Series: Sean Moriarty
Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 113805 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113805 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
“Excellent,” I say with what I hope is a jaunty grin. “Would you rather me do the introductions now or save them for when everyone is here?”
Simon’s frown only deepens as he stares hard at my still uncovered chest, the blood dried and flaky in spots.
“I think we can wait just a few moments,” Lucifer says with a twitch at the corner of his lips.
He’s enjoying this little performance of mine and he knows it’s about to get worse.
“Abel.” I look at my son’s cute little chubby cheeks then turn towards Simon. “This is Uncle Simon, he loves little children.”
Grinning at the aghast look that springs up on Simon’s face, I slowly walk towards him and gently push my son into his arms.
Simon looks murderous as Abel giggles and his little hands reach out, latching onto the lapels of his coat.
“Jude,” Eden all but growls at me as she sees me handing our son to a strange man.
Looking back at her, I give her a very small smile. This was part of our agreement when we drove here. She knows we’re already on the razor’s edge. She needs to follow my lead on this or we could easily fall off.
“Jude,” Andrew’s deep booming voice comes from across the office as he makes his way into the room.
Gabriel and Thaddeus both enter after him, each nodding their heads at me before finding seats or leaning against desks and tables.
To say Lucifer’s office is large would be an understatement. It’s nearly doubled in size since he took it over from his father. Which is a good thing considering how many people as of late he must fit inside it.
Gabriel is the first to go over to Abel and Simon. His monstrous size belies the gentleness he has near children.
“Looks like Abel’s found his favorite uncle already,” Gabriel says with a loud chuckle and rubs Abel’s head.
“I’d rather fucking stab my eye out with an infected needle,” Simon snaps at Gabriel.
Simon stands up from his desk and Eden looks like she wants to intervene, but I grip her hand tighter.
Not yet, I will for her to understand.
“It’s drooling,” Simon sneers at us before walking Abel to the closest person he can.
Which happens to be none other than Lucifer.
Pushing Abel into Lucifer’s arms, Simon shudders before turning to stare daggers at me.
“You have a bit of drool on your lapel,” I say with a wink before turning to watch Lucifer hold Abel at arm’s length.
Staring at the cooing baby, Lucifer eyes Abel for a very long moment.
Is he calculating the outcomes of his next words?
Is he trying to see into Abel’s future?
Either is possible.
It’s also possible he’ll decide to kill me, Eden, and put Abel in an orphanage.
But that’s not likely, considering I’m normally the one he would use to do such a job if it needed doing.
Pulling Abel into his arms, Lucifer smiles at Eden. His voice warm as he says, “Welcome to my office, Eden.”
Looking from me to Lucifer, Eden stutters briefly, “T-Thank you.”
The almost palpable tension in the atmosphere lifts instantly.
Nathaniel walks into the room last.
When he spots Abel in Lucifer’s arms, he grins. “Ah, there’s my little guy.”
Stopping to smile at Eden and me, Nathaniel asks, “How’s his temperature and mood today?”
“Good,” Eden answers, but with her throat still raw it comes out hoarsely. “Thank you.”
Her voice sends the smallest of shivers down my spine. I don’t know what it is, but whenever I hear it, it makes my skin tingle with delight.
“Excellent. ” Nathaniel smiles then walks over to Lucifer, lightly lifting Abel from his arms. “I’m going to take the little guy over for a quick check.”
Eden’s face tightens with worry but Nathaniel gives her a reassuring smile. “We’ll be back in a few minutes. I just want to check his infection. After today’s meeting, I’d like to do a full checkup on him before you leave, if that’s okay.”
I want to smirk at Nathaniel’s words, but I refrain from doing so. Lucifer will truly have the final say on whether Eden and I live, but the Doc doesn’t give a shit.
I give the smirk to Simon instead and gently move Eden to two open chairs.
“Everyone,” I say and turn to the room. “This is my wife, Eden, and our son, Abel. I believe we have a lot to talk about.”
Sitting us down, I lean back in my chair and rub my back against the thick leather material. I’ve had an itch there since I came into the office and feel relief when I look at Simon.
His face is so disgusted and annoyed with me, I think he’s about to burst into flames.
“Eden, you’ve had quite an interesting couple of days, it seems,” Lucifer says with a small frown.
Eden roughly clears her throat then looks at me. “Is it possible to get water?”