Page 10 of Say My Name

“I guess no one deserves to be murdered.” She leans closer. “But they weren’t playing by club rules.”

Adele moves across the club, beelining our way. I want to ask her what she means, but there’s no use in even opening my mouth because Adele steps between us.

“How’s she doing?” she asks Luna about me.

“She’s picking things up really well. I bet by this time tomorrow she can take her own section.”

Adele assesses me. “I’ll give you a list of the cocktails to take home and study.”

“Thank you.” I’d almost forgotten this is an actual job on top of my primary reason for being here.

“I was just about to go over the club rules with her,”Luna says.

Adele nods. “I’ll let you two get back to it. Swan, find me before you leave.”

“Sure thing.” As soon as she’s out of earshot, I ask Luna, “What are the rules?”

Abruptly, the energy shifts in the room, and I instinctively glance up the grand staircase. Devereaux stands at the top, his hands wrapped around the railing in front of him, looking down on us with a palpable intensity.He’s dominating. His eyes crash into mine and chills skate over my exposed skin as he just stands there, watching.

Assessing.

Judging.

Luna leans in closer, after noticing Devereaux above us. “Really, there’s only one rule.” Her eyes glance up at Devereaux. “Don’t fuck over the boss.”

His eyes never waver from mine and I let the words she’s spoken soak into my bones.

Being this drawn to him is wrong, but I can’t extinguish the heat that sizzles in my body with every glance.

But I need to keep this in check.

He’s sinful.

Gorgeous.

Deadly.

Chapter 4

Devereaux

“You can’t blame yourself,” my sister Greer says. “It’s not your fault.”

It’s hard to take her seriously when she’s whipping around her state-of-the-art kitchen wearing an apron that reads “A woman’s place is in the courtroom.” Her attempt at lawyer humor. But I know it’s a reminder to herself of what she’s accomplished. I may have helped her out with a few of the long-standing student loans, but she’s worked her ass off to make a name for herself.

“How can I not?” The murders are the only thing on my mind. It’s the sole thing on anyone’s mind in this city.But no one has to answer for it like I do.

I pick up a flute of mimosa, staring at the orange liquid in the glass, dumbfounded. “Why do you serve these for brunch?”

She moves around the marble-topped kitchen island and takes the glass from me. “Not everyone who comes here for Sunday brunch is an ogre like you. I’m trying to class it up a bit.” She takes a swallow of the beverage.

I laugh. “Yes, they are.”

Every Sunday, Greer cooks a meal fit for kings, but all she gets is me and the Thorne twins in attendance at her spacious mansion downtown. I know she wishes she had some ladies to invite, but Greer’s been so busy with law school, and then studying for the bar, that she doesn’t have many friends.

And we’re not dating anyone to bring along with us. I don’t date. Ever. Can’t remember the last time I even enjoyed a woman. When I started Club Greed many years ago, I’d get laid every night by different women, and at first, it was every bachelor’s fantasy. But it grew tiresome. An easy lay held no interest anymore. I guess you can say the hunt was no longer adventurous to me. In fact, it kind of became a chore.

I like it better this way; relationships are overrated. I keep my inner circle small. Only Roman, Ledger, and Greer.

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