Page 113 of Her Devils

“I don’t mean it in an offensive way, babe, I promise. What I want to tell you is, do whatever the fuck you want with him when he comes begging, but remember one thing. Darrius Penn loves only one person—himself. So if you give him a chance, just accept that you’re never going to be put first.”

I leave the bathroom and walk to the cordoned area by the landing spot just in time to see the first jump.

I have a lot on my mind right now, and what Kiara doesn’t know is that regardless of anything, I’m really mad at Darrius for what he did to Peyton last night.

***

Lenley

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THE AFTER-PARTY WILDHorse organized at JeanLuc’s mansion is even more lavish than last night’s affair.

It’s a black-tie event, and if you consider that we aren’t in the 1920s, it has the same decadent feel of the parties described inThe Great Gatsby.

I grab a flute of champagne from a passing waiter and spot Darrius in his tux, watching me from the other side of the room.

I impulsively rush to the full-length patio door to my right and sneak outside into the backyard. I’m not ready to talk to him right now, I’m still too mad.

I exhale, taking a sip of my drink, and then down the whole thing, wishing I had the good sense to grab two glasses.

I look around the blooming jasmine and the manicured plants and lawns in the late summer night and think that calling this a backyard doesn’t do it justice.

Garden, or gardens, is more appropriate for the couple of acres of beautifully landscaped greenery that surrounds JeanLuc’s mansion.

To be honest, even mansion doesn’t do this place justice. JeanLuc’s father, mypapà’schildhood best friend, bought an abandoned chateau and restored it to its former glory. This place could give Versailles or Fountain Blue a run for their money.

“Are you all right,chérie?”

JeanLuc’s voice startles me, and I jump, bringing a hand to my chest to get my galloping heart to calm down. “Fuck. You scared me!” I exclaim. “I didn’t hear you coming.”

He chuckles. “Nothing better than a glass of champagne to settle your nerves. Can I top you up?” he asks, lifting the bottle of champagne in his hand.

“I like your style, JeanLuc.” I smile, offering him my empty flute to refill. “What are you doing out here? Shouldn’t you be inside, entertaining your guests?”

He shrugs. “Non. My guests don’t need me. As long as the champagne is flowing and the music is loud enough, the party is going to be a success. And I could ask you the same question. What are you doing out here all by yourself?”

I smirk at him. “I asked you first.”

He laughs, and I immediately feel better. Banter with JeanLuc has always had the power to make me feel better.

“Would you believe me if I told you that I just sent out the offers for the Seven Summits Team and now I’m trying to get my shit together and get the nerve to take Sarah up to my room?”

I don’t know which bombshell to address first. I go with taking Sarah to his room.

“The last forty-eight hours have been busy, so I haven’t had much time to talk to Sarah. I guess you talking about taking her to your room means that things are going well between the two of you?”

He doesn’t miss the threatening edge in my tone. “You’re right. I really like her, Len. I haven’t liked anyone this much... ever.”

I relax a little. “Then you have nothing to worry about.”

He shakes his head. “Au contraire,chérie. If I didn’t care, I wouldn’t worry about...performance.”

“Eww.” I giggle. “That’s TMI, dude.”

He winks at me. “Aww, does that mean you girls aren’t going to talk about all the dirty details tomorrow morning? Like how I have ahugecock and I know what to do with it?”

I punch him jokingly on a muscular bicep under the expensive silk of his tux jacket. “Yeah, we probably will. But I don’t know, you’re so bigheaded about it that your ego might be the biggest thing in the room.”

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