Chapter Three

I blinked awake, sunlight streaming through the gauzy hotel curtains. The bed beside me was empty, but still warm from Elias's body. Good. I didn't do morning-after small talk.

I chucked some clothes on, before sitting down with a coffee.

Grabbing my laptop, I dialled up dear old dad. His face filled the screen, all sharp angles and devilish charm.

"Luella, darling. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

I rolled my eyes. "Can't a girl call her father without an ulterior motive?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Not when that girl is you, my dear."

"Fair enough," I conceded. "Just wanted to let you know I took care of that runaway demon. He won't be causing any more trouble."

Dad's eyes lit up with pride. "Excellent work. I knew I could count on you. How did you dispatch him?"

I was about to answer when a loud knock echoed through the room. "Hold that thought," I told Dad. Rookie mistake.

I padded to the door, yanking it open to find Elias standing there, looking sheepish.

"Hey," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I, uh, think I left my wallet here last night."

I stepped aside, letting him in. "Make it quick."

As Elias searched for his wallet, I completely forgot about the open video call with my father. Sometimes being 398 years old doesn't make you any less prone to embarrassing situations.

Elias finally located his wallet wedged between the couch cushions. As he straightened up, a wolfish grin spread across his face.

"Found it," he said, his eyes dragging over me. "You know, I had a really great time last night. Maybe we could do it again sometime?”

I smirked, feeling a rush of heat. "Maybe. If you're lucky."

Elias chuckled, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "Oh, I think we both got lucky last night." He leaned in close, his breath hot on my ear. "I can still taste you on my lips."

I shoved him playfully towards the door. "Get out of here."

As soon as the door clicked shut behind him, I remembered the video call. Shit. I hurried back to my laptop, hoping against hope that Dad had hung up.

No such luck. His face filled the screen, one eyebrow raised so high it nearly disappeared into his hairline.

"And who, pray tell, was that?" he asked, his voice dangerously calm.

I flopped down onto the bed, groaning. "Nobody important."

"Really? Because it sounded like somebody you know quite... intimately."

I rolled my eyes so hard I thought they might fall out of my head. "Dad. I'm nearly four hundred years old. I'm allowed to have a one night stand."

Lucifer's eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a smirk that was equal parts amusement and disapproval. "And does this... gentleman caller know it's meant to be just one night?"

I shrugged, picking at a loose thread on the bedspread. "Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't. Not really my problem, is it?"

"Luella," Dad's voice held a note of warning. "You know how these things can get messy."

I snorted. "Please. I've been handling 'messy' since before he was born. Besides, it's not like I'm going to see him again."

Elias had been fun for a quick fuck in the moment... But more than that? No.

I pushed the thought away, focusing on Dad's exasperated sigh.

"You sound so sure," he said, shaking his head. "Just be careful, darling. The last thing we need is some lovesick shifter causing problems."

"Trust me," I said, flashing him my most winning smile. "If he becomes a problem, I'll handle it. Permanently."

Dad chuckled, a sound that would have sent chills down the spine of anyone else. To me, it was comforting. Familiar.

"That's my girl," he said, pride evident in his voice. "Now, about that demon you took care of..."

I leaned back in my chair, crossing my legs. "Right, the demon. What about him?"

Dad's eyes gleamed with interest. "How'd you take him out?"

I grinned, remembering the clean shot, the satisfying thud of the body hitting the floor. "Sniper rifle. One shot. Clean and efficient."

"Hmm," Dad mused, stroking his chin. "Not your usual style. I thought you preferred getting your hands dirty."

I shrugged, examining my perfectly manicured nails. "Normally, yeah. But I had plans."

"The gentleman caller," Dad said, understanding on his face.

"Exactly," I replied with a wink. "Can't go on a date smelling like brimstone and demon guts, can I?"

Dad chuckled, shaking his head. "I suppose not. Well, I'll send someone to clean up the mess. Good work, as always."

I smiled a little at the praise. Even after all these centuries, Dad's approval still meant something. Not that I'd ever admit it out loud.

"So," I said, changing the subject. "Any other runaway demons you need me to hunt down? Or am I free to enjoy my vacation topside and just hunt the traitorous scumbag?"

Dad's expression turned thoughtful. "Not at the moment. But stay sharp. You never know when trouble might come knocking."

I rolled my eyes. "Please. Trouble doesn't knock. It kicks down the door and buys me a drink."

Dad's laugh echoed through the speakers. "That's my girl." His expression shifted, becoming more serious. "Actually, I wanted to tell you about some changes I've made down here."

I leaned forward, intrigued. "Oh? Finally installing that waterpark I suggested?"

He snorted. "Not quite. I've been restructuring the circles. Making things more... efficient."

"Efficient?" I raised an eyebrow. "Since when do you care about efficiency in eternal damnation?"

"Since we started getting overcrowded," he replied, running a hand through his hair. "You wouldn't believe the paperwork involved in soul processing these days."

I couldn't help but laugh. The Devil, drowning in bureaucracy. "Sounds thrilling. Almost makes me glad I left."

His eyes softened. "About that... I hope you'll come back to visit soon. See the changes for yourself."

A pang of guilt hit me. I've been avoiding home for a while now. I knew he wanted me to come home permanently. "Yeah, maybe."

Dad nodded, then his expression turned mischievous. "And if that shifter of yours becomes a problem, feel free to bring him along. I'd be happy to... deal with him."

I snorted, picturing Elias face-to-face with the Lord of Hell. "As much as I’d love to see him go head-to-head with you… That won't be necessary. Trust me, he's not going to be a problem."

"If you say so," Dad replied, not looking entirely convinced. "Just remember, you're a Morningstar. People tend to get attached to our power. It’s hard to do casual hookups when your magic is like an addictive aphrodisiac."

I rolled my eyes. "I’ve got this."

I glanced at the time on my phone, realising I needed to wrap this up. "Look, Dad, I've gotta go. I've got that other job lined up this week and I need to start staking out the target, figure out a plan."

His face fell slightly, but he nodded. "Of course."

I felt a twinge of guilt again. "I'll call you soon, okay? Maybe we can set up a visit."

"I'd like that," he said, his voice softer than usual. "I love you, Luella. Please, visit soon. It's... uncomfortably peaceful and lonely without you here. Both as my daughter and my heir."

I swallowed hard, caught off guard by the raw emotion in his voice. The Devil wasn't supposed to get sentimental, was he? "I love you too, Dad," I managed, my throat tight. "I'll be home before you know it. Try not to let the demons burn the place down while I'm gone, yeah?"

He chuckled, the sound warm and familiar. "I'll do my best. Stay safe out there, firecracker."

I ended the call, staring at the blank screen for a moment. Home. It had been a while since I'd thought of Hell that way. But hearing the loneliness in Dad's voice... Maybe it was time for a visit. After this next job, of course.

Shaking off the sentimentality, I grabbed my laptop and pulled up the file on my next target. Time to get to work. The Morningstar name wasn't going to uphold itself, after all.