Page 19 of His Deadly Devotion

“Excuse me?”

“I didn’t stutter, Valentino. Connor is off limits,” Bray says, his voice firm and very non-negotiable.

“You know him?” Lorenzo asks, pointing to Connor.

“I’ve met the kid once or twice.” Bray lifts a shoulder.

“Okay, who lost my invitation to this party?” Levi’s booming voice breaks right through the tension.

NowthisMancini I am happy to see. I run and jump at him, throwing my arms around his shoulders. “Took you long enough. I was about to send out the search and rescue team,” I tell Levi when my feet hit the floor again.

9

Icount to ten in my head and take a deep breath. Nope, still seeing fucking red. Why the fuck does she have to hug everyone?

“I fucking regret saving his ass right now,” I grunt to Bray.

“No you don’t, mate. Besides, you got nothing to worry about with that one. Other than waking up with your throat possiblyslashed in your sleep, because she’s the single most unhinged person I’ve ever met. But she’s loyal to the bone,” he says.

“She’s not unhinged. She’s fucking perfect.” I smile with pride, and take the four steps needed to reach said perfection. Pulling her off yet another man. “We really gotta stop meeting like this,mo mhuirnín.”

“Well, you best learn how not to be a caveman then,” she says. “I’m assuming you know Levi?”

“I do.” I glare at the guy who just had his arms around my girl.

“Mate, you look tired. Guess it would be tiresome running from your family, huh?” Levi directs at me.

“What have you heard?” I ask him.

“Other than there’s a nice bounty on your head, not much.” Levi lifts a shoulder. “Don’t worry, mate, I hardly doubt anyone is going to be looking for you here. I sure as shit didn’t expect to see you. And with her? How are you still alive? If she doesn’t kill you, her brother or father will. Actually, her uncles and cousins might too. And her grandfather’s a really scary-ass dude—watch out for that one.”

“Levi, shut it. No one is killing my damn boyfriend. The next person to mention it is going to lose their tongue, and then find it again up their ass,” Aurora growls out.Yep, growls.

I smile. I love it when she’s feisty.

“Aurora, language and stop with the threats already,” Lorenzo says.

“It’s not a threat. I will do it,” Aurora tells him.

“Oh, I’m fully aware,” her brother throws back. “Now, someone fill me in on how you two are connected to this one?” He points at Bray and Levi, and then to me.

“Our fathers did business together a few times,” Bray tells him.

“He saved my life once, so I owe him one,” Levi says.

“How’d he save your life?” Lorenzo asks.

“You know, the usual way. I didn’t end up with a bullet in my head, but you shoulda seen the other guy,” Levi answers vaguely.

I snicker. There was nothing left of the other guy to see. I shot his whole fucking face off. I swear I was washing brain matter out of my hair for a week after that.

“If either of them invites you to an Irish bar, just say no,” I add.

“Well, this has been fun and all, but we’ve had a long flight, and I’m tired.” Aurora takes hold of my hand and drags me out of the kitchen. “Connor, walk me to my bedroom.”

“Connor, come and find me. You’ve got ten minutes,” Lorenzo calls out after us.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him he can shove his orders where the sun doesn’t fucking shine. I don’t, though. I need to keep the peace. For her.