Lost Wages of Sin: Sinners & Saints, #1

By Rosalie Stanton

She's been a bad, bad girl. And he'll fight all of Hell to save her.

Ava, the Sin of Greed, swore over a millennium ago she'd never cry over a man. But after her first-ever boyfriend dumps her, she's not only crying, she's a dead woman walking.

The devil doesn't take kindly to one of his Seven Deadly Sins canoodling with an angel. 

Though she never spilled Hell's secrets, she's on Lucifer's hit list. And since his punishments tend toward the apocalyptic, she plans to run as fast and as far as possible from everyone she loves—including her closest friend, Dante—before she meets her fate.

Dante knows every inch of Ava's delectable skin…in the dreams that burn his body while sleeping the daylight sleep of a vampire. Once they were almost lovers, and that almost still haunts him to this day. As much as her defection with a Heaven-bound hurts, he can't ignore the siren call of the inner GPS that always draws him to her side.

Though she tries to push him away, he's not getting her face this fight alone. But as need and desire twist together into a fuse primed for the barest spark, Dante realizes he'll have to make a heartbreaking deal to save the only woman he'll ever love.

_______________________________________________________

Buffy meets Good Omens. A tale of devils, angels, demons, and everything in between. Product may include sacrilegious humor, irreverent beliefs and explicit, too-hot-for-prime-time adult scenes.

This series is best enjoyed when read in order.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rosalie Stanton
• Release date: Jan 2, 2018
• ISBN: 9781945074165

Rosalie Stanton

Rosalie Stanton is a multi-published erotic romance author, with emphasis in paranormal and urban fantasy. A lifelong enthusiast of larger than life characters, Rosalie enjoys building worlds filled with strong heroes and heroines of all backgrounds. Rosalie lives in Missouri with her husband. At an early age, she discovered a talent for creating worlds, which evolved into a love of words and storytelling. Rosalie graduated with a degree in English. As the granddaughter of an evangelical minister, Rosalie applied herself equally in school in the creative writing and religious studies departments, which had an interesting impact on her writing. When her attention is not engaged by writing or editing, she enjoys spending time with close friends and family. Rosalie is represented by Tish Beaty at the L. Perkins Agency.

Book preview

Prologue

D

ear

Ava

,

There is no good way to say this. Even now, I can’t help but feel I’m going to change my mind, but I’ve thought about this long and hard. Each time I go through it, I come to the same conclusion.

I can’t be

with

you

.

I thought it would be so easy. After all, if you love someone, the big decisions are supposed to be easy, aren’t they? And I do love you, Ava. From the moment you first looked at me, I was a goner. I knew you’d be the one who changed my life. You can’t imagine how boring every day was before you showed up. How you opened my eyes to just how fortunate I am, and how foolish I’d be to throw that

all

away

.

I have the love of the Almighty and the mission. Millions of human souls in my hands, needing guidance, love, support, and the mentorship only I can provide. And as much as it hurts me to admit this, my love for you is not strong enough to justify abandoning Heaven.

I can’t stand to leave Paradise knowing I can never return, and I know if I go through with it, I’d just end up resenting you. I don’t want that to happen, and I don’t think you do, either. I want this love I feel to last forever, and the only way I know to save our love is to say goodbye.

I love you. I’m so sorry, but I

love

you

.

I can’t be with

a

Sin

.

Goodbye.

---

All

my

love

,

Sebastian

Chapter

One

Ava hadn’t chewed on her thumb in years. It was one of those things she’d grown out of when she hadn’t been paying attention. Luxi used to tease her something awful, talking about how she’d eventually bite the damn thing off. That possibility had scared her when she’d been little, but Ava wasn’t little anymore. She also wasn’t one for revisiting bad habits, but after discovering Sebastian’s letter, she found she didn’t have the energy to give

a

fuck

.

She also didn’t have a lot of time. Hell, she probably didn’t have any time. Yet for the life of her, Ava couldn’t will herself to move away from the window. Shit, she didn’t want to think about what Lucifer

would

do

.

