Page 40 of Toxic

Devin’s eyes search mine, and whatever she finds there seems to satisfy her. She nods, then settles more comfortably against my chest. “Your turn,” she says. “Tell me about your family.”

I sigh, resting my chin on top of her head. “It’s not a happy story,” I warn her.

“I’m not here for happy stories,” she retorts. “I’m here for you.”

Her words warm something deep inside me. I take a deep breath and begin.

“I took control of Rivers Financial right out of college,” I say. “My mother had died a few years earlier, and my father... he couldn’t cope. He spiraled, lost himself in drinking and bad investments. The company was my mother’s creation, her legacy. I couldn’t let it fall apart.”

Devin’s hand finds mine, squeezing gently. “That must have been hard,” she murmurs.

I nod. “It was. My uncle – my father’s brother – tried to fight me for control. Said I was too young, too inexperienced. But the board sided with me. They knew my mother had been grooming me for this since I was a child.”

“Your uncle,” Devin says thoughtfully. “Could he be behind this?”

“It’s possible,” I admit. “He’s never forgiven me for ‘stealing’ what he saw as his. But he’s not the only possibility.”

Devin shifts, looking up at me. “Your father?”

I meet her gaze, seeing the sharp intelligence there. “Yes,” I say. “He’s been pressuring me for years to sell the company, to give him more money for his... habits. I’ve always refused.”

“And now he might be working with Kazanov to force your hand,” Devin finishes.

I nod grimly. “It’s a possibility we can’t ignore.”

Devin’s eyes harden with determination. “We’ll find out who’s behind this, Hawk. I promise you that. And when we do...”

“We’ll destroy them,” I finish, a cold smile on my face. “Together.”

She matches my smile with one of her own, equally dangerous. “Together,” she agrees.

I pull her in for another kiss, fierce and possessive. When we break apart, I rest my forehead against hers. “You know,” I say softly, “I never thought I’d find someone who could match me. Someone who could understand the darkness inside me, the need for control, for power.”

Devin’s hand comes up to cup my cheek. “I understand it because I feel it too,” she says. “You’re not alone either, Hawk. You haven’t been for six years.”

“Neither have you.”

“We should get to work,” Devin says after a moment, though she makes no move to leave my lap. “We have a mastermind to find.”

I nod, but I can’t resist stealing one more kiss. “Five more minutes,” I murmur against her lips.

She laughs softly, the sound sending shivers down my spine. “Five minutes,” she agrees. “And then we take down whoever wants to hurt my man.”

Fuck, I love hearing her call me that.

I watchHawk as he comes closer. My body’s already reacting to him. He steps closer, his hand cupping my cheek, his thumb dragging over my lower lip. I open my mouth to protest time again, but he silences me with a kiss.

It’s deep and consuming, his tongue invading my mouth, his teeth clashing against mine. It’s a kiss that’s like a fight, just like everything else with us. It’s brutal and intense, and it leaves me dizzy and trembling.

He pulls away, his eyes locked onto mine, a wicked grin spreading across his face. He drops to his knees, his hands gripping my pants, yanking them down and off, exposing me to him completely. He lifts my legs, draping them over his shoulders, his face inches from my pussy.

I grip his head, my fingers tangling in his hair, my body tense with anticipation and nerves. He looks up at me, his eyes dark and intense.

“This is my pussy, Devin,” he growls, his voice thick with lust. “Mine to touch. Mine to taste. Mine to fuck.” He leans in, inhaling deeply, his eyes fluttering closed as he takes in my scent. I bite back a squeal.

“Hawk,” I whisper, my voice trembling with need. “Please. I don’t know how long I can wait.”

He snaps his eyes open, his gaze sharp and intense. “If I want to eat this pussy, Devin, I fucking will,” he growls, his voice leaving no room for argument. “And you’re going to let me. And you’ll sit there and be a good girl. Because you’re mine. Every inch of you. Every part of you. Mine.”

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