Drum roll, please! I'm beyond excited to dedicate this chapter to my friend EvelynHail who just published her ONC entry Love, Dad. Just as in prior year, this one promises an intricate plot with characters you can't help but love and who have strong voices that will pull you into the plot. Set in the 1980s, Love, Dad takes you an exiting journey of self discovery and unexpected love. A must add to your ONC reading list.

My parents' death forced me to master the art of being invisible. It was a necessity. Flying under my uncle's radar avoided a punch to the mouth during one of his violent moods, it saved me from torturous moments of bullying in school, and it kept me out of the spotlight after the accident. I was happy not to be seen. It made things a hell of a lot easier.

Now that's all gone.

Walking into a huge ballroom in the middle of hell on the arm of the devil has every single head turn to me to stare. Hundreds of scrutinizing eyes soak up every imperfection. I'm raw and exposed on a silver platter.

My nervous hands turn sweaty.

A tremble shakes my body that almost causes me to trip over my own two feet.

At the bottom of my throat, a lump settles; it could explode at any moment and turn me into a weeping mess for being nothing but an undeserving sinner.

Then Lou looks at me with a shine in his eyes.

Pride.

Adoration.

Even love.

And it makes all my apprehension float away like dead driftwood caught by a tidal wave on a beach.

He smiles. "Have I told you how beautiful you are?"

Only about half a dozen times, although until this very moment, I didn't believe him. Granted, the dress he picked is spectacular. The bodice is made from a light, velvety fabric plunging deep in the front and ending in a dropped waistline and a flowing skirt. See-through lace sleeves reach my wrists and are decorated with an array of amber rhinestones and floral embroidery. It's like the princess wedding dress of my dreams, only that it's black and alluring.

I straighten the white rose he has pinned to the lapel of his tux. "You don't look so bad yourself. As a matter of fact, I will need to be careful that none of these gorgeous demonesses lure you away."

"Trust me, you have nothing to worry about." Covering my hand with his, he leads me further into the bowel of the ballroom. Groups of guests glide away to let us pass. Without exception, the gazes of the demons are casted to the ground and the females curtsy the second Lou lays eyes on them. There's envy and scorn; they know I'm a human sinner, though most must be wondering how exactly I ended up as Lou's arm candy. It's something that still makes no sense to me.

"Let's dance."

Lou pulls me onto the dance floor; we sway to a slow song and the rest of the ballroom dissipates. The music vibrates deep in my core and stirs my desire. He hugs me so close that our foreheads touch. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I allow myself to get lost in the sweet warmth of his body. His minty breath fans against the sensitive skin below my ear.

Please kiss me.

Lou's fingers stroke my side and send little tingles down my spine; my heart skips a few beats when his lips brush my cheek. This is a dance I don't want to end.

"My, my, what a display of affection." The sudden voice is too close for comfort. "You should be careful, Lou, or one might think you are smitten with this human female."

Lou tightens his grip as he spins me around.

"May I cut in?" the annoying voice continues.

Lou's warm embrace fades away. He scoffs at the demon who so clearly has the intent of destroying the moment. "I don't recall sending you an invitation, so what are you doing here?"

"I figured it was an oversight." The demon gives Lou a smug smile before his pale blue eyes drill into me. "I don't believe we met. I'm Welbourne Moonlighter, ruler of hell on Nicoletta, the flagship planet in the universe. I was voted Devil of the Year for one thousand two hundred and fifty-six years running. We only get on average ten sinners per century."

Lou rolls his eyes. "That's because your population consists of a bunch of robotic morons. Having even one sinner shows you suck at your job."

"Be it as it may, I am being recognized by leadership for my efforts." The smug smile turns even haughtier. "But dear, please enlighten me. Who are you?"

"Cass"—I clear my throat—"Cassandra Wallace."

"What an adorable name for a human, although I'm dying to know why you are in hell." He sniffs the air around me. "I don't detect a trace of sin on you."

Thanks to Anchor and his tonic.

Before I can come up with a lie, another voice cuts in. "You need to keep your Pinocchio nose out of things that don't concern you." Anchor's dark eyes are blazing and he juts his chin at a group of men. "And it's time for you to go unless you want me to ask the horsemen to show you the door with their boots up your ass."

Welbourne snips an invisible particle of dirt off his suit. "So violent. You guys truly have no class."

