Page 114 of The Villain

“Stop talking shit, Tera,” he calls over his shoulder.

“Let him open the figurine boxes,” I shrug. “Take a picture of how happy he gets.”

“Is that what’s in the living room?” Max asks with a wince. “That’s most of the boxes, woman.”

“More happiness for him,” I point out as Shade comes back with my plate. The pieces are smaller than I’ve ever gotten them. His knife skills are nothing to sneeze at.

“Wow,” Tera mutters with wide eyes. “That’s tiny.”

Max cracks up laughing as Shade glares at her.

“You’re perfect,” I kiss his cheek in thanks and dig in.

“Shade, do you have your phone turned off?” Tera asks as she glances at her own with a frown. “Andi says you haven’t returned any of her texts. She’s asking if South has a basement.”

I huff a laugh and glance at Shade.

“I don’t have one yet,” he says casually and takes another bite of his slice.

“Huh?” Tera’s brow furrows as my head tilts curiously.

“I quit. No phone.”

“No way,” she breathes in wonder. Her men stiffen up with wary expressions.

“Uh, should we be here?” Max asks nervously and starts looking around.

“Baby girl,” Trevor starts warningly.

Tera scowls at them. “He is not in the mafia! How many times do I have to say it?”

“I’m really not,” Shade adds and looks at me. “In case you’re wondering.”

“What happened?” I ask calmly. What prompted the sudden change in attitude?

“You happened,” he says with an accusing look. “I’m cutting the dead weight so we don’t have to put up with bullshit all the time.”

“Did you put a new phone on your list?” I ask thoughtfully. “We can get one tomorrow. I think it’s too late now.”

“No,” he gets a smug look and pulls a phone from his back pocket to set on the table next to my plate. “I’m using yours.”

I look from it to him with a wide smile. “You win.”

“I do,” he smirks and starts eating again.

“Crap, he picked your pocket,” Tera pouts. “Isn’t that cheating?”

“No,” I grin at her. “I’d rather him have a way to get in touch with people anyway.”

“Baby-”

“You are not getting away with not having a phone Evangeline Lane,” Tera overrides Shade’s protest in a loud voice. “I’m not calling him to reach you. You will have a phone. I will call you whenever I want. Don’t make me buy you one.”

“A game?” I smirk.

“No! For real, South. It freaked me out when I couldn’t reach you.”

My head tilts as my smile drops. I didn’t think about that. I figured she wouldn’t know until I texted her and the panicked call was a way to play it off. “I owe?”

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