Page 34 of Ravaged By a Devil

Then, Cain gives a subtle, single nod. He turns on his heel and walks away, keeping his head down and his broad back completely turned to Brendan as he disappears smoothly back into the crowded main ballroom.

Brendan stops right beside me, but his eyes aren't on me—he’s tracking Cain’s retreating back with a narrowed, suspicious gaze.

I force the most natural smile I can muster, stepping directly into his line of sight to block his view. "Hey, Brendan," I say, even though talking to him makes my stomach turn.

Brendan slowly brings his attention down to me. "Who was that guy?"

"Oh, just a temporary waiter George hired for the night," I say smoothly, waving a dismissive hand. "Honestly, half of them don't even know where the pantry is."

Brendan hums, watching the doorway for another second. "Guy's built like a tank. He probably should be a bouncer, not serving wine."

I let out a loud, light laugh, gently tapping his forearm to draw his attention completely away from the exit. "Right? I'll let George know."

Brendan’s sharp expression softens, a familiar, arrogant grin spreading across his face as he looks down at me.

"I was heading out to smoke, but I can't find my damn lighter," he says, patting his pockets again. He gives me his order for a high-end scotch on the rocks, adding, "Bring it over to the VIP table, sweetheart. I'll be waiting for you."

"Coming right up," I promise with a polite nod.

The moment he turns to head back toward his brothers, I push through the doors and step back into the service hallway, making my way toward the bar.

Before I can even take three steps down the carpeted floor, a hand clamps around my forearm like a steel vice.

I’m yanked off my feet and dragged backward into a dark, cramped service room. The door clicks shut behind us, locking us in the quiet shadows.

I spin around, my heart in my throat, only to find Cain towering over me. His chest heaves slightly, and his dark eyes burn with a lethal, unadulterated rage.

"What the fuck was that?" he growls, his voice a dangerous menace. "Why did you cover for me?"

I smooth down my uniform vest, my own temper flaring to meet his. "Because Brendan was two feet away from you! I wasn't going to stand there while he recognized you and started shooting up the hall with all my coworkers right outside!"

"You should have stayed out of it, Alexis," Cain steps into my personal space, his shadow completely consuming me. "You shouldn't have even been anywhere near that corridor. That's why I avoided you all night!"

My breath hitches. "So... you saw me?"

He scoffs, a dark frown settling over his features. "Do you honestly think you could be in my orbit and I wouldn't find you?"

A sudden, sharp flutter erupts in the pit of my stomach. I swallow hard, crossing my arms over my chest to hide the subtle tremble in my fingers. "Well, if you didn't want me interfering, you shouldn't have put yourself in danger in the middle of their event!"

"I don't need your protection," he rumbles, leaning down so his face is inches from mine. "I am more than capable of taking care of myself. But now? Now you've lied directly to a Devlin face to cover for me. You just put yourself squarely on their radar."

"I was trying to keep a war from breaking out!" I snap back, my frustration boiling over. "Just like you were supposedly 'helping' me when you paid Milly's medical bills! Which makes no sense, Cain. You reject my offer, you refuse to take what I was willing to give you, and then you turn around and clear my balance anyway?"

Cain’s gaze turns ice-cold. "The payment has nothing to do with what happened between us in your bedroom or my living room," he states, every word deliberate and heavy. "I paid it because it was a problem. But I will never, ever take you because you feel obligated to me, doll."

Before I can throw his words back in his face, a sharp, metallic buzz vibrates from his pocket. Cain pulls out his phone, his dark eyes scanning the glowing screen. The harsh light catches the sharp angle of his jawline as his brow furrows.

"What is it?" I ask, my anger ebbing into immediate concern. "What happened?"

He doesn't look up right away. "It's Elijah," he says, his voice flat. "He just confirmed that several of the high-profile guests here tonight are former Devlin allies—men Nolan lost after the Moretti humiliation. The brothers are using this gala to actively rebuild their network."

I blink, parsing through his words. "The Moretti humiliation? What is that?"

Cain pauses, his lips pressing into a thin, tight line as he slides his phone back into his pocket. He looks down at me, his expression unreadable.

"You already know too much," he rumbles, stepping past me toward the room's secondary exit. He pauses at the door frame, catching my eye over his broad shoulder. "Meet me in the garage when your shift is over. A black Cadillac near the south elevator. I'll be waiting."

Before I can even open my mouth to argue, he slips through the door and vanishes into the dark.