Page 17 of Devour

Quite possibly, yes. Instead of voicing that I roll my eyes at him. “He’s not going to hurt me. He knows you’d avenge my death.”

Tristan hovers over me glaring. “I don’t want him doing anything to you. You’ve been sheltered. You have no idea what men like him are capable of. There’s worse things than death, Maeve.”

“Men like you, dear cousin? I know you do things under the table.”

“Jesus, Maeve! This isn’t about dirty money. There’s a very dark underground world. And yes, like me. I don’t want you with someone like me. You’re good. You deserve better.”

A laugh bubbles out of me. “I’m not actually going to marry him. I’m going to have a little fun and then go back home.”

“It’s not that easy. This is something you’ll regret. Listen to me on this.”

“Yeah, well, maybe I need a few bad choices in my life.”

“Like jumping in a car with a stranger?” Tristan is not a patient man and I can tell he’s using all his strength to speak to me calmly. “How many times have we fucking warned you about those rideshares? And talking to strangers? If you’d listened and stayed on the path we’d laid out for you, we wouldn’t be in this situation now, would we?”

“I regret nothing,” I tell him confidently.

“You’re too naïve.” He groans.

Vincent steps into view. “She’s young and defiant.”

“Don’t you think your fiancée is looking for you? If I was her, I wouldn’t even marry you after not being there for most of the rehearsal dinner.” I arch a brow at him.

“I’m heading there now,” he tells me with a smile that is too wide.Uh-oh.What have they done?

Tristan and Vincent exchange a look and then smile at me. They both hug me. This sudden shift in their moods has me on high alert.

“Call me,” Tristan demands. “You check in before midnight. You check in at nine in the morning. You check in again at noon. You check in before the wedding at four.I mean it.”

“What about after the wedding?”

“You’ll be going with me to the airport by then.”

Before I can say another word, my cousins turn their backs and walk away. I should probably go back to Nicholas’ office to check on him since Mark is still in there. Instead, I press theelevator call button again. He’ll survive. Plus, it’s good he knows I have people to protect me if he gets too far out of line. I may be feeling reckless, but I haven’t lost all common sense.

Actually, I have lost all common sense. What was I thinking demanding a weekend of sin with Nicholas Deschamps? This is a man who is insane enough to manipulate an audience with the men of KO. He’s proven he’s unhinged. Who was Cleric that Mark mentioned and claimed was dangerous that he does business with?

I pace the vast penthouse as my mind and imagination go in all sorts of wild directions. Should I flee? Pack a bag and go stay at a neighboring casino? What I said was in the heat of the moment, my five minutes of feeling brave. I’m so ashamed. I just demanded…What did I demand?I confessed in front of my family, and the devil himself, that I wanted said devil to fuck me. As part of abusinessdeal for Pete’s sake. The sound of the elevator dings.I thought I had more time.Sit? Stand? Hide behind the curtain? Lie spread eagle in front of the fire place?

The doors ease open. I quickly turn around so that my back is to the elevator and I face the window overlooking the city lights, which works in my favor. I don’t have to face him immediately; he has to speak first or come to me, while I appear non-frazzled.

“You took my advice, Little Bit.”

Why does he have to use Gram’s nickname for me? It’s weird that I kind of like it. I can’t resist seeing his face when his voice sounds so calm. Instead of turning completely around, though, I peek at him over my shoulder. “Meaning?”

He begins to unbutton his red shirt. “To be bold.”

Nicholas steps closer and it’s then I can see his lip is busted. He begins to circle me. His gray blue eyes remind me of a wolf’s as he studies and stalks me. “Is it the dress that gave you the courage? Or was it your desire for my dick that made you so bold?”

“It’s only fair I get something out of all this.” I hate the slight quiver in my voice. I lift my chin and force myself to stand tall. “I’ve shown you how bold I can be. Now it’s your turn.”

In the reflection, I see him behind me, watching me with hunger. He licks his lips and then his teeth sink into his bottom lip. “Do you think you really made a wise choice down there? You had an out. But were you so desperate for my cock, is that it?”

“Desperate? Hardly.” I spin around to face him. “You were right. I do need a date for the wedding. And I don’t want to spend the weekend alone.” While my ex flaunts Trina around.

Nicholas invades my personal space. Heat radiates from him. His woodsy scent fills my senses. “So you’re going to spend it with a complete stranger? It’s dangerous to be so trusting…” His fingers feather along my jaw. “Lucky me.”

“You’re the one who said we’re no longer strangers. And you strike me as a smart enough guy who wouldn’t dare do anything while my cousins know I’m here with you.”

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