Page 50 of Demon

Inside, the hum of voices quiets as we head to the restaurant section. After I sit, I notice people stealing glances at us. “How do you deal with all the staring?” I ask in a hushed tone.

He takes a slow look around, and I watch as several people quickly avert their eyes. Shrugging casually, he says, “It doesn’t bother me.”

“Nothing bothers you, does it?” I tease.

He leans back in his chair, his gaze steady. “You do.”

I smile at that. He’s brutally beautiful but screams of danger with the tattoos that snake up his neck and down his arms. I grab the menu and browse through the options as he asks, “Do you want a drink?”

“Just a cola, thanks.”

He strides toward the bar with an easy confidence that’s impossible to ignore. His black jeans hang low on his hips, and I can see women nearby openly admiring him. I don’t blame them.

Jett returns with my cola and his beer just as our server arrives. She stares at him for a moment, wide-eyed, before clearing her throat. “Are you ready to order?”

I glance at Jett. “What do you usually get?”

“Chicken schnitzel, fries, and veggies,” he replies.

“Sold!” I say with a grin. Looking at the server, I add, “I’ll have what he just said.”

Jett nods. “Make it two.”

The server scribbles on her pad and offers a polite smile. “Your food will be out shortly.”

After she leaves, I turn to Jett. “Thank you for taking me to lunch.”

“Why do you want to spend time with me?” He looks thoroughly confused, and it physically hurts my chest. I begin to answer, but he says, “You can’t save me.”

I stand, move behind his chair, and wrap my arms around him in a firm hug. “I don’t want to save you. I just want to love you.”

He inhales sharply at my words. I press a soft kiss to his cheek before sitting back down. Looking into his eyes, I see a flicker of warmth as he presents me with a rare, genuine smile. It sinks into my heart and makes my soul sing. I know I’ll never forget this moment.

“I like how you love me,” he says quietly, “but I don’t know how to love you back.”

“You show me every day that you care, and that’s enough for now,” I reassure him. “How do you feel about me?” My heart skips a beat. I’m unsure of his what his response will be.

He pauses, the seconds stretching endlessly. “When I’m with you, the darkness disappears. Being with you heals something inside of me.”

His honesty leaves me speechless. I press a hand to my chest, overwhelmed with gratitude. I desperately want to know what’s hurt him, but I know I have to wait for him to open up in his own time.

The server appears with our food, breaking the moment. “Enjoy,” she says before leaving.

We eat in comfortable silence until I decide to broach the subject that’s been nagging at me. “Sophie said we aren’t supposed to leave the clubhouse. Can you tell me what’s going on?”

He lifts a brow. “Are you sure you want to know?”

“I need to,” I admit, gnawing on my lip. I shouldn’t let that put a damper on our lunch, but I’m dying to know what’s happening.

“The men trashed your house again,” he says bluntly.

“What?” My stomach drops. “What did they do?”

“They went through your things, flipped furniture, just made a mess. I cleaned up what I could. They know you’re staying at the clubhouse. Reaper’s trying to smooth things over with their boss.” He rolls his eyes as if he’s not ecstatic about the plan.

My breathing is erratic, but I try to stay composed. Then guilt assaults me. “So I’ve been putting myself and you in danger because I wanted to go to work and because I wanted you to have lunch with me?”

Jett shakes his head firmly. “I’ll protect you with my life. Nothing will happen to you.”

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