Disciplining the Beast: Taming the Beast, Book 5 (12 page)

“I can’t leave and forget this. If you give me a second, I’ll explain why.”

“You have three. One, two—”

He whipped a smartphone from his pocket and turned the screen to her.

Rafael hurried over to look and wished he hadn’t. Someone from last night had ignored the warning about no recordings. The Double B looked more spacious than the room actually was, his cock a real whopper, his orgasmic grimace exactly as he’d imagined. Surprisingly, his costume didn’t look as dumb as he’d thought. Wynona, of course, was exquisite.

“You’re not listening.” She smacked the phone out of Frank’s hand. It hit the wall. “Everything’s my fault. I conned him.”

Rafael frowned. “The fuck you did.”

“Please.” Frank held his hand to his throat. “Isn’t the video bad enough?”

It was pure awesome, no matter what anyone said. Rafael turned to Wynona. “You’re gorgeous.”

She focused on Frank. “That’s magic talking, including the wish, potion, and spell I used on him. Just in case that stuff didn’t take, I poisoned his food and drink so he wouldn’t give me a hard time. No way was I going through that again after that prick Xavier. Rafael had nothing to do with this. I take full responsibility.” She thrust out her hands, wrists together. “Slap on the cuffs and take me to Hell. I deserve the shittiest dungeon in solitary.”

Rafael kissed her knuckles.

She whimpered and pushed him away and shoved her fists at Frank. “Go on. I’m the bad guy. He’s innocent.”

Screw that. “What happened was my idea. I came on to her. She refused me repeatedly, so I pulled rank as her PO, telling her she had to sleep with me or else.”

“Ah, that’s sexual harassment.” Becca shook her head. “A definite no-no.”

Wynona sneered. “When he said that to me, it was only a joke. He’s perfect.”

Rafael resisted a sigh. If anything, he’d become more like a flawed human down here and that was okay. Caring about another person was what counted. “I’m not perfect.”

He unfurled his wings.

Several gasps filled the hall. Zoe, the guys, Constance, Heather and her posse stared at Rafael’s black feathers.

Wynona smacked his arm. “What is the matter with you?”

“Nothing. I love you.” He turned to Frank. “That’s not a crime.”

“Actually, it is for a good angel to fall in love with a reaper. Simply not done.”

“No prob. I refuse to be a good angel any longer. I want to be a reaper now.”

“No!” Wynona punched Frank’s biceps. “Talk some sense into him.”

Rafael crossed his arms. “Won’t do any good. I want to stay down here and reap with you.”

“Are you trying to kill me? Do you have any idea how awful the job is? The anguish of taking someone whose time shouldn’t have come, like kids, parents, good people? Having everyone scorn and loathe you?”

“We can comfort each other.” He uncrossed his arms and embraced her.

She sagged against him and then stiffened and pulled away. “Becca, cast a spell on him so he changes his mind.”’

Rafael leaned in. “Sure you want that given her lousy spells? No telling what I’ll end up doing or being. She might turn me into a woman.”

“MJ.” Wynona pointed at her. “Grant my wish, please. I want his feathers white again so he can go back to Heaven.”

“Where I don’t want to be.” He frowned at MJ. “If you grant any of Wynona’s wishes without my written consent, I’ll sue.”

MJ lifted her shoulders. “If he doesn’t want this, my hands are tied. Same with Heather healing him. No use asking her.”

Wynona faced Frank. “You’re his supervisor. You could intervene and okay the wish, potion, spell, healing, whatever.”

“That’s not what I had in mind.”

“You can’t let him rot in Hell.” She punched his other biceps. “What kind of a good angel are you?”

“A bruised one.” He rubbed his arm and stepped back. “Is there a private place where the three of us can talk without violence?”

“No.” Wynona stood between him and Rafael. “If you lift one finger to take him anywhere but Heaven, I want witnesses. I’ll turn you in. I’ll sic the Horsemen of the Apocalypse and the hounds of Hell on you.”

“Guess we’ll talk out here then.”

Becca and the others edged closer.

Frank turned to Rafael. “You really want her, huh?”

“She’s my only reason for being.”

Wynona bounced on her heels. “Quit saying that.”

“Okay, here’s the thing.” Frank folded his hands. “After I saw the recording, I conferred with my superiors. They suggested several solutions, but none seemed right. Then I had a thought.”

