Page 27 of The Devil Can Be Kind

What?

It took me a moment to process what he’d said, but then an excited smile pulled at my face.

“So, you’re really not going to kill me then?” I asked, only half joking.

When I looked over to him, he was already smirking to himself. “Maybe later.”

He pulled open the door and stepped out, closing it gently behind him.

The moment the door snicked shut, I let out a heavy breath of air, the rational part of my brain finally flickering back to life.

I was no longer a hostage.

I would have to remain behind the stone walls of enemy territory, but I was no longer here to broker a deal between families. I was just…here.

Don La Torre certainly wasn’t what I had expected.

Most men in his position wouldn’t have thought twice about putting a bullet between my eyes or carting me off to the highest bidder at the earliest opportunity…and yet, this Don had done neither. He had even given me a phone for Christ’s sake!

He had actuallywantedme to actively challenge him. To lose my temper and push his buttons…even going so far as toprovoke meto do it.

Simpering and weak doesn’t suit you, Ada.

I’d thought that the many years I’d spent around dangerous men had sharpened my instincts and made me a good judge of character…but Don La Torre was something else entirely.

I just didn’t know what.

CHAPTER

SIX

ADALYN

The next day I was in a surprisingly good mood, though that probably had a lot to do with the fact that I was finally leaving the house for the first time in almost four weeks. I had also recently found out that the meeting was an overnight thing, and it only added to my excitement. A night away from the mansion was just what I needed.

I had settled on a deep, smoky look for the occasion, pairing it with a gorgeous black dress that ended at the knee. It was completely backless and featured an exaggerated waist-deep V at the front that showed off my curves. A pair of strappy black heels and matching clutch completed my ensemble. With a final spritz of hairspray on my meticulously pinned hair, I heaved my stuffed duffle downstairs to meet Jesse at eight o’clock on the dot.

He let out a low whistle as I descended the stairs.

“You look…hot as fuck.” He wasn’t exactly reticent with his gaze, and I felt a blush creep across my skin.

He took my bag as soon as my feet kissed the floor and led the way outside to his SUV. I climbed into the front and messed about turning on something upbeat while Jesse climbed into the driver’s side.

It took a few minutes to exit the grounds of the house but then we were cruising through the streets with lights flashing past us.

“Don’t try anything stupid tonight, Bandit.” Jesse warned after a few minutes.

“I wasn’t planning on it.” I said truthfully. I knew it wouldn’t get me anywhere even if I did.He would probably just drag my ass back here anyway.“I like having some freedom.”

“Good.” He sighed. “When we get there, Alonso and my team will stay with you.”

“Where areyougoing?” I questioned, feeling a bit worried about being left with Mafiosos that would undoubtedly want to kill me.

“I am accompanying Marco in the meeting,” Jesse answered, a sly smile on his face. “Why? Gonna miss me?” He winked.

“Who is Alonso?” I asked, ignoring his jibe.

The lights on the dash illuminated his smirk. “Alonso is my number two. Don’t worry, you’ll be in safe hands.”

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