Page 33 of Toxic

As we hammer out the details of our arrangement, I can see the calculations running behind Regina’s eyes. She’s looking for an angle, a way to turn this to her advantage. I want her to try. I’ll be ready.

The drive back to my penthouse gives me time to process the evening’s events, to strategize my next move. But as I step into the dimly lit space, I sense a shift in the air. Tension, thick and palpable.

Devin stands by the window, her silhouette stark against the city lights. She doesn’t turn as I enter, but I can feel the weight of her gaze.

“You’re home late,” she remarks, her voice unnaturally calm.

I approach cautiously, aware of the minefield I’m walking into. “The meeting ran longer than expected.”

Now she turns, and I’m struck by the coldness in her eyes. Her face is a mask of indifference, but I can see the slight tremor in her hands. She’s furious.

“I know you were with Regina,” she states, her tone level but laced with an undercurrent of rage.

“It was a business meeting. Necessary to address certain issues.”

“Issues that require private dinners?” she asks, her voice still eerily calm. “What else did you discuss?”

The tension between us crackles like electricity. I find myself both concerned and intrigued by her controlled anger. This is a side of Devin I haven’t seen before.

“I was gathering information to protect us,” I explain, moving closer to her. “Regina and Viktor have formed an alliance. I needed to confront her directly. To set up a way to interfere.”

Devin’s eyes flash with something—Interest? It’s gone too quickly for me to be sure. “And did you get what you needed?” she asks.

I nod, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her face. She doesn’t flinch away, but I can feel the tension radiating from her body. “I did. Regina will be feeding us information on Viktor’s operations. I’m sure she’ll try to turn things to her advantage and try to screw us at some point, but we’ll handle that when we get there.”

A small smile curves Devin’s lips, cold and dangerous. “Okay,” she says simply. “Are you seeking any additional resources?”

I watch her, but her gaze gives nothing away. “I am.”

We’re standing so close now I can feel the heat radiating from her body. “You’re jealous,” I observe quietly.

Her eyes meet mine, unflinching. “I am.”

I lean in slightly, my voice softening. “You need to understand that I would never betray your trust.”

Devin places a hand on my chest, and I can’t tell if she’s pushing me away or pulling me closer. “Actions speak louder than words,” she replies.

“Then let me show you,” I whisper, closing the final inches between us. I curl my hand around her throat and hold her there, tilting her head up.

Our lips meet in a kiss that’s equal parts passion and frustration. It’s a battle for dominance, neither of us willing to yield.

“This doesn’t excuse keeping me in the dark,” Devin says, her voice husky. She pulls out of my grasp and takes two steps back. Away from me. She dared to pull away.

I yank her to me again, crushing my lips against hers. She responds immediately, her kisses as fierce and angry as they are passionate. Her nails dig into my back, and I grip her hips hard enough to bruise.

We break apart, both breathing heavily. “Stop hiding from me,” I growl, my voice low and rough.

Devin’s eyes meet mine, a challenge burning in their depths. “Are you sure you can handle that, Hawk?” she asks, her tone both mocking and seductive.

I respond by pushing her against the window, the cool glass a stark contrast to the heat of our bodies. “Try me,” I whisper against her neck.

As we lose ourselves in a tangle of limbs and heated kisses, I can’t help but marvel at the woman in my arms. Devin is a force of nature, as dangerous and unpredictable as she is alluring. And as I give in to the dark passion between us, I am reminded of a crucial fact, I’ve finally met my match.

SIXTEEN

The city’s neon glow fades behind me as I slip deeper into the shadows of a forgotten alleyway. My heart races, not from fear but from the exhilaration of momentary freedom. Hawk’s security detail, while necessary, has become suffocating. This clandestine excursion to purchase a personal item feels like stealing air after being underwater for too long.

I pull my hood lower, relishing the anonymity it provides. The cool night air caresses my face, carrying with it the scents of the city – a heady mixture of car exhaust, street food, and rain-slicked pavement. For a moment, I’m just another face in the crowd, invisible and unremarkable.

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