Page 83 of The Devil Can Be Kind

I needed proof.Evidence.

I needed a fucking drink.

ADALYN

I wasn’t sure how long I’d sat under the steady stream of water,but it was long enough that the marble white slabs no longer felt cold, and my hands had turned wrinkled, like an old, weathered hag’s. So, I assumed it had been a while.

The constant babbling of guests had long since fallen silent when I turned the faucet off and wrapped myself in a towel, so I was pretty certain the party had ended.

Much as I hated to admit it, Lexi’s words had gotten to me.

Once again, I was doubting the invisible tie I felt to Marco. He’d told me he wasn’t a monster right from the beginning and up until the party I had believed him.

But sometimes monsters hide deep.

Could this all be part of an elaborate game? One where he ended up fucking me just to stick it to my father and simultaneously break my heart in the process?

I scowled at my reflection and grabbed a nearby cotton pad from the vanity to begin wiping my face of any remnants of the evening. Movement in the mirror made me pause a moment.

A familiar presence warmed the room, but I refused to acknowledge it. Keeping my gaze trained to my hand as I continued scrubbing the lingering foundation off my face.

Marco leaned against the bathroom wall; hands tucked into both pockets.

I need to hide my heart from this man.

Caring for him would mean death to my peace of mind.

“What?” I demanded icily, unable to bear the loaded silence any longer.

“Are you ok?” His usually cold voice held a tinge of concern, but it was most probably a figment of my imagination.

I looked at the scratches on my arms but eventually nodded.

“Lexi got to you didn’t she.”

It wasn’t a question, so I didn’t answer.

I grabbed my hairbrush from the counter and started racking it through my dark tangles of hair. He remained silent, but helooked to be contemplating something. His brows furrowed in thought.

“You agreed earlier that I am not a monster.” He eventually said, pushing himself up from the wall.

“Yes, but you are still aDon.” I snapped, slamming my hairbrush down. “Known for ruthlessness, violence, and manipulation. There is no place for caring or love in the heart of a Don. Just power. And while I believe you to be different, I would be naïve to think that fucking me as a power move hasn’t ever crossed your mind.”

I finally met his watching eyes in the mirror.

His voice was cold. “It hasn’t.”

“Do you really expect me to believe you? Just take your word for it and skip through my days with my head in the clouds?”Did he really think I was so ignorant?

A scowl creased his brow, and he took a measured step in my direction. “I guess you will have to trust me.”

I spun around to face him angrily.

“Trust you!” I scoffed.

“Fine. Then I’ll make you another deal,” he said flippantly, and I crossed my arms in response, tired of the games.

“Seems like a lot of work just for someone to sleep with. You’re better off leaving me alone,” I said airily. Tauntingly.

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