‘I can’t be with

a

Sin

.’

Six little words. Who knew six little words could cost her

her

life

?

Her gut clenched.

Run.

The soot-smeared glass of her kitchen window blurred with the onset of her tears. Goddammit, Ava had sworn millennia ago she’d never cry over a man. Not after Invi’s four-hundredth heartache, during those years when her sister had fallen in love every time she’d turned around.

He was really gone. He had really left her. All those things he’d said, all those promises

he’d

made

…

He had left her

to

die

.

Ava choked back a sob, then cleared her throat and shook her head. Man up, she murmured, flexing her hands into fists. Her hands with her chewed-on thumbs. Girls got dumped every day, even in Hell. Ava might not have been a seasoned veteran of matters of the heart, but she damn well knew she wasn’t the first woman to feel these godawful pains in the chest.

She sighed and tore her gaze from the window. The faux sun would soon set over the Lake of Fire. The letter sat where she’d left it on the table.

Does he know what you are? Lucifer had asked her that just yesterday. Her or some younger, stupider version of herself.

Of course not, she’d replied, because, idiot that she was, she’d had no reason not to

believe

it

.

"What the hell are you still

doing

here

?"

Ava started at the voice and whirled around, her heart jumping into her throat. Her brother stood in the empty space between her kitchen and living room, his bald head catching the reflection of the setting

not

-

sun

.

Gula.

He nodded gruffly, blinking and darting his gaze around the room, his nostrils flared. "You were supposed to

be

gone

."

Gee, bro. Love you, too. Ava swallowed and did her best not to glance at the letter. She still hadn’t decided what she wanted to do about it, or if there was anything she could do besides wrap her arms around herself and wait for

the

end

.

The one thing she knew now was she didn’t want Gula to see it. She didn’t need him jumping to conclusions before she’d had a chance to process the crisis. And a part of her—a stupid, weak part of her—hoped Sebastian would change his mind again before she had to make any tough decisions. Save her from the burden of realizing what a fucking deep hole she’d managed

to

dig

.

If the universe was in the business of granting wishes, she must have gotten on its shit list. The next thing she knew, Sebastian’s letter was in Gula’s hands—hands that went from firm to trembling, then lowered until the scrap of paper was at

his

side

.

He left. Gula’s expression darkened but remained otherwise unreadable. "

Your

boy

."

Sebastian.

"Like I give a fuck what his name is.

He

left

."

Ava wet her lips and rubbed her arms. How one could be cold in Hell, she didn’t know. But cold she was. "

He

left

."

He knows.

Not from me, she said sharply, defensively. "I didn’t tell him. I never told him anything. I don’t know how he

found

out

."

Gula gave her a hard, disbelieving look. She would have been insulted were she not so

damn

numb

.

Instead, she decided to focus on the one thing she knew. "I didn’t tell him anything, Gula. What the hell do you take

me

for

?"

"You bedded

the

guy

."

And?

Do you really need me to go on? He waved the letter. "You’re not other people. Do you have any idea what this is gonna

look

like

?"

Any idea? Asshole, I can’t even decide if I wanna scream or cry. I haven’t gotten to what this is gonna look like. Her itching legs disagreed, but she decided not to tell him that. Running now, with Gula looking at her like he didn’t know her, didn’t seem the

wisest

move

.

Let me tell you, then. He took a step forward, the letter crinkling in his hand. "It’s gonna look like you got lazy. Or got sloppy. Either way ain’t good for you. It’s gonna look like your boy got a dose of the real you and is now up there telling fuck knows what to

Big

J

."

You wanna say that a little louder? It’s not like you to whisper.

A shadow fell across his brow. "Is this funny

to

you

?"

"Do you know me

at

all

?"

I dunno. Gula waved the letter again, as though she could have forgotten it was there. "Do I? He called you by name, Ava. He knows you’re

a

Sin

."

But I didn’t tell him! Ava’s chest heaved, her ears ringing, the corners of the room starting to blacken. Here it was at last—the panic. The crash of holy shit fear she’d been waiting for. Gula didn’t believe her. Of her brothers, Gula was the one she was closest to. If Gula didn’t believe her, Luxi wouldn’t either. And Invi, Ira…shit, none of them would.

