Page 83 of Her Devils

“I don’t know, it certainly looked like that.”

Chan chuckles. “If she called Penn a pussy, I don’t disagree with her.”

I’m about to say that I love pussy and Penn doesn’t deserve to be called something so beautiful, and asshole is more adequate for him, but then again, even assholes have their purpose in the world. Penn is just a useless piece of shit.

However, before I can say anything, my attention is attracted by a stir in the crowd of partygoers.

People part like the proverbial Red Sea did for Moses.

I hear a masculine voice before I can see whom it belongs to.

“Bon soir, chérie!”

Lenley stops to look at the man who just greeted her for a few seconds right before literally jumping into his arms.

“Oh mon dieu! JeanLuc!” she squeals.

Channing mutters, “Who the fuck—”

When the newcomer is done hugging and kissing Lenley’s cheeks, and he wraps a muscular arm around her waist, we recognize him from countless websites and magazine covers.

“That’s JeanLuc Marceau! What the fuck is the current French national skydiving and BASE jumping champion doing here?”

***

Lenley

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JEANLUC ENVELOPS MEin a bear hug before kissing both of my cheeks.

“Babe!” I squeal. “What are you doing here?”

Okay, that was a stupid question.

JeanLuc and his team dominated at the recent French National Skydiving Championship, and with worlds around the corner, it’s not a stretch of the imagination to assume that he might have come here to check out his main competition in person.

“I came to see how my old man’s best friend’s team was going to do in the nationals, but I have to say that the Cove Angels aren’t the only team to watch. Your town seems to have gained anothertrés magnifiqueteam.”

I smile as his accent warms my heart. He sounds just like my dearpapà.“You’re right, the Cove Devils are awesome. Guys, come here. Have you met JeanLuc before?” I spot Peyton and the others just a few steps away from me and wave them over.

There’s a second of awkwardness as the four men size each other up.

Jameson is the first one to extend his hand to JeanLuc. “Hey, man. I’m Jameson Walton, nice to meet you. Congratulations on slaying the French Nationals, I streamed every event. You guys are fucking amazing.”

JeanLuc’s smile widens. “Merci. But you guys were awesome too. I was really impressed by your performance.” He shakes Peyton’s hand. “You’re Peyton Cox, the Devils’ captain, right?”

Peyton nods. “Nice to meet you, JeanLuc, and this is my other team member and friend, Channing Ford.”

JeanLuc and Channing shake hands too. “Your team is incredible,” Channing praises him, but JeanLuc compliments him too.

“You did as well as the Cove Angels with half their means at your disposal. I followed your speed skydiving jumps. You’re a monster, man.”

“So how do you know Lenley?” Peyton asks.

JeanLuc pulls me into his side, wrapping his arm around my shoulders again, and I don’t miss the way all three of the Cove Devils track his movement with intense gazes. “Lenley and I have known each other since we wereenfants. Our fathers grew up together, and they went to school together too. We hung out every summer and at Christmas, and every time Patrick used to visit hismaman, Lenley’sgrand-mére.”

The guys still look tense, and a part of me is enjoying their apparent jealousy, especially when it comes to Peyton, who can’t keep his eyes off JeanLuc’s arm that’s slipped down around my waist.

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