I drop my hand, figuring this is a safe one to answer. Also curious why he’s asking me that of all things.
“On the bed.”
“Go over and check on her. She might be ill.”
“Why? Did something happen?” I scoot over to the bed. “She seems okay. She’s sleeping.” I lean over to pet her.
The door explodes inwards. Pieces of wood go flying everywhere. I can see that darkness I know lingers inside Devlin showing in his eyes.
He crosses the room in three long strides until he’s in front of me. He looks like a predator closing in on his prey. I think fear would be the right response to have right now, but I don’t fear Devlin at all. Instead, heat pools deep in my stomach. I have no idea why, but a rush of power fills me.
His hand comes to my chin, his fingers gripping my cheeks and tilting my head back to stare up into his eyes. His normal dark eyes are more intense than ever.
“Don’t run from me,” he growls before his mouth crashes down onto mine. With a slight tug of his fingers, he pulls my lips apart and thrusts his tongue into my mouth. I moan, my hands going to his chest to grab a hold of him as he devours me.
This kiss is so different from all the others. I get a taste of the man he’s been keeping hidden from me. He pulls back. We both gasp for air. His forehead drops onto mine as his hands grip my ass, pressing me fully against his body.
“You’re a Calabrezi?”
“Yes.” I lick my tender lips.
“Not for long.” His mouth comes to mine again, grazing mine with a whisper of a kiss.
“What does that mean?” As much as I want him to say what I think he was implying, I don’t want him to either. I can’t be his. Not when my father has already found me. Knowing that Devlin wants me in a way I could never have makes my heart ache more than thinking he just didn’t want me.
“You’re going to be a Harrigan.”
I shake my head. “He’ll kill you.” I close my eyes tightly. “Take you to the basement. No one comes back from the basement.”
“He’ll have to kill me to take you from me.” Devin glowers, violence written all over him.
“I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“It’s my job to protect you. All you have to do is be mine.”
I notice he’s not really asking me to be his. I don’t want him to be, truthfully. I love how badly he wants me to belong to him. “I won’t run from you.” I give.
“That’s my good girl.” His thumb comes up and swipes across my bottom lip. A sweet, dull throb lingers from his kiss. “I was rough.”
“I like it,” I admit. I love that I’d made him snap.
Devlin has made me feel sexy for the first time in my life. He has from the moment I met him. But the way he kissed me moments ago is what gave me this rush of power.
I pulled his darkness to the surface. I flex my fingers against his chest, realizing it’s my darkness now too.
15
Devlin
“Take Mama and go to our room. Lock yourselves in there. I’ll handle your father.” I back to the door I just busted through.
“No one can handle him.” Her eyes go even wider. “He’s the one who does the handling.”
“Not with me, doll face.” I pause and give her one more up and down look, just taking her in. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m a bad man. I don’t run. I don’t bow before anyone. Not even the don of Chicago.”
Her face pales, and her voice is almost a whisper. “He’ll kill you, Devlin.”
“I’ll deal with him, and then I’ll come back to you.” I take her in my arms once more and just hold her.
“Boss!” Malone calls.
“I promise.” I kiss her crown, then turn to leave. “Go to my room. Lock the door. Only open it for me or Malone.”
“Okay,” I hear her say as I stride to the stairs.
Hurrying to the first floor, I meet Malone in the foyer.
“Let him in. His car only. No fucking henchman.”
Malone grabs his phone and gives my order down the line. “Fuck, this is a bad idea.” He pockets his phone and checks his hidden weapons.
“Be polite. Follow our laws and protocols.”
“What happens when he isn’t polite?”
“I’m certain that’s going to be the case.” I crack my knuckles.
He turns to me. “One question, Dev. Just one.”
I give silent assent.
“Is she worth it?” He asks it with genuine worry, with curiosity and a sort of desperation. He wants us to make it through this in one piece. His tense posture and the serious look in his eyes says it all. I can respect that. We didn’t make it this far by being reckless.