Facing Lucifer with her siblings at her back was dicey enough. He wasn’t one to give a crap if his decisions were popular, but with all Seven Deadly Sins united as one, she might stand a chance. Alone, she was a dead woman walking.

What should I do? she asked, feeling all of three inches tall. Tears stung her eyes, and she wiped them away. Ava had happily gone through many a year without crying once, and the presence of tears now fortified her panic and fear with annoyance. Goddamn asshole made me cry. That wasn’t what she said, though. "I didn’t tell him, Gula. I wouldn’t have told him. You have to

believe

me

."

Her impassioned plea had little effect. Gula’s expression remained unreadable. Eons could have elapsed in the silence that spanned between them. Perhaps they did. Ava lived and died a thousand times before he spoke again.

"

Tell

him

."

What?

Go right now to Lucifer. You gotta tell him. Tell him everything. Get it out there before more damage is done. Gula blinked and heaved a sigh, running a hand over his smooth head. "

Go

now

."

Ava wasn’t in the habit of taking orders, unless those orders happened to come from the devil. Were it not for the fact that Gula was the only sibling who had never raised his voice at her before, she might have kneed him in the balls for being so damn bossy.

But she didn’t because she knew he was right. She had to talk to

Lucifer

.

Now

.

Yeah, she said, nodding. "

I’ll

go

."

Now, Gula repeated. "Go right the

hell

now

."

Ava rolled her eyes and stalked forward. She snatched Sebastian’s letter out of her meddlesome brother’s hands and brushed past him for

the

door

.

Where are you going? Gula called

after

her

.

To the Red House. Where do you think?

You’re walking?

Ava tossed a glance over her shoulder. "I

need

time

."

"Dunno how to break it to you, sis, but that’s one thing you

ain’t

got

."

It’s a five minute walk, Gula, what more do you want from me? She twisted to face him head-on, her hair whipping around her face in a burgundy blur. Is it too much to ask for five minutes? I don’t know how any of this happened, and I don’t know what I’m gonna tell him, but if he decides to kill me, I’d like to know I at least didn’t rush to the guillotine.

The air hummed between them. Something dark flickered behind

Gula’s

eyes

.

He won’t kill you, he said, though she heard the doubt in his voice. Doubt and worry, which was enough to scare the piss out of her. "He loves

you

,

Ava

."

Yeah. Her hand formed a fist, the note crinkled between her fingers. The paper’s edge skimmed the crease of the tooth-mark in her thumb. So did Sebastian.

Then she turned on her heel and stalked outside her home—her cozy little house in the Bells, the reward Lucifer had given her after her first mission.

Because he loved her. Because he’d been proud.

And now he might kill her. Because of a stupid, backstabbing angel.

Tears stung her eyes again—goddamn him—but she wiped them away before they

could

fall

.

She wouldn’t cry now. She had precious few moments to spare, and she needed to apply all those moments to determining just how Sebastian could have figured her out. How he could know what she was, when she’d never uttered those words to a soul outside

of

Hell

.

There were only a handful of creatures who knew the Sins had physical form. Ava and her siblings were well known in Hell, often regarded as children of the devil, but very few individuals were privy to the truth of their nature. There was Pixley, the curator of the Arbor Scientiae—Hell’s largest library—who knew because her job demanded it, and Pixley would sooner be baptized than betray the devil.

There was Fugie, or Lucifuge Rofocale, Lucifer’s personal assistant. Aside from Pixley, Fugie was the only member of Lucifer’s tight-knit staff who wasn’t also a Sin. He also acted as Lucifer’s double for events, meetings, and other asinine tasks Lucifer didn’t wish to attend, but he was a kind and loyal servant who wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize her or her siblings. He was a friend. One she trusted almost as much as she trusted her brothers and sisters.

