Page 49 of Devious Truth

“It’s late.”

“I know. So maybe we shouldn’t be having our conversation in the hallway where we’ll be keeping the other tenants awake.” The music from an apartment from three doors down blasts at that moment, undermining me. “I’m coming in.”

It’s tempting to push the door open, but I won’t.

After a moment of indecision, she steps out of the way and leaves the door wide open as she retreats into the living room.

“Is Kaz all right?” she questions, folding her hands in front of herself.

“He is.” I shut and bolt the door.

“That’s good.” She rubs her lips together, her eyes making contact with everything else in the room besides me.

“You look well for someone who’s sick.” I drink her in.

She’s dressed in a pair of black legging capris and a T-shirt that drops off her shoulder. Her hair’s pulled up into a messy bun, loose strands framing her face. She’s fucking gorgeous.

“I’m better now.” She chews on the inside of her cheek with her lie.

“I told you before not to lie to me. You’re not sick; you’re avoiding me.”

“I just needed a day.” Her shoulders relax. “Last night was a lot.”

It was. And for someone not accustomed to the violence of my world, it had to be even more to take in. I shouldn’t have left her alone after. When I was finished with Joey, I should have come straight here to be sure she was all right, to soften the harshness she’d been thrust into.

But seeing me after what I’d done, what I’d had to do, might have made it worse. A monster needs time to go back into hiding after being dragged out of the darkness.

“Meredith showed me the final list for next week’s auction.” I fold my arms over my chest, staring her down.

“And?” She mimics my stance, thinking to go toe to toe with me.

It’s cute that she thinks she can take me on.

“You’ve been taken off. You won’t be in that auction or any other auction. I had already told you that, but I guess you didn’t listen.” I pause a moment. “Just like last night when you had two more drinks after I said no more.”

“You can’t be serious. Your brother had been shot!” She takes a breath. “And since we’re talking about last night, Yosef didn’t leave after I was inside my apartment. He sat outside in his car. When I got up this morning, he was still there.”

“I told him to stay put.”

There’s another car there now, but since I had my men switch to less obvious cars she probably hasn’t noticed.

“Why?” She takes a step forward. “And where’s my car? It’s got to be done by now. I can’t have you keep driving me everywhere. I need my car back.”

“Your car will be done by the end of the week.”

She freezes, like she wasn’t expecting me to give in so easily. I didn’t—give in, that is—but she doesn’t know it yet.

“Oh.”

“And for the time being, someone will be sitting outside your apartment building. I need to be sure you’re safe. This mess with the DeAngelos isn’t to be ignored.” Better for her to know, so if one of the men ever need to approach her she won’t be frightened.

Women and children are supposed to be out of bounds, but that doesn’t mean much to a man like Marco DeAngelo. He’sbuilt his empire off the horrors he puts women through. He can’t be trusted to have any sort of honor, especially when it comes to a war.

I move toward her, ignoring how she retreats as I advance until her back is against the bedroom door.

“And if I don’t want that?” Her voice softens.

“When it comes to your safety, you don’t get to say no.” I run the back of my hand along her jaw, just needing to feel her beneath my skin.

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