Page 17 of Dangerous Deviance
“I’ve got work for a few hours,” I said in her ear quietly. I gestured at the room, the tables all occupied, the bartender busy making cocktails. “Get whatever you want. The bartender can order from the restaurant too.”
Without a word, Ellie nodded and slipped through the tables, exploring the space. I watched her scan the room, taking in the perimeter. She was muscular, and while strong didn’t mean aggressive, I started to wonder if Derek was onto something, if Ellie was a threat. I could see her killingforher sister, but for pleasure? That didn’t seem likely.
The scent of whiskey entered my nose as a warm, bulbous hand landed on my back. “Who’s the babe?” the regular said, a man in his fifties. “Is she your new pet?”
I waved a dismissive hand. “She’s something,” I said. I wasn’t sure how to explain it, especially to a stranger. Ellie was supposed to be a gift, but she was turning out to be more of a hassle than a gift should have been worth.
Still, I could control her circumstances; I just had to figure out how to make her tick.
“Do you like her?” the regular asked, a hint of dull amusement in his voice. But ever since my ex, I hadn’t wanted to get close to anyone. She had never understood why I ended things with her, as if the enemy with his dick balls deep inside of her wasn’t enough of a clue. She had claimed it was all part of her extraction process; she used her cunt to get information. Hah. If only I could use my ex to extract information from Ellie the fun way. Her methods would be a lot more forgiving than mine.
“I don’t like anyone,” I said to the regular. I knew better now. Emotions were what made you weak, what made you forget about where loyalty truly lied. No one was loyal, not even the people you trusted. My ex was proof. The only thing you could count on was family.
Which was why a gift like Ellie was better than a relationship. I could keep Ellie exactly at the distance I needed.
I got the attention of one of the dealers. “Midnight Miles show up yet?” I asked.
The dealer shook her head. “Not that I’ve seen.”
The door swung open, and a few men came in, none of which were the Midnight Miles men. I had a feeling our deal was falling through, but if this was what our father wanted, to treat the situation with civility, then we’d have to go forward with that.
But hell, all three of us brothers hated it. You didn’t rule by being nice.
Maddie entered the hall too. I nodded towards her. “You get anywhere yesterday?” I asked. I tilted my head in the direction of Ellie.
She shook her head. “Nothing.”
“Tight-lipped, isn’t she?” I said.
Maddie leaned an elbow on the table. “It’s not that. She truly doesn’t remember anything.”
I raised a brow. Maybe Maddie was right, but that didn’t mean that I trusted Ellie.
“I see you let her out of the cage,” she said.
I shrugged. “It happens.”
She patted my arm. “All she wants is her sister,” Maddie said. I followed her gaze over to Ellie, sitting on a stool, her legs crossed, her entire body aimed towards one of the other regulars we had here. Sullivan. A gruff-looking man with gray in his beard, his skin tanned like leather. His eyes were locked on Ellie, looking down at her breasts.
She spoke, and Sullivan opened his mouth in response, his posture stiff.
Her nipples pressed through the thin fabric. I should have made her change her clothes before we came here. I clenched my fists and headed toward them. Maddie put a hand on my arm, holding me back.
“As a friend,” she said, “Do you really want to start a fight over her?”
It wasn’t just about her. It was about respect. Ellie knew my rules. And Sullivan had seen me come in with her; he knew she was mine.
And if he didn’t? He’d know now.
“As a friend,” I said sharply, “I’d appreciate it if you took your hand off of me.”
Maddie immediately removed her hand and I strode towards the two of them. Sullivan’s fingers, blunt and grimy, ran down her arm. She looked at his hand and pulled away slightly.
Now he was touching her?
I stood between them, getting in front of Ellie, blocking his view of her with my body.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
