Page 80 of The Devil's Wrath

“Theo.” I breathed his name like a prayer as my thumbs brushed gently over his swollen cheekbones. “Are you okay?”

He closed his eyes, leaning into my touch as if it were the only thing anchoring him to reality.

“I am now.”

He crashed his lips against mine in a bruising kiss that stole the breath from my lungs. I could taste the coppery tang of blood as he swept his tongue into my mouth, claiming me with a desperation that bordered on savage.

Around us, the crowd roared their approval, but I barely heard them. All I could focus on was the feel of his hard body pressed against mine and the way his hands gripped my hips, pulling me impossibly closer. I clung to him, not caring about the blood and sweat that covered his skin. All that mattered was him, solid and alive in my arms.

“I’m sorry,” he rasped, his voice rough with emotion. “I lost control. I just . . . I saw red.”

“Shh,” I soothed, pressing my forehead against his. “It’s over now. You won.”

He let out a shuddering breath. “I would do anything for you, Wrenly. Anything to keep you safe.”

I smiled through my tears, my heart swelling with love for this fierce, protective man. “I know. And I love you for it.”

The sound of Cavan clearing his throat behind us broke ourmoment. “Hate interrupting, but we need to get you checked out by the medics, champ.”

Theo started to protest, but I silenced him with a kiss, pouring all my love and gratitude into the gentle press of my lips. When I pulled back, some of the darkness had cleared from his eyes, replaced by the warmth I adored.

“Okay,” he agreed, allowing the medics to lead him back toward the locker room. Cavan fell into step beside him, clasping Theo’s shoulder and muttering words of congratulations and concern.

As Vera and I gathered our things to follow behind, I caught sight of Connor’s father staring me down with a look of pure hatred. His eyes were narrowed, and his mouth was set in a grim line. He stood ramrod straight, his expensive suit impeccable despite the chaos around him. I met his gaze unflinchingly, refusing to cower under the weight of his anger.

He stepped toward me, but Vera moved to block his path, her petite frame belying her fierce protectiveness. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” she warned him.

Connor’s father sneered at her, his upper lip curling in disdain as he spoke in a low tone audible to only Vera and me. “You think you can stop me, little girl?”

“She might not be able to, but I can,” I purred, moving in front of Vera, my voice dripping with false sweetness. “I’ve got enough dirt on you and your family to bury you six feet under. One word from me, and your precious reputation will be in tatters. So I suggest you back off and leave me the fuck alone. Do I make myself clear?”

“You wouldn’t dare. Because if you did, you’d be signing your death warrant.”

“Is that so? Let me ask you something, Senator. Do you want to risk it? Because I can assure you, if anything happens to me, every sordid detail of your family’s dirty laundry will be splashed across the front of every newspaper in the country faster than you can say ‘scandal.’ And trust me, not even all your political connections will be able to bury it this time.”

“I’ll buryyousix feet under,” he spat.

“Is that a threat, Senator?”

He leaned in, his face inches from mine. “Take it however you want, Miss Morgan.”

“I’m not afraid of you anymore. You have no power over me. Not now, not ever again.” I lifted my chin defiantly, meeting his icy gaze head-on.

“We’ll see about that,” he snarled. “This isn’t over.”

“Oh, it is, Senator McKinley, because I also have friends in high places. Powerful friends who would be more than happy to teach you a lesson, just like the lesson your pathetic excuse of a son just learned.”

With one last venomous glare, Charles McKinley spun on his heel and stalked away, his bodyguards falling into step behind him. I watched him go, my heart pounding in my chest as the adrenaline slowly ebbed from my veins. Vera placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, gently squeezing it.

“You okay?” she asked softly.

I nodded, taking a deep breath to steady myself. “I will be.”

“Let’s go check on your man then,” she suggested with a small smile. “I’m sure he’s wondering where you are.”

“Yeah, and I don’t need him coming back in here and murdering a senator.” I chuckled nervously, knowing it was a very real possibility.

Once we made it through the crowd, Vera left me to talk with a group of guys down the hallway, and Cavan walked out as I pushed open the locker room door.

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