From USA Today Bestselling author Christi Barth comes the next installment in the Unlocking His Heart series! Released on October 23, 2023, this book is currently available for purchase. Find out where to purchase here.
Zavier stalked toward her. Beneath a matte of dark hair, his pecs rippled with every sharp swing of his arms. “Nobody comes in the Watchtower. Especially not a stranger. Or a human.”
Gideon didn’t look at all ruffled by Zavier’s anger. He just began removing the weapons she hadn’t even realized were strapped to his body. “Rhys brought Maisy here a couple of months ago.”
“After we discussed it.”
“If you’d let me finish, Evangeline is not a stranger. She’s our actuary, remember? And, big surprise, she’s not a human.”
Zavier froze. Again.
Rhys, on the other hand, bounded the length of the room with what must’ve been a sweep of his wings, even though she couldn’t see them. Because of course his partners would be Nephilim, too. “What is she?”
Was he intimidating? Out of the slick suit and in only loose workout shorts?
Yes.
If the wall of weapons hadn’t been enough of a clue, if she hadn’t known that Nephilim were essentially special forces for Good, then Rhys’s bare torso, legs, and arms sculpted into a quintessential fighter’s build did. This man—all three of them—could kill her with their bare hands. Possibly as little as two fingers.
But Eva had done nothing wrong. And she’d grown up being constantly bullied. In literal Hell. These guys didn’t come close to what she’d already lived through.
So she didn’t even flinch as he towered over her. “Stop talking about me as if I’m invisible.”
Rhys folded his arms over his wide chest. “Fine. What are you? It’d better be good, for Gideon to bring you in here.”
Good was…a matter of degrees. “I’m a dark angel. Should I assume that you two are as uneducated as Gideon about my kind?”
The men triangulated looks. Probably trying to decide if it was worth admitting their ignorance. Or if they should make an excuse and go Google it.
Rubbing oil along the dark edge of his dagger, Gideon said, “Go on, then. Explain it to all of us.”
She could stand up to bullies. But Eva was well aware that the Nephilim were only trying to protect humans. They wouldn’t attack her for the fun of it.
If they didn’t like her explanation, however, things could get tricky. If they thought she was a danger, just because she’d been born in Hell.
Eva had no desire to be locked up. Not even by three of the handsomest men she’d ever seen. So she forced herself to subsume her irritation at missing her boat. Tamped down her innate fear at being surrounded by defensive warriors.
And tried really hard not to keep flicking glances over at Gideon in the ridiculous hope that he’d reveal his wings again.
“I’m sorry if I was condescending. You don’t know what you don’t know.”
“Now you sound like an actuary,” Gideon chuckled.
“I am. I’ve lived up here, as a human, since I was fifteen. Saying I’m a dark angel is more like a human saying they’re Irish. It’s just a description of my background.”
“Your background has you raised in a dangerous place. We’re going to need more.”
It was odd. Like trying to describe a turtle. You just assumed everyone knew what they were. Since Eva couldn’t reveal her true side to anyone in the human world, she’d never actually explained this before.
“Dark angels are Lucifer’s offspring, and their nature can be good or evil, as he is both.”
“We’ve never heard of this,” Rhys said flatly.
How was that her problem? Wasn’t Hell all about being sneaky, and Heaven all full of healthy communication?
Of course, that was probably the same as assuming all Americans liked baseball, or the French were good lovers.
There must be an apocalypse right around the corner in this paranormal romcom from USA Today bestselling author Christi Barth.
The Unlocking His Heart series is best enjoyed in order:
* Imperfect Angel
* Hell of an Angel
USA Today bestselling author Christi Barth earned a Masters degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage. A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning. Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes award-winning contemporary romance, including the Aisle Bound series.
Christi can always be found either whipping up gourmet meals (for fun, honest!) or with her nose in a book. She lives in Maryland with the best husband in the world.
christibarth.com
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