Page 5 of Claimed By The Devil

“So, you’re staying? Why?” Jimmy asks.

“Because I promised Deirdre a dance. Just go. I’ll catch up with you later.” He stands and holds out his hand. I feel a bit exposed, but I don’t think he’s the type to take no for an answer so I take his hand and follow him onto the dance floor.

He places his hand on the small of my back and pulls me against his rock-hard body. A thousand butterflies come to life in my stomach as he presses his thigh between my legs. I get lost in the sensation of being in his arms and completely ignore the hundreds of eyes that are staring at us. I just put my head on his chest and let him seduce my senses as we sway to the music.

The walk back to the table seems endless as I try to control my shaking legs. We sit down and I summon the courage to start asking questions.

“You said that bad things happened to you when you were young. What happened?”

“My parents died when I was twelve. My family isn’t much different from yours, and they felt like they had to take responsibility for me so I was adopted by my uncle. Let’s just say he had his own way of doing things. Even then, I was big, and he saw the potential to turn me into a good soldier for the family so he trained me by beating my ass to toughen me up. I had the flu bad when I was fourteen, but that wasn’t enough to get me a day off from my training so he took me out in the yard to box. I was gasping for breath, and he thought I was being a pussy so he pulled a knife on me. He cut me six times before I lost it and put him in a chokehold. That didn’t sit well with him either so that night when I was sleeping, he gave me this,” he says pointing to the scar on his face.

“I’m so sorry,” I say, on the verge of tears.

“Don’t ever be sorry for me. I didn’t tell you that story so you would have sympathy for me. I told it so you would understand that everybody can overcome their circumstances. He wanted me to be a good soldier. I defied him and became the boss. Now he works for me.”

“I didn’t mean to offend you. That’s just a terrible way to treat a child,” I explain.

“Sad stories are over now. All we have to think about is tomorrow,” he places his hand on mine and all of my problems fade from existence. I start to think that maybe he was right. Things have changed for me. Then he tells me that it’s time for him to take me home, and my world comes crashing down around me. I was so caught up in the idea of being claimed that I didn’t think about how silly I was being. Did I expect him to sweep me off my feet and whisk me away to some fairytale house in the suburbs? At least dad and Celia will be off on their honeymoon for a few days, and I’ll have the house to myself.

“I need to call us a cab since I let Jimmy take the car,” he tells me. “Let’s step outside where there’s better reception.”

“Should I go and say goodbye to my father?” I ask him.

“Do you want to?”

“Not really.”

“Then no,” he takes my hand and leads me out of the banquet room.

He calls for the cab then turns to me and says, “I’ve been waiting all evening to pick up where we left off.”

“What do you mean?” I ask but he puts his hands on my shoulders and presses me against the wall of the building.

I close my eyes as he presses his lips against mine. A spark ignites inside me and I part my lips, allowing his tongue inside. He places my face in his big hands and kisses me passionately, causing every inch of my body to crave him even more.

The weight of his body crushes me, and I feel the thickness of his manhood against my leg. I’ve never wanted anyone the way that I want him right now. He could hike up my dress and take me right here on the sidewalk, and I wouldn’t think twice.

The cab arrives and he opens the door for me. I slide all the way over but when he gets inside, he pulls me toward him and puts his arm around my neck. He rests his other hand on my thigh. I’ve never felt so perfectly at home with anyone.

We arrive at my house, and my mood sinks to rock bottom. I don’t want this night to end because I have no idea what will happen tomorrow.

“You told my father that I was part of the deal. What does that mean?” I hold my breath as I wait for the answer.

“It means, Princess, that you and I will be spending a whole lot of time together. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he kisses me goodbye and stands beside the cab until I’m safely inside the house. I watch out the window until it pulls away.

I enter the dark, empty house and think I should have given him my phone number. He said he would see me tomorrow, but how? Where? This burning question will keep me up all night. I’ve only known Danny for the span of a few hours, but I already know that I would trust him with my life. That’s a feeling that my own father couldn’t give me.

I’ve spent every day since I turned fourteen wondering when one of his guys would rape me or a rival gang would shoot our car full of holes when we were going to dinner.

Danny’s story about his childhood was heartbreaking, and I wonder if that’s why I see such depth in his eyes. He knows better than anyone, even me, what it’s like to grow up feeling unwanted, but he took his situation and used it to become stronger. Now, he’s one of the most powerful men in the city.

Stepping into my room, I take off my dress and stare at myself in the mirror, wondering if I’ll be enough for him. He’s so handsome, strong, and powerful I bet he has women falling all over him and I have zero experience with the real world.

The kids in school knew who my father was and avoided me like I was a disease. I wasn’t allowed to have a boyfriend but even if I wanted to defy my father and sneak around with someone, nobody would run the risk of getting caught with me. I wasn’t even allowed to go to my prom. Dad said that there would be too many people there, and he couldn’t risk me getting kidnapped by the mysterious Diavolo. The irony strikes me and I let out a laugh. How quickly things change.

4

CLAIMING DEIRDRE

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