Twenty-one

Devlin

 

Fuck.

The little wave she’d given me, and the sad expression on her face tells me that she’s walking out of my life again—this time permanently. I release a heartfelt curse and rake my hands through my hair as the limo pulls away from the curb.

I should have lied to her about the men I’d killed, but I couldn’t. I can’t lie to Charli—never Charli. She’s the one person who sees the real me, but she also needs to see all of me—even the bad parts.

I still don’t regret killing those fuckers that’d hurt her, all over a hate-crime against two men in love. Granted, those assholes hadn’t been focused on her since she wasn’t their intended target, but she’d still been hurt.

The taste of her is still on my lips, and my mood has soured immensely. It’s stings wanting someone so badly and not being able to have them, but I can’t force her to look beneath the darkness and accept the man that lingers within the shadows. Charli’s special, and she needs to be able to make up her own mind. As much as I’d wanted to take things further earlier, as badly as I want to fuck her senseless—I can’t. For the first time in my life, I need to make certain my bed partner is entirely with me—emotionally and physically.

Now, she’s slipped through my fingers again, and I’m left wanting her more than I can fully comprehend. Not that I want to attempt to sort out the inner workings of my mind to delve into it. No thanks. That emotional shit can just stay in the dark recesses of my mind, collecting dust.

Knowing it would be wise to refocus my attention on something other than the ache in my chest, I pick up my phone once more. I call Aiden, and he picks up on the first ring. “Sir?”

“Detour to Elias’s,” I say curtly.

“Yes, sir.”

I disconnect the call and tuck my phone inside my suit jacket. Then, I slip my hand inside my pants pocket and brush my fingers across the smooth fabric of Charli’s panties. I’d shoved them in there after tearing them from her delectable body, needing something to take home with me. If it were anyone else keeping such a memento, I’d call them pitiful. It’s me doing the taking, though, and I know I’ve fallen for her in ways that I never imagined were possible.

My lips compress tightly. I’ve fallen for a woman that continuously rejects me, and yet the second she’s willing to let me in just a little, I keep coming back. Most women would thrive on having that kind of power, but I don’t think Charli realizes just how much control she has over me. That, in itself, is intoxicating. She’s the real deal, and I know she’d never deliberately tear me down or play cruel games simply because she can.

I release a sigh. I don’t regret earlier, but it’s torture to touch her, to taste her, and know that I still need to keep my distance. Even if it kills me, I am going to honor her wishes. If Charli ever truly lets me in, it needs to be on her terms without my manipulations. Until then, I have to wait. While I do that waiting, I have plenty to attend to, starting with Elias.

When we reach Elias’s private residence, the men at the gate buzz us through, and Aiden parks beneath the carport next to the estate’s entrance. Aiden is at the limo’s door in an instant, and as I climb out, I find Tobias standing guard, his expression blank. We’d come from a meeting earlier, so he was sitting up front with Aiden when Keagan had text messaged me that Charli was off on her own.

Once more, I wonder what made her avoid going back to the apartment. I quickly shove the thought out of my mind as I focus on the present. I’ll have plenty of time to dwell upon Charli later.

Tobias nods to Elias’s guard at the door, and Aiden remains with the limo as Tobias and I are escorted into the mansion. I ignore the opulent surroundings and straighten my damp clothing. Charli had been wet from the rain when she’d climbed onto my lap, but the dark fabric won’t betray anything.

Tobias remains at my side as we’re led to the room that Elias prefers to conduct business in. As we approach, the double doors open, and I recognize two lieutenants from the organization. They nod respectively before making their way past.

I stride into the large study, ignoring its horridly stuffy atmosphere thanks to the dark wood and red carpet. Toss in all the gaudy baubles that are on display, and the room takes on a gothic air. The man doesn’t understand the concept of understated elegance.

Elias stands next to the bar in the corner of the room, pouring himself a drink. I take in his appearance, noting that he’s gained more weight. The man looks shady as shit but is a cunning bastard. His dark hair is graying in areas and is combed over to hide the fact that he’s balding. Beady blue eyes are deeply set into his face, and his sagging jowls hide his neck. The suit he’s wearing is Italian and costs more than most people make in one week, but his large belly protrudes over his pants, ruining the lines of the suit.

Elias looks up and lifts a glass in a silent offering. I ignore him and turn to Tobias, giving him a curt nod. He automatically turns and exits the room, firmly closing the doors before Elias’s man can protest.

I turn on Elias, expression set. “This is not a social call.”

He calmly lifts the glass to his lips and takes a drink. “I didn’t think it was.”

I slip my hands in my pants pockets and regard him coolly. “Serrato has been sniffing around my territory and a few of my lieutenants.”

Elias nods as he sets the glass on the bar. “I’m handling it.”

“If you were handling it, I wouldn’t be hearing about it from a third party.”

He looks unperturbed by my tone as he walks towards me. “The Serrato’s need to be handled delicately. We don’t want to start a war, Devlin.”

“I’m not afraid of war when I know the outcome will be in my favor. If you have an aversion to it, I suggest you do what is expected of you and settle this situation with the Serrato’s before I deal with it myself,” I warn.

Elias has never been accepting of my ruthless tactics when it comes to the business. I’m aware that I can’t kill every person that gets in my way, which is why Elias is still on the payroll as my advisor. He’s cutthroat when it comes to the politics of the organization, and he has patience whereas mine tends to have a short fuse.

“This can be handled without spilling blood,” he says in a firm tone.

“Then take care of it.”

Elias nods. “I’m working on it.”

“Work harder,” I clip out. “If I don’t see Serrato backing off within forty-eight hours, I’ll deal with him myself.”