“And Chloe and Luke will be able to be there the whole time because…” He rubbed the back of his neck.
“Because we’re demon gifted, born of the demons’ loins.” Chloe smirked at Noah.
Lincoln was watching me, assessing, and sizing me up with those ocean blue eyes.
“Can I speak to you privately for a minute?” my boyfriend asked me, nodding toward his room.
My stomach became a ball of nerves, as I started to walk in that direction. Once he’d closed the door behind him, he snapped around to face me.
“Stop that!” he hissed.
My eyes widened. “Stop what?”
His shirt was so tight I could see the bulging muscles just underneath. Lincoln was a warrior through and through. He crossed the space between us, cradling my face.
“Stop doubting yourself. What the hell is there to be nervous about? You’ve got this,” he declared.
My body melted at his touch, my nerves chased away by his words.
“How many other kids there do you think have had round-the-clock training from some of the best military officers in the field?” he asked.
I grinned. “Isn’t Noah supposed to be the cocky one?”
He chuckled. “Just think about it. They’ll be scrappy, dirty, but you and Shea are well trained, precise, and you’re both very, very powerful.”
He was right. Shea and I were born scrappy, but we’d also learned how to be diligent and purposeful in our attacks. We’d also been field trained in the Fallen Army on our weekends out. We were ready.
I’m getting my mom back. Tonight.
Lincoln brushed his thumb along my lower lip. “Do you honestly think I’d let you sign up for something I didn’t believe you could do?”
I shook my head. “No.”
His lips tugged into a radiant smile. “Then you need to believe in yourself. All the big athletes say half the game is played and won in their heads. No more negative thoughts, okay?”
I smirked. “I’m usually the positive one.”
He leaned in and dropped a kiss on my neck. “Well, I’m happy to be of service.”
I moaned. Speaking of service, I could think of something that needed a little servicing to get the tension out. It was so nice now that Lincoln had his own big apartment. No more rocking the trailer.
My eyes snapped open and I pushed him back as a thought struck me. “Oh my God! My mom has nowhere to live! If I bring her back, she’ll need a place until she can get on her feet. Is your trailer still available? Do you think…？” I felt bad for even asking, but I had no other options.
Lincoln looked down at me with a knowing gaze. “I’m surprised it took you this long to think about it.”
I raised one eyebrow in confusion. “Is that a yes?”
He shook his head. “I’m not making the mother of the woman I love live in my old tiny trailer. Besides, if she’s as good a cook as you say she is, I’ll enjoy all the meals.”
My throat cinched with emotion. “What are you saying?”
He trailed a finger down my cheek. “I’m saying a few days ago, Noah helped me set up the guest room. It has a bed and dresser now.”
I had to bite my tongue to keep from sobbing. “That’s your music room.”
He shrugged. “I’ll turn it into a music room when she’s gone.”
“Lincoln.” The tears started falling. He was a twenty-four-year old guy who hated demon slaves, and yet was willing to live with my mom who was one. “You want to live with my mom? Are you sure? She can be annoying,” I warned him.
He laughed, but then a dark look crossed his face. “I’d give anything to have my mom back to annoy me for just one day.”
I swallowed hard. “I didn’t mean that. I—”
He waved it off. “I know. I’m just saying it’ll be nice. I’m looking forward to it.”
Oh my God. Lincoln Grey was taking my mom into his apartment.
Marry me now and have my babies.
“Is she all packed?” he inquired.
I nodded. My mom had freaked about the fight at first, but then I’d told her about my dark magic whip and strangling necktie and she’d come around to the idea. “She’s just waiting for us to stop by after.” I was totally doing the positive thing.
“Ready?”
I nodded. “Those bitches are going down.”
After Noah said goodbye to Shea with a disgusting make-out session against the wall outside Lincoln’s apartment, we hit the road. Luke’s aunt lived in Demon City and was a demon slave, so he’d gotten two passes permitting him to visit her for a few hours for him and Chloe. Shea and I were of course permitted as fighters, and Lincoln and Noah had our two guest passes. I tried to tamp down the nerves that were making me feel lightheaded with adrenaline.