Page 53 of Devour

I place a firm hand on her shoulder. “Relax. I’m joking. It’s not a pig in the sense you’re thinking. It’s Leo’s tongue.” Trina’s mouth drops open. “Leo, do what Trina’s doing. Open wide and show her.”

Leo looks on the verge of tears as he slowly shakes his head with his lips pressed firmly together.

“Now don’t be shy. You certainly weren’t earlier.” Trina tries to stand, but I hold her firmly in place. “I hate to tell you this, but he was speaking about my fiancée in such a disrespectful manner.”

Tears stream down Trina’s face. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. Please let me go.”

“Trina,” I soothe. “I’m going to let you go…after you eat that tongue. Actually. You know what? It’s not fair that you should eat his tongue for what he’s done.”

“Y-yes. I agree.”

“He should eat his words.” I carefully study Trina. So quick to turn on him. She nods vigorously as tears continue to fall.

“Give him the plate. But help him out. Cut it up and feed it to him.”

I look down at my steak. I can’t eat this here. She’s going to make him eat his tongue, that’s just gross.

Leo opens his mouth and Trina releases a blood curdling scream at the sight. Nope. I can’t eat in this environment. I snap my fingers and two of my men appear. “I’m going to take this to go and eat somewhere else. Make sure these two do what they’re supposed to.”

I take my plate to the back to get boxed up. When I return, I’m in an apron and have a knife. My men quickly grab Trina. “You didn’t think you were getting away with threatening my fiancée that easily, did you?” She screams and I quickly cut her tongue out. “Plus, I’m a gentleman, Trina. I wouldn’t let you leave here without lunch.”

Twenty-Seven

Maeve

Once I’m dressed and ready to go to work, I send a text to Nick to tell him I’m glad he brought Lani into my life. We’ve been texting to get to know each other before the event, and she’s really nice and fun. I guess we’re modern-day pen pals at this point.

Work is a little chaotic today. Birthday divas wanting last minute changes to up their party even more. A politician needing a charity function thrown together that doesn’t look last minute but is just to do damage control. Luckily, the biggest project that I’m a head of has been going amazingly. Nicholas has been direct and decisive while being polite and a pleasure to work with. I’ve noticed it’s not only me he’s that way with. He treats all his employees with the utmost respect. Maybe he’s not…No.He’s still dangerous. All this proves is he’s a nice and respectable murderer.

It’s not until after two I finally have a chance to take a breath from all that chaos. I take a moment to look over my portfolio.The casino opening really will set my portfolio to the next level. It’ll be my crowning achievement.

“I guess you’re proud of yourself.”

I’m startled to find Miss Bowman standing over my cubicle. She’s looking at me with blatant hostility. A laugh of disbelief escapes me. “With all due respect, what do you mean?”

She shrugs dismissively. “You and I both know you’re sleeping with your clients.” She holds a hand up. “I get it. Do whatever you have to do to get ahead. I didn’t think you’d viciously cut down Kane for rejecting your advances.”

Silence descends between us. What a slap to the face. It was a naïve thought to think this person was actually going to let me take on this project and show me the respect I deserve. I hate that she’s right, only in that I am sleeping with Nicholas. I’d never use my body to get an account. I also never asked him to come here. Therefore, I’m not going to tolerate this. I stand from my desk, and I charge after her. In front of the entire office staff, I shout,

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

The room erupts in an echo of gasps. Miss Bowman turns and smiles at me like she’s won. “I beg your pardon?”

“I’m not disagreeing that yes, I have been in a relationship with Mr. Deschamps. But you know damn well I’ve worked hard to get to where I am. Honest work. I’ve scraped and sweated every day around here to get a semi-decent amount of respect. I’d rather risk my career than put up with another minute of your snarky, rude, and cruel bullshit. I quit.”

I hurry over to my cubicle and grab all of my items. Miss Bowman doesn’t speak. She doesn’t even move. Nobody stops me or says a word as I hurry to the elevator.

Shit. Shit. Shit.A panicked part of my brain is yelling at me and asking me what in the hell was I thinking. My heart is hammering inside my chest. Nicholas! I quit and he has hisevent coming up. Oh, this is bad. She tricked me. I walked right into her trap. Panic bubbles in my stomach as my mind races and all my thoughts are a jumbled mess.

When I’m carrying my things to my care, one of Nicholas’ men appear. “Allow me to help you, Miss Goodman.”

As soon as he unloads everything, I lean against my car and slide down to the ground. Grief sweeps through me. Regret fills me. I thought when people stand up for themselves they feel better. I feel as though I’ve been duped, made a horrible mistake, and ruined everything. Heavy footsteps pound on the concrete of the parking garage.

“Maeve.” I freeze. Nick? I sniffle and raise my head up. “I thought you had to get back to Vegas?”

“I had a lunch meeting that ran long. I’m going tomorrow.”

Like the emotional mess I am, I lean forward and crumble into him. I sob. I release it all. Fluids leak from every part of my face: drool, snot, and tears. Nicholas pulls me onto his lap and holds me. His warm hand gently caresses and cradles my head against his chest.

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