Page 83 of Devour
“Better?” A shaky, breathy sound escapes her.
“Mmm…”
Her fingers slip into my hair, guiding my head to her other breast. I give it the same attention—reverent and slow—until her body begins to soften beneath me. A sharp knock on the door shatters the moment. Ariel tenses under me.
“They’re coming for me.”
I press a kiss to her temple. “I’ll never let anyone take you from me again.” I gently fix her dress just as the guard enters, holding a sleek black tablet.
“The sampling period is over. Are you satisfied with your purchase?”
Rage simmers in my chest at hearing my wife spoken about like a product. But I shove it down, for now. “I’m satisfied,” I say coldly. “I’d like to make the payment.”
He nods, handing me the tablet. I complete the transaction, then hand it back. “We’ll be leaving tonight.”
“Can I interest you in—”
“Not interested.” My tone leaves no room for argument. He swallows whatever pitch he was about to make, clearly reading the warning in my eyes. I scoop Ariel into my arms, cradling her against my chest. She doesn’t resist.
Without another word, he leads us through a back hallway and into a private garage where several black, tinted limousines are parked.
“The driver will take you to your destination.”
I know this place operates from an island, and whoever the hell runs this organization has powerful backing from the criminal underworld.
These are the kind of people you don’t cross unless you’re ready to start a war. And right now, the only thing stopping me from burning this entire island to the ground… is her—and Noah. I won’t put the people I care about in more danger.
We both step into the limousine without a word, and I remove my mask. She slides to the far edge of the seat, turning her back to me. The silence is suffocating, the tension between us thick and heavy.
The way she curls in on herself, avoiding even a glance in my direction, tears at something inside me. I reach for her—then stop. She’s still angry. And she has every right to be.
I deserve the cold shoulder, so I let her be. Whatever it takes to make this right… I’ll do it. I knock on the privacy partition separating us from the driver and tell him to stop at the nearest shoreline. My men will be waiting.
CHAPTER FORTY FIVE
Ariel
The ride is quiet, except for the sound of Luca’s heavy breathing and the occasional sigh. I can feel the tension radiating off him in waves. Through the window’s reflection, I catch him reaching for me—only to stop himself.
I’m glad he did. I need a moment to think clearly. “Am I your property now?” The words slip out before I can stop them, the need to say it burning inside me—especially after he bought me at such a high price.
The moment the words leave my mouth, he pulls me into his lap, gripping me like he’s afraid I’ll disappear.
“You’re more than that,” he says, voice low and rough. “You’re mine, in blood and in bond. No price can measure what you are to me.”
His words tug at my heartstrings. My throat tightens, and tears prick the corners of my eyes. When I blink, one slips down my cheek. He brushes it away with his thumb, then presses a soft, lingering kiss to my forehead before wrapping me in a fierce, protective hold.
“I love you,” he whispers. “Always have. always will.”
He rocks me gently on his lap, his hands steady despite the storm I feel simmering beneath his skin.
“How did you find me?” I ask quietly.
He stiffens at the question, gaze darting away like he’s done something terrible.
“Luca… you don’t have to hide things from me,” I say, reaching for his jaw to turn his face back to mine. “I know the kind of man you are, and I want to know all of you. Not just the sweet, protective version. I want the truth, even the ugly parts.”
He exhales slowly, like it hurts. Then he mutters, “Finn.” That name slices through me like a blade. My body goes rigid. A cold shiver crawled up my spin and he noticed.
