Demons Prefer Blondes (8 page)

Kalli plopped down into a dryer seat and flipped open a magazine. Wrinkling her nose, she set it back down. “You know Squeaky was chosen long before he took on the body of a chimp.”

“Even his name leaves something to be desired.” Rafe raised his chin in an arrogant display. “I’m insulted.”

Talk about proud. Poor Squeaky to get saddled with him. “I think it’s a cute name.” She had only just met the little guy, but even with his high-pitched voice, she liked the chimp.

Kalli nodded. “It’s a lot easier to say than Quetzalcoatl, don’t you think?”

An Aztec god? No way. “You’re shittin’ me.”

Rafe’s eyes widened in equal surprise. “Preposterous.”

“I shit you not.” Kalli extended her legs and crossed them at the ankles. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to judge a book by its cover?”

Rafe pursed his lips and scratched the growth of hair on his chin. “Why is a powerful demon-god acting as a lowly imp?”

Kalli smiled. “That, my friend, is a question for your familiar.”

“Always a well of information, aren’t you?” Rafe rolled his eyes.

Kalli ignored Rafe and turned to Lucy. “Where’d you find this guy?”

Lucy shrugged. Rafe might’ve had the social skills of a toad, but he still had a gentle side. She caught a glimpse of it earlier. “Discount Demon Mart.”

Kalli threw her long multi-colored dreads over her shoulder. “A little rough around the edges, but he means well.” She turned to Rafe. “So what else is on your mind? You’ve been sporting that scowl long before Squeaky arrived.”

“He’s mad because I forced him to sit in a cramped car seat.” It was more than that. He’d been acting like an ass since that sizzling and oh-so-delicious kiss. She licked her lips, wishing they were his instead. She should’ve smacked Serah for interrupting their tongue-wrestling match. Now she’d never experience such ecstasy again.

The demoness arched a brow. “Your succubus is in need.”

“That’s why I need your help, Kalli.” Rafe crossed his arms and took a seat in one of the seats. “Look outside.”

Scads of men waited patiently—and some not so patiently—outside the windows and doors for the salon to open. From the looks of it they weren’t all here for haircuts.

Her eyes widened. “Are you sure she’s only half succubus?” Raking a hand through her rough locks, she shook her head. “We need to contact Lilu. She may be bred of one of his higher court. What of her mother?”

Oh!
There was no way she would introduce these demons to her mom. She’d have her committed in a heartbeat. Heck, she was ready to commit herself. If it weren’t the fact that she and Serah were seeing the same things, she would’ve already done it. Delusions of grandeur, indeed.

“You don’t need to meet my mom. She’s a devout Catholic. Goes to church every Sunday. Wouldn’t she spontaneously combust upon entry?”

Rafe scowled, but Kalli broke out into giggles.

“I take that as a no?”

“Humans and their silly superstitions.” Kalli motioned Lucy to sit next to her. “The Infernati, yes, but demons such as us are blessed by angels. If anything, it would strengthen us.”

A supposedly evil being had an angel’s blessing? It was surreal. A trip to make a hippie jealous—if it really was a trip.

“Sorry, I’m not into that religious stuff.”

Kalli grasped Lucy’s hand, her amethyst eyes flashing with intensity. “That’s too bad.”

“No, not at all. I call it not getting my hopes up.” That way, when she faded into nothingness, she wouldn’t be disappointed. It had worked for the past fifteen years—that’s when she’d grown a backbone.

“Don’t let
him
hear you.” Kalli smiled.

“Rafe? I could care less what he thinks.”

Kalli rolled her eyes. “Me neither, but I wasn’t referring to
that
him, although he’s arrogant enough.”

Rafe glared from across the waiting area. “We have important things to discuss. Like helping Lucy control her powers. Don’t you see the eager crowd gathering outside?”

