Page 23 of The Devil After Dark
“Do you know how hard it is to stay away from you?” Cassio replied breathily.
Like it was my fucking choice. It was his. He was the one dictating when we saw each other. “You are the one limiting yourself,” I responded a little more snarkily than I intended.
“Gods dammit, Liana,” Cassio growled, his chest heaving. “I need you to understand that being with me puts a target on your back. People will hunt you, Angel, just to get at me. I can’t let that happen.”
“Cassio …” I just wanted him. I wanted him to not be different depending on the setting. I wanted him to show me the same outward commitment he demanded from me every night he broke into my condo. “I can’t just be a secret. I don’t need or want the spotlight, but I feel like a midnight booty call.”
“I am so sorry, Angel,” Cassio whispered. Was that actually an apology I heard from his lips? Then he cupped the back of my head and gently kissed my forehead. “You are not a booty call for me. I want to keep you safe.”
“I need things to change,” I pleaded as I let my hands wander from his hips. He was actually listening tonight. He had apologized. I was taking this opportunity to say what I needed and wanted to say to him. “I just can’t handle being a secret forever, okay?”
“Things will change. I promise,” Cassio whispered. Then he gently kissed my forehead again and laced his fingers in mine. “We need to get back before people start missing you out there.”
He was right. I did not know if things would change, but I had said my peace and we needed to get back to the event. I let Cassio lead me back down the dark hallway and around the corner towardsthe fundraiser. As we approached the staging area, his hand slipped from mine and slid across my back. Then he leaned close and whispered, “We will continue this conversation, Angel. I promise.” He slipped through the curtains and I peered after him. I watched him stride into the crowd of people, heading towards the bar.
twenty-six
CASSIO
Liana wasthe picture of elegant perfection. Unfortunately, I wasn’t the only one noticing. I was oscillating between wanting to show her off to the world and locking her up in our home so no other man could gawk at her ever again. I was leaning towards locking her up. And there was that slime ball Daren Worthington. This was Daren’s event and I knew Liana managed his account, a detail I made sure would change after tonight. Part of my contract with Roger included removing the scum from Liana’s client list.
Daren’s hand was wandering too much and I fantasized removing it just for touching her. That’s why I followed Liana when she retreated from the event space. I needed to touch her and kiss her and remind her she was mine. Soon enough the likes of Daren wouldn’t dare lay a hand on her. Once everyone else knew she was mine she would be both the safest and most in danger she had ever been. Anyone looking to hurt me would target her, but players like Daren wouldn’t dare touch her if they knew she was mine.
Daren, outside of his interest in Liana, wasn’t a complete waste of space. He always succeeded in bringing together the magic wielders of this city with the city’s elite. Only a handful of the attendees tonight had clean hands, but all of us would open our checkbooks and donate to a good cause. Just because we were objectively terrible people didn’t mean we didn’t also do good things for our community.
“Careful, Cass, you’re staring,” Jason said quietly from beside me as he raised a glass to his lips, taking a sip of the amber liquor.
Fucking hell, he was right. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. Reluctantly, I turned my entire body so my back was to Liana. “You say something if someone gets overly friendly,” I instructed him.
“Like Daren touching her again? Let him keep his hand by the way, Cass. He’s harmless,” Jason teased. Then his voice became more serious. “Merrick on the other hand appears to have recognized her from the club. That bit I’m more concerned about. We’ll keep a closer eye on him after tonight. When’s that asshole supposed to leave this province anyway?”
Jason had always been observant. If I didn’t know his true magical powers were wielding fire I would wonder if his ability to read people was part of his magic skill set. Unfortunately, that particular skill likely came from his childhood and dealing with volatile drug addict parents. “He was supposed to leave a month ago,” I replied. Merrick had outstayed his welcome, even though he was spending an absurd amount of money at The Devil After Dark nearly every night.
“Lucky us,” Jason responded sarcastically. “Alright, there’s the chief of police. Time to go socialize, Cass. Don’t worry I will keep one eye on her for you.”
Jason was right like always. I slammed back the remaining contents of my glass and jerked my head towards the bar. “I need a refillbefore we go play nice.”
LIANA
“Cancel the car you just ordered,” Cassio said as his hand slid around my waist. “I’ll give you a ride home.”
I found myself automatically refusing. “It’s okay, Cassio, it is too far out of your way,” I said as he turned me to face him.
“Cancel the car, Angel,” he repeated and his hand gently plucked my phone from my hands. I watched him tap the screen, presumably canceling the car. “I hated being here and not beingwithyou while I was here. Let me take you home.”
If the man wanted to take me home from the fundraiser I would let him. “Okay, take me home,” I said with a teasing smile.
“That’s my girl,” Cassio replied and his hand on the small of my back guided me towards the exit.
Zac held the car door open for us and I slipped in first, scooting across the seat so Cassio could climb in behind me. I could not wait to get out of this dress and these shoes. I loved getting dressed up, but I loved my sweatpants more. Awkwardly, I tried to adjust my dress so it would be a little more comfortable for the drive home. When I looked up, Cassio was just watching me with dark eyes. I cleared my throat, “Did you have a nice time?”
“I did,” he replied and bit his lip as his head fell back a little. I had to look away. That look made heat pool between my legs and my pulse quicken. “Did you have a nice time?”
“It was work, but I think everything went well. Daren seemed happy with it and that is what matters,” I replied as I casually looked out the window.
“Look at me,” Cassio whispered gently. I swallowed and slowly turned my head to look at him. “The fundraiser was a success. You did fantastic, Angel. Own it,” he said.
“Thank you,” I breathed. We pulled up in front of my complex and Zac opened the door for us. Cassio got out with me and it made me smile. This was starting to feel a little more normal—as normal as having a private driver could feel for me.
