Page 6 of The Devil's Wrath

“And is it working?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“That’s still undecided,” she replied as she took a sip from her drink while watching me over the rim. “But the evening seems to be improving.”

I grinned, enjoying our banter. She was quick-witted and sharp, a refreshing change from the vapid groupies who usually flocked around me after fights.

“Well, since you’re here, care to dance?” I nodded toward the makeshift dance floor, where bodies writhed to the pulsing beat.

She considered for a moment, then downed the rest of her drink and set the glass aside. “I think I’ll have to pass. I need to find my friend and make sure she hasn’t gotten herself into too much trouble.” She glanced around the room, scanning for the redhead.

Before I could press further, a loud crash sounded from across the room, followed by shouting. I turned to see two guys squaring off, fists raised. It looked like the party was about to turn into a brawl.

I sighed and turned back to my raven-haired beauty, but she was gone, vanished into the crowd like a ghost. I scanned the room but couldn’t catch a glimpse of her.

Disappointed, I headed toward the commotion to see if I needed to break things up before they got out of hand. The perks of being the undefeated champ—you end up the de facto bouncer.

As I pushed through the mass of bodies, the sound of yelling upstairs caught my attention.

Damn, another fight.

I was about to head up the stairs when I sawherstorming down with none other than Connor McKinley following her, completely naked.

“What the hell?” I muttered under my breath as I watched the scene unfold.

“Calm down, baby. It’s not that serious. Where are you going?”Connor called out with a chuckle, stumbling down the stairs after her. His face was flushed, and his hair was disheveled.

She whirled around at the bottom of the stairs, her gray eyes flashing with anger. On the other hand, Connor seemed amused, a smug grin plastered on his face despite his state of undress.

“Come on, don’t be like that,” he called after her. “We were just having a little fun.”

She whirled around, jabbing a finger at his chest. “Fun? You call cheating on your girlfriend fun? You’re lucky I don’t castrate you, you piece of shit.”

The crowd parted as she stomped past, people gawking and whispering. I moved to follow her, but Connor stepped in my path, still naked and apparently unconcerned.

“Chill out! We were talking.”

“And I guess the topic of conversation was your dick in her mouth then, huh?”

“Exactly.” Connor smirked.

“Fuck you.”

He grabbed her arm, his grip tight. “Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to like that, bitch?”

I stepped forward, my fists clenched at my sides. “I suggest you let her go.”

Connor’s head snapped toward me, his eyes narrowing. “This doesn’t concern you, Devil. Why don’t you run along and find someone else to play hero for?”

I moved closer, my voice low and dangerous. “I won’t ask again. Let. Her. Go.”

For a strained moment, Connor and I stared each other down, the air crackling with tension. Then, with a sneer, he released her arm and stepped back. “Whatever. She’s not worth the trouble anyway.”

He turned and stalked off, pushing his way through the crowd. I turned to the girl, concern etched on my face. “Are you alright?”

She rubbed her arm where Connor had grabbed her but nodded. “I’m fine. Thanks for the assist.”

I reached out a gentle hand to her arm. “Let me take a look at that.”

She hesitated for a moment, then let me examine the red marksConnor’s fingers had left on her pale skin. I felt a surge of anger rise within me. How dare that entitled prick lay a hand on her.

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