Page 7 of Devil's Iris
Ah, there it is. The reason she’s engaging me, trying to charm me with those fuck-me eyes and that pouty mouth. She wants something from me. They always do. But I can’t bring myself to be mad. No one has ever been quite this audacious—pretending to be an old flame to get her way.
Women usually just try to flirt with me, thinking my ‘playboy’ reputation means I’ll fuck anything in a skirt.
But this one… fuck. I wouldn’t mind at all.
As if to underscore the thought, my pants tighten uncomfortably, and I clear my throat, adjusting my stance so she doesn’t notice.
“Before you tell me what I can do to make it up to you, why don’t you tell me how you managed to get yourself in this situation,bellezza?”
She blinks at me, seeming surprised that I’m playing along with her game.Isn’t this what you wanted, sweetheart?A quick shake of her head follows, like she’s annoyed with herself for forgetting her own script—but she rallies fast. “Remember my brother, Ethan? You probably don’t since I don’t talk about family with one-night stands.”
My lips curl up in amusement. “Naturally.”
“That little shit went to a trap house in the hole—you know, the one popular for their…unsavoryactivities and drug dealing. I went there to drag him out, but of course, the cops showed up the second I stepped inside. Very inconvenient of them to pick thatexactmoment.” She sighs dramatically.
A chuckle builds in my chest, but I swallow it down. She’s got balls, I’ll give her that. Walking into a trap house to get her brother? Either she’s incredibly brave or incredibly stupid. Maybe both. “Cops are selfish fuckers who don’t give a shit about how arresting people could inconvenience them.”
“You get it.” Her smile is quick, genuine, and not nearly enough. I want to see it again. Right the fuck now. “I might have lost my job because of this,” she adds, her voice going soft in a way that punches straight through my defenses. “So… can I tell you what you can do to make up for forgetting me now?”
And there it is—her endgame. She’s trying to manipulate me into getting her and her brother released for free, no doubt. This isn’t the first time someone has tried it, and it sure as hellwon’t be the last. But this is the first time I’m actually letting it happen without walking away in irritation. Usually, I’d be halfway to the door by now, but something about her keeps me rooted to the spot.
She’s fascinating. Intriguing.Dangerous.At this moment, I might do anything she asks for.What the hell?I frown at the thought.Slow down, fucker.
Even though I already know what she wants, I want to hear her say it, so I wave her on. “Go ahead.”
“Get me and my brother out of here. I probably can’t afford your retainer fee, but… do it for old times’ sake,” she says, just like I expected. But what I didn’t expect is the saucy wink that follows, or the way she tilts her head back and her coppery-red hair spills out of its bun over her shoulders.Stunning.
Amusement rushes through me. She’s trying to seduce me now? I chuckle, even though it’s working. “You’re trouble, aren’t you?”
She straightens, red splotches blooming across her cheekbones and down her neck. “I’m really not,” she says quickly, voice flustered. “I told you, I was just trying to help my brother and?—”
“Shh, don't spoil it,” I interrupt her with a smile. “Iliketrouble.” Especially when it comes wrapped in a package this pretty.”
She blinks up at me, her pink lips parting, but I turn around before she can speak. Before I can do something stupid like lean down and taste those freckles I’ve been obsessing over. No need to become more tangled in whatever spell she’s weaving. I’m already deeper than I should be.
The detectives sigh, exchanging wary glances as I walk back towards them.
They no doubt witnessed my exchange with the little troublemaker and know exactly what’s coming next.
4
LENI
The night air blows across my face, cooling me down after the suffocating heat inside the police station. I breathe it in greedily.Freedom.God, I’d forgotten how precious it was until I almost lost it.
I look around the parking lot—rows of cars, a few bored people coming and going. Ordinary, quiet. Exactly what I need. Now that I’ve had a little taste of what jail might be like, I appreciate my freedom in a way I never have before.
I can’t believe that silly plan actually worked. Hell, it wasn’t even a real plan—more like a half-baked lie I blurted out before I could think better of it. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Romero watching me, those green eyes twinkling as they've been doing since I uttered my first words to him. My heart gives an embarrassing thud, and I quickly glance away.
He must know I lied about us being together last year. The man is not an idiot. So why did he help me anyway? Does he get some twisted kick out of being lied to? Is that his kink?
“Um, thank you so much for tonight.” The words tumble out, awkward and rushed. “We might have had to spend the night there if you hadn’t stepped in.”
A smirk spreads across his face—the kind that should come with a warning label. “It’s nothing less than you deserve… for me forgetting you so quickly.”
Before I can come up with a comeback, he pulls a card and pen out of his pocket, flips the card over, and scribbles something on the back. When he hands it to me, our fingers brush, and I swear there’s an actual spark. Not metaphorical. Actual electricity.
I look down at the card. It’s thick, matte black with gold letters spelling out only his full name and office address. Not his position or even the name of his law firm. And yet it exudes sophistication and class, the edges gilded with streaks of platinum. I don’t need to be told that just this one card might be enough to pay my entire monthly bills with some change left to spare. He must be rich as hell.
