Page 13 of Devour

All humor leaves her eyes. “Don’t cross him. He holds a grudge like you wouldn’t believe.”

She quickly changes the subject. Gram continues to laugh and drink. Britney smiles and nods at the appropriate times. I keep scanning the room for Nicholas, hoping to find Tristan alone so I can tell him about my creepy rideshare driver, who is in fact not a driver but the creepy grudge holding casino owner. After a few minutes of idle chit chat, a server announces it’s time for us to take our seats. Unfortunately, I’d been standing far from the seating area and there’s only one seat left…

Next to Tina and Leo.

Seven

Nicholas

Icame on too strong. Easy to see now after watching Maeve interact. I’m well aware that me lurking in the shadows is not my finest moment. However, she needs space. I didn’t want to hover as she greeted her cousins, even though I’m only using her to network with them. But after hearing the day Little Bit has had, even I found an ounce of sympathy for her. Empathy is something new for me. I don’t like it.

She’s about to be forced to either make a scene by refusing to sit next to the only people she doesn’t like, or sit with them and suffer through the meal. Most likely this will also throw her off her game for her big speech.

“I’m ready,” I tell my bodyguard and right-hand man, Arnoldo. He nods and goes back into the kitchen. While he takes care of that, I walk over to my fiancée who has reluctantly pulled the chair back to sit.

They haven’t realized I’m there, so I get to hear Leo’s attack. “Go ahead. Sit down. The chair looks sturdy enough.”What isthis guy’s deal?“Or are you going to go cry to your big bad cousins?”

“How about she cry to her big bad fiancé instead?” All three turn toward me. In fact, everyone turns and all that can be heard is the low instrumental music. “Did you forget about me?” My voice comes out in good humor, but there’s no masking the coldness in my eyes. I level him with the glare I give to men whose life I’m about to end.

I lean down and place a kiss on Maeve’s forehead. “Looks like you also forgot me.”

“What?” she whispers.

“My seat. Did you forget to mark a plus one?”

Her eyes jump around the room and then she shrugs awkwardly. “I’m sorry.”

Her nervousness is cute. She has no clue what I’m doing for her. Of course this benefits me as well. “No worries. I’m only teasing.”

An employee off to the side whispers, “Does Mr. Deschamps tease?”

“You’ve been so busy.” I make a show of taking her chin between my fingers. I look down at her as if she’s the most precious gem in the world. Her body relaxes under my gaze.

That’s it.Sweet little Maeve. She can’t deny her attraction to me.

They bring over a chair, another place setting, and wait for my word on where I’d like to sit. Not taking my eyes off Maeve, I tell Arnoldo, “Move the two on the end. Make room so I can be next to my bride.”

“Nicholas,” Maeve hisses. “You’re causing a scene. This istheirday. Don’t take away from Alexa and Vin’s moment.” She’s precious.

“Maeve.” Tristan Goodman stands from his seat. Vincent follows, and then their other partner, Mark Papas stands. Maevejerks from my touch, which bothers me. She dismisses me so quickly.

“Yes, Tristan?”

He walks around the table, the other two flanking him. “Are you going to introduce us?”

Vincent narrows his eyes on me. “To your fiancé?”

Extending my hand, I shake each of theirs. “Nicholas Deschamps.”

Tristan doesn’t look at me. “I know who you are. I wantMaeveto tell me exactly who you are to her.”

Warmth vibrates through my body as I feel Maeve’s arm loop through mine. “This is Nicky.”Nicky?I’ve never been called that one before. I haven’t been called Nick since my father was alive. “And I know it sounds crazy, but we’re engaged.”

Vincent’s jaw drops. Tristan doesn’t show any expression on his face. Mark is glaring at me with distrust.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Tristan demands. He turns and narrows his eyes on me. Tristan Goodman hasn’t made it this far in our world by being trusting, naïve, or stupid. He’s on to me.

Maeve leans closer to them and whispers, “I’m not trying to steal Alexa’s moment.”

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