Page 90 of Ravaged By a Devil

"And what happens if I take it off?" she asks, tilting her head with a teasing, dangerous little glint in her eyes.

"Then I'll find you, and I'll put it right back on you," I answer without missing a beat, locking my gaze onto hers so she knows there isn't a single grain of hesitation in my words.

She stares at me for a long, quiet moment, her mouth softening as a slow, genuine smile spreads across her face. "Fine," she whispers softly, running her fingers over the sleek row of diamonds. "I'll keep it on."

Relief washes over me, untying the tight knots in my chest. I lean down, my hand cupping the back of her head as I bring my mouth down to hers, taking her lips in a deep, slow kiss that tastes like sweet surrender.

It’s been a full week of Alexis working at Eden, helping Elijah comb through and organize intelligence on the Devlins, and I find myself dropping by the club far more times than I ever have in my life.

Usually, I despise the noise and chaos of Eden, but now that Alexis is stationed here, I can’t seem to stay the fuck away.

She’s incredibly diligent in her work, organized and precise, needing zero help from any of us. I also know she’s as safe as can be inside these walls with our security detail on every floor, but my brain still refuses to rest unless she's within my line of sight.

For the second time today, I drop by the office after wrapping up a meeting for our offshore weapons shipments. When I push the door open, my mood instantly sours.

Levi and Elijah are both inside, standing around her desk, laughing at something on her tablet screen. A sudden, sharp spike of jealousy hits my chest, making my jaw clench as I step inside.

Alexis looks up from her screen, crossing her arms and tilting her head exasperatedly. "Why are you here this time, Cain? Didn't you drop off coffee less than two hours ago?"

"I had to check the perimeter security report with Elijah," I lie smoothly, keeping my face completely blank as I lean against the edge of her desk. "And verify the encrypted server logs."

Alexis rolls her eyes, a sweet, knowing smirk playing on her lips. "Right. Because the servers definitely couldn't wait until tonight. You're so terrible at making up excuses."

Levi bursts into a loud, obnoxious laugh, shaking his head. "She's got you pegged, brother. You've been pacing the halls like a lost puppy all afternoon."

"I haven't seen you set foot in Eden this often since we got the place," Elijah chimed in, an amused grin breaking across his face. "It's almost impressive how terrible your cover stories are getting."

My dark eyes snap between the two of them, my voice dropping into a low, lethal growl.

"If both of you don't shut your fucking mouths and get out of this office in three seconds," I threaten, leaning forward slightly, "I'll make sure neither of you walks straight for a week."

Levi just smirks, waving a dismissive hand in the air. "Yeah, yeah, save the threat for someone who actually fears for their life, big guy."

Elijah chuckles, holding his hands up in mock surrender as he steps back toward the door. "We were just discussing the upcoming charity gala with Alexis, actually. I was just trying to see if she'd do me the honor of coming as my date."

For a brief, terrifying second, I see complete, blinding red. My chest tightens, my instinct screaming at me to tear the room apart—even though a rational part of my brain knows he’s just pulling my strings.

Alexis bursts out laughing, throwing her head back. "That is such a lie! Cain, don't listen to him, that's not true at all."

I ignore my brothers completely and stalk straight toward her desk. In two broad strides, I reach her chair, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her up flush against my chest. My hands wrap tightly around her, holding her so close there isn't a single breath of space left between us.

"That's damn right," I rumble low into her hair, casting a razor-sharp, lethal glare over her shoulder at Elijah and Levi. "She's going as my date. Nobody else's."

My brothers continue to laugh as they finally take the hint and back out into the hallway, shutting the office door behind them. But as the lock clicks into place, I can't even bring myself to feel a single shred of embarrassment over how possessively I just acted.

Alexis is mine, and I'll claim her in every single way I can—in front of my family, in front of the syndicate, and in front of the entire fucking city.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

ALEXIS

That Saturday, Cain makes good on his word.

He takes me to the Kavanagh annual gala—a high-society event connected to one of the Kavanagh family’s legitimate real estate enterprises. The venue is a grand, sprawling ballroom dripping in crystal chandeliers, marble pillars, and understated wealth.

The room is packed with politicians, high-profile executives, and city dignitaries, all dressed impeccably in floor-length silk gowns and sharp, custom tuxedos.

I’ve never set foot in a room like this in my life. It’s a world away from the gritty, blood-soaked fight club beneath Eden, yet the underlying tension is surprisingly familiar. Here, the daggers are just wrapped in polite smiles and expensive champagne.