Page 44 of Devil's Game

“I’m glad.” He smiled, rubbing a comforting caress over my shoulder, chasing away some of the chill from the night air that had begun to pebble my skin into goose bumps. “You deserve the world, Giana.”

His sable eyes bored into mine, so sincere, so adamant, I knew he meant every word. Warmth flooded my chest as I snuggled into him, breaking his too intense eye contact. He had always looked at me like he could see straight into my soul.

“Do you remember the last fight we went to?”

I scoffed, turning to look at him incredulously. “Of course, I do.” I remembered every second of my past with Kellan and Merrick in vivid detail. It had been one of the only bright spots in my life. Memories that I would cherish and lock away, keeping them safe from the reality I used to live.

“I was so nervous,” he admitted, grinning back at me. “We had that entire night planned, but I wasn’t sure if we were making a mistake. If, by revealing that we both wanted you to be ours, that we wanted to cross that line between friendship and more, we’d end up losing you.”

“What made you take that leap?”

“The fear of the unknown, of all the love and happiness we’d miss out on if I let indecision control me.”

A smile slowly unfurled on my lips as I stared into his sable irises. They were so open, so caring, so knowing. It was strange to think back to that night, to remember the anxiety thrumming through my veins every time we got close, and think that he was feeling the same way that entire time.

I ran my thumb over his cheek, loving the way he trembled under that simple touch. “I’m glad that you did,” I whispered. “That night meant more to me than you’ll ever know.”

My eyes closed as he leaned his forehead against mine, his jaw tensing under my fingers, as though it took every ounce ofstrength he possessed to keep himself from closing the mere inches between our lips.

“I might have the most willpower of us all, but you’re making it very difficult to keep my self-control, little devil,” he murmured, his warm breath washing over my lips in a teasing caress, unknowingly pushing me the same way.

I shuddered and leaned away from him, nearly whimpering at the loss of his warm skin against mine. I had to move, though; otherwise, I’d be begging Spade to turn the car around, and that wouldn’t be fair to Sophia.

The mall today was the first time she’d left the house since the attack on Kellan’s shop, and despite her insistence, I could tell she was desperate to get out of there.

Speaking of, Sophia had her gaze plastered to the window, pointedly watching the swaying hay in the fields as we sped by.

Oops. She’d definitely heard all that. I guess I wasn’t as inconspicuous as I’d thought.

Kellan twined his fingers through my mine, giving them a reassuring squeeze. And Spade’s violet eyes flitted to mine in the rearview mirror, speaking a thousand words, despite the silence settling over the car. Oh, I was going to pay for that, and I was going to love every second of it.

Thankfully, the familiar lights of the fight club flashed into view as we crested the final hill, breaking through the awkward tension that was beginning to stifle.

The crunch of gravel under the tires brought me right back to the night of my eighteenth birthday. I gave Kellan a wistful smile, which he returned, as excitement bubbled within me. I was getting to see Merrick fight again for the first time in six years. Sure, I’d seen him face off against the Barones, but that was different. That was with guns and backup. Here, he was on his own, one-on-one with his opponent, relying on his fists to do the damage.

Violence sparked, and I could only imagine the grin on my lips as I looked at the others. “It’s showtime.”

Despite witnessing the renovations to the club only a few weeks ago, it looked completely different now that it was packed with spectators. It was alive, buzzing with energy as groups danced near the DJ booth, the eager hum audible, even over the thumping bass. I glanced around the bar, hoping to catch a glimpse of Merrick, but of course, there was no sign of him.

Kellan wrapped a protective arm over my shoulder, while Spade walked a few paces ahead, sticking close to Sophia’s side as his gaze swept over the crowd of patrons. There was security at the door, ensuring the identity of everyone that passed through the club’s doors, but we could never be too safe.

One of the security guards approached, cutting through the crowd, the sight of his bulky form causing people to part for him. “Sebastian is waiting for you,” he said gruffly, giving us a terse nod.

Before any of us could get out a word, he was gone, expecting us to follow him as he headed toward the VIP section.

“Seriously?” Sophia huffed as we followed him, hurrying our footsteps, so we could make it through before the pack of people coalesced again. “Does he just think we’re at his beck and call?”

I grimaced, sharing a look with Kellan as we passed through the dancing throng of people. We really didn’t have much of a choice. If we wanted Sebastian’s help, we’d have to play nice. The Demons were spread thin as it was, with keeping the Barones collectors off the business owners. We needed his men to take over to free us up for the next phase of the plan—taking the fight to them.

An amused grin tilted Sebastian’s lips as his eyes landed on Sophia, indicating he knew exactly what sort of reaction she’d have to being summoned like that. My gaze shifted from him to her, trying to determine what exactly was passing between them.

“Thank you for coming.” Sebastian gestured into the private booth with a flourish as his guard unclipped the velvet rope.

“Not like we had much of a choice,” Sophia grumbled as she stalked past him, pinning him with a scathing look.

Someone had been keeping secrets, it seemed.

Spade and Kellan stopped to chat with the club owner while I quickly greeted him with a wave and hurried after my friend. We’d found her the perfect dress for tonight. The tight, emerald-lace hugged her curves impeccably, the halter top showcasing just enough to tease either of the men, or perhaps both of them.

---