Underworld Lover (A Guardian Angel Romance #2) by haron Hamilton Page A

odd.
    As he stepped out, the limo didn’t speed away as had happened before, but remained, engine running. He tucked his hands into the pockets of his black wool jacket, then pulled up the collar, fending off the chill of the night air. He gripped the door to the garage, which groaned with a harsh metallic screech. He exited the garage, the door slamming shut behind him so loud it made him jump. A single bulbed fixture had been vandalized, so there wasn’t any light, except for the moon. The blackness had never bothered Josh before, as it didn’t interfere with his sight. But tonight he was a bit on edge and took the dark as an omen.
    As he rounded the corner marked by a large oleander bush, he bumped into another man. Cursing his lack of attention, Josh looked up at the large dark eyes that stared back at him and instantly felt his stomach drop to his ankles. Though he was a good three inches taller than Peter, Peter didn’t seem to be intimidated in the slightest.
    The two men squared off. Josh tried to hide his surprise, stuffing down the slight tremble in his chest.
    “I just came from her. I like watching her sleep.” Peter reported smugly.
    This was damn irritating. She let him into her bed. Melanie, what have you done ?
    “So I have to ask you, why do you want me to do something you can do all by yourself?” Josh knew the answer but wanted to ask Peter anyway.
    “Because I want you to do it. That’s the point.” Peter looked down at his black boots, rocking back on his heels. “She isn’t mine. Yet. For now, she remains a virgin. But she will belong to me soon.” Then he resumed his steely stare, pinning Josh in place. “She’s special. Can you see how that would be?”
    “You want me to force her to come to you?”
    “I don’t care about that. I just don’t want to have to be the one to do it. Makes no difference if she chooses or you make her. Either way, she excites me. I will have her, and you will bring her to me, willing or not.”
    Josh didn’t believe it, but he understood the communication.
    “You know she’s a friend to Felix?” Josh asked.
    “ Was is the word. Poor Felix. I thought about having him do it. But I decided you would be the better fit.” Peter’s eyes were dancing now, swirling with evil redness, almost looking happy. “Perhaps Felix could help, though.”
    Josh forced a chuckle. “I imagine this would be hazardous to his health, or was that the point?”
    “I am his sponsor. I don’t wish him any ill, although getting the two of them to turn would have been better. I was disappointed Melanie didn’t accompany him to the Underworld. You know this already, though, don’t you?”
    Yes, you bastard. “ I didn’t take you for the virginal type.” It was Josh’s turn to look smug. “And I never would have guessed you and Felix could have the same taste in women.” He shook his head. “The older I get, the more I learn.”
    Peter stood his collar up with snappy efficiency, his face wiped clean of pleasantries. “I’m an acquired taste. I believe you have used this line in the past.” He walked away, leaving Josh standing on the path. Ten feet away he stopped and turned to the side, tossing the words back at Josh. “Make it quick. My needs are growing.”
    Then he disappeared into the night. Josh heard the door open to the garage and the roar of the black limo as it took off like a jet. He wondered if the man himself would try driving the black beast, and laughed at the thought of the Director of the Underworld wearing a chauffeur’s cap to match his black gloves.
    He relaxed with the knowledge Peter had gone back to the Underworld, which left the human world at Josh’s command. And safe, for now. He would go check on Melanie and see what kind of a state Peter had left her.
    His footsteps tapped lightly along the gravel path, and then onto pavement and sidewalk. He passed a rose garden bordered by a black metal gate. He doubted he would ever smell another