Devin: A Romantic Suspense (V Mafia Series Book 2) Page 24

His smile widened. “You’re not just saying that because you’re racked with guilt for leaving me high and dry?”

  “Well, I don’t know about high and dry.”

  His eyes swept over my floral dress. “So you didn’t want to live in the city?”

  “You mean Boise?”

  “Are there any others?” he asked playfully.

  “Hardee-har-har.” I folded my arms and felt the same pull I’d been telling myself I’d made up, was completely imaginary, and was fine that I didn’t feel with anyone else. “And no. I wanted to be out in the country. Plus, there was an awesome opportunity for me at a youth center.”

  “I’m proud of you.”

  “Proud of me?” My brows shot up.

  “Yeah. You didn’t let anything get in the way of your goals. You just went for it.”

  “Well, I have a secret.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I didn’t have any goals. I just wanted out of New York.”

  “Sounds like a goal to me.”

  “Life finally catching up with you?” I teased.

  “You could say that.” He glanced behind me. “Anyone else inside?”

  “Should there be?”

  “You tell me.”

  “I’d say slim to no chance. I’m kind of ruined.”

  Relief flashed though his gaze. “So the kindergarten teacher I’ve heard about?”

  “Purely platonic.”

  He took a few steps forward and my stomach fluttered.

  Just like old times.

  “So, you like being back home?”

  “Love it.” I pulled back a sigh. “Mostly love it, but there’s something missing.”

  “Did you hear about Jones?” he asked.

  “That they tied even more murders to him?” I nodded.

  “You had a chance to run.”

  “Pardon?”

  “Remember how I told you people always let me down or wanted something from me?”

  A sick pit formed in the bottom of my stomach. It was one of the many reasons I left. I was just one of many who’d tried to use the Volkovs for personal gain.

  “I wanted you to know you weren’t one of them. I never thought you were.” He moved forward and I swallowed down a huge lump.

  “I met you because I thought I could take—”

  “That wasn’t you. That was your job. I wouldn’t want you judging me because of what I do.” A rueful smile covered his expression.

  “You mean nighttime work or daytime work?” I teased.

  “Both.” He smirked, and every single part of me lit up.

  “You’re doing it to me again, you know,” I whispered.

  “Doing what?”

  “Making me feel things. All kinds of things I tried to put behind me. Turns out you’re the only one who can bring those feelings out of me.” I shrugged. “Who knew?”

  He lowered his eyes to mine and slid his arms around my waist, drawing me into him.

  “When you were in New York, I thought that if I just keep standing next to something so beautiful, maybe someday I’d have it. Maybe one day, I’d be lucky enough to earn it.” Devin’s eyes swept over me, and I felt a tremor run through my body.

  “Don’t you mean standing next to someone, not something?” I asked, trying to shield my heart from this man and a life I told myself I didn’t want. “I’m not an it.”

  Devin shook his head and took a sharp breath. “You hold the key to my heart, Avery. I’m standing next to something that I want so badly it hurts, but I don’t know if you’re capable of accepting me as I am. I’m very much in the grey area.”

  “That is definitely an understatement.” I giggled.

  “I want your love, Avery. I want you. I want the life that we could share. I want dreams with you. I want to exist with you. I want everything with you. I want to roll over every morning and see your smiling face.” He took in a few breaths before continuing. “It’s not just about someone. It’s about you. You’re more than someone. You’re everything to me. You represent what life could be. It’s about sharing everything I have with you. You hold the key to that something.” He held a secretive smile before he brought his lips to mine. He didn’t kiss me. He just held me. “Whenever I stood so close to something as wonderful as you, I prayed every day that I’d get a chance to share that something with you.”

  He softly kissed me, sending the same longing through me, and I knew there was no one else in the world for me.

  “I love you, Avery.”

  “I love you, Devin.” I kissed him back. “And I love how you call me Avery.”

  If you’d like to read a BONUS EPILOGUE about Devin and Avery, make sure to sign up for Karice’s newsletter here and it will go out on JAXSON’S release day!

  Make sure to sign up for Karice’s newsletter to be notified the moment JAXSON goes live. Want to read an exclusive snippet from Jaxson’s story? Keep reading for an excerpt. . .

  You can read all about Drake Volkov in Mia’s story (now available). Keep reading for an excerpt. . .

  Chapter One

  Elena

  Crack!

  I heard it before I saw it.

  Jaxson Volkov slammed a man’s head against the polished marble bar. The sound of glass shattered as Jaxson’s fingers dug deep into the man’s neck, and he began sliding him down the polished marble, his cheek scraping on any piece of glass in the way.

  The guy shut his eyes and begged for his life as Jaxson continued to shove him in my direction. Several patrons grabbed their drinks and hopped back from the bar to get out of the way. Blood leaked from the man’s lips, but I stayed rooted on the barstool.

  I took another swig of beer before putting the bottle down.