Lou folds his arms. "The door, Welbourne. Last chance before I have you thrown into a pit with the hellhounds."

Exhaling a huff, the Nicoletta devil spins around and disappears into the masses. I breathe a sigh of relief.

Lou clicks his tongue. "Thanks for your help, brother, even though I did have everything under control." Lou extends his arm and smiles at me. "Shall we—"

"I believe it's my turn to dance with Cass." Anchor clutches my hand and pulls it to his lips. "With your permission, of course."

I give him a small nod.

Leaving his brother standing with his mouth open, he guides me to the dance floor. The music is still slow, but he keeps his distance. Deep lines are edged around his eyes; he looks upset and stressed. Jaw clenched, his full lips reduce to a thin line.

"Is everything okay, Anchor?"

"No, it's not." He exhales with a drawn-out sigh. "These past few days, I've been worried sick about you, just to find out that my brother and you are in some type of relationship."

My forehead wrinkles. "What are you talking about?"

"He's been telling everyone that he's intending to make you his queen."

"Well, it's the first I've ever heard of it."

"So you and he didn't have sex?"

I drop my gaze as heat snakes up my neck.

He snorts. "Fantastic. The one time I get involved with a human, she jumps ship and sleeps with my brother."

"It's not like that." Tears flood my eyes. "You didn't even say goodbye when I left the Resting Point. I thought I was just a one-night stand for you. No strings attached."

He stops abruptly, his eyes narrowing. "I've been fighting like crazy to get your punishment reduced. The other day, I was at Lou's penthouse to ask you to stay with me until we can sort things out. Didn't he tell you?"

"No, he didn't say anything."

"Unbelievable." He lets go off my waist and steers straight for Lou.

"Anchor, wait."

Ignoring my plea, he stops in front of his brother and pokes him in the chest. "You and I need to talk. Somewhere private."

Lou's gaze flicks to me, but he doesn't make a scene. Instead, he cups Anchor's elbow and guides him through the groups of guests. Even though they did not expressly invite me to tag along, they also didn't insist I stay behind, so I leg it and keep on their tails. We end up in a small room stuffed with cloaks and coats.

Lou shoves Anchor against the wall. "What's your problem, bro?"

"You made a pass at Cass."

"So?" Lou snorts. "Face it, Anchor, you run a bar. How can you give her the life she deserves and protect her from harm?"

"Seriously? Just because you're the devil, you think you are better than me?"

Lou chuckles. "I run hell, so of course I'm superior to you. Besides, I'm older than you, so I get first dibs."

Ahm, boys, that's not how that works.

Anchor folds his arms. "You are older by three and a half minutes. That hardly counts. Plus I met her first, which means I have the right of first refusal."

That's enough. "I'm not a piece of property you can bargain over," I snap.

Both demons turn their heads.

Lou's lips twitch. "Okay, then you decide. Who do you choose to be with?"

My heart plummets into my stomach. "I can't."

Anchor frowns. "It's not that difficult. Just tell us whom you like more, and we will both respect that decision."

Lou nods in agreement.

Panic squeezes my chest. "No, I literally can't. I like you both exactly the same."

"How can that be?"

I shrug. Ever since I jumped out of the plane, a piece of me has been missing, a void that is only filled when I'm around them both.

"I'm sorry, but I can't choose between you." Tears blur my vision. "These last few days, ever since I stepped into the Resting Point, have been the best days of my life, but I don't deserve any of it. I'm here for my punishment, and I just wish you'd stop treating me like this amazing woman that I'm not. My actions earned me pain and suffering, not love and devotion."

When my knees buckle, I drop to the ground, my whole body shaking with sobs.

"Awe, come here." Lou sits beside me and pulls me into a hug.

"You need to stop beating yourself up." Anchor cuddles me from the other side. "You are a good person and have suffered enough already."

I cry against their shoulders in turns until I can barely breathe.

Anchor rubs my back. "Take her home, Lou, but please, treat her right."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. For the moment, she's better off with you."

Cass & Lou at the Hell Ball:

WP total word count: 14,015

Some discord between Lou and Anchor as Cass refuses to choose between them. Is more conflict ahead or is Anchor's retreat a surrender? And of course, there is still Levinia who might have a say in the matter . . .

Hope you enjoyed this chapter, if so, please consider a vote and/or drop me a comment. Thanks so much for reading and your continued support.