Lucy and Kalli shot their gazes back toward the large window. Men pushed and pounded against each other. Noses pressed against glass. Some waved their hands like little kids and even more blew kisses. One guy brushed the back of his hand across his forehead and fainted, slumping against the man ahead of him.
Yay! I’m a rock star!

Kalli and Lucy groaned. Thank goodness the shop didn’t open for another hour. From the look of it outside, it would take longer than an hour to get things under control. Just her luck!

“Perhaps you should call in sick today,” Kalli suggested. She twirled a purple dread in her finger. “I can help your guys. I have experience with hair.”

Lucy could feel the enamel rubbing from her teeth as she ground them. “I have clients to take care of.”

Kalli’s eyes brightened like two giant amethysts. “I have styled many famous people’s hair. I can handle a few haircuts and perms.”

“What sort of experience?”

Kalli’s eyes glazed narrowed in thought. “Back in 1788, I styled Marie Antoinette’s wig.”

“Before or after they chopped off her head?”

Kalli rolled her eyes. “Before, of course.” She continued her résumé. “In 1534, I served Anne Boleyn.”

Interesting trend.
Lucy snickered. “I suppose you styled Mary, Queen of Scotland’s hair, too?”

She crossed her arms. “I assure you, it was completely coincidental.”

“Darn. Because I would gladly let you style Mrs. Carlson’s hair.” Then again, that wasn’t very nice. No one deserved their head on a chopping block, even that old bat.

Kalli turned her glance to Rafe. “You can take Lucy home and teach her what you know. I’ll stop by after the shop’s closed to continue.” She turned to Lucy and flashed a wide smile. “And before you worry about sleep, demons don’t sleep, so we can train all night long.”

“No sleep?” Hell no! That was her favorite part of the day. Her lips curved downward even farther. “That sucks!”

Kalli shrugged. “If it’s something you wish for yourself, then it can be done. But why you’d want to do that is beyond me.”

“There’s nothing I’d rather do than sleep.” At least that’s how it used to be. Ever since she laid eyes on that crazy chest, sleep was the last thing on her mind. “I consider it a hobby. I enjoy it.”

“It’s time to find a new hobby,” Kalli said with a quirk of her pierced brow.

Lucy put her arms behind her head and stretched out her legs. “I’d like to stay here for a few hours. I need to take care of a couple of things.”

Kalli bounded from the chair. “Fair enough. I can show you your new equipment.”

“Equipment?” she asked, her eyes bugging out.

Kalli jogged to one of the stations. “Yep. You’ve been upgraded.”

Kalli pulled out a curling iron from the holder attached to the front of the counter. “Check this baby out.”

She held the curling iron out to Lucy, its shiny rod glinting against the bright fluorescent lights. “Notice anything about the barrel?”

She took the instrument and ran her fingertips across it. Besides the top, which had been carved into a sharp point, it resembled an everyday curling iron. She was supposed to stake demons with a curling iron?

“It’s silver!” Kalli, apparently thrilled by her ingenious invention, beamed. Then she whipped out a pair of shears. “But these may work better.”

Lucy arched an eyebrow. The idea of using scissors that she’d used to hack up a demon on a client left little to be desired. “I don’t have to cut hair with them, do I?”

“No, the silver is in case of an emergency, when an unwelcome demon attacks.” Kalli handed them to her.

“I take it silver and demons don’t mix?” Why couldn’t they have intolerance to some other heavy metal—like lead? It would be so much easier if she could just load a couple slugs into those pesky demons. Alas, life is never that simple.

Kalli nodded. “Fortunate for us less voracious fiends, we can take silver in small doses.” She twirled her labret piercing with her tongue—which, of course, had even more silver.
Small doses?

Kalli handed her more items, all as silver as the ones before. A comb, a pick, even a bobby pin. “Even a touch of silver can cause the Infernati pain.” She placed the silver bobby pin in Lucy’s hand.

Maybe she could
do
them in by giving them a new hairdo. “Won’t it hurt me? I don’t think any angels have blessed me lately.”