And there were the Binsfeld Boys. The Binsfeld Boys had been the last to discover Sins existed in flesh-and-blood, and had been sworn to secrecy on the threat of cruel and unusual punishment. Of course, six demons had maybe half a brain cell among them, but there was no reason to suspect they would start

blabbing

now

.

That was it. Lucifer, her brothers and sisters, Pixley, Fugie, and the

Binsfeld

Boys

.

And somehow

Sebastian

knew

.

Ava sniffed again and wiped at her cheek, his letter whispering against her skin. The gravel beneath her feet crunched with every step, loose pebbles occasionally flying into the grassy lawns that made up the Bells—Hell’s nicest neighborhood. Light blue hues lingered above but had mostly given way to the more common reds and oranges of twilight. The twisted, reaching tower that comprised the Arbor Scientiae silhouetted in the distance, and across from it was the Red House.

And in it, Lucifer.

Who would likely kill her. He’d feel bad about it, sure, but rules were rules. Lucifer was a stickler

for

them

.

How could you do this to me, Sebastian?

"Well,

lookee

here

…"

She stopped cold in her tracks, every muscle in her body freezing. God, she hated that voice. Fuck off, Asmodeus.

You finally interested? The voice’s owner materialized at her side, falling into stride with her without awaiting an invitation. Not that he would have been granted one, which was likely why he hadn’t bothered to ask. As one of the Binsfeld Boys, he and Ava had a mutually established dislike for the other. Guess angel dick really isn’t much to write home about, he continued.

I’m sure you’d be a much better judge than me, Ava spat, hating herself. If she was smart, she’d keep her fat mouth shut. Attracting attention was the last thing she needed.

Dammit, she should have just taken Gula’s advice and beamed herself to Lucifer’s office.

What are you doing here, anyway? Asmodeus pressed, nudging her shoulder with his. Thought we already threw you your goodbye party.

Ava’s jaw tightened but she didn’t take the bait. Her fingers flexed and her body buzzed. Popping out in mid-conversation, even unwelcome conversation, would raise red flags. She and her siblings weren’t known to back down when any of the Binsfeld Boys got mouthy.

I can’t imagine it’s any concern of yours, she gritted out between her teeth.

Oh, but it is. Asmodeus bounced lightly and skipped ahead of her, then turned so they were face-

to

-

face

.

The slate silver pallor of his skin seemed brighter than usual, as though reflecting his enthusiasm. His hair, long and black, hung over his shoulders. He was considered a thing of beauty by men and women alike, yet he’d never inspired anything in Ava aside from revulsion. Perhaps because she had a damn good idea of where each slimy digit of his

had

been

.

Your being here concerns me greatly, Asmodeus continued, his wicked lavender eyes wandering up and down her body. Unprecedented as your leaving might have been, I have it on good authority your departure came with the understanding that you would not be welcomed back. What’s the matter, little Sin? Second thoughts? Or did your man grow tired of virgin pussy?

Her gut twisted. "

Fuck

you

."

I’m sure I could find a place for you in my harem. And, quick as lightning, Asmodeus made a grab for the letter in

Ava’s

hand

.

On any other day, in any other chapter of her life, what happened next would have played out very differently. Asmodeus would have been fortunate, any other day, any other chapter of Ava’s life, to walk away with his hand intact. The fact that his fingers closed around Sebastian’s farewell note was troubling enough, but watching the incriminating letter leave her custody put the world around her in slow motion. She saw everything as a passive observer, unconnected, uninvolved, yet keenly aware that what was happening would be the end

of

her

.

Gula reading those words had been unfortunate. Asmodeus reading them meant the end.

Game

over

.

Ava’s brain jump-started a second too late, her heart nearly leaping into her throat. She lunged for the demon, her eyes wide and her ears deafening to the sound of her own scream. At once everything around her shattered. The past few minutes hadn’t been a dream.

What’s this? Asmodeus said, sidestepping her with ease. Almost as though she hadn’t moved at all. His purple eyes twinkled as he dangled the letter in front of her. Anyone ever tell you it’s not nice to keep secrets?

