Page 109 of Debt of My Soul

I’m not privy to much compound information, but I’m genuinely curious as to why Raven is here.

Raven’s boots shuffle to the side after Roe finishes taking his order, and I startle to find him staring in my direction. He grins at me, perfectly straight and well-maintained teeth. Unlike Blitz and several of Darrin’s men.

“It’s Fleur, right?” he asks, holding my stare.

Naturally, I want to look away, at anywhere but at him. However, when I glance at the left of him, Adam’s glare is anything but friendly, and he holds a soured look with every sip of his drink. He rounds his lips in slow motion, taking swig after swig from his bottle.

I quickly glance away. “Yeah.”

“I know Darrin has a rule about going after a claimed woman, but I don’t have such a rule. If you’re ever in our territory, feel free to come say hello.”

Liam scoffs, and with his movement, I lose my balance and have to shift on his lap. I don’t miss his sharp intake of breath.

“I heard D made that rule for a certain someone. Didn’t exactly need to ever use it, huh?” Raven says.

Darrin stands, looking down at Raven, the depth of his irritation plastered all over his face. I turn away, Roe finally leaning down to ask me what I’d like to drink. At this point,anything strong should be my choice, but I glance around at the steady increase of drunken placed bets and stumbling women and end up telling her that water will be fine.

Darrin follows Roe down into the sea of tables and patrons, doling out high-fives and schmoozing with the bigger moneymen here.

Blitz takes up his spot of trying to intimidate Raven and his men, but after two or three drinks, a few women rubbing themselves all over him distract him, and I overhear one of the women asking for some Jackpot.

An hour passes, and Liam shifts underneath me to lean forward. “I’m going to check in with Darrin,” he says.

I bite at my bottom lip, nodding while I stand. Liam hovers over me, reaching up to cup behind my head and bringing me forward to plant a kiss to my forehead.

I blink several times, my body swaying with the hot brand in the center between my brows. I clench my stomach and fall back into his seat when he turns to weave through the gaming floor.

Losing sight of Liam, my heart picks up speed, and I find myself tearing at my unpolished nails while watching the town’s sheriff throw back his fifth drink in the last hour.

Being here is depressing with the realization that Ruin has no one looking out for the best interest of the town’s people.

Another twenty minutes pass and I shrink back even farther into the chair, uncomfortable with the topless women dancing beside Blitz.

A shadow looms over me, and when I glance up Adam moves to the empty seat next to me. “Hey,” he says.

I smile weakly.

“I’m surprised you’re not out there.” Adam tilts his head over to a few tables of all-women playing poker.

“I’m not big into gambling,” I say, and he chuckles.

I clench my jaw, exasperated by his cavalier attitude. “Why’d you do it? Why trade one debt for another?”

“Isn’t it obvious? For you.”

I narrow my eyes at him. I don’t buy it for one second. He was free of his debt. Liam made sure of that. And he made sure I was safe. There’s zero reason why Adam would need to accept money from Raven unlesshewanted to. Because it benefited him.

“Adam, I?—”

“What is it, Fleur? With Liam it’s acceptable he’s wrapped in this drug trade, but when I get involved you look down on me … Is that it?”

There has been a draw to Liam since day one, even before I knew who he was. I’m not sure I can explain my feelings for Liam, especially to his brother, who is clearly irate about this forced marriage.

But that’s the thing …

I’m not forcing it anymore. I want him. All of him, regardless of his associations. Deep down, Liam is loyal and willing to put everyone before himself and at his own expense.

More recently, I find myself less worried about getting out of this mess and more worried about what happens when I do.

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