“Good point.” Kalli glanced down at the fingers still gripping the pin. “Guess not,” she said with a pat to her back.

“Odd.” Rafe’s voice, even just that one word, teased Lucy’s ears, sending her into fits of excitement. He stood behind her, looking over her shoulder. “There could be a logical explanation. It’s best we exercise caution. She may be descended of the sect of Sexubis that severed.”

“How many sects do demons have?”
Sect this, sect that. Here a sect, there a sect…

“Two,” Rafe replied, examining Kalli’s handiwork. He drew his fingertips against the shiny blade of the scissors and took the weapon in his hand. How Lucy wished it were her he stroked. Ugh! This sex demon stuff had to go. “The Infernati and the Paladins. Those who chose the dark path are Infernati, and those who strive for redemption choose the latter.”

Kalli nodded. “Lilu, the Sexubi king, chose the Paladins, but there were several who weren’t happy with that decision. They chose to join Belial, instead.”

Sexubi?
Why were they worried? Obviously she was one of the good guys, right? Taking in both Kalli’s and Rafe’s serious expressions, there had to be more. “Okay, spill it.”

Rafe blew out a long breath of air. “You have yet to choose your side, and Belial can be very persuasive.” His warm gaze swept over her, calming one side, yet driving her naughty side bonkers. “You need our protection.”

“You’ve said that—numerous times.” She extended her legs and stretched. “But now it’s time to open my shop. I have customers to serve.”

Rafe scrubbed his fingers through his hair. “I understand. Kalli and I can attempt an enrapture similar to yesterday afternoon.”

She knew it! “Ha! I knew you had us under some sort of spell.” Not that she was complaining. After all, he had taken care of Mrs. Carlson. “Next time warn me when you do something like that.”

Rafe arched a brow. “You, my dear Lucy, were unaffected.”

Unaffected? Yeah right. That man had her wanting to swoon on sight. No way in hell had she not been affected. She still was affected almost twenty-four hours later. “Bullshit. I was just as enthralled as Gerardo and Mrs. Carlson.”
If not more.

“Maybe,” Rafe said, rising from his perch. The muscles in his arms and legs flexed with each step toward her. His silvery gaze burned into her, causing her body to shiver in delightful excitement. “But the fact that you were aware of the situation proves everything.”

The heat radiated from his body, inches from her, and flooded her. Her pulse raced and goose bumps sprouted all over her body. God, he was good.

“Okay, enough already, Rafe.” Lucy crossed her arms across her chest and stiffened her lip. “I get your point.”

He narrowed his gaze. “Enough of what? I wasn’t doing anything—yet.”

“Really?” She shook away the tingles of excitement that kept barraging her body.
Yeah right!
Like her body always did that when a hot guy gave her a searing gaze. “I felt something.”

“He’s telling the truth. The effect of an enrapture is more like this…” Kalli turned to face her, her eyes sparkling like two giant amethysts. Tiny pricks of electricity tickled her brain. “The effects on humans aren’t quite so dull.”

Dull wasn’t quite how she would’ve described it. Maybe because she was only half succubus? Well,
if
she was a succubus. She was falling into this story a little too easily.

“Fine. Do what you gotta do,” she said, turning toward the back hallway. “I need to talk to Gerardo and Frankie.” She flashed a bright smile Kalli’s way. “New employee and all.”

Kalli nodded. “Fair enough. Rafe and I will manage.” She turned back to gaze out the window and shuddered. Men pressed and pushed against the door.

Blinking, Lucy shook her head. She couldn’t believe her eyes. Pressed against the plate glass window was none other than Josh Carlson. His blond hair hadn’t changed one bit since college. Same style and all. Heaven forbid a strand fall out of place or he’d probably have a heart attack. Predictability had been his forte—until now. Now he stood there acting like a fool with the other one hundred or so male admirers.

