The Devil Incarnate

Synopsis

For Cain Casey nothing is more important than family, and having hers close—Emma, Hayden, Hannah, and the new baby—is as near as she’ll get to true happiness. But enemies who lurk in the shadows threaten more than just her business, forcing her to question whether the biggest threat comes from having it all.

As Cain continues to search for lingering adversaries like agent-turned-drug dealer Anthony Curtis, the FBI is hot on her tail and will stop at nothing to lock her away. Add the Russian mob into the mix and it might be too much to handle. It will take a transformation into the devil incarnate for Cain to keep those she loves safe and to hold on to her rightful place as the head of the family.

Praise for the Cain Casey Saga

The Devil’s Due

“A Night Owl Reviews Top Pick: Cain Casey is the kind of person you aspire to be even though some consider her a criminal. She’s loyal, very protective of those she loves, honorable, big on preserving her family legacy and loves her family greatly. The Devil’s Due is a book I highly recommend and well worth the wait we all suffered through. I cannot wait for the next book in the series to come out.”—Night Owl Reviews

The Devil Be Damned

“Ali Vali excels at creating strong, romantic characters along with her fast-paced, sophisticated plots. Her setting, New Orleans, provides just the right blend of immigrants from Mexico, South America, and Cuba, along with a city steeped in traditions.”—Just About Write

Deal with the Devil

“Ali Vali has given her fans another thick, rich thriller…Deal With the Devil has wonderful love stories, great sex, and an ample supply of humor. It is an exciting, page-turning read that leaves her readers eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.”—Just About Write

The Devil Unleashed

“Fast-paced action scenes, intriguing character revelations, and a refreshing approach to the romance thriller genre all make for an enjoyable reading experience in the Big Easy…The Devil Unleashed is an engrossing reading experience.”—Midwest Book Review

The Devil Inside

“The Devil Inside is the first of what promises to be a very exciting series…While telling an exciting story that grips the reader, Vali has also fully fleshed out her heroes and villains. The Devil Inside is that rarity: a fascinating crime novel which includes a tender love story and leaves the reader with a cliffhanger ending.”—MegaScene

Praise for Ali Vali

One More Chance

“This was an amazing book by Vali…complex and multi-layered (both characters and plot).”—Danielle Kimerer, Librarian (Nevins Memorial Library, Massachusetts)

Face the Music

“This is a typical Ali Vali romance with strong characters, a beautiful setting (Nashville, Tennessee), and an enemies-to-lovers style tale. The two main characters are beautiful, strong-willed, and easy to fall in love with. The romance between them is steamy, and so are the sex scenes.”—Rainbow Reflections

The Inheritance

“I love a good story that makes me laugh and cry, and this one did that a lot for me. I would step back into this world any time.”—Kat Adams, Bookseller (QBD Books, Australia)

Double-Crossed

“[T]here aren’t too many lesfic books like Double-Crossed and it is refreshing to see an author like Vali continue to churn out books like these. Excellent crime thriller.”—Colleen Corgel, Librarian, Queens Borough Public Library

“For all of us die-hard Ali Vali/Cain Casey fans, this is the beginning of a great new series…There is violence in this book, and lots of killing, but there is also romance, love, and the beginning of a great new reading adventure. I can’t wait to read more of this intriguing story.”—Rainbow Reflections

Answering the Call

Answering the Call “is a brilliant cop-and-killer story…The crime story is tight and the love story is fantastic.”—Best Lesbian Erotica

Lammy Finalist Calling the Dead

“So many writers set stories in New Orleans, but Ali Vali’s mystery novels have the authenticity that only a real Big Easy resident could bring. Set six months after Hurricane Katrina has devastated the city, a lesbian detective is still battling demons when a body turns up behind one of the city’s famous eateries. What follows makes for a classic lesbian murder yarn.”—Curve Magazine

Beauty and the Boss

“The story gripped me from the first page…Vali’s writing style is lovely—it’s clean, sharp, no wasted words, and it flows beautifully as a result. Highly recommended!”—Rainbow Book Reviews

Balance of Forces: Toujours Ici

“A stunning addition to the vampire legend, Balance of Forces: Toujour Ici is one that stands apart from the rest.”—Bibliophilic Book Blog

Blue Skies

“Vali is skilled at building sexual tension, and the sex in this novel flies as high as Berkley’s jets. Look for this fast-paced read.”—Just About Write

