Page 74 of Craving Demons

The intensity of his devotion was too much at times, and I wasn’t prepared for that because I knew I couldn’t return it. Not yet. Not until I had a better grip on who I was and what I really wanted in life.

Ramsey was in a midnight blue suit that matched his eyes, with a light blue dress shirt and no tie. He looked good in a suit, but far better without one.

My body tingled with warmth as I remembered last night, but now wasn’t the time for that.

Ramsey glared around the room, clearly ready for a fight, and the flick of a grin I saw twitch his mouth made me think he wanted one.

Which was the trouble with Ramsey. He was just a bit too erratic.

He’d actually said he loved me last night. He’d seemed shocked, and I’d immediately dismissed it, but given how gentle and soft he had been after our rough sex, I was beginning to think maybe those words had been real. Except here he was the next day, looking a little too much like he wanted to break some bones.

What was a woman supposed to do with a man like that? He wanted to protect me, and I knew he wouldn’t hurt me, not intentionally. But what if he lost control again and I couldn’t bring him back the next time?

I sighed, shaking my head. I wanted these three sexy men but was terrified of actually having them in my life. Yeah, that pretty much summed up how messed up I was right now.

So, I looked over at the other man in the room. Donny was in a subdued brown suit, carrying a small metal briefcase. I’d asked about that, pretty sure that four hundred million wouldn’t fit in there.

He’d laughed, saying that the amount we were going to withdraw, if stacked in hundred-dollar bills, would weigh almost eight thousand pounds. Luckily, this bank also dealt in diamonds, which was how he planned to withdraw the money.

When I asked how many diamonds that would be, he shrugged and said it depended on the size, but that a few thousand diamonds most likely wouldn’t weigh more than six or eight pounds or so.

I tried to imaginethousandsof diamonds or eightpoundsof diamonds and couldn’t.

Donny I could trust. I was so happy he was back to himself.

Perhaps I could talk to him about the guys?

No. That would just be odd.

Maybe Harmonia would be willing to listen?

I’d have to go in early before my next shift and have another chat with her, but just having someone listen would be helpful.

One of the other doors opened and two people entered. The first was a man who exuded opulence.

He was average height, but heavyset and it was clear he loved to indulge in probably everything. His cream-colored suit hid many faults though, tailored to perfection, and he wore more gold than most rappers: chains, earrings, rings, bracelets, even his shoes were half gold. And most of the gold sparkled with gems studded or set within it.

He had a flabby face with drooping lips and a bald head, and his complexion was dark, a bit darker than Ramsey’s bronzed-god look.

The woman with him moved like a hunting cat and her green eyes were hard and cruel. She wasn’t tall, but she made up for it with a sure and strong build. Fiery red hair was cut short and stood spiky on her head, like flames. She wore a black tank top, black cargo pants, two long knives at her belt, and tattoos on her arms, neck, and face. She looked like the token female in some commando-team movie.

“Gentlemen!” the man said, arms outstretched. “How may I help you today?”

“Cut the schmoozing Mammon. We’re here for business and hopefully a quick transaction,” Grey said, rising.

The others followed suit and I got up too, feeling the tension escalate in the room.

The woman — Nemain — glared at each of the guys, though she cocked a smile when she saw Ramsey. It wasn’t a nice smile though. It was a challenge-to-fight sort of smile.

“Yes, I heard mention of a withdrawal,” Mammon said, glancing about before he laid eyes on Donny. “Ah, Mister Baker. It’s so good to see you again after such a long time. Your investment has been well tended, I assure you.”

“I’d like to close the account and take the funds as diamonds,” Uncle Don said smoothly. He didn’t seem intimidated by Mammon or Nemain, though it did seem like he was trying hard not to look at Nemain. I guessed that was because she wasn’t wearing a bra and her tight tank top left little to the imagination.

“All of it? Such a pity, but yes, this way and we’ll oversee your withdrawal,” Mammon said, motioning to the third door in the room.

We all moved and Nemain put her hands on those knives. “Only the account holder,” she hissed.

“Ah yes, I’m sorry, rules are rules. Only the account holder is allowed into the diamond room,” Mammon said with a smug grin. “Unless any of you are family? Then you may also enter.”

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