Page 24 of The Devil In Disguise

I don’t make it one step when he grabs my arm and tugs me close to him. His touch burns me and makes my brain short circuit. All I can do is stare until he speaks.

“I’m gonna ask you again. Why do you think my men are assholes, Amaris?”

The way he says my name in that deep, domineering voice makes my body react in ways I wish it wouldn’t. His grip on my arm is soft, but firm. It’s his eyes that have me in a trance. Those deep, gorgeous eyes that try to look into my soul.

“There was just a weird encounter with one of them yesterday.”

“Weird how?” he mutters.

My voice gets smaller without my permission and I look behind him when I rush out, “One of them called me a lost lamb and said he was going to taste me the easy way or the hard way.”

He’s quiet, but still not letting go of my arm. When I chance a look at him again, his jaw is tense and his eyes are still on me, darker than they were before I looked away.

“Who?”

There’s a tick of his jaw when I don’t answer.

“Little fox, do I have to teach you that I don’t like to repeat myself?” He lets go of my arm, but I stay rooted in place.

I tip my chin up and confidently say, “I don’t know.”

“Tsk. I think you’re lying to me.”

We glare at each other in a silent battle that I’m slowly losing. With a huff, I mumble, “I think his name was Eli.”

“Speak up, sweetheart, I know you can be louder than that.”

Rolling my eyes at the innuendo, I hold my head high. “I think his name was Eli. Are we done here?”

The scowl on his face deepens and I track his eyes moving to something over my head. Following his line of vision, I see a handsome man approaching us. His expression is serious, but there’s a ghost of a smile on his face. The suit and watch alone that he’s wearing exude importance, but he carries a notable commanding energy with him.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Kylo asks from behind me.

The man ignores him, directing a charming smile at me. “Don’t mind my cousin, but I don’t believe we’ve met. Luciano Castelli.” He offers his hand and instead of shaking mine, he holds it. “Piacere, sei bellissima,” he says before placing a kiss on my hand.

He has a slight accent when he speaks that I can’t place immediately. The gesture was sweet and he is a very good-looking guy, but he’s too polished for me. The anger radiating off Kylo goads me into playing along, though. A little harmless flirting never hurt anyone.

“Encantada. Amaris Santos.” I take a step towards him.

“Hablas español? Por fin hay alguien a quien puedo susurrarle. Mis primos solo entienden un idioma y yo entiendo cinco,” he says, peering down over me with a mischievous smirk.

You speak Spanish? Finally, someone I can whisper with. My cousins only understand one language while I know five.

“Me sorprendería si este imbécil tuviera alguna cualidad interesante,” I tease, looking up at him.

It would surprise me if this idiot had any interesting qualities.

We both laugh at that, only to be interrupted by an annoyed voice. “What the fuck is so funny?”

Luciano looks as amused as I feel when he finally addresses Kylo. “You are. When you’re mad.”

“I’m not mad, but I can still kick your ass as if I were.”

“It’s a joke, not a dick. Don’t take it so hard,” I chime in. The look on his face is priceless. I can almost see steam blowing out of his ears.

He pulls out his wallet and hands me a black Amex card, gritting out, “Buy whatever you need and meet me back here in an hour.”

“I’m sure I don’t need your money, I have my wallet.”

---