Page 75 of The Devastation You Reap

"Err… no."

"Good. That's good. Stay the hell away from them."

"Easier said than done seeing as we seem to be at their party."

"You're with me. You're safe."

He drops a kiss to my temple and I can't help feeling exactly as he just said. He makes me feel safe, and that's a scary prospect. No, actually, it's terrifying.

I've spent almost all my life looking after myself. So having someone else make me feel comforted and secure standing by my side is unusual, to say the least.

"Leon, what are we—"

"Leon, my man!" Someone booms out across the room before he bounces up to us.

The guy is clearly drunk as he wraps his arm around Leon and pulls him in for a man hug.

"Didn't think you were coming, bro."

"Wouldn't miss it."

"Why the fuck would you want to? You know we throw the best parties around here."

"I've heard some rumors," Leon jokes.

"I can guarantee they're all true." He winks before his eyes shift over to me.

"Who's your girl?"

"Macie," I say, summoning up as much confidence as I can.

Something tells me I'll get eaten alive if I act like myself right now and try to shy away into the shadows.

Thankfully, the effects of the wine from the restaurant gives me the boost I need.

"Devin. Nice to meet you. This is my house, just in case you need to know after Leon screws this up."

"Fuck you, man," Leon laughs. "Get your fucking eyes off my girl."

My girl.

His words echo around in my head, warming me from the inside.

"She's all yours, man. For now." Ripping his eyes from his perusal of my body, he looks back at Leon. "Come hang with us. I've got something you need to try.”

We follow Devin over to the couches, and after he's dismissed a few of the guys who were sitting around, I drop down onto Leon's lap. The girls who were keeping them entertained are shooed away, much to their disappointment.

I discover that Devin is actually Reid's little brother before I'm introduced to two more, twins, Ezra and Ellis.

They all shoot the shit as they take pulls on their beers and drags on their joints.

"Ellis," Devin barks. "Go get Leon's girl a drink."

"Oh n-no, I'm—"

"I'm not your fucking slave, bro," Ellis sulks, although he does push to stand. "What would you like, doll?" he asks much more softly when he looks down at me.

"Oh, I'm really okay. You don't need to—"