Page 73 of Devotion

I don’t blame her for asking. Hell, if I hadn’t seen for myself how Layla has grown to accept me, my dark nature and all that comes with it, I would have the same reservations. But rather than going over the many scenarios that have arisen to prove my point, I answer Amelia’s question with one word.

“No.”

She seems taken aback by my short response.

“And what of my niece?” Vera chimes in. “It wasn’t that long ago that we talked, and you seemed on board with the idea of settling down with Aria.”

A laugh slips out of my mouth, and the look on Vera’s face almost makes me feel guilty. “I think you’re confused.Oneof us was on board with me settling down with Aria, but it wasn’t me.”

“But you heard me out, and you didn’t object when I mentioned bringing the idea to her,” she protests. “I’ve already spoken to her, Damien. She’ll be devastated when she sees you walk someone else through the door on your arm.”

I’m stone-faced, trying to figure out what part of what she just said is my problem.

“Vera, I believe your main point was that our people need to see a version of me that’s centered, settled down. Was it not?”

“Yes, but—”

“Then, I intend to give them that.” I shoot her a stern look when I finish. She fumes in her seat but doesn’t speak. “Any other thoughts?”

I glance around the room, studying each of their faces as I take another sip from my glass.

Clay raises his hand, and I point at him, giving him the floor.

“Sir, I only wonder if this decision will postpone your mentoring my son?”

I blink slowly, having nearly forgotten I’d made that promise. JD—Clay’s nineteen year-old problem child—has potential, despite his tendency to do the opposite of the right thing. When Clay came to me a few months back, asking for help, I assured him I’d work with the boy, take him under my wing.

“Of course, not. My word is my word, Clay. In fact, let’s meet in a week or two to go over a plan of action.”

Relief sweeps over him. “Thank you, Sir.”

I offer a gracious nod, then look to the others. “Anyone else?”

Vera’s hand goes up, and I pause with my glass to my lips, hoping she knows not to keep pushing.

“Vera?”

Her eyes stay trained on me, and my gaze narrows when she slowly rises from her seat. “With all due respect, Sir, it would be remiss of me not to say what everyone else is thinking, but they’re simply too scared to say the words out loud.”

I nod slowly, resting my hands on the table as my glare settles on her. “Then, perhaps you, too, should tread lightly. Seeing as how even your peers have the good sense to be afraid.”

She swallows audibly, but the old woman is far too stubborn to back down. It’s what my father lovedandhated about her.

“My final thought is that I believe you should take a step back before making any sort of final decision. I mean, after all, had it not been for you getting word about that ridiculous book being written, you would’ve gone the rest of your life never thinking twice about Ms. Bennett. You still haven’t said whether she’s even agreed to come here. I mean, don’t you think this is all a bit… impulsive?”

Slowly, and making a point to hide any ounce of fear from me, Vera settles back into her seat.

I feel my jaw tick again, and I think we both know I’m losing my patience. Yes, Vera knows me well, but she has no idea how wrong she is. While I’ve hidden my curiosity well over the years, not a single day went by that I didn’t have some sort of thought about the unusually kind girl from my past. The first to make me feel seen.

The first to make me feelhuman.

Vera stares, waiting for further explanation, but I’ve already said enough, indulging their concerns to the point of annoyance. So, without offering her any sort of response, this meeting is officially adjourned.

“I’ll see you all next week. Thank you for your time.”

Amelia, Cole, Darwin, Timothy, and Clay quickly stand and file out of the room, but Vera is slow to gather her things, passing a lingering look my way as she finally trails after the others.

She’s gotten bold.Toobold. Just like her niece. But perhaps that’s my fault, letting Vera think she’s above reproach. As I rock back in my seat, staring at the doorway she’s just exited through, I’m forced to consider there might be even more change on the wind than I realized.

---