This wouldn’t be pretty. Josh fawning over her would be just what her mother ordered. Not what she had in mind as a way to win her mother over, either. Hopefully, Rafe and Kalli could truly handle the situation—for her already-dwindling sanity’s sake.

Kalli popped to attention, her eyes wide and alert. “What is it?”

“Ex-boyfriend, ten o’clock.”

Rafe exhaled long and deep. His jaw tightened. “Bloody hell. How long has he been your ex?”

“Five years, but he’s engaged to someone else now.” She’d be damned if she break up Josh and Larissa and leave his meddlesome mommy with something more to harp on about. “I’m supposed to style the hair for their wedding,” she added lamely.

Kalli’s brow shot up in an ever-permanent arch. “You must be strong if you can overtake the power of love.”

Rafe groaned. “This isn’t good, and I don’t like leaving the chest unattended.” His silver glare seared. “Go talk to your employees. As soon as the crowd is controlled, I’m going back to check in with the council. Do what you need to do here, Lucia.”

The formal use of her name sent her heart plummeting for some unknown reason. With a curt nod, she spun on her heels and stalked toward the storage room.

Wasting no time, she threw open the door.

“Hon, that chimp ain’t talking.” Frankie grabbed a bottle of developer and sat it up on one of the shelves. He breathed a sigh of relief and stretched his arms. “Hey Lucy, honey.” He sauntered over to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. His other hand snaked down and massaged her ass.

Not Frankie too!

“Get your
manos
off
mi mujer
. I saw her first.” Gerardo, holding two gigantic bottles of Ultra Shine Spray, came into focus. “I am her photographer.”

“Hell no, she’s mine.”

She flashed a glance at Serah. “How long has this been going on?”

Serah’s lips tightened. “Too long. Gerardo pulled out your
mug shot
and it’s been on since.”

Ha! At least someone agreed with her. “I told you to get rid of that photo, Ger.”

Gerardo sighed and batted his lashes. “Oh, my dear, I had every intention of tossing it, but your beauty called out to me.” He dropped the hair spray and threw himself into her arms. “Take me,
mi amor
.”

“Oh, hell to the double no!” Frankie grabbed Gerardo by the feathers of his shirt and ripped him from Lucy’s arms. He took his fist and gave Gerardo a girlish punch to the shoulder.

“Ouch,” Gerardo cried out. “That hurt. You brute.” He slapped Frankie’s face. With an irritated huff he turned to her. “Such a Neanderthal.”

“Me, a Neanderthal? That’s the pot calling the kettle black.” Frankie huffed dramatically, placing his hands on his waist and sashaying to and fro. “And before you say anything else…” He arched his chin. “Lucy’s mine!”

“Boys!” Lucy shouted, sounding like a mother. “I’m not anyone’s. Not ever.”
Aha!
She turned to Serah. “Bring these
cavemen
outside and see if Rafe and Kalli can work their magic on them too.”

“Sure thing, Lucy. What about Squeaky?”

“What about me?” he mimicked, flailing his super long arms. He added a few chimp squeaks for good measure.

Lucy covered her ears. “Okay, Squeaky, go with Serah.”

Squeaky flipped her off. “I take back what I said earlier. You are mean.”

“Ooh wee, maybe he can talk,” Frankie chimed in as he bounded out the door. “With his fingers.”

“Yeah, it’s CSL for ‘have a nice day.’” Lucy narrowed a glare at Squeaky.

Gerardo scratched the new growth of a goatee. “CSL?”

“Chimpanzee Sign Language.”

Squeaky flashed a toothy grin, turned around and wiggled his butt. “I can talk with more than my fingers.”

“I don’t want to know.”

“Whatever,” the chimp muttered. “Your friends are kind of cool. Even if they don’t understand anything I say.”

“The chimp is cute and all,” Gerardo said, sidling up to Lucy and brushing his hips against hers. “But an animal like that violates every health code here.” He drew out his Latino accent and breathed in her ear. “What would Tabitha say?”

