Page 40 of Dance With A Devil

I smirk, shaking off the memory of kneeling on rice for hours after mouthing off as a kid. “I wanted to say… I’m sorry. For earlier.”

She sets the spoon down. Wipes her hands. Stares me down like she’s measuring my soul.

“No apology needed,” she says. “I knowwhyyou did it.”

That gets my attention. “Oh yeah? What do you think you know?”

“You’re in love with the lass,” she says like it’s already carved into stone.

I scoff. “No, I’m not.”

Her hand snatches a spatula off the counter.

“Don’t lie to me, boy,” she threatens. “Unless youwantme to tan your hide like I used to.”

I step back, hands raised. “Lie? I’d never.”

“That makes two,” she growls, rounding the island with the speed of a goddamn predator.

“Fine, fine! I love her. Happy?”

She lowers her weapon with a huff. “Then act like it. You look like a kicked dog.”

I exhale, dragging a hand through my hair. “It’s hard. Sharing her. She was mine first.”

Maeve narrows her eyes, voice dropping. “Don’t act like a spoiled brat. You gave her to them. Don’t rip her back like she’s a bone.”

“She’s not a bone.”

“No,” she says, softening, “she’s a blade. And she’ll cut through all of you if you don’t hold her right.”

I stare at her. At this woman who raised me, beat the Devil into me, and still looks like she’d slap the soul out of me if I disrespected the girl I love.

“You’re scary, you know that?” I mutter, backing toward the hallway.

“Not scary enough, apparently.” She grins, wicked. “And I’ll poison that pie before I let you have a slice tonight.”

“Love you too, old bag,” I call over my shoulder, dodging a flying spoon.

I hit the garage and slide into the green Porsche. The seat’s cool against my back, leather kissing places Maevewould’ve scorchedif she’d gotten that spatula on me.

Fingers grip the wheel.

Tonight’s about release. About sending a message. About drowning in sin until the world shuts the fuck up.

And after tonight? It’s time to move forward. Reinhold Banking is ready. I've got plans to secure us a new fortress, one that bleeds legacy and screams power. One fit for Devils.

I’ll meet with them next week. Lock it down. Elevate us.

Because I’m not just a man who shares the girl.

I’m the Devil who leads them all.

And I never, ever lose what’s mine.

Fred: Did you motherfuckers forget about me?

Wells: …