Page 13 of Ink Deep Devotion

He tugs me to his side, but we don’t kiss. We’re only affectionate in private because we don’t want rumors getting back to either of our fathers. Empire University is different. Our actions here will follow us into our futures. Most students already have marriage contracts; mafia princesses have guards shadowing their every move to make sure they remain angelic and virginal for their husbands.

I’m not mafia, but I know my father would react if rumors about me sleeping around blossomed. Flying under the radar is the safest option. Dom knows this.

“I know, but I also know how special you are.”

I force my lips to smile, and then I tell him what he needs to hear.“I love you.”

There, I said it.

Shock causes his mouth to open wide.

“I do.” I nod, forcing my mind to accept our fate.“You’re my best friend. I can always trust you. Turn to you. I know you’ll catch me.”

He lowers his forehead to mine and exhales a smile that looks like sunlight. I wish I could feel its warmth.

“Let me kiss you. Fuck what anyone thinks.”

I step back.“What if our fathers react poorly and they take you away from me?” I squeeze his hands. I can’t lose another person I love.“I’ll talk to my father soon.”

Dom presses his lips to my ear.“Reach up slowly and adjust my tie?” He whispers with a sly smirk on his lips.

I glance at his tie. It’s perfect, but I do as he says.As soon as I touch it, he says,“I’m going to tie you up with it tonight.” He steps back and runs a hand through his hair.“You’re mine,” he whispers.

I force another smile.“I know.” The devil you know is better than the one you don’t.

“Mila, one look at your painting, and I’m breathless! Quick, give me mouth to mouth!” Blaze shouts with a wide grin, then pushes through the crowd to hug me. It all happens so fast, he spins me to see my painting hanging on the wall. My lips part as a sense of pride fills me. It’s unlike anything I have ever felt. I worked so hard on the piece, building up the textures so the paint strokes had another element.

“It’s stunning,” Blaze says as he hugs me to his side.

Dom clears his throat.

“Oh hey, Dom.” Blaze says with no animosity.

I don’t know what Dom is worried about.

Dom’s eyes look down at Blaze’s shirt.“Kiss me; I’m Irish. How original,” Dom spits.

Blaze’s shirt choice makes me giggle. Blaze gestures toward Dom with open arms.“What do you say, buddy? Pucker up.” Blaze grabs him, but Dom shoves him away as gently as one can in public, which only makes me laugh harder.

“Okay, tough crowd.” Blaze snickers with a roll of his eyes.“Mila will kiss me." He whirls and plants a kiss on my cheek.“Someone’s not okay with their sexuality yet.” He mutters in my ear.

I jab at him playfully.“Leave Dom alone.”

“He’s always so uptight. Why’d you bring him?”

“Stop it,” I smirk, and that’s when I realize that Blaze is the only person who has made me laugh since Dash left. I know that’s not a good thing. The man I spread my legs for should be able to make me laugh more than I cry in the middle of the night.

Chapter 5

Dash

“You’re mine.” I grin.Shit, that burns!I relax my smirk.Fuck! That hurts more!I didn’t think skin could rip as easily as paper, but subject it to frigid, dry air for long periods, and no amount of ointment from a fancy French pharmacy could butter it up again. A raisin would look more edible than my face.

My exhale burns so much that it causes tears in my eyes, but the cold air quickly gobbles up the moisture. I wait for the cloud of frost my breath made to evaporate, so I have a clear shot, then I pull the trigger. There’s a moment right before my gun kicks back where I can hear the ice cracking off my knuckles as my movement breaks it. The distinct, whistling sound whips through the air; I close my eyes. I hear that sound when I try to sleep. It’s both peace-inducing and dreadful because it means I have to return to Initiation 101.

A second later, my target drops to the ground, pink mist ejects from the exit wound. Another tally on my board of kills, not that I keep score.

Shifting my arm, the branches camouflaging me make a sweeping sound, but the danger has largely passed. I press mycomms.“Got him,” I inform the team. I feel an odd sense of disappointment. It’s like playing one of those claw machines that seem so easy to win. You even grab the toy, but just when victory feels certain, it slips through your fingers too soon. Now that I have completed my job, they will just order me to do the next one.

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