Beneath the Waves

“The premise…was brilliantly constructed…skillfully written and the imagination that went into it was fantastic…A wonderful passionate love story with a great mystery.”—Inked Rainbow Reads

Second Season

“The issues are realistic and center around the universal factors of love, jealousy, betrayal, and doing the right thing and are constantly woven into the fabric of the story. We rated this well written social commentary through the use of fiction our max five hearts.”—Heartland Reviews

Carly’s Sound

“Carly’s Sound is a great romance, with some wonderfully hot sex, but it is more than that. It is also the tale of a woman rising from the ashes of grief and finding new love and a new life. Vali has surrounded Julia and Poppy with a cast of great supporting characters, making this an extremely satisfying read.”—Just About Write

The Devil Incarnate

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By the Author

Carly’s Sound

Second Season

Love Match

The Dragon Tree Legacy

The Romance Vote

Girls with Guns

Beneath the Waves

Beauty and the Boss

Blue Skies

Stormy Seas

The Inheritance

Face the Music

One More Chance

Call Series

Calling the Dead

Answering the Call

Forces Series

Balance of Forces: Toujours Ici

Battle of Forces: Sera Toujours

Force of Fire: Toujours a Vous

Vegas Nights

Double-Crossed

The Cain Casey Saga

The Devil Inside

The Devil Unleashed

Deal with the Devil

The Devil Be Damned

The Devil’s Orchard

The Devil’s Due

Heart of the Devil

The Devil Incarnate

Acknowledgments

Thank you, Radclyffe, for the opportunity to tell one more Cain and Emma story, and thanks to Sandy for all you do for everyone in the BSB family.

A big thanks to my editors, Victoria Villaseñor and Ruth Sternglantz. Victoria, thank you for your ongoing lessons that make me think of new ways of doing things. Ruth, as always, you’re a treasure. I appreciate you both. Thank you, Sheri, for another great cover.

Thank you to my beta readers, Cris Perez-Soria, Lenore Benoit, and Kim Rieff. You can’t know how much I appreciate you all.

To the readers, you know every word is written with you in mind. Thank you for all the encouragement to keep going. These characters are like old friends, and it was nice going back for a nice long visit.

Thanks to my quarantine partner, C. You do make every adventure fun. Verdad!

Dedication

For C

and

For the Readers

Chapter One

“Ah, ah…Jesus…ohhh…don’t stop,” Emma Casey said, exhaling into Derby Cain Casey’s ear. “I’m coming…Harder, baby…I’m coming.” Her body arched, and then she went still. “Good Lord, mobster,” Emma said, opening her eyes lazily when Cain pulled her fingers out. “You do give new meaning to good morning. That was fantastic.”

Cain moved to lie on her back and opened her arms to her wife. She loved these early mornings after Emma fed Billy and he went back down for a few more hours. It’d been four months since the birth of their third child, and they were enjoying the routines that revolved around the baby. Watching Emma with him made her thankful for all they had.

“Those are the chances you take by exposing your breasts in here,” Cain said, running her hand down Emma’s back to her butt.

“I’ll have to remember that.” Emma moved to lie on top of her, smiling when Cain put both hands on Emma’s ass. “You make me feel so good.”

“That’s my job, and only my job.” She gave Emma a mock glare. “Remember, I’m the jealous type.”

“The truth is, you’ve ruined me for anyone else, so no worries.” Emma lowered her head and kissed the side of her mouth. “And I’m beginning to think my hormones will never get back to normal.” Emma rolled them over again, seeming to like the position this morning.

“Are you okay?” She pressed her thigh harder between Emma’s legs when she started rocking against her again.

“I’m fine, but I’m afraid of wearing you out if the craving for sex doesn’t start to slow.” Emma lifted her hips when Cain put her hand between them. “It wasn’t like this the last time.”

“Lass, IRS audits are something to complain about,” she said, pressing her fingers against Emma’s clit. “You craving sex isn’t something I’ll ever think of as a bad thing.” She kissed her way down Emma’s body until she reached the top of her sex. “That you’re wet and ready for me is a gift, never a hardship.”

“I love the way you talk to me, but right now I need you to shut up and put your mouth on me.” Emma lifted her hips and spread herself open. “Fuck,” she said when Cain flattened her tongue and swiped up hard and fast. Emma grabbed Cain’s hair and held her in place. “Put your fingers in…I need you to put them in.”

