Belle managed to nod. Now that it was over, her physical form was flooding with adrenalin and reacting to the terror of her conversation with Pestilence.
The woman turned and called something out to another passerby.
Belle was having trouble converting words into meaning.
A plastic water bottle was thrust into her hand. The woman cracked the seal. “Here, drink.”
Belle shook so badly water sloshed over her fist.
“Let me help.” The stranger steadied her hold. “Slowly now.”
Lukewarm water flooded her mouth, and Belle swallowed.
“Did he threaten you?” The woman glared after Pestilence’s retreating shape.
Another person joined the woman. “Is she okay?”
“Must we call the police?” The first woman made her take another sip of water.
Belle shook her head. “No, I’ll be fine in a minute.”
“I saw that one,” the newcomer said. “Sitting there and waiting. I knew he was no good.”
More voices agreed with her.
Belle had attracted a small crowd, all of them women discussing how they’d known all along the “man” on the bike was trouble.
Belle suppressed the hysterical laughter rising in her chest. They had no idea how much trouble that rider was.
But Pestilence was gone. The other horsemen would rise; that couldn’t be stopped, but until the seals broke, they would have to wait. She’d bought them all time.
Her rescuer leaned closer and lowered her voice. “If he hurts you, I know a place you can go. No police, but they can help you.”
“No.” Belle clambered to her feet and smiled at the woman. “Thank you, but it’s not like that.”
Supporting hands reached out and steadied her.
The woman gave her a world-weary look. “It never is like that”. She dusted off Belle’s knees and clicked her tongue. “But if it ever is, there are places that can help you. People who will keep you safe.”
Belle wanted to weep for the woman’s kindness. So many of her fellow hell princes dismissed humanity for their myriad sins, but in women like this one, lay all Belle would fight for.
“Thank you.” She squeezed the woman’s hand. “Your kindness means everything.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Bianca nursed her hangover along with a serious case of regret all through the next day. Relegated again to the backseat, she was happy to stay there.
Lucifer had almost kissed her last night, and she’d been happy to let him. If Raphael hadn’t woken up, she had no idea how last night would have ended. That was a rotten lie. She had a few interesting fantasies about where last night could have ended.
The most troubling thing was trying to decide if her morning after regrets were more that it had nearly happened or that they’d been interrupted before it could.
Lucifer had gone straight into business-as-usual. A brief argument had ended in Raphael on the couch and Lucifer in the bed beside hers.
This morning, he’d been back to his usual annoying self, and they’d gotten on the road. If he could pretend nothing had happened, then so could she.
And she’d been doing a great job until hours on the road had allowed her mind to wander.
Raphael looked back at her. “You okay back there? Hungry?”
Even the idea of eating made her stomach roil. “Not hungry, no.”
“Bianca is regretting her actions last night,” Lucifer drawled.
Bianca nearly choked on her spit.
“Drinking.” Lucifer’s eyes gleamed a challenge at her through the rearview mirror. “Honestly, I don’t know why you humans do it, when it only leads to misery.”
She wasn’t going to take that lying down, or stretched out, so she sat up. “There’s a lot about humans you don’t understand.”
“She makes a good point.” Raphael chuckled. Then he fidgeted in his seat and pouted. “How much longer?”
“About another hour or so,” Lucifer said.
“Ugh!” Raphael dropped his head back against the rest. “Wings are so much better than cars.”
Bianca was certain they absolutely would be.
“Next time, I shall carry Bianca as I fly.” Raphael grinned at her.
“No,” Lucifer snapped. “If Bianca flies with anyone, it will be me.”
Raphael gaped at him.
Bianca did some gaping of her own. Did he like her? No, she was putting the facts together all wrong. Okay, he’d been about to kiss her last night, but he was Lucifer. He probably went around kissing other people all the time. Looking the way he did, with the sexy growly thing, and the unmistakable air of power about him, people were probably lining up to be kissed by him.
“Didn’t you lecture me yesterday about being too conspicuous with humans?” Lucifer glanced at Raphael. “I’m sure none of them would notice a winged man whipping above their heads with a screaming woman in his arms.”
“Hey, now.” The woman in question needed to defend her honor. “What makes you think I would be screaming?”
“Fine.” Raphael crossed his arms. “You could, at least, let me drive.”
“No.”
“Excuse me.” Bianca wanted to make sure they understood her. “I’ll have you know I am not a screamer.”
Lucifer’s gaze met hers, and his eyes blazed. “That remains to be seen.”