Wynona frowned. “What kind?”

He turned to Rafael. “I know you well enough to see how much you love her. I kept waiting for you to look at Ursula that way, but I’m a realist. As they say, ain’t gonna happen. If you want to become a reaper, that’s your choice. I can grant the change in status and position.”

Rafael pumped his fist.

Wynona growled. “That’s no freaking solution. What is the matter with you?”

“Hear me out.” Frank cleared his throat. “After witnessing your meltdown, I can see how much you love Rafael. Therefore, I can grant you a change from reaper to good angel so you can be with him and you can both serve Heaven. Your choice.”

Rafael’s mouth fell open. For once, Wynona was speechless.

Becca rushed to them. “Choose good angel, please.”

Zoe and the others concurred.

“Hold it.” Wynona held up her hand. “Is this a trick? How can I suddenly be a good angel? I’ve been on stinking parole for eons. You guys keep threatening me with the slammer.”

“Our mistake.” Frank gave her a sheepish smile. “Rafael’s reports opened our eyes to who you really are. You’ve fought to keep from reaping innocent children and people with pure hearts. You wanted Death to target the greedy and cruel to make the world a better place. You never had a choice in what you were. You’ve earned your white wings…if you want them.”

Rafael couldn’t believe such a miracle had happened. He turned her to him. “Please say you do.”

“Fucking A.” She threw her arms around him.

The staff cheered.

This time Frank’s smile reached his eyes. “I have full faith you two will make one helluva team.”

Epilogue

Several months later

Although Valentine’s Day wasn’t a huge deal for supernaturals like Halloween, the lovers’ holiday did get its due at the service.

Sumptuous floral arrangements with colorful balloons decorated Heather’s desk, courtesy of Daemon and MJ. Heather, in turn, had given him a candy tree made of Milky Ways, Snickers, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Hershey’s and Butterfinger candy bars. MJ proudly wore her gift from Heather, a scarlet body stocking embroidered in all the right places to make it nominally decent but still as racy as anything found at Frederick’s of Hollywood.

Taro, Anatol, and Stefin had decorated Zoe’s office with carrion flowers, her fave. The pretty but nasty-smelling blossoms were in onyx vases with large black bows embossed with hearts. She’d surprised them with eternity passes to every club in the second circle of Hell. Also known as Lust. Now, when they took her there, figuratively and literally, they didn’t have to shell out the bucks.

Becca and Constance had really hauled in the loot, getting candy, flowers, and jewelry from their guys. Becca wore her gorgeous Goth necklace of satin, lace, black pearls, and marcasite hearts, along with a whopper of a diamond ring Eric had given her at breakfast. Gabe had done the same for Constance, surprising her with an engagement ring in between bites of ham and eggs. Looked like the service would soon be hosting two bachelorette parties.

Wynona couldn’t have been happier for them or her and Rafael. They’d spent the morning and afternoon in each other’s arms, exchanging the best gifts of all…their promise to always love and respect each other, to share their worries and to celebrate each day. They’d also booked the Double B for tonight to raise some serious hell.

Even good angels had to have fun. Especially after working so hard.

During these last months, she’d hit the books, studying for her white feathers. Last week, she’d graduated the program and gotten them. Rafael’s had returned to their natural color the moment she’d agreed to cross over to his side. No matter how randy they got, their wings remained pristine. What happened between them sexually wasn’t what counted, only how they treated others.

Rafael, as always, was perfect. He’d left his job as a parole officer to be a guardian angel to troubled kids. He and Wynona would never have their own children, but they could guide those in need.

She was doing her part at the service, counseling clients on how to behave in mortal relationships, teaching them to honor their lovers, rather than using supernatural powers to con them, and to respect boundaries too. The zombies had the most trouble setting limits. They kept coming and coming and coming. Wynona hung in there, determined to whip them and the other supernaturals into shape.

Given that tonight was for lovers, she had a ton of appointments, but she needed time with her man first.

With her office door locked, she luxuriated in Rafael’s strength and heat, savoring these last moments they’d have before he took off. Tonight, he’d watch over a teen on the verge of joining a gang. The poor kid was short and puny, wanting the bangers for his own protection more than anything else. She had no doubt Rafael would turn the boy around, giving him a chance at a real future.