The way Emma moved and demanded she go harder proved that the first orgasm of the day hadn’t done much to calm the need in her. Cain smiled when Emma slammed her legs together, effectively trapping her head between her thighs. She didn’t let up and stilled her fingers when Emma let out a long moan and then pulled on her hair to get her to stop.

“I love you so much,” Emma said when she came up and held her. The declaration sounded weepy, but Cain was getting used to that as well. It was true that Emma’s hormones weren’t back to normal, but the doctor had said she was a long way from postpartum depression and to give it time.

“You okay?” she asked a few minutes later when Emma wiped her face with the sheet.

“This time it’s more from you overwhelming me than from anything bad. You’re that good, so live with it.”

“That’s true, but if you need to talk to me, I’m here every night.” She was used to the kidding as well, but she still worried that there might be something lurking under the surface that brought on the tears. Emma was here, and she’d never been happier, but she’d never take her job as Emma’s partner lightly. Her life would be empty without this woman.

“That I know and give thanks for all the time.” Emma lifted her head and kissed her. “You and the kids are the best things in my life.”

“We love you, so don’t ask me not to worry a little bit,” she said, wiping away the rest of Emma’s tears.

“I know that about you too, and do you know what the best thing is to knock the worry right out of your head?” Emma moved to put her knees between Cain’s legs.

“What’s that?” She almost forgot how to form words when Emma dragged her hard nipples over her chest and down her abdomen.

“My mouth on your clit.”

“Shit,” she said as Emma sucked her in. The feel of Emma’s tongue on her clit made her close her eyes and lift her hips. Emma was relentless, and she kept her hand behind Emma’s head until Emma was done driving her insane. When she could finally speak again, she said with a smile, “You would make a fortune as a psychologist. Your bedside manner is impeccable.”

“You’re right, but I’m dedicated to the one patient I love,” Emma said and laughed. “Now that you’ve performed your marital duties, what’s on tap for today?”

“I’ve got Muriel coming over. She called last night and has some news. Then I have to talk to Fin.” She spoke softly as the room started to fill with light. In an hour, everyone in the house would be up and getting ready for the day. Their lives were fast paced, and these quiet times with Emma were what fortified the armor she needed to navigate her days.

“Still nothing when it comes to Fin’s situation?” Emma sat up and held out her hand. “Want to share a shower with me? You reek of sex,” she said, winking.

“With any luck, I’ll be in the same situation tonight.” She got up and scooped Emma into her arms, getting a squeal out of her.

“That’s a given.” Emma kissed her all the way to the bathroom and stood behind her when she put her down to adjust the water temperature. “Are you free for lunch?”

“I am, and I already made a reservation, if you don’t mind Remi and Dallas joining us. Remi said Dallas had some questions about their reception, and your valuable input is needed.”

“I keep telling her the woman standing next to her is the most important part,” Emma said, putting her arms around Cain’s waist. “But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t obsess over every little thing too, until I got that ring on your finger.”

“You know damn well that I was yours, ring or no, from the day you spilled beer on me.” She jumped a little when Emma pinched her nipple.

“Don’t go rewriting history, mobster. I had to chase you down plenty before I convinced you that you couldn’t live without me. Remi is cut from that same cloth, and I give you both credit for being spectacular at the partner job once you commit.” Emma ran her soapy hand over her chest and kissed the spot over Cain’s heart.

“Thank you, my love, and there’s no doubt I’m all yours. As for Remi, she’s in the same boat I am. When you talk to Dallas today, go ahead and tell her our idea for the reception. It’s a way of controlling the guest list as well as keeping the watchers out.”

“We can cover it at lunch, and then I’m getting the rest of what we’ll need for the end of this week.”

Mardi Gras was in full swing, and the city was full of tourists as well as locals enjoying the free show. They were a block from the St. Charles Avenue parade route, which had necessitated doubling the guards on the wall around the property. Big crowds heading to the parades meant a large number of strangers walking around the house, and the guys on the wall discouraged loitering. She wasn’t letting her guard down again when it came to her family.

“Anything you need me to do?”

They were flying up to the house they’d built on Emma’s father’s property, and they were taking a crowd with them. The remote area known for dairy farming was a godsend, allowing them to get away from the ever-present FBI agents who followed her around daily. They’d added five guest cottages on Ross Verde’s property, leaving the house by the lake for just them and the kids.

Hayden and Hannah were finally enjoying cousins to play with, thanks to Fin’s return, and Abigail’s three children. As the family grew, so would the accommodations to house them all. That’s what all the hard work was about. Having her family around her was why Cain dedicated herself to making their lives bulletproof. The money was secondary to the sanctity of family.

