Ruthless (The Seraphim Series Book 2) by Sophia Stafford

looking even smaller than before. Lilliah suppressed her laughter.
    “Maliki?” She turned to Azrael for confirmation that they were talking about the same guy. When Azrael nodded, she turned back to Martin and smiled. “I didn’t know he was your nephew. How is he? What’s he doing?”
    Maliki had helped Lilliah and Azrael when Ada Washington had tried to bring Lucifer back. Maliki was very eccentric and always dressed in the finest three-piece suits. The more Lilliah thought about him, the more she realised how different Martin and Maliki were. While Maliki looked as if he came from a long line of dukes and royals, Martin looked like a used car salesman.
    “We hadn’t spoken in years—his gambling and drinking became too excessive—but now he’s back on his feet, not drinking as much, and trying to get his life back together. We’ve reconnected and I’ve welcomed him back into the family.”
    Lilliah noticed how Martin was mainly talking to Azrael, as though he were trying to convince him that Maliki and he were truly on good terms.
    Azrael was completely stone-faced. Lilliah decided to wait until they were back in the car to question him about it.
    “So, yes.” Martin rubbed his hands together. “Everything’s good on the home front.”
    Azrael finally spoke, keeping one arm stretched across the back of Lilliah’s chair. “What do you know about Lucifer?”
    Martin’s body jolted at the mention of his name. “Lucifer?” he whispered.
    “I’ve heard things. Rumours. I want to know what the werewolves know.” Azrael spoke so clearly, every word demanding and strong.
    Martin’s mouth opened and closed repeatedly. “I—I know nothing,” he finally stammered out. 
    Azrael’s eyes assessed him for a beat or two. Lilliah noticed his eyes linger on Martin’s fear-stricken expression. The man was clearly petrified; either by the thought of Lucifer, or by Azrael’s intense gaze, Lilliah couldn’t tell.
    “I want you to keep an eye on the situation,” Azrael finally said.
    “It would be a disaster if Lucifer was to break out of Hell. An utter disaster. What are The Cure doing about this?”
    “As I said, they could just be simply rumours,” Azrael said lightly, clearly trying to ease Martin’s growing panic.
    For a moment, Martin didn’t look convinced.
    Azrael continued, “I’m also here for the reports on the diamond mines. Do you have them yet?”
    Martin’s eyes snapped up, changing from worried to thoughtful in seconds. “The reports? Oh, yes!” He jumped up from his seat and walked over to a filing cabinet.
    “Diamond mines?” Lilliah mouthed, liking how Azrael had distracted the man so easily. Gone was the fear of Lucifer. Now it seemed everything was back to business.
    Azrael smiled and nodded. “Just another business venture.”
    Lilliah had rarely seen Azrael conduct business. She knew that was what he did most days, concentrating on one venture or another, but she had never witnessed it first-hand. Watching him with Martin just now, Lilliah could see him at work. She noticed how, without much effort, Azrael had not only calmed Martin but also got him focused. She could take a guess and say this was one of the many reasons why Azrael was so good at what he did. Somehow he got the best out of people. Even her.
    Martin turned around. “Sorry, did you say something?”
    Azrael held up his hand and shook his head.
    “Okay, well, here is the file.” Martin handed it over to Azrael, then returned to his seat. Little beads of sweat were dripping down his face.
    “As you will see, all the sites are clean and worker friendly. No blood diamonds here.” He leaned back. “Maybe if you come back another time, I could show you the diamonds that site is uncovering.”
    “Or now.” Azrael didn’t look up from the file as he spoke. “I would like to see the diamonds.”
    Martin dragged himself off the chair, his breathing still irregular. “Of course, of course. We do have a few