Page 59 of The Devastation You Reap

I blow out a breath as I try to formulate my words. "Smith was my mom's maiden name. It meant that I could hide. Most people would never connect me and my father just by my surname, but the risk was great enough to stop me."

"But why does it matter if you're connected to him? He was one hell of a player," he says, proving that he does know exactly who my father was. “And from what I’ve read over the years, a pretty great guy.”

Leon lowers the frame to the nightstand once more and turns to me.

"He was, until he became a coward. I just didn't want to be that person. It's hard to explain. I wanted to start fresh in the hope some of my past might be erased."

His eyes bounce between mine as if he's trying to read what I'm hiding within them. Whatever he does see thankfully stops him from asking any more questions.

"I get it, you know. Wanting to forget who you are, who you're related to."

Silence settles around us as we both get lost in our own heads for a few minutes.

I want to ask him what he means, of course I do but I understand the pain and I'm more than happy to leave it buried.

"You want your ice cream?"

I shake my head. "I'm too full."

"Okay so—" His words are cut off as I lean forward and brush my lips against his. "Hmm… I can get on board with this kind of dessert.

Sliding down the bed, he pulls me with him, skimming his hand down my thigh until it slips under my skirt as he wraps my leg around his body while he kisses me so deeply I feel it in my toes. His hand curls around my waist, the heat of his skin burning into me.

"I'm getting a little addicted to you, Red."

His words send desire rushing through me.

"Hmm…" I mumble. "You're making me break all my rules."

"Feels good, doesn't it?"

"Mm-hmm."

13

Leon

Her moan rumbles through me, turning my blood to lava and making my cock ache with need.

But my need isn't just for her because with each sweep of my tongue against hers, the monster inside me begs to be released.

My fingers curl in her shirt as I try to keep myself in check.

If she were any other girl it wouldn't matter if I went a little wild, but I already know that I need to tread carefully. Push too hard and I'm going to lose this opportunity.

And fuck if I'm not going to get exactly what I've come here for.

I will get all of her truths out of her and I will find out the location of the final person who needs to experience my wrath.

She might not talk today, tomorrow or even next week. But she will. And then one by one, I'll tear down every single part of all their lives because they need to learn a very important lesson. No one, I don't care who they are, how famous they are, how innocent, no one messes with me and gets away with it.

Ripping my lips from hers, I kiss down her neck, sucking her sensitive skin into my mouth and letting her taste explode on my tongue.

Her hands run down my back, her nails scratching lightly, a move that I'm not even sure she's aware of.

Sliding my hand from her waist, I cup her breast and squeeze lightly.

Her eyes fly open as her back arches and lips part on a moan.