I will rip your head off and shove it up your ass, Ava snarled, trembling. She again lunged to reclaim the letter but the demon danced out of reach, cackling maniacally. Her legs felt saddled with lead, everything around her moving with the eerie fluidity of a bad dream. A dull ringing began clamoring in her ears, numbness spearing her veins and poisoning her actions. She couldn’t move if she couldn’t get her limbs to cooperate, and though she knew her world depended on kicking Asmodeus’s sorry ass to Heaven and back, she couldn’t force her sluggish brain to deliver the message.

Everything around her was in

a

daze

.

Not that it mattered the next moment. In a blink, one annoying demon turned into three. Alongside Asmodeus stood Mammon and Leviathan. Half of the Binsfeld demons stopping to escort her to the Red House.

Ava released a long, trembling breath.

They

knew

.

How did

they

know

?

The thought barely had time to breathe before a crackle of flame tore through the air, and the next thing she knew her skin was on fire. Ava hissed and whirled around, batting out the flames with little effort, but by then it was too late. Asmodeus was saying the words no one was supposed to hear—loudly, declaring them to Hell at large.

‘No good way to say this…’ Yadda yadda, Asmodeus read, sounding almost bored. "Looks like lover boy has flown the coop. Poor little girl couldn’t keep her man pleased. I told you, child, you should’ve allowed me into your bed. I can show you tricks that would make Liberace beg

for

cunt

."

A flame sparked inside her chest, at once replacing the cold numbness. Ava narrowed her eyes, a hot wave splitting her in half. "I’m going to

bury

you

."

Asmodeus ignored her, reading on. ‘Can’t leave Paradise.’ Wah. ‘Only way to save our love…’ Oh gag me. He rolled his eyes. Some men, huh, honey? Just get to the point. You were a boring lay, you talk too much, I’m married… Why flower it up with all this bullshit? As though it’ll make you feel better? He returned his attention to the note, and at once his demeanor shifted. The amused quirk of his lips broke into an all-out shit-eating grin. And…well, look at this. ‘I can’t be with a Sin.’ Asmodeus looked up, his expression contorted with barely-contained delight. "Can’t be with a Sin! Right here, black and white. You bad girl, Ava. Bad, bad girl. You boys hear that? Hell’s Princess let the cat out of

the

bag

."

Mammon inclined his robed head, his lithe form damn near trembling with glee. No one had seen the demon’s face in eons, but reading his body language took little effort for those who knew him. A series of sibilant hisses snaked through his mouth.

Think there might be a job opening after all, boasted Leviathan, his oily eyes sizing Ava up. "Was just a matter of time waiting, you know. Before you or one of your rat siblings gave

everything

up

."

The swarming mess in Ava’s head intensified. Everything around her seemed blurry.

She tryin’ to run? Leviathan asked.

Mammon released a string of hisses her tired brain couldn’t translate.

Doesn’t matter, Asmodeus said proudly, pocketing her note. All that matters is we were here at the right time. Gentlemen…

Run.

There it was again. That tiny voice had returned, begging for freedom. The strain in her legs, the ache in her chest. All telling her the same thing.

Her thoughts must have been loud or plain, for the expression on Asmodeus’s face changed. The predatory gleam always somewhat present melted into something altogether dangerous, his eyes slanting and going dark, his nostrils flaring. He began moving forward, his steps slow and methodical. At the same time, Mammon closed in on Ava’s right, Leviathan coming around to

her

left

.

Fight or flight.

Ava shifted her eyes among the three of them, daring them to make a move. Somehow she knew they wouldn’t, though. For this to play out the way they wanted, they had to look like they were corralling an unstable force after having exhausted every possibility. She wouldn’t play into their hands, but she wouldn’t let them go without a few bruises, either. Ava kicked out her leg, and the sole of her foot connected with Asmodeus’s nose with a sickening crunch just as her left arm thrust itself into Mammon’s gut. Leviathan’s expression melted into a twisted sneer and he came at her, only to have her fist connect with the bone at his throat.

Feisty little bitch, ain’t she? Asmodeus cackled, even as blood dribbled off his fingers. "I’m going to so enjoy putting

you

down

."