  Tonight had started innocently enough. I wandered into the bar, hoping the tip I’d received about Jax coming in later would pay off. What I found was a bar filled with regulars, an active pool table, a friendly dart competition, and absolutely no sign of the Volkovs.

  I was already in a rough area and didn’t want to make my night worse. I gave it about twenty minutes and was about to leave when it happened. Jaxson Volkov walked inside.

  I was nursing a beer when I saw him stroll into the joint. It was like the room stood still. Men straightened up and women did the opposite. I turned my attention back to the bartender and ordered another beer.

  There was no doubt about who Jaxson Volkov was. He owned wherever he walked, his dominance skimming over the weaker men and beckoning the women with impossible promises. His broad shoulders filled out his black suit jacket, and his slacks skimmed his muscular thighs. There was a reason the women forgot who they walked into the bar with. They hoped they’d walk out with this guy.

  It only took a minute or two from the time Jaxson walked into the building to now. That moment when a man’s head was being driven down the bar in my direction at lightning speed. I wanted to feel a little spark of fear or an adrenaline rush, but I felt neither.

  I only felt determination.

  When Jaxson realized I had no plans to move, he stood in front of me with his fingers still digging into the man’s neck.

  “Excuse me?” His piercing blue eyes connected with mine, and I felt an unexpected flutter. “You’re in my way.”

  “Did it occur to you that maybe you’re in mine?” My brow arched, and I crossed my leg, taking another sip.

  “Never crossed my mind.” He looked down at the man who was still whimpering. “It’s gonna get messy.”

  “Hasn’t it already?” My brow arched as my eyes fell to the bloodied marble near my beer.

  I saw Jaxson push down a smile and grab the man off the bar, but rather than let him go, he hauled him around me, smacked his head back down on the marble, and pushed him to the end of the bar. I was pretty certain the last crack involved his nose breaking.

  Jaxson leaned over, whispering something to the guy, who appeared almost lifeless.

  When Jaxson straightened up, his body language suggested
he wasn’t thrilled with whatever answer the guy did or didn’t give him.

  “Who are you?” I asked, pretending I didn’t have a clue.

  Jaxson turned to look at me. His startling blue eyes connected with mine, and I took in a steady breath as I waited for his answer.

  “His worst nightmare.” He flashed a wry grin before turning his attention back to the man.

  “I didn’t mean it,” the man muttered, and Jax shook his head just as he cracked his elbow on the man’s neck.

  “Would you like another beer?” the bartender asked as he wiped the bar down with cleaner and a bar rag, quickly removing all the crimson.

  “I’m good.” I looked around the bar and saw a few eyes on the scene next to me, but most knew to keep their gaze down.

  “I’ll take a whisky on the rocks,” Jaxson said, sliding next to me as the man lay on the floor.

  “Aren’t you worried he might get up?” I asked, leaning against the bar.

  “Not particularly.”

  The bartender slid a whisky to Jaxson.

  “I’m Jax.” He stuck out his hand. “And you are?”

  “A woman determined to get in your way.” I smiled and shook his hand.

  “I gathered that.” His gaze fell to my lips. “Do you have a name?”

  “Elena.”

  “Well, Elena, you’ve got some nerve.” He took a sip of his drink.

  “I just don’t appreciate having my evening interrupted over some drunken bar brawl.” I shrugged. “That’s all.”

  “Elena, dear, do I look drunk to you?” The way he said dear made my toes curl in a way that hadn’t happened since high school.

  I’d turned my attention to a television over the bar, but I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye.

  “No, not particularly.”

  “Did you see a fight?” His voice lowered.

  “Can’t say that I did.” I shook my head. “In fact, by the looks of it I’d say you came in looking for trouble, and the guy never had a chance.”

  He smiled. “You know. . . I think you’re right.”

  Two men walked into the bar and saw the man on the floor. Rather than turn around and leave, they walked over to the body, picked it up, and walked the near-lifeless body out the front door.

  “I did come here looking for trouble, and that loser was nothing but trouble.”

  “How so?” I asked, letting my curiosity get the better of me.

  “Do you really want to know?”

  “Would it make me feel better about seeing a grown man get beaten up?”

  “Beats me.” He took another swallow, and this time my eyes fell to his full lips, and I ripped my gaze away quickly.

  “Okay. I’ll take the bait. What made you come here to kick his ass?”

  “He stole something from me.”

  “Who would be stupid enough to do that?”

  His eyes widened. “Exactly.”

  “So what did he steal?”

  “Does it matter?”

  “I never really thought about it. I suppose it doesn’t. Stealing isn’t a good thing.” Feeling all eyes on us, I glanced around the bar. I was right. Everyone was watching us, and I didn’t blame them. What was I doing talking to this lunatic?

  “Want another whisky?” the bartender asked.

  Jaxson looked at me and I shook my head. “Don’t look at me. I’m headed out as soon as I finish this.” I shook my bottle in the air.

