Page 51 of Devil
Nothing.
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I tug him down, demanding his attention. He’s drifting away and I have to pull him back, out of whatever is going on in his head. Biting his lip causes him to flinch, and the fog slowly recedes, his eyes becoming focused.
“There you are.” I whisper.
“Nova.” He breathes, almost as if he didn’t see me before.
“I’m here. Will you tell me what’s bothering you now?” I trail my fingers down his cheek, and his gaze hardens.
He grips my wrist, leading me to the dinner table. Taking a seat, he pulls me onto his lap. “Fredrick Morrison.”
My eyes widen. “The guy you stabbed at the funeral?”
“Yes.” His jaw clenches. “His son, Junior called me a couple of weeks ago. He said there was no ill will towards me for killing his father. Or Daniel.”
“That’s good, right?”
He sighs. “I wouldn’t give a fuck if there was, but that wasn’t the reason he called. He said I have a rat in my organization. He said his father wasn’t behind the theft of the shipment or my guys being gunned down.”
My brows furrow. “Who?”
“I’ve been keeping my eyes and ears open, doing some digging of my own.” He grips my chin, his eyes penetrating my soul. “Did you know Lacey is with Max?”
I’m taken aback. “The guy I kneed in the balls?”
He nods.
I’m stunned, shaking my head in denial. “No. I didn’t know she was seeing anyone. But we don’t really talk about our personal lives other than me telling her to back off about you.”
His fingers leave my chin, gliding down my throat, across my collarbone and finally down my arm. “I always thought she gave you a hard time because of who I am. I thought she was trying to be a friend to you. But I got an odd vibe from her last time I was in the bar. She stared me down and when you turned around, she was all smiles.”
I scoff. “Fake bitch.”
He nods. “That’s what I thought. I actually felt ashamed for doing it, but I tailed Max one night. He went to an apartment complex after our meeting. He knocked on someone’s door. It was Lacey who answered.”
“Okay. They kept their relationship a secret. I don’t know why, but is it worth you being bothered by it?”
His teeth grind together, the sound like nails on a chalkboard. “Max has been by my side since I took over. He stood by me as I killed every motherfucker who challenged me. I placed my trust in him. I don’t trust people, Nova. Only ever you.” I start to speak, but he continues. “I dug some more. Lacey is Frederick Morrison’s niece, Junior’s cousin.”
I gasp. Slowly, the puzzle pieces come together, and I realize what he’s saying. “Lacey is the connection.” I replay everything she’s said to me about Colt. She kept warning me to stay away from him. She kept calling him a dangerous man, a monster.
She was trying to keep me out of it because they’ve been plotting against him.
My blood ignites with fire, burning a path through my veins. “They want to kill you and take over.”
He nods again. “And make me look incompetent before they do. They want to ruin my reputation before snuffing me out.”
I jump up from his lap, Bandit skidding across the floor, running to his room. Stomping over to the stove, I grab the pan by the handle, chucking it into the sink. I grip the edge of the counter, my knuckles turning white with rage. I’m no longer hungry for food.
I want fucking blood.
That stupid bitch is planning to kill Colt, the only person I’ve ever loved. If she thinks she’ll live to see another day, she’s out of her fucking mind.
Strong arms wrap around me from behind, and I’m too pissed to accept his touch. I can’t handle this. I feel like I’m about to explode and take everything with me.
He spins me around, his hard eyes softening as he takes in the violent energy around me. It’s suffocating. “You feel it, little demon?”
Fucking right, I feel it.