Page 12 of Ruined By a Devil

I hate how this man just decided to walk into my life and affect me like this. I hate how wet my underwear is right now, and I hate knowing how he’d gloat if he knew about it. But what I hate more than all of that is that, besides not being particularly friendly, he doesn’t make me feel like I’m being traded.

“Come on,” he gets back to his feet. “I’ll show you your bedroom.”

He leads me into a huge, but very dull bedroom. It’ll need a lot of redecorating if it’s ever going to be mine. “You have until morning to think this through and decide if you’ll take me up on my offer.”

“Okay,” I stop at the foot of the king-sized bed.

“I’ll leave clean clothes and towels for you in the bathroom,” he continues. “If you need anything else, let me know.”

“All my stuff,” I blurt out before even realizing that the words left my mouth.

He pulls out his phone from the pocket and hands it to me with the notes app open. “Write down anything you need and I’ll make sure you get it.”

I take the phone and quickly type the first things that come to mind.

“Why do you hate the Devlins so much?” I ask.

“That’s a story for another day.” He takes his phone back, and leaves the room without another word.

CHAPTER FIVE

Malachi

“Do not take your eyes off those stairs,” I say to Milo. “Even if she threatens you, don’t let her leave. Remember she’s in danger out there.”

“Understood,” Milo nods, a serious look on his face.

“Did Josh and Lucas arrive?”

“Yes,” he says. “While you were upstairs. They’re each in their spot, guarding the property. And Jake returned to Eden.”

“Good,” I feel a small wave of relief wash over me. “If anything happens, call me immediately.”

“Will do, boss.”

With that, I leave my house, heading to Eden to meet with my brothers. Eden is the polished jewel of the Kavanagh empire. An elite gentlemen’s club that serves as our primary facade and the front through which our cleanest money flows.

I assigned my most trusted men to take care of the out-of-town property where I’ve taken Jade to, but even with them there, I still don’t feel at ease leaving her when Nolan is hunting for blood. While I could have taken her to the villa where I spend most of my time, I wanted to offer her at least a grain of privacy amid the chaos. So, I took her to the house where I go to when I need to be by myself.

I love my family and I my primary residence is the base for our most private operations. Still, sometimes it feels more like a shared war room than my own space, so I recently renovated a smaller house just outside of New Orleans and turned it into a private sanctuary of sorts. I don’t even have servants there. I don’t want anyone around.

And because it’s not on the radar of anyone who knows my family, linking it to the Kavanagh name, it’s easily the safest place I could have hidden Jade.

By the time I arrive at Eden, my brothers are already gathered around the table in the conference room. Most of them have a glass of liquor in hand as I sit down with nothing stronger than a cup of decaf.

“You’re late,” Levi teases, leaning back with the easy, lazy charm that makes most people forget how dangerous he actually is. “We almost started without you.”

“You’re early,” I respond, my voice entirely flat as I take my seat.

“Maybe,” he rests his elbows on the table, dark eyes sharp despite his grin. “We were just dying to hear how the show went.”

“Fascinating,” I say, opening my laptop without looking at him.

“How did it go, Mal?” Zeke asks. Being the Boss, the weight of the family sits square on his shoulders, and judging by how tense his jaw is, I’m sure he’s already calculating how vulnerable we are.

“He took the bait,” I respond. “Precisely as calculated. Nolan opened fire in front of the entire party.”

I omit the detail about the bullet graze on my shoulder. Pain is a distraction, and my brothers don’t need unnecessary variables. But as I lift my arm to adjust the screen, the burn beneath my suit jacket reminds me of the cost.