Page 81 of Her Devils

He’s smiling, very much aware that we’re surrounded by people, but I can feel the tension radiating from his slender, fit body. “Would you like some champagne, sweetheart?” he bites out, guiding me toward the open bar opposite the stage despite the many waiters offering flutes of champagne around the room.

“Did you have to mention Cox and his cronies in your speech?” he finally whispers once the bartender turns around to open a brand-new bottle of bubbly wine.

I roll my eyes, attempting to pull away from him, but he just tightens his hold on me. “First off, lighten the fuck up, D.Cronies? They are skydivers, not the mafia. Second, they represent Star Cove too, and they won just as many medals as the Angels. And they are family since their owner is literally my stepfather.”

His brown eyes narrow into two furious slits. “Andyou’re sleeping with all three of them.”

In the past, something like that would have made me feel ashamed, but not anymore.

Sarah’s voice echoes in my head. “Fuck the haters, and anyone who judges you is just jealous.”

“I am, and they are the most fun I’ve had in forever. Plus, they are my friends, and if you can’t accept that, D, that’s your problem, not mine.”

And then I strut away with my head held high, heading toward the corner where the guys, Mom, Ken, and Kyle are talking to the mayor and his wife.

Sarah isn’t too far away from them, and when our eyes meet, I wink at her, mouthing, “Pussy strut.”

She beams at me, and my hold on the trophy finally relaxes.

16.

Complicated

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Peyton

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I’M ITCHING TO WALKup on that stage and plant my fist right in Penn’s face.

And no, just in case anyone was wondering, I’m stone-cold sober.

It isn’t even because I’m jealous, I just hate that selfish asshole. He couldn’t care less about anyone but his own pompous ass. He certainly doesn’t give a shit about Lenley if he called her up on that stage.

I hate the deer in the headlights look on Snow when that spotlight shines right in her face and Penn leaves her no way out but to join him.

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