Free The Billionaire's Demon by Eliza Gayle Page B

get the pleasure of administering some of Melody's punishment at my own hand and I can hardly wait.” He turned quickly, catching her off guard. His hand gripped her chin and forced her face upward.
    At the last second she squeezed her eyes closed, remembering not to look at him. Don't look. Don't look. Don't look.
    “You're not the only one who can do the job, Harold. There is someone to replace you.” Drake said it so quietly, she almost didn't hear him.
    A rumbling laugh exploded in front of her. She couldn't escape from the sick and twisted sound.
    “And who would that be? You? That's hilarious. A half-breed?”
    A growl exploded from Drake and he snapped. “This half-breed just beat you, so face it. You know as well as I do how things work around here. Rules are rules.”
    “I make the fucking rules,” Harold snarled, baring his teeth. Very sharp teeth that had given her nightmares on more than one occasion.
    “Not this time. You made a deal, gambled with your position and life, and you just lost. No amount of bullshit will get you out of it this time. Now get the hell out of my bedroom.”
    “If you take my job you'll never get to return to your precious home or the woman who waits there.”
    Harold's words lashed across her as if he'd slapped her with the sharp edge of a knife. His hand loosened, releasing her jaw and she stumbled backward, a faint tremble rippled through her body. A woman? She'd never once considered Drake could be involved with someone else. Even as a sexy demon, she'd managed to fuck everything up.
    She implored Drake with her gaze to deny, to rage, to call him the liar he had to be.
    “Leave my sister out of this.” Drake lunged for Harold and more demons arrived blocking Drake from her boss.
    “Sister? He meant your sister? Not wife or—or girlfriend?” She stared at Drake, desperate for confirmation.
    “Just a sister, love. You're the only woman for me.”
    “Aww, so sweet. Now I need to throw up.”
    “Shut up, Harold!” they yelled in unison.
    Drake moved, faster than any human, grabbed her around the waist, and hauled her close to him, his heat enveloping her. One of Harold's guards raced forward in attack, claws extended and aimed at her throat.
    Melody grabbed his claws, forcing his hand back until he howled in pain, giving her the opening she needed. She drove her own nails into his throat before pushing him away. Blood gushed down his chest and onto the floor.
    Melody gazed at the injured demon, amazed at what she'd done. Well, he'd gotten what he deserved for trying to hurt her. She was getting pretty sick of being pushed around.
    “I'm impressed, babe.”
    She inclined her head, “What does that mean that you can't get back to your sister? Is she in some sort of trouble?” Time was ticking, but not having all the facts threatened to drive her nuts.
    “Yes and no. They like to use her as a sort of leash for me when I don't toe the line. She belongs to a demon, but he's not a bad guy and I suspect she doesn't hate being there, even if it is technically against her will. So she's safe, but she's not allowed to leave or move through hell, much like me when I’m in residence. The deal is as long as I stayed here, Harold had to offer her his protection, which in most places of hell is enough to keep the worst of the demons in line.”
    “But if you break your end of the bargain?”
    “Then all deals are off, and he and his crazy ass sister are fair game. Enough explanations. I'm bored now. Let's go.” Harold's gaze darted to the clock.
    “Wait.” She took a step away. It still didn't fit. “I don't understand. Why is everyone so afraid of you?”
    Harold snorted behind her. “It's not fear, but revulsion.
    Drake ignored him and continued. “My mixed heritage makes me unique. Able to occupy both heaven and hell, although not welcome in either. It gives me an unpredictable power that can't be controlled by the likes of him.” Drake's chin lifted toward her