Page 11 of Devoted

Nate dropped his arms, winking lasciviously at Noah. “What if I like your personal space too?”

Breann checked her watch and banged on the table. “Nate at 7:42 p.m. Hand over your money, folks.”

Nate narrowed his eyes. “Hang on, whatexactlywere you betting on?”

I was the one who answered, smirking lazily at him. “Who would hit on Noah first—you or Theo, and what time it’d happen.”

“Fuckers,” Nate said with a huff. “We’re not that predictable.”

“Except we are,” Theo pointed out as the rest of us pulled cash out and shoved it in Breann’s direction. “Or, to be specific, you are.”

Nate turned his big eyes on Noah, pouting dramatically. “Does this make you feel sorry enough to sleep with me?”

Noah lifted his delicate nose high in the air. “Like I’ve said, it’s never going to happen. I have standards and you fall incredibly short.”

Nate opened his mouth, but Micah stepped in. “Nate, enough. No means no, as you should fucking well know.”

Suitably chastised, Nate shot Noah a sheepish smile. “Sorry. I’m just messing with you, but I’ll stop now.”

Noah smiled, softer than before. “It’s okay. It’s flattering really, but I don’t shit where I eat.”

Micah and I exchanged a private look. Once upon a time, Micah’s obsession with Dimitri had threatened to topple everything we’d built. Neither of us wanted that happening again within the unit.

Besides, what was the use in getting into a relationship with someone you knew wasn’t your fated mate? It’d only lead to broken hearts further down the line if or when fate decided it was time for the two of you to meet.

It was why I’d never let this…thing with Sam move into the real world. With a screen between us, there was no danger of any feelings becoming involved.

The tension in the room was broken by Breann fanning the notes dramatically in front of her face. “Grace and I are going to have a cracking night out now, thanks to you.”

Grace smiled indulgently at her mate, leaning her chin on Breann’s shoulder. “It’s always a cracking night when we’re together.”

Fate had blessed the unit with one pair of mates, and that was enough. They were sickeningly in love, and very happy to rub it in everyone else’s faces.

Just then the door opened, and Nox slipped inside the room. The demon’s eyes went straight to his mate, sweeping over him as though assuring himself that Micah was fine.

Micah, our normally unflappable leader, blushed under his attention, shifting in his seat. It was amusing really, seeing how his stern, capable exterior crumbled and he turned into nothing more than a pile of goo around his mate.

I couldn’t see it happening for myself. Even if I met my mate—which after all this time felt unlikely—it’d be a disaster.

Let’s be frank, I wasn’t a good person. I was an excellent soldier. A powerful angel. A loyal friend. But my flaws outweighed all of that. Thanks to my father, I had a temper that was destructive. I was possessive. Obsessive. Temperamental.

Having a mate wouldn’t bring out the best in me. It’d bring out the worst.

My watch pinged to life on my wrist, and for the first time in hours, I felt calm.

“My good thing is seeing Breann win the bet,” I said quickly. “And now I’m going to take a shower.”

It was only after I got to my feet that I remembered myself and glanced at Micah. “Unless you need me for something?”

“No.” Micah’s lips twitched in amusement. “Go and enjoy yourshower.”

3

Sam

Today had been one disaster after another. First, I’d run out of milk, meaning I couldn’t have my morning cup of tea, which was basically a crime. Next, I’d checked my email to see that a client needed a set of fifteen graphics. Not a problem, aside from the fact that she needed themthis morning.

I’d just got through that when my phone rang. The next hour was spent reassuring a hysterical author that, no, her career wasn’t over. Everyone didn’t hate her, and people were loving her new book.

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