“Just tell me we’re ready to go.” She soaped Emma’s back and spent more time than necessary on her backside.

“We are, but have you broken it to Hannah yet? She’s not going to like leaving Lucy behind.” Their daughter Hannah had grown attached to her school pal Lucy, who had divorcing parents and constant drama in her young life. The little girl seemed to spend more time with them than at home, and that meant more interaction with Lucy’s mother, Taylor Kennison.

“I wanted to talk to you about that,” Emma said, stepping out as she shut the water off. “Don’t give me that face, honey.”

“I’m not giving you a face, but please tell me you didn’t invite the fictitious Drew and Taylor.” She accepted a towel and thought about those two again. No matter how much Muriel, her law associates, Finley, or Merrick dug, they didn’t exist in any database. She had enough to worry about without adding any more unknown elements to her plate.

“As if, but I did want to talk to Taylor about Lucy coming with us, if you agree,” Emma said, kissing the top of her shoulder from behind. The woman had come by their house a couple of times to complain to Emma about her cheating husband and his shitty ways. Cain wasn’t buying that either.

She turned and laughed as she kissed the top of Emma’s head before moving to hang up her towel. “Why are you even asking me? If I say no, I’m the bad guy.”

“That’s not true and you know it.” Emma pressed up against her naked back. “I did want to clear it with you, though. I’ll agree that there’s something not right about these people, but Lucy is stuck in the middle. It’s not fair to her, and she’s really hurting.”

That was true, and it was never fair when kids got caught in their parents’ drama, whatever it was. “Talk to Taylor and see what she says. They might want to keep Lucy in town for the holiday, but she might enjoy spending time with Finley’s three as well as Hannah.”

“You’re the best, mobster.”

“I know,” she said, slapping Emma on the ass. “You said it a few times this morning.”

✥ ✥ ✥

Cain finished dressing and headed downstairs as Emma got Hannah and Hayden up for school. Both kids looked like her, but they took after Emma and her love of sleeping in. It took everything short of dynamiting them out of bed to get them going in the morning.

Muriel was waiting for her in the office, reading over a file. When she glanced up, Cain wanted to groan at Muriel’s expression. “Go ahead and tell me.” Cain stared at the ceiling and shook her head, waiting for Muriel’s report. It sounded like a stampede of out-of-control cattle above them, and she smiled at the sound. Hannah knew only one way to move in the world, and that was at full throttle. “No matter what you’ve heard, I seldom kill the messenger.”

“There’s always a first time,” Muriel said and laughed.

She smiled, liking that Muriel was almost back to the cousin she’d grown up with. After the death of her Uncle Jarvis, she’d been afraid she’d lose Muriel to the pain and guilt. Muriel had been hard to reach, but what had cut through all that was the same thing that had saved Cain when she’d lost so much. The love of a woman had finally given Muriel hope for her future. That the union had the potential to bind their family to the Jatibons was an added bonus.

“I understand that life is a bag of shit sometimes, cousin, but we have no choice but to shovel through it. That or throw it back in the yard it came out of.” Cain sighed and lowered her head. “Helping Fin and Abigail wasn’t up for debate, but…” She sighed again. “But it’s going to haunt us until the ghosts of the past are put to rest in a more permanent way.”

Special Agent Finley Abbott of the FBI was now on her payroll, and she’d given her the keys to the kingdom. Fin was her first cousin and someone she didn’t feel any differently about than Muriel or Katlin—her trust in her was absolute. After dedicating herself to hunting down scum who dealt in human trafficking, Finley had retired because of her last case. That’s where she’d met Abigail Eaton and her three children. Fin had fallen in love with Abigail as well as the children, but she’d also taken on Abigail’s problems. Those problems weren’t simple to fix, even with Cain’s inventive problem-solving skills. Getting it wrong would come with stiff penalties.

“Do you honestly think Nicola Eaton is still alive?” Muriel appeared skeptical, but Cain believed Abigail, the one woman alive who knew Nicola best.

Nicola Eaton, or Nicola Antakov, had been Abigail’s partner and also owned the Hell Fire Club in town. Cain had kept an eye on it from the opening, but brothels weren’t her style. There were plenty of supposed bad guys in New Orleans, but the Russian mob was a whole other animal, the kind you never turned your back on. Then again, there were brothels, and then there was the Hell Fire Club.

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