Page 59 of Devil's Game

Giana: He goes to the bathroom with you?

Sophia: NOT LITERALLY!

Sophia: He stands outside the door, like a creep.

Sophia: Of course, that’s what you respond to.

I tossed the phone to Spade, letting him read the conversation for himself. “At least she’s keeping herself entertained.” He chuckled, passing it back to me.

“How did you get that from those texts?” I lifted a questioning eyebrow.

Spade just shrugged. “I guess they just have this sort of flirty vibe.”

I couldn’t help the giggle that slipped from my lips as I replied.

Giana: We’re still going to be a few hours. Just stick close to him, no matter how annoying he gets.

“Glad I’m not the only one who sees it.” I slipped my phone back into my purse and leaned against the patent leather seatsof Merrick’s 1962 Chevy Impala, which he’d reluctantly handed over the keys to after Spade reminded him his own car was still in Merrick’s garage, waiting on maintenance.

“They should both get over themselves and admit they want to bang already.” A devious glint danced in Spade’s eyes. “Speaking of . . .” He trailed off, wasting no time as he wrapped his arms around my waist and tugged me closer.

“Did you forget that we’re parked here for a reason?” I nearly forgot that reason myself as his lips lowered to my neck, kissing a scorching line down to my shoulder.

“At least we’re waiting to do my second favorite thing: murder and mayhem.” He grinned, reluctantly shifting his grip, looping his arm around my shoulder to pull me against him.

“What’s your favorite thing, then?”

“Top spot is definitely a person.” He pointedly scanned my body, taking his time as his eyes roved over every curve. Heat washed over me like a physical caress, following everywhere his gaze touched.

“Spade,” I warned, shifting away from him before he got us both in trouble. “This is our first chance since last week. You know we can’t miss it.”

The reminder was also for myself, meant to strengthen my resolve, because I swear Spade could melt my panties with nothing but a look. Ever since the meeting at the bar and my talk with Merrick afterward, I’d been laser-focused on getting to the next step, but just as I’d anticipated, the Barones changed up their routine. Suddenly, his men weren’t frequenting the same bars and pubs, weren’t out on the streets at all as they undoubtedly restructured, bringing in henchmen from the other towns they held in their iron fist.

Tonight was the first hint we’d gotten of any action, but we had to play this cautiously. It could be a trap to capture any one ofus or spread us thin enough to attack. So, we were launching a smaller attack this week.

We had three small teams this time—me and Spade, Merrick and Kellan, and Nicolas, who I’d met the other night, with two other members. Others scouted for locations, keeping tabs on the Barones’ movements, but they were told not to approach.

“This is the place, right?” I chewed on my bottom lip, glancing up and down the empty street, half expecting someone to appear from thin air.

“This is it, sugar,” he breathed, running his fingers through my hair. “Have I mentioned how glad I am that you decided not to use the wig this time?”

“I don’t need a disguise today,” I reminded him, my grin widening at the thought. We wouldn’t be leaving anyone alive to tell the tale, but for some reason, it felt better to do this as myself. For Tommaso’s men to see my true face, the woman they’d looked down upon, treated as their boss’s property, and to know that their death would be at my hand.

Spade’s knee juggled, the anticipation getting to him too. “You have no idea how sexy you looked, sugar, when you walked out of that alley.” He squeezed his eyes shut, as though an image of me covered in blood was flashing through his mind and he didn’t want to let it go. “I almost lost it the moment I saw you.”

This was a dangerous game, me and Spade alone, the promise of bloodshed so near.

“Stop trying to distract me.” I narrowed my eyes on him, scooting a few inches away. “Otherwise, I’m going to have no choice but to crawl into the back seat to get away from you.”

A devious grin curled on his lips. “The back seat does look spacious.”

“Spade.”

“I love it when you say my name, sugar.” He waggled his eyebrows, clearly already knowing that he was winning.

Dammit.

Before he could say another word, my phone rang, pulling my attention away.

---