Page 97 of Wrath

“Shut up,” I said, wagging a finger in the air. “I can’t help it that everyone who meets me wants me.”

Devlin snorted and peeled himself away from the tree he’d leaned against. It was strange to see my genie not dressed in his customary suit and tie. Instead, he wore a pair of jeans and a black button-down that clung to his muscular frame, emphasizing the grooves of his eight pack.

“And you’re so modest too,” he drawled sarcastically, stopping in front of me.

The midday sun teased the edges of his curly brown hair, making some of the strands appear almost red.

“Of course I am. I’m amazing.” I dramatically flicked a strand of blonde hair over my shoulder.

His lips twitched upwards in the makings of a smile before immediately compressing into a thin line.

“Have you been sleeping well?” I touched the shadows beneath both of his eyes as concern rampaged through me.

I knew Devlin wasn’t coping well after his trial, though he hadn’t addressed it with me again since that one night. I couldn’t even blame him. What he’d gone through…

I shuddered.

“Have you?” he countered, surveying me from head to toe. He reached forward to cup my cheek, his thumb smoothing over my cheekbone. “I know you’re worried about Lupe, Bash, and Killian.”

“Of course I am.” I frowned. “What they’re doing is ridiculously dangerous. We should just wait until Lupe completes his trial?—”

“And allow all of those humans to suffer longer?” Devlin arched an eyebrow at me. “You know that wouldn’t be right.” A hint of bitterness seeped into his voice. “We already allowed them to suffer long enough.”

A tiny niggle of guilt took root inside of me. “Is it wrong that I want to be selfish? That I wish we weren’t always the ones on the front lines? That I wish someone else would take the reins, at least for a little bit?”

Devlin’s eyes softened. “Of course not. I would give anything to get you out of harm’s way. I wish…” He swallowed, a muscle bobbing along his throat. “I wish that you didn’t have to involve yourself in this mess.”

“I made the mess.” I snorted and shook my head ruefully. “Aaliyah is my problem.”

“You’re not responsible for your sister’s actions.” Steel entered his eyes, turning them molten.

“And you’re not responsible for your father’s actions,” I countered immediately, reaching upwards to grab his wrist.

I lowered his hand from my face and then interlocked our fingers together. His touch was warm. Comforting. Familiar.

Devlin tried for a smile, but the shadows in his eyes refused to dissipate. “Yeah.”

He didn’t sound as if he believed that, believedme.

I bit my lip and glanced towards our tent, which I knew was currently empty. Jax was meeting with some of the vampires, Ryland was discussing security with a few of our generals, and Dair was sifting through our books on mythological creatures, searching for any clues that would tell us Aaliyah’s next move.

“We have a little time before the next meeting starts,” I murmured, running my thumb over his knuckles.

His breath hitched, his eyes clouding with desire. “Z…”

“Let me carry some of your burden, at least for a little while.” I gave his hand a squeeze and led him into the tent, suddenly grateful that we were located far away from anyone who could hear us.

Only Mali’s tent was nearby, and she was barely ever there, preferring to spend her days training with the humans.

I led Devlin to the very back of the tent, towards the cot I’d claimed as my own. However, I bypassed the mattress and settled myself into the rickety wooden chair beside it, releasing Devlin’s hand.

He remained standing. Watching me. Waiting. Panting. Needy. Desperate for me.

I crossed one leg over the other as I studied my genie mate—the first man I’d ever loved. So much had changed since then, yet everything felt the same, including my love for him. No, that wasn’t true. Not really. My love for Devlin had grown over the years, transforming into something new and beautiful and ethereal.

“Take off your clothes.” My voice was husky with suppressed want. “Slowly.”

Devlin swallowed again and immediately brought his hands to the very top button. With excruciating slowness, he popped it open, revealing a hint of olive skin. I felt like a kid on Christmas unwrapping her present. Each new expanse of skin he displayed sent my pulse racing. I felt heady and dizzy with need. Desire. Desperation.

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