Page 26 of Total Abandon

I hear a protracted sigh. “You know my husband, Zeke. I love him dearly, but if he catches wind of this, he will go all hellfire and brimstone. I’ve worked hard to get here and—”

“You want to handle this yourself.” I nod, my lips twisting into another smile.

“Yes.” She sounds relieved I get it. “So please don’t tell him?”

I consider this for a second, weighing my response. “As long as you're not in danger, I’ll keep my mouth shut. But Mia? I meantit when I said this guy fights dirty. The moment he crosses the line, Mason will be the first person I call.”

“Deal.”

Chapter 13

Mom:Chloe Amelia Devlin, is there something you need to tell me?

Tilly:Told you she would find out you’re stripping on the side.

Chloe:???

Mom:Why am I finding out about my daughter's engagement in the New York Times?

Tilly:I’ve decided to join a cult.

Mom:That’s fine, just don’t drink the Kool-Aid. Chloe??

Tilly:Sorry sis, you’re on your own (I tried).

Casey:Erm, hello? You’re ENGAGED to Guerra????

CHLOE

I spear an asparagus head with my fork and chew more aggressively than needed. My eyes catch on the offending paper out of the corner of my eye, and I huff. The street vendor must have thought I was insane when I barged in front of the man waiting and demanded a copy right away. Not my finest moment, but I was pissed Zeke didn’t give me a heads up so I could spin it to my family and friends. I stillampissed.

“Did the asparagus do something to offend you?” the man himself drawls as he saunters into the kitchen.

As much as I’d like to blame it on the asparagus, it’s actually freaking delicious. Courtesy of Suzanna. “No, just my asshole fiancé blindsided me by announcing our engagement without giving me the chance to even tell my mom.” I hold my fork up and point it at him, narrowing my eyes as his brows raise.

“I wasn’t aware that your mother would read the New York Times considering she’s in Ohio, and you’ve had plenty of time to tell her. Putting it off?” he taunts, taking his own plate of food out of the heated drawer beneath the oven. It’s no great surprise he’sdelved into my family, if he tried to investigate my court case. The plate clips against the marble island countertop as he takes a seat opposite me. I had been putting it off, but that’s beside the point.

“I don’t know how your relationships usually work, but with this arrangement, you don’t get to just blow in hot and do things without clearing them with me first,” I snap, letting my fork clatter to my plate, having suddenly lost my appetite. I refuse to feel like a pawn in another man’s life again, no matter how temporarily. Clamping my jaw shut, I push back my chair with an ugly screech and stand.

“Chloe.” He sighs, tilting his head in reprimand. I turn and flip my middle finger up over my shoulder as I walk away. Childish? Maybe. Satisfying? Definitely.

“Hey.” I didn’t realize he had moved until he catches my arm at the doorway and pulls me around to look at him. He towers over me, his dark eyes sparkling with mischief. “I’m sorry I didn’t speak to you first.”

That wasn’t what I was expecting, and my lips jump apart in surprise. His eyes tumble to my mouth, catching there for a second before he meets my stare again. I’m enveloped in pine and heady musk. “Mujer terca,” he growls, right before he sweeps the broad pad of his thumb across my lower lip.

“Stop talking to me in a language I don’t understand,” I snap, pulling my face away from his hand and leveling him a glare.

He shrugs easily. “Pero entonces, ¿cómo te diría lo hermosa que te ves en este momento, mi fuego?” Everything below my waistline clenches as those silky words wash over me.

I roll my eyes and shake my head at his easy smile. “I’ll let it go if you agree to come to my parents' house for dinner. They are already suspicious enough without me refusing.”

“Sounds only fair considering you’re attending my father's birthday celebration with me tomorrow evening.”

I tilt one brow up and he grins sheepishly, looking like an oversized version of Diego. I bite back my own smile—I can’t help it. “Ask nicely.” I tilt my chin and meet his gaze.

He declines his head respectfully for a moment and when he lifts it again, he’s every bit the suave, charming grown man again. “Miss Devlin, will you do me the honor of accompanying me?”

I pretend to consider for a moment, noting something dark dancing in those near-onyx irises. “I will, but only because you’re paying me,” I agree.