“I need your help,” I said.
He lifted a brow. “Go on.”
“Sam is trapped in hell. I need another hellhound to get him out.”
I was expecting some disbelief, maybe some denial. He stared at me without blinking and then he nodded. “I figured it must be bad.”
I tried to look as unaffected by his words as he was by mine. “How?”
“Because he never would have let you come all this way alone.” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out the dagger, handing it to me handle first. “And he never would have allowed you to carry this thing.”
I rolled my eyes. “Sam doesn’t allow me to do anything. I do what I want.” I grabbed the dagger and wrapped both my palms around it, hugging it to my chest. Then in a lower voice I said, “You believe me?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“You don’t even know me.”
“I know enough.” He smiled a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. I got a feeling Riley Stone knew a lot more than he let on.
I lifted a brow and tucked the dagger back into my bag.
“Sam risked a lot to be with you. He risked the wrath of that bitch and then he ordered me and Casey away. He wouldn’t have done that unless he thought you were worth it.”
Now I knew why I didn’t remember Riley. The two times I saw him, Sam was with me. As gorgeous as Riley was, he paled in comparison to Sam.
“You liked him,” I said.
He shrugged. “I knew him.” He didn’t want to admit that Sam got to him, maybe not as much as he did me, but he still got to him. That was fine. He didn’t have to admit to liking Sam to help me.
“Will you help me?” The whistle blew, signaling the ferry had docked and we could disembark. Riley glanced over his shoulder toward the distant lights of Peaks Island. When he turned back, his eyes were guarded.
“Why don’t you tell me what kind of trouble you guys are in.”
My heart sank. He was going to refuse. Could I blame him? I stood rigidly and moved around toward the exit. I had wasted enough time on this. I had to move on to a new plan. But first, I needed to figure out what the new plan was.
“I didn’t say no.”
But he would. As soon as he heard what we were up against. I stopped and turned back. “We are up against people that have power… more power than you could possibly dream of.”
He stepped up close. He was tall, towering over me. “I’ll help you get Sam back.”
“Really? I haven’t told you what’s going on yet…”
“I like a challenge.” He shrugged. “I was getting bored on that island anyway.”
I threw my arms around him and squeezed. “Thank you!”
He smelled a lot like Sam. Deep and slightly spicy. His body temperature was exactly like Sam’s too, warm and welcoming. I think I hugged him a little longer than I should have. When I stepped back, I cleared my throat and avoided his unflinching gaze.
“Why don’t you tell me about what I just agreed to get involved in.
I led the way to Sam’s truck and climbed into the driver’s seat. For the first time since Riley climbed over that railing, I was afraid. “It’s almost unbelievable.”
From the darkened passenger side, his voice came out of the night. “I’m pretty good at unbelievable.”
I started up the truck and put it in drive. “That’s good because I’ve got quite the story for you.”
*
Sam’s little efficiency apartment was hot. On day two of him being gone, I came over and turned off the small air unit. I walked over and turned back it on, then switched on the overhead light.
“I can find my own place to stay,” Riley said, hovering in the doorway.
“Shut the door. I just turned the air on.”
He did, but he didn’t move away from the door. “So this is Sam’s place?”
I turned from fluffing the pillows on the couch. “Yeah.” I couldn’t tell what he thought about the place but, really, it didn’t matter.
“He deserved better than he had.” He nodded like he approved.
“I know.” And this still wasn’t as good as he deserved, but it was a start.
“It smells like you in here,” Riley said, finally pushing away from the door and coming into the room.
“The bathroom’s right there.” I motioned with my thumb. “The kitchen’s there and the couch is here.” I pointed in front of me, although it was completely obvious.
“The bedroom’s there.” He said, mimicking my movements, making me feel like a stewardess. (The exits are here and there and the beverage cart is here.)
“That’s Sam’s bed.” I didn’t mean for it to sound so territorial, but there it was.
He smirked. “Hands off?”
“I’m sorry. Of course you can sleep there.” It was a small price to pay for what he was doing for us. After I told him the entire story about hell, the Treasure Map and Beelzebub, he still agreed to help. In fact, I think the impossibility of the situation appealed to him. He didn’t even seem that shocked. I guess being a hellhound would make most anything plausible.
“No, it’s all right. I get it.”
I didn’t think he did, but I didn’t voice that opinion. “I’ll go to the store tomorrow and get you some food.”
“I can take care of myself.”
I shut the fridge door and looked at him.
“It’s enough that you’re letting me stay here.”
“Letting you stay here is nothing compared to what you’re doing.”
“I haven’t done anything yet.”
He came closer and my pulse quickened. “Your clothes are wet.” I moved around him and went to Sam’s dresser and pulled out a clean pair of shorts and a T-shirt. “Here. There isn’t a washer or dryer here, but I can do your clothes for you at my Gran’s house.”
“I can take care of myself.” He growled. He looked like an animal standing in a tiny cage.
I nodded and put the clothes on the back of the couch. “It’s late. I’ll go.”
He watched me go to the door. Before I turned the handle to leave, I couldn’t help but turn back. “I’ll see you in the morning?” Part of me didn’t want to let him out of my sight. He was the best shot I had at getting Sam out of hell. What if he disappeared?
He moved fast, coming to stand directly in front of me, and I stiffened. “I gave you my word,” he said low, emotionless, and leaned down to stare into my eyes.