Page 78 of Enticing Monsters

DEVYN

Istride from the bedroom, closing the door firmly behind me, and rest my head against it.

V’s getting worse, even with round-the-clock care from Xander, Avril, and me.

I thought his sister would lose her mind when we brought her in to see him, needing another set of hands so that we could keep our focus on Gage, but after turning sheet-white for a moment, she buckled down and took over as though it was second nature.

I’m still not sure I completely trust her—especially after what I discovered—but there’s no way to fake the genuine terror splaying across her face. Either she’s a spectacular actress or she truly isn’t involved in this.

But I’ll keep my eye on her all the same.

My phone vibrates again, reminding me that Xander is waiting for me—the only reason why I’ve left Avril alone here with her brother.

I grumble to myself as I head down the stairs and snag my bike.

Fuck, I pray I’m right in trusting Avril, or she’ll be using the opportunity to slit the sick bastard’s throat.

I’ve never been comfortable with people, not like Xander. Even before his creature was revealed, he wanted to be in politics. Xander and I may be twins, but we couldn’t be further apart in our personalities.

Oh, it isn’t like Xander is an angel to my devil. Absolutely not. The man is just as twisted as I am. Hell, with half of what he wants to do to my bunny, I’d say he’s far more twisted than I am. But unlike my brother, I’m incapable of wearing the political mask.

My darkness, my passion, my wildness… Those can’t be hidden the way his can as he toys with others, playing the long game and expertly manipulating people where he wants them to go. I’m all rage and brute strength in comparison.

I’m damn good at my job, though, and have more than one favor to cash in. Those favors are what have me pulling up to the FIB headquarters and nodding at the doorman as I leave my bike parked at the front.

I won’t be more than a few minutes, and Steve will keep an eye on it for me.

It only takes me a minute to reach the Director’s office. Her lips purse as I step inside, her brows arching into a deep V as she takes me in.

“Close the door,” she snaps, her pen keeping up a rhythmic tap against the desk.

I want to roll my eyes, but I do as she says, letting it seal shut and activate the privacy block I know she keeps on it.

“Do you want to tell me why I’m putting myself on the wrong end of a political nightmare?” If she had the power, I’m sure ice would have literally dripped from her lips with those words.

“’Cause it’s the right thing.” And truly, that’s what it all comes down to.

Lorena Milton—or Boss, as we all call her—may be a hard-ass. She may want to stay out of the political drama of the lords and ladies as much as possible, but she’s a good agent and leader.

Where others have run their role based on politics or prejudices, Boss has always worked off the evidence, and here, they don’t have any.

“You know as well as I do that he didn’t do this. There’s no reason for it,” I point out, though I don’t bother to settle into a chair in front of her. “Not to mention someone would have noticed if he managed to fuck with the heads of basically all of the most powerful supes in the area.”

Sera was furious with me for my stoicism, not realizing how badly it hurt me to disappoint her, but there was no point in stepping in then. The queen had been furious, too lost in the grief at what was happening to her middle daughter to focus on what was logical.

Gage doesn’t benefit from messing with the minds of the council, but someone wants her to think that. Someone wants the queen to be up in arms against Gage and the rest of us by extension.

Anyone who heard how Sera dealt with Kian’s abuser would know she would go off the handle if Gage was threatened. Sera wouldn’t care if she was up against a serial killer, the queen, or the gods themselves when it comes to someone she cares about.

Xander was quick to point out I’d need to grovel to get back in her good graces upon her return, and I’m not opposed. I bet my bunny could be very forgiving with my face between her thighs.

At the moment, though, I’m playing my part, setting things into motion behind the scenes and baring the brunt of my mate’s wrath so I don’t give the play away.

Boss sighs, leaning back in her chair and pressing her fingers against her eyes.

“You always bring me drama, Devyn,” she complains, shaking her head. “I thought with that serial killer dying, we’d finally get a break, but with the search for his killer, the dead bodies piling up in your family's yard, and now this…”

Her eyes are sharp and intense as they stare into mine.

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