Page 102 of The Sweetest Devotion

I scoffed.Someone play the tiniest violin.“By forcing women into relationships? You’re right, he could do better.”

Beans scratched at his neck. “Don’t disagree, but I don’t work for you. Now, are you ready?”

There was no way out of this, was there? I went back into my suite and grabbed my Louis Vuitton and slipped it over my shoulder.

“All right, fine, if you insist,” I huffed as I marched back over to the door.

Beans took a long look at me. “That’sallyou’re taking? You don’t want to pack an overnight bag?”

“I’m not staying the night,” I let it be known as I stepped out into the hall and shut my door behind myself.

Beans made a face but didn’t respond. “Suit yourself.”

Ten reluctant minutes later, we were in his Charger driving toward wherever Cain lived. I gazed out the window at my home and city of Hampton Hills, taking in all that I’d ever known. With a population of over fifty thousand, many believed the Hills was a tranquil city. But how peaceful could it be if the likes of Cain lived here?

If you listened to propaganda, sometimes the media liked to paint cities like Bedford Heights as crime-ridden and dangerous, but I knew better. There weregoodpeople in bad neighborhoods, the same way there werebadpeople in good neighborhoods.

Turning to Beans, I sized him up, deciding he was loyal, but harmless. “So, he’s just ‘Dice’ to you?”

Beans kept his eyes on the road as he responded. “He’s been carrying those dice around since we were kids. Used to make all kinda stupid dares and bets with ’em.”

“He’s like a brother to you?” I wondered.

The car suddenly came to a stop. We were downtown, in front of a high-rise building that could easily stretch out of the stratosphere. The building was composed almost entirely of glass and metal. Its corners so sharp, I imagined bleeding if I dared to touch the surface.

“Heisa brother to me,” Beans said, drawing my attention back to him. “If I had to die for anything, I’d die for him.”

Cain said he didn’t have family, but Beans was the closest thing he’d ever known. I suddenly admired their bond, willing to stick their necks out for each other.

Valet came and Beans passed his keys over as another man helped me out of my side. People were entering and exiting Cain’s apartment building, heading in for the night or out to enjoy it. A balloon full of anxiety blossomed in the pit of my belly as we stepped into the high-rise and soon boarded an elevator. I feared it would burst as we reached the top floor where of course Cain resided.

Like he did it all the time, Beans stepped off the elevator and headed over to Cain’s door and unlocked it with a key. He pushed the door open and stepped to the side, making way for me to enter.

I set one foot in and gazed over at Beans. “So, he’ll call you when I’m ready to go?”

Beans didn’t hide his amusement as he headed back for the elevator. “Good night, Miss Nichols.”

I didn’t like the sound of that. I didn’t like the implication that this would be a sleepover.

Having no choice, I faced Cain’s home head-on.

I was standing in a foyer, hearing the faint sounds of jazz playing from deeper into the penthouse. The lights were dim, but I could just make my way inside as I closed the door behind me. Dark wooden floors were beneath my feet as I crept more into his home.

Black lacquer steps off the foyer led up to a second level. As curious as I was, I didn’t take them but kept going to see the first floor itself. Something smelled good and delicious, and I suddenly wondered if Cain could cook.

Floor-to-ceiling windows surrounded me as I reached the middle of the open space. To the right, was an entertainment area complete with a black sofa, matching chairs, a glass coffee table, all over a gray and black area rug. The sun was sinking in the sky outside. The buildings around Cain’s were lit up with lights from homeowners. There was a bar beyond the sofa, made up of glass and offering the finest liquors and wine I was sure. The large TV was off, and underneath it I found the source of the music playing from a wireless speaker. An intricate gold light fixture hung overhead and I marveled at its beauty.

Taking a look to the left of the room, I immediately gasped. The next room housed a large kitchen and dining area. Cain was there, at the expansive island, straightening up a stack of plates. In front of him was an array of food.

As if feeling my stare, he looked up and spotted me. His eyes took in my clothing before settling on my gaze.

“Right on time,” he said.

It was just the two of us. Scary. Intimate. Totally wrong.

Cain angled his head, gesturing to the food before him. “Come on, it just got here.”

Grudgingly, I went closer, going and stepping up to the island and setting eyes on all the mouthwatering food spread out.

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