Page 29 of Devious Lies

“Did you just call me a tomcat?”

I huff.

“Is that all you heard?”

Crossing my arms, I shake my head. Embarrassment heats my cheeks, and I’m at a loss.

I just don’t know what to do with this man who says I belong to him, but doesn’t seem to want me.

He’ll probably freak out when he finds out I won’t know what to do with him even if he decides to take me to his bed.

Still, I want him to try. I’m even a little hurt he hasn’t touched or kissed me since that night.

Shit.

That’s probably something I should keep to myself.

It’s not like I can be honest with Luc. I can’t tell him the truth about my situation. It’s too risky.

What if he chases me away?

The Vipers are powerful. And I bring a certain amount of trouble they likely won’t want.

But I can’t leave now that Mami is in the thick of her treatment.

I’ve managed to pay down her bills, but I know she’ll need help around the house soon. I want to hire a part-time cleaning service, maybe a nurse if she needs one.

But I don’t have the money.

Yet.

That’s what I tell myself.

This little lack of funds is temporary. I’ll get there.

Someday.

The money Papi left us is gone now. I spent the cash she gave me just to live and go to school. She spent hers on the house and on her treatment.

“Are you hearing me, Baby Girl?”

“What?”

“Maria, when I said you were mine, I told you what that meant. You belong to me now. You don’t flirt with other men. You don’t fucking smile at other men. You certainly don’t dance for them.”

“Oh my God. He asked me if I had any requests while I set up the bar, Luc. It’s not like I was doing anything with him. He’s a DJ. It’s his job to hype up the crowd. That was just practice,” I try to explain.

“Yeah, well, I already beat one man into a trip to the Emergency Room for overstepping where you’re concerned, and I’ll do it again. I’m a Viper, remember? And this is our fucking place.”

“I know,” I murmur, but I’m not paying attention.

My mind is wandering. Thoughts of how good his lips felt pressed against mine fill me.

I sway on my feet as he steps closer to me. Luc is much taller than I am, and he’s thinner than Nico or Luc, but he isn’t small.

His shoulders are wide. His body is tight with muscles.

His steel eyes glitter like silver when he’s worked up, and fuck yes, he’s worked up.

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