Page 39 of The Devil Can Be Kind

“The dark hair suits you.” The unexpected compliment had my heart spluttering, and he quickly looked away. “Did Chicago meet your expectations?”

I got a handle on my heart and my voice after another moment. “It is now my favorite thing about living here.” I paused, cautiously. “You aren’t mad at me?”

“Why would I be mad at you, Ada?”Ada...I decided I liked his nickname for me.

“Because of all the money I spent,” I hinted, confused.

The waiters came and removed my plate at that point, replacing it with the most incredible smelling steak. Marco took several bites of his.

“That was the reason I gave you the card,” he said simply as if his answer were obvious.

You have got to be kidding me.I must have spent over ten thousand dollars and yet he looked as indifferent as he usually did.

I scowled.

It wasn’t the reaction I was expecting and it thoroughly pissed me off. Another one of my plans now totally derailed, we lapsed back into a deafening silence. But at least it wasn’t as uncomfortable this time.

I turned my attention to the beautifully tender meat before me, popping a sliver into my mouth and almost groaned at the taste. I quickly downed the rest of the dish, foregoing any further attempt at conversation until I was well into eating my Crème Brulé.

What was the point of asking me to dinner to sit in total silence?The long swaths of quiet between us were starting to eat at my nerves.

“Do you always eat in such stoney silence?” I questioned, allowing myself to stare at him from across the table.

He laughed once, but it was devoid of humor. “Sometimes.”

“Then why invite me for dinner? What is the point to all this?” Irritated, I gestured to the ridiculously ostentatious set up of the room just as I had the day before.

“I eat like this every night. You are invited because you live here.” His expression was condescending and cold.

Clearly, he didn’t like having to explain himself.

“Can Jesse join us?” I asked, suddenly hopeful that having another person at the table might relieve some of the tension between us.

“No.” His eyes flashed and the muscle in his jaw twitched as it frequently did when he was angry.

Rattled by his reaction, I leaned back in my chair to scowl at him contemptuously, not understanding where his sudden hostility had come from.

I opened my mouth to ask him about it, when one of the doors to the room swung open and Layton stepped into the hall. Marco looked just as surprised to see him as I did.

“Apologies for the interruption, Boss. Lexi has arrived as requested,” He announced, keeping his eyes respectfully trained to the floor and away from my curious gaze.

Lexi?Who the fuck is Lexi?

The name rang a distant bell and after a moment, I remembered it was the person Jesse referred to as a ‘buzzard’ yesterday morning after the club. You didn’t have to be a genius to work out exactly whatLexiwas buzzing around Marco for.

I took an instant dislike to her.

“Tell her to wait in the living room.” Marco waved dismissively, resuming his eating.

“No need, Layton.” I spoke up. “I was just leaving thisrivetingconversation anyway. You can send his lapdog in.” I added acridly, throwing my napkin on the table and rising to my feet.

A glance toward the Don told me he was quite obviously trying to contain his temper. I didn’t bother acknowledging it though, briskly walking back out the way I had arrived and slamming the door behind me.

CHAPTER

NINE

ADALYN

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