Bravo Network, yet another of Gerardo’s guilty pleasures.

“She wouldn’t say anything, because she won’t be taking over this salon—ever. Spank you very much.”

He batted his eyelashes. “Please?”

“Let’s not and say we didn’t.” She gave Gerardo a gentle nudge out the door toward the shop. “Now go open the salon. We’ve got a lot of customers.”

Lucy managed to control her snicker. That was an understatement. Hopefully, once Kalli and Rafe finished with their mumbo-jumbo, most of them would be on their merry way. “I’ll be out in a minute. I’ve got to… ahh… check our towel inventory.”

“Yes, my love.” Gerardo blew her a kiss and a flourish, à la Don Juan, and followed the others.

She waved. No way would she blow kisses. “This sucks,” she whispered beneath her breath.

Frankie’s screech echoed throughout the shop. “It ain’t free haircut day, is it?”

“
¡Ay
Dios mío!
” came Gerardo’s frazzled voice. “Who let
him
in here?”

Guess they saw Josh. For some reason, they—along with Serah from time to time—liked to blame Josh for the “breakup.” And to make matters worse, they were her newest admirers. She wasn’t looking forward to the cat-and-dog fight that was sure to follow.

Time to make her presence known.

She took a peek in the mirror and scraped her fingers through her hair—even though she didn’t need to. How great it was to have hair with a mind of its own when it did exactly what you wanted. Bad hair days were obviously a thing of the past. Throwing open the supply room door, Lucy took determined steps toward the vicinity of the commotion.

“Where’s Lucia?” Josh asked. Same ol’… same ol’. In the five years they dated, he always called her by her given name. Then there was the coronary he had every time she dared called him Josh. Then again, that was his boring nature. He always said Joshua sounded more professional. Lucy thought it sounded like he just stepped out of the Old Testament. “I’ve missed her so much.”

Yeah right, like a heart attack (unless the heart attack belonged to a patient, of course). It was only his pheromone-induced hormones talking, not his mind.

“Five years, Josh.” Serah said amongst the clamor of voices. “You think she hasn’t moved on?”

Josh sighed. “It’s Joshua… only Lucy can call me Josh. And I certainly haven’t moved on. Last I checked, she was still single, so I know the feeling has to be mutual.”

Oh, this became even more interesting. Her own private soap opera in her little salon. And did she notice a hint of arrogance? Josh was bolder than she last remembered him. She loved a good soap opera every so often. But not now!

“What about the lovely Miss Harding?” asked Gerardo, his Mexican accent carrying across the room. “Your—
madre
—was here yesterday and gave Lucy the honor of styling your bride’s hair.” When Gerardo slipped into Spanish, all hell would soon break loose.

Bemusement filled Josh’s face. “I want to marry Lucy.”

Squeaky let out a high pitched chuckle. “Damn, Lucia. You have your own posse. Need some more bodyguards? I got some underground connections, y’know.” Squeaky had apparently watched one too many episodes of
The Sopranos
.

Ignoring Squeaky, she gazed directly into Josh’s eyes. “No you don’t, Josh,” she said, striding into the sitting area. “You love Larissa. I’m way below your mother’s standards. Especially since I dropped out of med school.”

Josh’s lip jutted out in a big pout. “I just had this epiphany today, Lucy. I love you! I don’t care if you don’t want to be a doctor.” Throwing himself at her, he wrapped his arms around her and slapped wet kisses all over her lips and cheeks. “I saw you driving by as I finished my morning run and I knew what I was missing.
You!
”

Anger and jealousy flashed in Gerardo’s and Frankie’s eyes. Scanning the salon, Lucy breathed a sigh of relief. The other men had since been cured and sent on their way.

She craned her neck toward Rafe, whose gaze bore into her. What was he thinking? She still hadn’t figured the man out. She needed to… had to. He turned his gaze from hers. “The men who know you best are more affected.”