Devil's Charm(24)

“What did you do?” he asked.

“I stayed out of the way. There’s only so many times you get slapped around the face before you realize you’re better out in the dark than at home.”

She saw him visibly tense.

“By the time Kayla was a teenager she had more men than you could count on both hands. She loved the attention, and with her looks and figure, she had all the men eating out of her hand. That time was the only time that Mom hated her.”

“Why?”

“Kayla didn’t charge. I was useless. I earned money waitressing or cleaning some of the houses up for rich people.”

Neither of them moved. Lexie wondered what the hell was happening between them. “Where did you meet her?” Lexie asked, struck by jealousy.

“On the road. She was in a bar one night looking for some action. I needed some relief. She was there and didn’t cause a fuss.”

“How did she get to steal over ten thousand dollars?” she asked.

He started walking toward her. Only when he was a few steps away did she try to swim away. He caught her around the waist, drawing her back against him. His hands were on her stomach, her back to his chest. Devil buried his face against her neck, inhaling her in.

Her body was covered in bruises from his rough possession. The marks didn’t make her terrified. The marks made her want him so much more. She craved his rough possession. Her body was aflame for his touch.

“I’m not a good man, Lex. I break the law to make money. The ten thousand dollars was from a drug run for a friend. The money was going into our liquid cash fund that Vincent takes care of. No one looks at cash hidden within a safe.” He kissed her neck, breathing her in.

“How come I’ve never seen you here before?” she asked.

“It has been a long time since I’ve been here, and I didn’t make a lot of fuss. Vincent fell in love with Phoebe, and I wasn’t going to screw that up for him when I knew I wasn’t sticking around.” One of his hands moved up to cup her breast. “Have you been here your whole life?”

“Yes. I’ve never heard of you.”

“I doubt Kayla even knew who I was. Crazy bitch is going to learn not to steal money from me and get away with it.” He kissed her neck. “Your sister is as good as dead.”

The words shocked her. Turning in his arms she looked him in the eye. “What are you talking about?” she asked.

“No one steals from me. I’m not a fucking charity. She took without even asking. Bitch stole my money and my kid. She will pay.”

Her heart was thumping against her chest. “What about me? I took Simon and the money. What are you going to do with me?”

Devil tilted her head back, letting her go. “I’m not going to kill you. What Kayla did was fucking stupid, but she knew I was going to go looking for her. I bet she’s hoping you’ll take her place, easily.”

Lexie wished she could deny it. “You think she wants you to kill me?”

“Kayla’s no fucking saint, Lex. She’s hoping I’ll be so fucking angry I’ll take it out on your ass.” Devil smiled. “Just goes to show the bitch doesn’t know me at all.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I don’t take debts out on family members who are not involved. My problem with Kayla will be settled with her.”

She looked down into the water. Lexie wasn’t scared or even upset by his words. She and Kayla had never been close at all. Taking in Simon had been the closest thing to sisterly love that Lexie had ever done. Not that she had much choice. Kayla had simply dumped her kid on her doorstep. Devil’s reasoning explained the ten thousand dollars.

“Are you scared of me?” he asked, taking a step closer.

Lexie shook her head. She didn’t trust her voice in that instant. How horrible was she that she still desired the man who threatened her sister?

“Good.” His arms surrounded her, and he moved her close to the edge of the pool. “Hold on here.” He put her hands on the edge.

Gripping the ledge, she wondered what he was going to do. He moved the hair off one shoulder, leaving it to trail down the side. The tender way he touched her surprised her. She had started to believe he didn’t know how to be gentle or tender with her.

“Don’t let go.”

“I won’t.” The air between them changed. She didn’t know what had happened to make it so.

Devil laid his lips against her temple, kissing her. Closing her eyes, she tried not to be drawn into the web of seduction he was creating. The man behind her was dangerous.

Licking her lips, she tried to think past her own arousal. For once she felt selfish as she didn’t wish to think about anything else but herself.