Page 30 of Devil

She tilts her head up and grins. “My devil.”

“My queen.” I murmur and her cheeks heat.

I take her hand, leading her to the gravesite. We pass bosses from the other organizations we do business with. They nod in greeting, shaking my hand and giving their condolences. Nova lets go of me and steps back, allowing Lennox and Carson’s mothers to hug me. They cry in my embrace and all I can do is apologize.

It makes me feel like shit. I didn’t protect their boys, but they don’t blame me. We were blindsided by this ambush, but I still feel like it’s my fault.

As soon as they return to their seats, Nova is beside me, lacing our fingers together.

I’m not an emotional man. That shit left me when I was a child. I’ve killed many people, but I’ve never had to bury my own. This is affecting me more than I thought it would.

Nova has proven to be the strength I didn’t know I needed. I knew from the moment I saw her I’d always protect her. I’d be her rock and her enforcer. I never thought I’d need that in return, but here she is, being my calm in the storm.

We take our seats as the pastor begins with a prayer.

I’m not a religious man either. After the life I’ve lived, the life Nova has lived, I don’t believe there’s anyone watching over us. The sky feels as hollow as this world, and I don’t find any solace when I stare into the clouds. We’re on our own and I’ve accepted that.

As we bow our heads, my eyes are open, scanning the crowd. My body tenses as my gaze lands on Frederick Morrison.

He’s staring back at me.

He nods his head as Nova squeezes my hand, and I glance her direction. She tilts her head to the side, concerned by my steel posture. I nod slightly, bringing her hand to my thigh.

Glancing around again, Frederick is still watching me, his gaze finding Nova every few seconds.

Keep it up, motherfucker.

I can’t stand the slimy bastard. We’ve worked with him a few times, using his guys to transport shipments when we were in a jam. He always wanted top pay for his shitty services. I stopped using him a few months ago because every time I did, a crate of guns would disappear.

Max stands to give the eulogies and his voice becomes distant as I focus on Frederick watching my girl. Her thumb rubs soothing circles on my thigh as my hand lays on top of hers.

The rest of the service is a blur and once it’s ended, I speak to the families once more before Nova and I turn to leave.

We’re halfway to the truck when Frederick calls my name.

Pulling the keys from my pocket, I hand them to Nova. “Go ahead. I’ll be there in a minute.”

She shakes her head. “I’m staying with you.”

Brat.

Throwing my own words back at me.

The bastard approaches, smiling like he took the best shit of his life this morning. “Everly. Good to see you. I’m sorry it’s under these circumstances.”

“Thanks for coming Morrison.” I say flatly. This son-of-a-bitch knows I hate his thieving ass.

The only reason he’s still breathing is because I don’t have concrete proof he was behind the missing guns or if it was one of his guys.

“Who’s this hot, little thing?”

My fucking blood ignites and Nova tenses beside me. Before I can reach for my pistol, she snarls. “Excuse me?”

Frederick chuckles. “No disrespect, girl. You’re a busty little thing, that’s all I meant.”

Nova raises her chin, that defiant spark in her eye. “It was disrespectfulandcreepy. Mind your fucking manners when you’re speaking to a woman, asshole.”

Pride like I’ve never felt swells in my chest. My girl is a firecracker, and I can’t wait for the day she explodes and shows this world her full potential.

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