With love, anything was possible.

She finally eased her mouth from his and swatted his butt. “You gotta go. Me too. We’ll meet here after we’re both through.”

His Dom’s costume was in her bottom desk drawer. She’d already dressed for fun in a red leather sheath that dipped low in front and back with strategically placed laces to keep her respectable. Her temporary heart tats and silver stilettos were positively sinful.

Being a good angel didn’t mean looking like a nun.

With her arm through his, she ushered Rafael to the hall so he could say bye to everyone before soaring through the ceiling.

He stopped short of the reception area.

Heather spoke to a pretty young woman in a frumpy tan suit. The skirt fell to mid-calf, the jacket was equally boxy, hiding any curves she might have. She’d buttoned her ecru blouse to her throat, had on sensible cream shoes that were way past ugly, and had pulled her light brown hair into a bun so tight her eyebrows arched.

Poor thing needed to loosen up, wear brighter colors, and get lost. She was either a mortal who’d stumbled unwittingly into this place, was here to talk salvation on behalf of a ministry, or had arrived for the unlikeliest scenario of all. She actually did belong here.

Wynona leaned into Rafael. “Think she’s from SACS and is checking this place out to stash a rebel reaper here?”

“Nope. She’s Ursula.”

Ah. Oh.

Ursula had spotted them. She rushed their way waving her hand. “Hey, Rafael.”

“Hey there. Gotta go.” He pecked Wynona’s cheek and ascended like a rocket.

Wynona would have followed but didn’t want Ursula to feel worse than she already did. Her padded shoulders had slumped.

Wynona cleared her throat. “Hi. I’m—”

“I know who you are. Everyone in Heaven does. We’ve had meetings about you and Rafael. How your love conquered all.”

Aw, how sweet.

Ursula whimpered. “He didn’t have to run away from me. I know he worships you.” She gestured to Wynona’s scandalous outfit. “What man wouldn’t?”

Wynona recalled the dark times when everyone had detested her and she’d hurt as badly as Ursula did now. “Rafael didn’t mean to cut out so abruptly. He had to leave for an important case. Actually, he often speaks of you.”

“Oh, yeah? Is it good?”

More like bland and disinterested. “He said you’re great at your job.”

She waved away the compliment. “Anyone can file stuff. Once St. Peter finally okayed the computers, there wasn’t much work for admin staff to do. You have to help me.”

Not if she wanted Rafael back. “Sorry, I’m not following.”

“I want a makeover to be like you.” She growled. “I want some super-duper action from a young man who’s not afraid to be bold.”

Snagging that bad boy would be easier if Ursula got hip with her language and clothes. “Does your supervisor know you’re here?”

Ursula squared her shoulders. “I’m on vacation. I have fifty years saved up from never taking a day off. Change me. Release my inner beast. Make me like you. I have the time.”

Wynona wanted to run until she recalled how screwed up she’d been when Rafael first came here. He’d given her a chance to choose love, sticking with her until she’d become the woman she was always meant to be.

“Let’s talk in my office.” She slipped her arm around Ursula’s shoulders and guided her into the room.

It was going to be a long night, but hey, this was the right thing to do.

About the Author

Tina is an Amazon and international bestselling novelist in erotic, paranormal, contemporary and historical romance for Kensington, Samhain Publishing, Ellora’s Cave, Siren Publishing, Booktrope, Luminosity, Decadent, and indie.
Booklist
,
Publisher’s Weekly
,
Romantic Times
and numerous online sites have praised her work. Three of her erotic novels (
Freeing the Beast
,
Come and Get Your Love
, and
Wicked Takeover
) were Readers’ Choice Award winners. Another three (
Adored
,
Lush Velvet Nights
, and
Deep, Dark, Delicious
) were named finalists in the EPIC competition.
Sensual Stranger
, her erotic contemporary romance, was chosen Book of the Year at the French review site Blue Moon reviews. The Golden Nib Award at Miz Love Loves Books was created specifically for her erotic romance
Lush Velvet Nights
. Two of her titles (
The Yearning
and
Deep, Dark, Delicious
) received an Award of Merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competition.
Take Me Away
and
Adored
both won second place in the NEC RWA contest (different years). Tina is featured in the Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market. Before penning romances, she worked at a major Hollywood production company in Story Direction.

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