Page 177 of Ink Deep Devotion

That comment sent me over the edge. Titan stopped me from grabbing Avery. I’m not sure he will again, so Leo needs to cling to me like a tick, trying to drain my fears dry. Titan’s jaw is bluefrom my punch. My balls are sore from where Nova, Titan’s wife, kicked her boot into them.

“Just give it five more minutes.” Avery shifts from foot to foot.

“Five minutes won’t change anything,” Nova grunts as she shoves her shoulder into me. She pushes back the curtain and looks out the window. It’s her version of caring, pushing, and shoving as she comes closer.

“Pull out your phones and record this because I won’t admit it again,” she flicks back her hair. It’s blonde again. Nova is always changing it from blonde to black. She looks at Titan, “Are you recording?”

“Just say it.” Anders grunts.

“I agree with Dash.” She admits with annoyance,“There I said it," She pushes out a deep exhale, "and I pray to god I never agree with Dash again.” She widens her stance; her leather boots cause the old wooden floor to squeak.“Mila isn’t coming.”

Good, I have an ally. Nova would never admit it, but she cares deeply for Mila. And I’d never admit that a part of me is like Nova, never able to voice who we love because we are terrified the moment we do, they will be taken from us.

“You all are insane!” Avery comes forward and looks out the window.“I’ll go down and talk to the cafe owner.”

“I’ll go with you,” Leo interjects.

“I don’t need your help.”

“I wasn’t offering it,” Leo smirks.

I look at Titan.You should have listened to me.I mentally tell him with my eyes. He dips his chin in agreement. I wantedto come alone. I should have, but Titan thought it was better to bring this whole shit show along as backup.

Leo steps closer to Avery. They need to just fuck and get it over with.“I don’t trust you.”

Avery snorts.“Then why did you kiss me?”

“I can taste every inch of your body without needing your trust.”

Avery’s face burns red.“Shut up! God, you’re so immature. No one needs to know that.”

“I do. I love juicy details.” Anders snickers.

“Me too!” Nova raises her manicured hand.

“A partnership without trust is more hostile than enemies meeting toe to toe. If you don’t trust me, then just let me go,” Avery glares.

“Never.”

“I’ll make your life a living hell.”

Leo opens his hands.“It already is; you’re like a ray of sunshine.”

Avery shakes her head and walks to the door. Leo doesn’t allow her to be more than one step ahead of him.“I’ll never trust you.”

“I don’t need your trust.” Leos’s voice dips to a low growl.“I need your submission.”

“I’ll never bow down to you, you big Russian oaf.” Avery swings open the door.

“I don’t want you to bow. I want you to crawl to me.” The last thing I see before the door close is Leo slapping her ass, followed by a loud thud to the wall. I’m guessing she shoved him into it.

“That’s new.” Nova chirps in with a wicked grin as she looks at Titan.

“This is a waste of time; Avery tricked us.”

“No. Mila did. She didn’t stay, but we will find her. Avery gave us the documents she gave Mila. We will run the ID through Interpol. It’s going to come up. Mila isn’t smart enough to cross borders without going through customs.” Titan pats my shoulder.“We will find her.”

Titan heads towards the door.“Let’s go check her place.”

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