Page 54 of Devotion

When I attempt to get back to work, he speaks again.

“Is this really how you want things? Tension and animosity every time we’re in the same room?”

My head whips in his direction. “You act as if that’s on me.”

He takes a step back, narrowing his eyes. I’m grateful others have arrived to assess the scene, making it less obvious things between us have gotten more heated.

“Are you seriously trying to play innocent right now? You’re gonna pretend I didn’t walk into the club that night and find some guy hanging all over you?”

A pulse between my legs has Damien’s touch feeling far too real. I almost tell Martinez had he noticed me just a few moments earlier, he would’ve caught Damien and I doing far more than having a too-close-for-comfort conversation.

“We aren’t together, Diego. We’ve neverbeentogether. So, as far as I’m concerned, you showed me exactly how single I was that night. All I did was follow your lead. If you never gave a shit, why the hell should I?”

This time, I don’t wait for him to answer. I lift my camera and finish doing my job, which he should do as well. There’s no sense in us discussing things, fighting to revive arelationshipthat was never worth fighting for in the first place.

“Fine. If this is how you want it, I’m good with that. Just remember I tried to fix this shit.”

Finally, after far too many minutes in one another’s presence, he’s gone. The camera clicks, and not even a full minute later, there’s a symphony of deep laughter behind me. Even without looking, I know Martinez has run back to the boys’ club to continue his work of turning them against me. But I face them anyway, casting a look in their direction just to let them know I hear them, I know they’re talking about me, and I’m not fucking scared of them.

It would take a lot more than a group of cavemen with small dicks to break me. Besides, if they knew I could have any one of their asses gutted and carved with a mere word, they’d tread lightly.

I realize I’m smiling a little, imagining each of them bleeding out from their throats. But as quickly as I’ve drifted into the fantasy, I pull myself out of it, knowing it’s unhealthy despite how absolutely satisfying it would be. But as a true test of self-control, I focus on work, getting the last of my pictures so I can get the hell out of here.

Being in the presence of Damien’s handiwork probably isn’t the best thing for me right now for too many reasons to name.

But if my dark thoughts are any indication, what’s evenmoretrue… is that it could definitely be bad for Martinez and his merry band of dickheads.

20

Layla

My ride pulls off, and I step up onto the curb. Staring at the bright, purple sign above the lounge, I can’t help but wonder if tonight will be a welcomed distraction, or if I’ll regret not canceling. Either way, I’m here now, a full face of makeup, my hair swept up into an elegant ponytail, wearing a skin-tight black dress with one strap, and expensive heels I’ve only ever put on once before tonight.

What I’m trying to say is that I put far too much work into getting this look right to turn back now. Besides, dinner with friends, celebrating Dove and Chris’s engagement, sounds like just the thing to get my mind off the work drama.

Hell, it might even help me rid my mind of a vision that may or may not involve Martinez being zipped up inside a body bag.

I draw in a deep breath, force a smile when I thank the guy who holds the door open for me, then I step inside. The place is dimly lit and definitely has a vibe. The bar near the entrance is packed, and I make plans to drown my sorrows there if I’m still feeling like shit by the end of the night. I actually planned ahead for such a thing, hence the reason I arranged to be driven instead of chancing it with my car on the road.

The hostess escorts me to Dove and Chris’s section, and I feel my face light up the moment I spot my friends seated at a long table in the center of the dining area. The happy couple are surrounded by a few of their coworkers and acquaintances I’ve never met, but from the looks of things, Isha and Eliza saved me a seat.

Dove leaps out of her chair.

“You made it!”

I squeeze Dove just as hard as she squeezes me, letting the tension of the day slough off, so I don’t ruin her night.

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

She takes a step back to assess my outfit.

“Shit, Layla! You’re gonna steal my thunder in that dress,” she teases, winking as she smiles.

“Impossible. You’re a beauty.”

My compliment has her striking a playful pose with her hand underneath her chin. “I do my best.”

She laughs, and I place a kiss on her cheek, handing over a small, black gift bag. “I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to bring you guys something, so I figured it was safer not to come empty handed.”

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