Page 78 of Dev

“And what about him?” I look toward the man bleeding on the floor.

“I’ll find them again once I’ve got you taken care of. Right now, you're all that matters.” He slides his shirt over my headand helps me get my arms into the sleeves, before lifting me off the bed and carrying me through the luxury yacht until we’re back on land.

“Can you ride the saddle or are ya too sore?” I hear the pain in his voice as we get closer to his bike, and it hurts more than anything. I wonder how he’ll view me now that I’ve been spoiled. I know how much he loved the fact that it has only ever been him; he tells me so, almost every time we’re together. All that's changed now. Will he still view me as his?

“I’ll manage.” I tighten my grip around his neck and try not to show how much pain I’m in when he gently rests me down.

“You just hold tight, okay?” He kisses my forehead before he climbs on and starts the engine.

“You good?” Dev asks, scowling at the nurse who steps out of the examination room behind me when I hobble out.

The nurse was kind to me, and I guess she was just doing her job when she asked him to wait outside. I won’t tell him that she asked me if he was the person who’d hurt me, once we were alone. I’m sure Dev already knows she judged him based on his looks.

“I’m fine.” I try to sound convincing. I even manage a smile, and he returns it with a sad one as he takes my hand, walking much slower than he usually would with me toward the exit.

“They gave me some pain killers and antibiotics… they should stop me from contracting anything infectious,” I tell him quietly when we eventually get to his bike. “ They gave me the morning-after pill too… Just in case.” I feel his hand tense in mine as he takes a deep breath.

“I’m gonna stay with you at Vex’s place,” he tells me, turning his body to face mine and cupping my cheek in his big, heavy hand.

“You don’t have to do that. All the girls will be there, and it sounds like the club needs you.” I show him how brave I can be with another fake smile.

“You need me more,” he rasps.

“Dev…I–”

“Ineed it,” he blurts out before I can tell him again that I’m okay. “I need to be close to you, okay?” He presses his forehead against mine and inhales me in deeply. “We’ll stop by the club so we can pick up a cage. It’ll make the journey more comfortable for you. Then we’ll go to the cabin and stay there till it’s safe. After that, we’ll go anywhere you wanna go.”

“Dev, don’t you understand that I just want to be with you?”

“I’ll never understand it.” He slides his thumb across my bottom lip. “But I’ll never stop being grateful.” He kisses me before helping me onto his bike so we can head back to the club.

You know you're in a dangerous situation when you see Raoul Burlusconi looking nervous. The black Audi pulls up on the other side of the street, and I watch the man climb outta the backseat and cross the busy walkway to join us.

“Interesting meeting place.” The guy looks around the bright, tropical-themed beach bar as he takes a seat opposite us.

“Neutral ground; plenty of witnesses to remind us that we’re gentlemen,” I explain, avoiding making eye contact with Ruckus, who’s sitting at the bar dressed like a tourist, in bright, floral board shorts and a wife-beater.

“There is no neutral ground in Long Beach.” The man laughs, looking outta place in his tailored suit. “But my boss was eager for this conversation to happen.” He crosses his hands on the table.

“Didn’t fancy taking a trip out here himself, then?” Burlusconi smirks. I know how desperate he is to learn the identity of the Prizrak; desperate enough to have joined me for this meeting.

“The boss is a busy man, as am I.” He nods his head at the waitress when she places a glass of water and a drinks menu in front of him.

“Then I’ll get straight to my point. Myself and Mr. Burlusconi here want you to know that we are in no way responsible for what happened to your whore. Yes, one of my members was th?—”

“Do you think we are fools?” he interrupts me with a cocky grin on his face. “Your man shouldn’t have been on our property; he had no right speaking to the girl. But, do I believe he killed her and left incriminating evidence on her body…?” He shakes his head. “My boss wants me to politely remind you that his club is not on your territory. If one of yourbrotherswere to visit it again, you should not expect him to return. He also asked me to inform you that any alliances he had with Quinnell have been extinguished, and he would like the stock you have been holding for him returned to the shipping yard you took them from within forty-eight hours of this meeting.”

“That can be arranged,” I assure him, waiting to hear what the catch will be.

“My boss will appreciate your cooperation.” He goes to stand up, but Burlusconi stops him.

“Hold up, that can’t be it. Are we supposed to believe that the Prizrak is prepared to just move on from this? One of your girls is dead. We took your weapons.” He looks unconvinced.

“I’m sure you were unaware of who the weapons belonged to when you took them.” There is a sarcastic bite to his tone. “And the boss is happy with the understanding the two of you made on your wedding day, Mr. Burlusconi. It would be a shame to allow one dead whore to ruin an arrangement that works so well.” He turns his back to leave, and this time it’s me who holds him up.

“Quinnell. Do you know where he is?” Dev called from the hospital to let me know his girl was safe; he also mentioned the fact that Quinnell wasn’t there when he got to her. Dev will want his head for taking her, and I know we’d all sleep a lot easier if he were eliminated as a threat.

“Quinnell shouldn’t bother you. He’s been cut from all his resources. If he’s got any sense, he’ll be making his way back to his homeland.” He places his shades back on, then taps Ruckus hard on his shoulders on his way out the door.

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