Page 69 of The Devil Can Be Kind

“Not really.”

“You’re pissing me off. Goodbye.” I seethed, moving to terminate the call.

“Wait!” I heard him shout down the receiver.

I hesitated and brought the phone back to my ear.

“What?” I asked coldly.

“Can you come to my club after work?”

That meant he was back in Chicago then and confirmed my earlier theories that he and Jesse had in fact left the city without saying anything. Potentially even the state.

“Why?” I sighed.

“Why not? Live a little.” I could hear the humor in his voice. He sounded almost…playful.

I contemplated his offer for a minute.

On the one hand I was furious I had been left in the dark and completely abandoned for over a week. On the other, I knew the nature of the family ‘business’ and knew it was often best to be left out of the particulars…

“Fine. Which club?” I answered reluctantly.

“Bellator.” He confirmed. “See you soon.”

I hung up the phone and although irritated by his impertinence, felt considerably better knowing that whatever danger there had been had passed.

Everything is okay… He and Jesse are okay…

Four hours later,I was in my Brabus heading across town to Bellator.

It seemed to be a smaller club than the others I had been to and had a much more exclusive feel to it.

I pulled into the underground garage, followed by my security detail in two further vehicles. I parked and was promptly escorted by Alonso and Tom over to the elevators, taking them up to the third floor.

When the doors opened, they revealed a large onyx room with a smoky mirrored ceiling. Golden furniture and artwork complimented the darkness, giving the space both an edgy and sophisticated atmosphere simultaneously. A recessed LED dance floor and DJ booth were placed at the room’s center, illuminated only by multiple thick black chandeliers that hung from the ceiling. It was stunning and definitely more to my taste than any of the other clubs I had visited.

I spotted Wyatt and Layton standing by one of the larger booths at the side of the room and I waved to them in greeting before passing by the intimidating men. They smiled in unison.

They were beginning to warm up to me and that knowledge gave me an inexplicable sense of happiness.

The first person I saw as I approached was Jesse. He was sitting off to the side with a beer in his hand. A broad smile erupted on his face the moment he spotted me, and I started walking toward him—only to stop dead in my tracks.

Marco was there—locked in a passionate kiss with none other thanLexi.

His tongue firmly lodged down her throat, while her hands were pressing against his crotch seductively.

My heart sank in complete deflation. My stomach hit the floor.

Déjà fucking vu…Something which felt a lot like hope extinguished in my chest.

“Hey, Bandit! How was work?” Jesse called out, clearly oblivious to the scene beside him and sounding intoxicated.

At Jesse’s words, Marco rapidly pushed Lexi away and our eyes met mercilessly for a second.

Then I left.

I tore away from the gut-wrenching scene in front of me, unable to contain my hurt.

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