Ava shrugged, a rush of pure, idiotic bravado dancing up her spine. Static electricity sparked between her fingertips, begging at once for release. She could reduce one of these assholes to ash in a blink—two if she was very lucky. But luck hadn’t been on her side, and odds were she’d find herself short one neck by the end of

the

day

.

Run.

Run, goddammit!

That wasn’t her voice. More static crackled the air, this time finding an outlet. Red strings of electricity scorched a path around Leviathan, sending him to his knees without much of a fight. Ava barely had time to blink before Mammon was on the ground beside him, writhing against a current of red. In the next instant, Asmodeus beside him, a smoking hole in place of his chest.

Run, you moron! The voice snapped again. Gula. Ava whirled around, her eyes finding her brother. Her brother’s arms were outstretched, rivers of static red pouring from his palms. Beside him was their elder brother, Ira, his brow furrowed and a nasty sneer splitting his face. And when his gaze met hers, she honestly couldn’t say if he was a willing participant in the saving of

her

hide

.

His expression mirrored the one Gula had worn back at her condo, and in that she saw the future.

None of her siblings would believe her. None of them. Sebastian’s words were too damning.

But fuck, they still

loved

her

.

I mean it, Ava! Gula snapped. We can’t hold these assholes forever.

Run, Ira barked, his face unusually red. "You idiot

girl

,

run

!"

Despite the insistent voice that had been present since she’d found Sebastian’s note, every nerve in her body protested the thought. Perhaps that was why she’d come back here, to prove running wasn’t necessary. Because she didn’t want to run. There was no hiding from Lucifer. He would find her. All he had to do was close his eyes and picture her and he’d know where she was. All he had

to

do

…

But she couldn’t stand here. If she did, her siblings would put themselves between her and death, and they would fall, one by one. Lucifer had no use for traitors. And that was how he’d see her. How he’d see everyone who stood at

her

side

.

Gula and Ira might have just sacrificed themselves to save

her

ass

.

Ava blinked tears and shook her head. Stay alive, she whispered. "Don’t let him kill you

over

me

."

Ava! Ira’s cheeks had turned maroon. He didn’t say anything else. Didn’t

need

to

.

Stay alive, Gula echoed, his voice choked. Then, harder, he growled, "And get the

fuck

out

!"

Ava nodded, closed her eyes and wished herself away. The world under her feet disappeared.

Chapter

Two

There was nothing quite like the first bite of good whisky on the way down, except, perhaps, the second, third, and fourth bites. Honestly, though, Dante had lost track of how many shots he’d washed down his throat since he’d parked his ass on the stool at this quaint Southern bar. He wasn’t even sure he was in Louisiana anymore. All he knew when he came up for air was he could still feel the ache in his chest, and that wouldn’t

fucking

do

.

Nope, wouldn’t do

at

all

.

He nudged his tumbler toward the bartender, his eyes fighting a good droop. The lights above the bar seemed to have faded a bit, and he couldn’t hear by how many downs the Saints were losing, but then again he didn’t give a righteous fuck. The less he could understand of his surroundings, the better.

He didn’t want to recognize where he was. He didn’t want to consider how fucked in the head he’d be in the morning. Hell, at this point, he didn’t give a shit about remembering his

own

name

.

Ava

was

gone

.

Dante snorted and rolled his eyes. Fucking pathetic, he was. Ava was gone. Gone away. Gone from him. She’d never been his, of course, but he’d lost her all the same. The girl hadn’t even popped by to tell him the news in person. He’d had to hear it from Merle, and Merle had only known because the twisted little demon had happened to be in the right bar at the right time, long enough to both identify Ava and watch her suck face with some ass of an angel.

An angel.

If Dante had to narrow down the largest insult the week had brought to just one, that would be at the top. Beyond the fact that Ava had left, taken off without so much as a postcard, beyond the thought of her finally allowing someone into her bed, she had gone with the enemy. An angel. Not once in the seven hundred years they’d known each other had Ava exhibited anything but disgust