Their Secret Obsession by Pippa Moon

Chapter 0261

Liam POV

"Guess we are not getting to bed any time soon." V groaned as he watched the shitshow around us through my eyes. We had only met Astroth twice before, but unlike my brothers, who were too hot-ended when it came to Lottie, I didn't mind the prick. Yes, he was a demon, yes, he was up to something, but he seemed to be upfront about all the shit he wanted, which was more than could be said for our family.

"You shouldn't be here," someone yelled at Astaroth, their voice cutting through the tense air, instantly identifying the malevolence that clung to his form. Turning to face the accuser, Astaroth's smile twisted evilly, his eyes scanning the crowd before shaking his head in mock disappointment.

"Here we go. Show of power and all that crap." V muttered as a smile twisted on my lips.

"Pathetic, all of you," he scoffed with a laugh that echoed ominously around the room. As the crowd bristled with anger,

"Go back to the pits from where you came!" Someone yelled, and others joined; screams for him to return to hell grew louder, some labelling him a trickster and unwelcome entity. Seeing Astaroth's jaw clenched, his frustration palpable, I had a feeling V was right. Shit was about to go down. "Like we need more." V added moodily. "We had a plan. If we had just stuck to it, none of this would be happening."

"It was your idea to come." I reminded him with a smirk because although tonight had been dangerous, fucking crazy stupid and had almost cost me two siblings, it had, in fact, been V's idea to divert from the plan. Zoning back in, I sighed, seeing Astaroth going off on a tangent.

"You call me names, but frankly, I am the most honest person in this bar. I do not lie, I do not cheat. I tell you things as they are; you may not like it, but it is the truth." His gaze flicked to the bartender.

top, stealing money to feed his fairy dust addiction." I watched, mesmerised by the darkness he wielded, as murmurs and shocked expressions rippled through the crowd, some

he can feed and fuck without them

Astaroth added, driving his point home. He pointed to a werewolf sitting and watching from the outskirts of the bar. "She doesn't do it for

totally unnecessary." V uttered loudly as the bar erupted into chaos. Patrons shouted and argued while Astaroth laughed, his

a trickster because I say shit no one else will. I do the things people want to do in private. People will always want to kill, abuse, and steal... I just don't hide my love for chaos." He scoffed, his red eyes shining with amusement if nothing else. With his eyes on me, I felt something icy lick up my

but was cut

dark red blood oozed through his suit as

he roared, annoyance flashing across his face. With a snap of his fingers, the attacker exploded into a mess of blood and gore, splattering everyone close by, which sucked because beside Astaroth lay an unconscious Lottie and a barely stirring Adam, who now found themselves covered in

checking Lottie, who remained still and sleeping. It didn't take a genius to notice that his voice was filled with loathing. "And you are welcome, you flea-ridden mutt," Astaroth retorted with a sly smile, clearly unbothered by the insult. His eyes, however, seemed slightly concerned as I watched him check Lottie over; when satisfied, she

over.

cosy bed at the Sparrow Mansion?" His tone, mockingly cheerful, sent a cold shiver

the aftermath of

by battered

a deep, unsettling mix of gratitude and dread. I am grateful for Astaroth's timely intervention, yet dreading the implications of his power and the debt we might now owe him. As I helped a rather silent and shaky Chase gather Lottie, I

needed, but like me, he hoped he had