Page 69 of Devil’s Promise

Why would I let go of a gift like that?

My eyes meet her wide blue ones, her uncertainty flashing in them as she stands in the doorway.

“Come here, Promise.” I take a step toward her, holding out my hand.

She hesitates for a second and then does as I’ve commanded, lifting the skirt to walk toward me.

Holy fucking hell, even the way she moves in that dress makes my knees weak, and I find myself moving toward her, unable to stay away.

She presses her lips together as her chin notches up to meet my eyes again.

I take her hand, my other cupping her jaw as I stroke my thumb over her cheek.

She blinks a few times, turning her face away. I know she’s looking at the wall because she’s uncertain, but I take the opportunity to lean down and whisper, “You are so beautiful you take my—” I stop, realizing that I was about to start spewing song lyrics.

But she turns to look at me, her mouth only an inch from mine, as her wide eyes stare into mine. “What do I take?” she whispers.

“The air. My strength. And maybe my sanity too.”

She smiles at the last one, the sweet curve of her lips so ridiculously satisfying, something tightens deep in the pit of my stomach.

“Not bad, cupcake,” Rock calls. “Gotta be honest, I might take a turn at a swanky bakery.”

Promise’s brows draw together as she looks at me.

“Don’t ask,” I reply to her unspoken question. And then I turn to Rock with a glare. “Find your own bakery.”

Knox chuckles, and I appreciate that my brothers are treating this moment with a bit more tenderness than their usual way.

Promise must as well, because she lets me put her hand in the crook of my arm.

I spent a lot of the afternoon teaching Rock and Knox some of the lessons that Promise taught me, Gunner, and Axel yesterday.

Knox was a quick study. He gets women from all walks of life with his high-profile career and many of the moves felt familiar to him.

Rock was a different story. He asked a lot of questions, he seemed to be considering aspects of life he’d never thought about before.

Rock has this sense of how to move effortlessly in the shadows, to see things other people don’t see.

So the idea of being able to camouflage himself in plain sight today was appealing to him.

I see Rock looking at Promise now, with different eyes than he did that first day. All of my brothers are realizing that Promise is a potential asset.

I grimace as I think of Gunner.

I don’t blame him for not wanting to enter these dangerous waters with me. But I wish he was here.

I move Promise’s hand into my other, wrapping my arm around her waist as we make our way to the elevator.

We’re silent as we make our way down, and when we reach the garage, I help Promise lift her skirts to keep them off the cement floor.

Knox is eyeing me, and as our gazes collide, he shakes his head. “Tied to her skirts,” he mutters, but he gives me a half grin.

I don’t answer as I help Promise into the back of the Escalade and then come around to the other side.

We start out of the parking lot, entering into traffic, as we head for the highway.

Across the seat, I reach for Promise’s hand.