Page 137 of Knight’s Retribution

She nodded, because there was no going back from this. If Scarlet’s plan worked, she would finally get out of this place, and if not—

She couldn’t think about that.

“But I…I need you to trust me,” she said. “Love grows from trust. You said you would let me out of this room, that I could have more freedom. I need to leave these four walls, Diemos. Please, I’m going mad in here all day, every day.”

He smiled, all sharp pointed teeth. “Kiss me again.”

She did.

When he lifted his head, eyes still on her, he held out a clawed hand and a robe of deep red silk appeared. “You may wear this.”

“You’re letting me leave?” she rasped, fear, excitement, hope filling her to overflowing.

“Yes,” he said and stood back. “I have to go, but I’ll return for you soon.”

She had to swallow down her cry of relief.

Quickly pulling on the robe, she tied the belt around her waist, and threw her arms around him, giving him more, doing whatever she could to solidify his belief that he’d won her over, that her feelings for him had changed.

He made a startled sound, and when she pulled back, she smiled up at him. It was the first genuine smile she’d given the terrifying male standing in front of her since they brought her to him.

She was getting out of here.

Today.

* * *

Rocco pulled the hood of his cloak up over his head, his sword a heavy weight strapped to his thigh. He’d seen enough demons leave the portal over the years to know how they dressed. The plain brown cloak would at least help him fit in when he first entered Hell.

From the mouth of the alley, deep in shadow, he watched his brothers standing in their usual spots in front of the brick wall, waiting for the portal to open. Bouncing on the spot, warming muscles, swinging swords. They would assume he was close, he was always close, but they also thought his mental state had improved since he’d been spending time at the compound. Still, they’d be ready for him, in case he showed up and tried to go through. He wouldn’t be surprised if some of Grace’s crew had been assigned to watch out for him.

But this time, there was no chance they’d see him.

Luna was beside him, her fingers gripping his tight. He let her, because she needed it. The little dhampir was scared for him, even though he’d tried to explain that to him, living without Kyler was worse than anything he was about to face.

No one knew they were there except Gunner, and no one could see them, or sense them, thanks to Luna’s power. It surrounded them both, making the air around them wave and shake like they were underwater.

She gave his fingers a squeeze. “You ready?”

He glanced at her, a sense of calm coming over him, and a fuck load of gratitude. “Can’t find the words to tell you how ready I am for this.”

She smiled and gave his fingers another squeeze as the light show began in front of them. The portal flashed, then opened.

Demons immediately swarmed out, some desperate for freedom, some sent here to do Diemos’s bidding. The fighting began, the clash of steel, the screams of the injured as his brothers fought alongside Grace and her crew of demi-demons.

“Stay behind your shield until the alley is cleared out,” he said to Luna and stepped away from her.

She let go of his hand and nodded. “Be safe, Roc, and come home to us.”

He didn’t make a promise he wasn’t sure he could keep, instead he pulled her back in and gave her a quick hug, then headed for the portal.

He moved silently around the bodies, the battle going on around him. Gunner removed a demon’s head a short distance from him and glanced up, searching. The male was looking for his mate, looking for Rocco.

The light of the portal flickered. He only had minutes before it closed again.

Roc picked up speed, jumping over bodies, dodging those still fighting.

When he finally reached the gateway, he turned back.