Read Online The Billionaire's Demon by Eliza Gayle - Free Book Online Page B

Biting her lip, she looked away.
    “Yes, like you.” He hated seeing the insecurity in her eyes. “We, however, have been trying to get back to hell ever since we got here. But there is only one way back.”
     
    “Harold has to be eliminated?” Her voice low, reserved. “But he created me… What happens to me if Harold is destroyed?”
    His eyes darkened and he turned away from her. She knew before he spoke that it would be bad. Very bad.
    “And therein lies my latest dilemma. Whatever happens to Harold happens to his demons as well.”
    “You and your friends want to go home. But in order to get there, you have to destroy Harold, which in turn will kill me.” He didn't need to answer. The truth of her statement was written all over his face. She sat heavily on the bed.
    “Harold doesn't have to be killed. I have a choice. Eternal punishment or death will suffice, and at this point, death seems too easy for him.”
    “When are you planning to do this?”
    “We aren't exactly. You are.”
    “What? Why would I do that?”
    “We know about your quota, Melody. It's the clause we've been waiting for.”
    “I definitely don't understand.”
    “When Harold asked to create you, permission was given on a provisional basis. You are to meet a monthly soul quota. If you don't meet it three months in a row, then Harold and by association, you, are punished permanently. And we both know being tortured in the Lake of Fire for eternity is no cushy office job.”
    “That sounds ridiculous.” And far more painful than she'd bargained for.
    “Well, many demons aren't known for their logical thought processes. This deal was all about Harold's arrogance and how it would end up becoming his downfall.”
    “If I don't make my quota tonight, it will be the third month in a row I haven't made it.”
    Drake nodded his head. “We know, hon. Randy, my Chaos Demon, has been keeping track for us. We've been waiting for this, and I was brought in to make sure you don't succeed.”
    “You're here to ensure I die tonight?” He nodded his head, and her heart shattered. Everything she'd dared to hope for despite her head telling her otherwise fractured before her eyes. Sudden pain cramped her belly, an ache she'd thought long forgotten. She turned away, unable to look at him anymore. Melody was supposed to be smarter than Melanie, yet here she was repeating her same mistakes over and over. When would it ever end? Her eyes began to burn with a sheen of tears that she swiped quickly away. No way would she start crying in front of Drake. It would be a cold day in hell, and she knew how unlikely that was.
    “But, Melody, don't you see?” His fingers gripped her arm and forced her around. “I can't do it. I—I care about you.”
    Melody jerked her gaze from his, afraid to make a mistake. Her heart tightened in her chest as she agonized over what to believe. Every cell in her body screamed for the man in front of her and she was afraid.
    Lies and deceit filled her world now. Innocence and faith didn't belong. Yet that small kernel of humanity remained—the piece that made her want to believe. To give the man she loved another chance. Sure he hadn't given her the declaration of love she'd been hoping for, but she had to take a chance. Deep down, her instincts told her how he felt about her.
    “I won't stop you from getting your souls. I want Harold to pay for his crimes, but I'll have to find another way. The price is too high.”
    Melody thought on this for a minute. Puzzling through the details. The agonized pain in his voice gave her insight into a man tortured for too long.
    “Drake, how long have you been trying to take care of Harold?” His hesitation was more telling than she imagined. “How long?”
    “One hundred and forty-five years.”

Chapter Six
    A chill swept over Melody. She loved Drake and his pain tore at her insides. One hundred and forty-five years was a long time to live with that kind of torture. Too long. He