Page 22 of The Devil and the Dancer
It wasn’t a mistake an immortal would make, but Chloe wasn’t an immortal.
He played with a curl of her hair. His hands and the sheets had turned it into a mess, but he didn’t care. He loved it. He’d wash it for her the next night. He’d been dying to put his hands in it for months.
Chloe shifted on his chest, and Gavin moved with her, unwilling to break his hold.
You’re going to be an utter nightmare, and she is wholly unprepared for it.
There was a reason his employees were safe, a reason that Chloe would be as well. Gavin was a businessman, and violence was bad for business. No one pissed off Gavin Wallace without suffering the consequences of banishment from his pubs or—if you truly pissed him off—a silent and untraceable death. Of course, it took a lot to make him that angry.
Gavin was Switzerland, a consistent neutral party in a world of constantly shifting allegiances. He had very few friends, most of whom were politically neutral, and very few loyalties to anyone who didn’t pay him. He was predictable, steady, and only looked out for the small group of people who were his employees.
And Chloe.
Keeping her and Vivian apart was still a priority, but there would be no way of hiding his attachment from the greater immortal world, not if he wanted them to keep their distance. But could Gavin ease her into a relationship while shielding her from the true breadth of his feelings until she was ready for them?
His mind was a riot of contradictions.
He slid out of bed and wrapped a towel around his waist. The first hurdle was negotiating territories, so he called Tenzin.
She picked up the phone in seconds. “What’s wrong with Chloe?”
“She’s safe, but I need to use the light-safe room at your loft.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want to leave her.”
“I thought you said she was safe.”
“She is.”
A long pause.
“You finally had sex with her.”
“Tenzin—”
“I’m very relieved. You’ll need to inform Giovanni.”
Gavin saw red. “I’m not fucking informing the Italian about my sex life, Tenzin. If he thinks otherwise—”
“She’s under his aegis. You’ll have to make some kind of statement soon.”
Fuck, fuck, fuck!Tenzin was correct.
Gavin clenched his jaw. “Fine. I’ll… inform him; I’m not asking permission.”
“He knows about your relationship. I can’t imagine he’ll be surprised. Though he does have very paternal feelings toward her, so be prepared for that.”
“Fuck you. I just called to let you know I’m here.”
“Do you want me to tell Benjamin?”
“That Chloe and I are having sex? Of course not. It’s none of his fucking business.”
“Fine.” She hung up. Typical.
Gavin knew where the light-safe guest quarters were in Ben and Tenzin’s loft. They were spacious, comfortable, and secure. He could rest easy, knowing that he’d be safe during his day rest.
