Page 66 of When I Accidentally Summoned a Demon

Something hot unfurls beneath my skin.

Vesper crosses her arms, looking more irritated than wounded. “Sure, Rick. Your dick ending up inside multiple women was certainly a shared marital decision.”

The heat intensifies. Cheating. Multiple women. The thought of this mortal possessing a bond to Vesper and repaying it by crawling into other beds turns something inside me violently sour. Somehow, I remain where I am.

Rick scoffs. “That’s not what I meant.”

“It never is.”

The veins in his neck throb. “Bethie deserves a real family. You know she does.”

Vesper goes very still. “She has a real family, Rick.” Her voice is quiet but absolute. “A damn good one. She is safe, she is loved, and she is happy. And for the record, so am I.”

His smile falters. “I’m just saying, the petition isn’t about making your life difficult. It’s about Bethie.”

“The petition⁠—”

“She needs her dad.” He stuffs his hands into his pockets, posture too casual. “More than once a month.”

Vesper handles him with a composed precision that costs her more than it shows. “Then maybe you should start acting like one during the ninety minutes you already have instead of spending half of them on your phone.”

His face darkens, and he scrubs a hand down his face. “I’ve changed, Ves. Good job. Six-month sobriety chip for gambling and alcohol. That should count for something.”

I have stood in the Pit while greater demons negotiated for power, and I recognize the transaction immediately. Six months of good behavior, and Rick believes Vesper owes him something for it. The realization sends another pulse of heat beneath my skin.

I flex my hand once. “I suppose,” I say, “that I cannot torture this one either.”

They both look at me.

“The fuck?” Rick sneers.

Vesper parts her lips. Then…they spread into a smile, and she practically glows. “Actually,” she says. “Him you can.”

Rick blinks. I cross the room. I do not rush. Rick regards me like a deer in headlights, and the least I can do is allow him the full experience of understanding he does not deserve to even stand in my Lady’s presence.

I close my hand around his throat and lift him off the floor as if he weighs a throw cushion.

“Do it, Vale. Show him.”

As my Mistress commands. I release the glamour, giving this spineless weakling the unfiltered and unadulterated view of the predator from hell. His eyes rocket open. He makes a pathetic sound. My tail rises. I draw the tip of it slowly along the side of his face in a taunt, enjoying the sight of his skin paling. I have a newfound appreciation for my multi-purpose tail.

Vesper stands beside me, arms folded across her chest, features filled with a long-overdue satisfaction.

“As a Duke of Hell, charged with the eternal torment of beings responsible for none other than the sin of thievery,” I truthfully quip, “I would be most thrilled to add your name to my registry.”

Rick’s hands fumble with my wrist, discovering it does nothing.

I cock my head. “I believe you are currently in possession of seven months of child support that has not reached its intended destination.”

Vesper says, beside me, pleasantly, “Nine months, actually.”

I snarl, burning my gaze at Rick. “This creature steals from his mate and still believes he deserves to breathe her air.”

“Ex-mate,” Vesper corrects. I crook a smile at her.

Rick makes a wet, panicked sound.

“Nine months,” I confirm. “You will transfer it. Now. All of it.”