Page 57 of The Devil Can Be Kind

I sat on my bed in contemptuous silence, contemplating the events of the evening and the fact that I had very nearly given in to Marco, despite everything he had done.

I was angry, frustrated, and confused. But more than all of that, I was fuming. As soon as I escaped out of that small room, I had seen the Don go straight back over to the table and pull that blonde woman—Lexi— back onto his lap. Like what had almost happened between us had meantnothing. As ifImeant nothing to him.

Perhaps that was true for him, but it wasn’t the same for me and I hated it.

I sat contemplating my next move and an idea sparked to life, spurring me into action before my window of opportunity disintegrated.

I dashed out of my room and across the landing to Marco’s wing. Tentatively, I opened the door and crept inside, retracing my steps from earlier in the week. I ended up in his colossal bedroom now bathed in stunning moonlight and strolled to the bed. I flicked on the lampshade and then began rifling through one of the bedside drawers.

Bingo!

I pulled out the large blue box of condoms and grinned. Just to be sure I hadn’t missed anything, I hunted through the remainder of the drawer and pulled out any loose ones I could find.

Once I was certain there were none left in any of the other drawers either, I promptly turned off the lampshade and ran back to my room. I emptied the box into my bathroom bin and covered them with toilet paper and makeup wipes just in case anyone came looking.

I burst into maniacal laughter as I slunk out of my dress and put on my pajamas, clicking off the light as I climbed into bed. I placed my night mask over my eyes in an attempt to feign sleep and waited.

I wasn’t sure how long I tossed and turned in anticipation, but after an hour or so I heard the distant sound of cars pulling up to the house and voices in the foyer. After a few minutes more the voices went quiet, and I heard the distinct sound of Jesse’s door shutting in the hallway outside. Ten minutes went past and… nothing.

Maybe Lexi didn’t come back with them after all.

After another few minutes ticked by, I started to get irritated that my plan had failed miserably.

The sudden bang of my bedroom door being flung open had me jerking upright before I had even realized why.

“What have you done with them?” Marco’s rough voice rang out.

“With what?” I exclaimed in mock innocence, tearing off my eye mask.

When my eyes focused, Marco was standing inside the doorframe with his hands balled at his sides. My stomach knotted when I realized he was wearing nothing but black boxers… which were barely concealing his aroused manhood.Oh. Fuck.I tried to redirect my gaze, but it was no good. I was transfixed by it. My body was reacting without my permission like it had done the last time.

This isn’t part of the plan, Adalyn!

“Where are they?” His voice was quieter this time, but I could hear the fury behind it.

“I don’t know what you mean.” I looked up at him innocently, uncontrollably flicking my eyes southward and back up again.

“Don’t fucking play dumb.” He marched to the bed, leaning down so our faces were only inches apart.“Tell me where they are. Now!”

My eyes dropped to his lips, and I felt a tingle in the pit of my stomach. I heard his breath deepen and his expression darkened in response to my gaze, but not with anger this time.

“You don’t want me sleeping with other women, is that it?” He said softly, slowly putting the pieces together.

My retort never made it off my tongue as an ugly high pitch squeal filled the room.

Marco flinched very slightly at the sound and my eyes immediately found a disheveled looking Lexi stood in my doorframe. Her long hair had begun to mat on one side, and she had clearly thrown her dress back on in a hurry.

Her eyes kept moving between Marco and me, clearly not happy with the lack of distance between us.

“What is going on?” She whined like a child. “Did you find them?”

“Get the fuck out of my room.” I spat. Hatred for the woman coursing through my veins.

“Excuse me, bitch! Are you going to let her talk to me like that?” She huffed pointedly at Marco, crossing her arms.

“Don’t talk to him!” I answered instead, catching her off guard. “I’mfucking talking to you—now get out of my room and take your idiot man toy with you.”

Her face contorted into an ugly scowl, but before she had a chance to act on her rage, Marco retreated and slammed the door directly in her face.

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