Page 27 of The Devil After Dark

twenty-six

CASSIO

Liana was the picture of elegant perfection.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t the only one noticing.

I was oscillating between wanting to show her off to the world and locking her up in our home so no other man could gawk at her ever again.

I was leaning towards locking her up. And there was that slime ball Daren Worthington.

This was Daren’s event and I knew Liana managed his account, a detail I made sure would change after tonight.

Part of my contract with Roger included removing the scum from Liana’s client list.

Daren’s hand was wandering too much and I fantasized removing it just for touching her.

That’s why I followed Liana when she retreated from the event space.

I needed to touch her and kiss her and remind her she was mine.

Soon enough the likes of Daren wouldn’t dare lay a hand on her.

Once everyone else knew she was mine she would be both the safest and most in danger she had ever been.

Anyone looking to hurt me would target her, but players like Daren wouldn’t dare touch her if they knew she was mine .

Daren, outside of his interest in Liana, wasn’t a complete waste of space.

He always succeeded in bringing together the magic wielders of this city with the city’s elite.

Only a handful of the attendees tonight had clean hands, but all of us would open our checkbooks and donate to a good cause.

Just because we were objectively terrible people didn’t mean we didn’t also do good things for our community.

“Careful, Cass, you’re staring,” Jason said quietly from beside me as he raised a glass to his lips, taking a sip of the amber liquor.

Fucking hell, he was right. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. Reluctantly, I turned my entire body so my back was to Liana. “You say something if someone gets overly friendly,” I instructed him.

“Like Daren touching her again? Let him keep his hand by the way, Cass. He’s harmless,” Jason teased.

Then his voice became more serious. “Merrick on the other hand appears to have recognized her from the club. That bit I’m more concerned about.

We’ll keep a closer eye on him after tonight.

When’s that asshole supposed to leave this province anyway? ”

Jason had always been observant. If I didn’t know his true magical powers were wielding fire I would wonder if his ability to read people was part of his magic skill set.

Unfortunately, that particular skill likely came from his childhood and dealing with volatile drug addict parents.

“He was supposed to leave a month ago,” I replied.

Merrick had outstayed his welcome, even though he was spending an absurd amount of money at The Devil After Dark nearly every night.

“Lucky us,” Jason responded sarcastically. “Alright, there’s the chief of police. Time to go socialize, Cass. Don’t worry I will keep one eye on her for you.”

Jason was right like always. I slammed back the remaining contents of my glass and jerked my head towards the bar. “I need a refill before we go play nice.”

LIANA

“Cancel the car you just ordered,” Cassio said as his hand slid around my waist. “I’ll give you a ride home.”

I found myself automatically refusing. “It’s okay, Cassio, it is too far out of your way,” I said as he turned me to face him.

“Cancel the car, Angel,” he repeated and his hand gently plucked my phone from my hands. I watched him tap the screen, presumably canceling the car. “I hated being here and not being with you while I was here. Let me take you home.”

If the man wanted to take me home from the fundraiser I would let him. “Okay, take me home,” I said with a teasing smile.

“That’s my girl,” Cassio replied and his hand on the small of my back guided me towards the exit.

Zac held the car door open for us and I slipped in first, scooting across the seat so Cassio could climb in behind me.

I could not wait to get out of this dress and these shoes.

I loved getting dressed up, but I loved my sweatpants more.

Awkwardly, I tried to adjust my dress so it would be a little more comfortable for the drive home.

When I looked up, Cassio was just watching me with dark eyes.

I cleared my throat, “Did you have a nice time?”

“I did,” he replied and bit his lip as his head fell back a little. I had to look away. That look made heat pool between my legs and my pulse quicken. “Did you have a nice time?”

“It was work, but I think everything went well. Daren seemed happy with it and that is what matters,” I replied as I casually looked out the window.

“Look at me,” Cassio whispered gently. I swallowed and slowly turned my head to look at him. “The fundraiser was a success. You did fantastic, Angel. Own it,” he said .

“Thank you,” I breathed. We pulled up in front of my complex and Zac opened the door for us. Cassio got out with me and it made me smile. This was starting to feel a little more normal—as normal as having a private driver could feel for me.

“I need to get out of this dress,” I said as Cassio closed my condo’s front door behind us.

He followed me to my room as my arm strained behind my back to reach the zipper.

Cassio’s hand on my waist stopped me and his fingers gently unzipped my dress.

“Thank you,” I conceded as my cheeks flushed.

I was not used to someone helping me with anything.

I let the dress fall to the floor and stepped out of it.

“These are nice. Which shop did you get them from? I might need to get you more,” Cassio said, his voice low as his fingers slid beneath the delicate fabric of my underwear and he felt it between his thumb and forefinger.

“I’m not sure, it was from somewhere back home,” I breathed, my body tensing. I had a feeling he was not going to like my answer if I told him the truth.

“You don’t remember?” he asked. His fingers stilling. “You don’t remember spending hundreds of dollars on this particular set of lingerie?”

The man knew his underwear apparently. “They were a gift,” I reluctantly admitted.

They were a gift along with a few other pieces I rarely wore, but could not bring myself to discard.

Dimitri had bought them for me as an apology.

As much as I had removed my ex from my life I couldn’t justify throwing out the absurdly expensive few pieces of lingerie he had given me.

I had chosen this set tonight because it was the only pair I had that fit under my dress well.

It was the same with the other sets—they all worked under certain clothing pieces better than my regular undergarment choices.

So they stuck around in the bottom of my drawer until I needed them.

Cassio didn’t respond. Instead, I watched his jaw muscles work as he slid the strap from my shoulder and guided the flimsy material off my body. Then he balled it in his fist before tossing it to the floor.

Note to self: don’t wear this set around him again. Or do because the way his hands were touching me told me he was going to use his dick to make sure I couldn’t remember who gifted me the lingerie.