Page 139 of The Devil Can Be Kind

“Let me guess, Daddy owns the club?” I observed dauntlessly, rolling my eyes. “How original.”

“Damn. That’s usually my best move.” He joked, feigning insult.

I gave him a small smile as he reached across the table for the flutes and poured out the bubbly beverage. It smelled delicious, subtle and fruity. He slid one over to me and I eyed it skeptically, unsure whether my acceptance of the drink would only encourage him into thinking I might acceptotherthings.

“There you are, baby Cuz!” Leon’s vivacious voice interrupted my internal dilemma as he came bounding over to the table. “And look who we have here!” Ricardo stood from his chair and the two shared a hard hug.

Ricardo resumed his seat, but Leon remained standing, or rather swaying, on the spot.

“What are you on, Leon?” I asked, unable to keep the distaste from my mouth.

He was a borderline alcoholic with a propensity for drugs, women, and gambling. And although he wasn’t an evil man, there wasn’t all that much to like about him, either. It was distressing knowing that he would one day become the head of our family.

“Oh, quit the nagging, Addie. Lighten up! It’s supposed to be your birthday for fucks sake,” he shouted, his eyes moving in and out of focus. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUU—” he started singing at the top of his blasted lungs.

“Shut it!” I hissed as people began turning to look at the spectacle, yanking on his shirt in the process.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUU?—"

This time there were enough people jumping onto the disastrous singing of my cousin for him to continue screaming the song at the top of his lungs. I buried my face in my hands, blushing a crimson red with absolute humiliation.

When the crowd erupted into applause, Leon grabbed my hand pulling me upwards and turning me around on the spot. I shrank back down into my chair as quickly as possible, furious and mortified, while he was doubled over laughing. He knew how much I hated a spectacle.

“And with that, my work here is done!” He announced, turning to Ricardo. “Don’t be put off by her shitty temperament, Ricardo. She just needs to get laid. Then she’ll be alright.”

My mouth slackened in outrage. “Shutup, Leon.”

The prick just laughed and smacked Ricardo once more on the back before heaving himself back into the stream of dancers nearby. I didn’t think I would be relieved by his absence, not with the solid hulk of a man sat staring at me, but the moment he left I felt myself relax back into my chair.

“Sorry about him, he’s a bit of a?—”

“Loose cannon? Particularly when drunk?” Ricardo finished for me, and I smiled apologetically.

Another silence started drawing out between us.

“Do you…come to Cancun often?” I asked, more to be polite than out of interest.

“Fairly. Business and all.” He smiled, reclining back in his chair and hooking his arm over the vacant one next to him. The picture of ease.

I just nodded.

“I think I might start coming here more often. Perhaps once every summer?” He shot me an arrogant smile and I chuckled at his audaciousness. He had balls, I’d give him that. “Anyway, here’s to you on your birthday,” he said, picking up his flute and gesturing for me to do the same.

I pinched the crystal between my fingers, and he brought his glass against mine with a clink.

“Happy birthday, Adalyn.”

The first thingI realized when my eyes opened was that I had no idea where I was.

My head spun and my heartbeat thrummed loudly in my ears.

I was lying on something, no not something—sand.

I could feel my fingers half submerged in it. Could smell the seaweed that accompanied it and the tang of salt on my tongue. I wasn’t at the club anymore, the heavy beat of it off in the distance somewhere.

Where am I?

I blinked furiously, trying to regain my senses.Beach. The familiar shoreline of the beach meandered off to my left as far I could see. I struggled to comprehend it. My mind felt heavy like…like I’d beendrugged.

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