Page 25 of Devil’s Promise

If she hears the cacophony of sex, she doesn’t respond, nor does she look, her face buried in my shoulder.

I head out the back door, nodding to Knox, who is smoking in the parking lot as I pass.

One of us tends to be outside, watching the lot in shifts. It’s where the worst shit happens.

He gives me a stiff nod back, even as I open the passenger door and duck in the car, setting Promise in the seat.

She slides her arms from around my neck, her chin tilting up to me as our eyes meet.

For the briefest second, I consider taking her right here, right now. But Knox would pitch a fucking fit, and I’d scare the shit out of Promise.

The fun would be over. But most of all…I would have gone back on my word. And that…I won’t do.

So I pull back out of the car and close the door, climbing into the driver’s seat. Axel has a fleet of sports cars. Today, he’s got an Aston Martin which is bad ass.

And Rock drives the kind of black SUV that blends into the crowd.

But me? I’ve got a luxury sedan. Still, it’s got plenty of get up and go, and I use it now, hitting the gas.

My place is in our territory, an old industrial building where I had the top floor converted into a luxury apartment.

I pull into the first floor that I’ve converted into a garage, parking between two of Axel’s toys.

I’m still tired but filled with the kind of restless energy that has me hopping out of the car and striding to the other side, pulling Promise from her seat and back into my arms. Could she walk to the elevator? Yes.

Do I want those pretty feet on the greasy stained floors?

No.

I like her pretty and clean but also…something sparks in the back of my brain at my need to protect her. This is a problem.

But I quickly push that thought back. I like her pretty. It’s for my pleasure that she has squeaky clean feet that are all pale skin and pink toes.

She folds into my body, but I can feel she’s more tense than she was before.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, the words out before I remember she won’t answer.

She shakes her head, her blonde hair brushing my arm.

“If you’re worried about where I live, I’ve had the place redone. You’ll be comfortable enough.”

She shakes her head again.

I’m too tired for guessing. “I’m dumping you in the guest room and then I’m going to bed. I’m fucking tired.”

She relaxes into me.

But a completely different thought hits me. Without words, there are no lies. Her body tells the truth.

I like it.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Promise

The industrial elevator brings us through the levels of the building, revealing raw wood and unfinished spaces.

Until we reach the top floor. The elevator opens into a hall that nods at the industrial space while looking finished, a massive reclaimed wood door in front of us.