Page 126 of Lover Forbidden
Even though the door with the gold star on it was only about ten feet away.
“Give us a minute.” As Devina—oops, sorry,Valentina—spoke to her staff and reps, she took his arm in a light grip. “I have to take care of our guest and get him settled.”
Aware that jealous eyes were locking on him, Dev allowed himself to be steered through that special door, and then, for the first time in a decade…
He was alone with his mother.
As she closed them in, she leaned back against the panel.
When there was only silence, he went for a wander over to thedressing table. A mirror, with rows of lights running up both sides, was perched over a tabletop scattered with compacts, wands, pencils, and potions. He picked up a perfume bottle.
Poison. By Dior.
“I know it’s you,” she said in a soft voice. “I can’t see you… but a mother knows.”
Pivoting back around, he held up the fragrance. “I didn’t know you could still get this.”
“There is nothing I can’t get.”
He laughed with a hard edge as he put the bottle down. “That isnottrue.”
“Anything material, that is—” Her voice broke. “Will you not let me see you properly? It has been… so long.”
“What about all your hangers-on out there. Don’t you need to get back to them?”
“They can wait. Forever.”
When he turned around, he released the lock on his essence—and he had to admit, she was a good actress. The demon let out a choked gasp and slapped a hand over her mouth. As tears flooded those gorgeous black eyes, she rushed forward—
Dev shoved his palm out. “Give it a rest. I know who you are, so just like the bullshit you’re peddling to all those humans isn’t necessary or interesting in the slightest, neither is any kind of sloppy reunion here.”
“Must you be so cruel.”
Now he laughed honestly. “Coming from you? That’s rich. And spare me the acting. Let’s get real,Mom.”
Her face tightened into a mask. But her voice remained level. “Why did you bring a vampire here.”
“You were the one to invite her, not me.”
“Curious company you’re keeping. Is it true you saved her life in the middle of a street?”
“From you, no less. It was your billboard that went flying off the top of that building—”
“What would your father think, you consorting with the enemy like that.”
Dev cocked a brow. “Oh, you think I’m with him?”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“I haven’t seen him, either.” He frowned as the tension in her eased. “Yeah, don’t worry, I don’t like him any more than I like you. The acrimony is totally equal. Your ego can stay intact.”
“That’s not why I asked.”
“Isn’t it.”
“No.” She shook her head sharply, her luscious hair catching the flat artificial light and gleaming as if the sun were behind her. “I don’t want you anywhere near your father. Ever.”
“Careful, Mom. Your territoriality is showing.”
