tugging. ”Come.”

Darek yanked her hand off of him but went to sit with her on the bed.

”I can’t change” he muttered.

Cat climbed onto the mattress, moving behind him to reach his shoulders. ”I’m not asking you to.” With knowing hands, she loosened the tension from his aching muscles, forcing him to relax under her touch.

”I’d never ask you to.”

Darek let out a long breath, losing the tightness in his jaw. He’d never understand her persistence. Her inescapable stubbornness to stick to him no matter what he did to push her away, but one fact remained. She had never tried to change him, to convert him to the good side. She’d stood by his side in the bad, the ugly, and the things even he felt ashamed of having on his resumé. But despite the horrors, done by him, or to him, Cat had never shied away. He didn’t know if she was blind, or stupid, or perhaps both, but he had to admit that she was one of a kind.

”What a Christmas this turned out to be, huh?” she chuckled softly.

”It had its moments,” Darek said, and he meant it. Despite the anger and the need to distance himself from anything remotely close to affection, he’d enjoyed the little moments. The smile on Devin’s face, Davion’s laughter, and his innocent love for him still warmed his heart as he thought of it.

He’d spent a lifetime alone, building an empire on the foundation of revenge and the desperate need to be something more than his past. He’d thrived on power, driven by the deeply rooted anger and fueled by a pain that could never go away. It had stayed with him, reminded him of what he’d lost and what he could never have again.

”I know,” Cat whispered. ”I knew you’d feel it.”

”Hmph.”

”What?” she scoffed. ”You’re not as heartless as you think you are.”

For once, Darek didn’t protest. It wouldn’t lead to anything but her insisting, and the last thing he wanted was to argue. He was too tired. The constant battle against something unavoidable left him exhausted but unable to relax. How could he, when Lucifer was there, waiting for a moment of weakness to strike.

”Cat?”

”Hmm?”

”Will you—” he cut himself off, not knowing how to say it. ”Promise me you’ll stay.” She shifted, facing him with a questioning look on her face. ”With them, I mean,” Darek was quick to add. ”When I’m—gone.”

Cat’s eyes filled up with tears. She didn’t understand, she didn’t know what he knew, but he couldn’t bring himself to explain.

”I’m staying with you.”

”Cat!” Darek snapped. It was the wrong answer. ”I’m not—” he cut himself off with a frustrated growl. ”Fuck it!”

”Hey.” She grabbed his chin, forcing him to face her. ”I don’t know what’s up with all the ’I’m going away’ crap, but remember this—I’ll follow you to Hell if that’s what it takes. I’m with you.”

Darek jerked his head free, fighting back a sudden pressure in his chest. It climbed up his throat, tearing through his lips in a strangled noise that sounded too much like a sob. Darek choked it back, clenching his jaw until the tension hurt.

When he dared to glance back at Cat, her eyes shone with sympathy, but she remained still, keeping her hands clasped in her lap instead of reaching out.

She never stopped surprising him with how well she knew him. She knew his limit. How far she could push him and when to stop. Darek couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if she didn’t stop, and shuddered at the thought. She had the power to break him, but she chose not to.

”Get some sleep,” she said at last. ”You look like you need it.”

Darek mangel a stiff nod, silently thanking her for pretending that the last minutes hadn’t happened.

She stood, looking at Darek as if she considered whether to speak or not. ”You know,” she began, ”I didn’t buy you a gift, you have everything you need. But I did this,” she gestured at the room and what lay beyond it. ”You don’t need a new watch or a tie or whatever people buy,” she smiled at Darek’s clothes. ”You need an ugly sweater. You need to cuddle your grandson. You need to fight over silly things for breakfast and going to sleep knowing you have a family to wake up to. Even for one day.”

Darek swallowed hard, trying to brush it off with a joke. ”For fuck’s sake Cat, don’t make me cry.”

She let out a laugh. ”I can make you do more than that.”

”Hmph.”

She backed away toward the door, never breaking their eye contact. ”You know I’m right, Boss.”

Darek fought the need to look away and forced himself to nod. The small gesture, a huge step toward admitting that she might be right.

”Thank you.” It was barely a whisper, but by the look on her face, she’d heard.

Stopping in the door, she looked back at Darek, smiled, and murmured, ”Merry Christmas, Dar.”

THE END

Do you like Darek and the team?

Stay tuned for updates about the Devil Within Trilogy which will be released during 2021.