  “I think I’m good. I’ve got a long night ahead.”

  My brows knitted together. “Wasn’t this enough?”

  “If only you knew.”

  “On second thought, I think I’d like to know what he stole.” I nodded. “If he stole a box of paperclips from the supply closet where you work, that’s one thing. If he stole a car. . .”

  “I wouldn’t do this over a box of paperclips.” Jaxson laughed. “But you had your chance.”

  “Had my chance?” I asked perplexed.

  “I asked if you it mattered what he stole. You said no.” He cocked his head and moved closer.

  “I didn’t know I only had one chance.” I shrugged.

  “Why didn’t you move?” He narrowed his blue eyes on me, and instead of being annoyed, my breath caught.

  “Why would I?” I cleared my throat.

  His brows shot up and he shook his head. “Exactly. Why would you?”

  “You seem like you’ve got a chip on your shoulder, and I don’t have time to deal with jaded people.” I took my last swallow of beer as I spun to get off the stool. His hand grazed my leg and an unexpected spark shot through me. A spark of what, I wasn’t sure, but I forced it away.

  “I didn’t know I was asking for your time.” He slid his empty glass away and dropped a hundred dollar bill on the bar.

  “You offered to buy me a drink.”

  “No, I didn’t.”

  I placed my hand on my hip. “Yeah, you did.”

  “No, I really didn’t.” Jaxson smirked.

  “I was here. I know exactly what went down. Just because you’re used to women fawning all over you and accepting drink offers, doesn’t mean it didn’t happen because one turned you down.”

  He stood up from the stool and cocked his head to the left.

  “I don’t offer women drinks. It’s not my style, kitten.” Jaxson’s eyes narrowed. “Jordan, the bartender, asked if I wanted another whisky, I glanced at you to see if you were staying or going. You said you were going, so I declined another drink.” He smiled. “But I certainly didn’t offer to buy you a drink.”

  Oh. My. God. He was right.

  My cheeks turned scarlet, but I wasn’t going to let a Volkov push me around, especially not this one. I straightened up and looked into his eyes.

  “I might have been wrong about the drink, but I’m certainly right when it comes to you having a chip on your shoulder.”

  His lip curled slightly. “Off one meeting?”

  “Not a hard one to put together.” My arm slid to my side. “Anyway, I’m headed back to my apartment where I can get the image of some poor, bleeding man out of my head while I take a nice, long bath.”

  I glanced around the bar and realized most eyes were still on us, and while it made me extremely uncomfortable, it didn’t seem to do a thing to Jaxson.

  “Elena.”

  My gaze flashed to his.

  “That man wasn’t a victim.” He slid his fingers along his cheek where a day’s worth of scruff shadowed his jawline. “Far from it.”

  “Good to know. It was a pleasure meeting you and your friends.” I spun around and closed my eyes for a brief second before making my way to the exit.

  “You didn’t ask my name,” Jaxson said, coming up behind me.

  I stopped right in front of the door and turned to look at him. “Why would I?”

  His lip curled slightly as his gaze fell to my mouth, and I recognized the devastating—if not downright alluring—charisma that tricked so many.

  “Why wouldn’t you?” His dark brows pulled together.

  “Because. . .” I sucked on my bottom lip for a split second, and I caught his gaze dipping once more. “How do I put this gently. . .? I don’t care to know men who are so violent.”

  His expression fell.

  I’d expected a lot of reactions. . . but not flat-out disappointment. I spun around and walked out the door to see a black SUV waiting at the curb in the clearly marked No Parking zone.

  The frigid cold bit at my skin, and I walked past the car on the way to my apartment, while trying to pay attention to my surroundings. This wasn’t the best area in the city and cabs rarely made an appearance. It didn’t help I had one of the most notorious members of V Mafia right behind me.

  I’d waited a long time to come face-to-face with Jaxson Volkov. I just never expected him to prove my theory so quickly.

  He was a bad man.

  “Elena,” Jax called, but I kept walking straight ahead. “Elena.”

  J
axson came up behind me and walked quickly by my side. “I’m sorry for being such a jerk.”

  I glanced at him but kept walking. “From what I can tell, you’re just you being you. No need to apologize.”

  “I don’t spend all my days making men—”

  “It’s none of my business,” I interrupted, walking away from the man I’d spent my grown life determined to find.

  The very same man who’d killed my cousin and never saw the inside of a prison for his crime. That’s the Jaxson Volkov I was walking away from, but he was the person I was determined to expose.

  Chapter One

  Mia

  “Come on, Mia. You can do this,” Ginger Mesnet coaxed me. She shook her head full of blonde curls as she climbed up the steps with her black stilettos clacking.

  I looked up the long flight of marble stairs that threatened to carry me straight to hell. Granted, it was a hell I chose, but I didn’t expect things to feel so wrong once I arrived.

  On the surface, the idea sounded like a good one, possibly even fun. Enjoy a night of drinks, meet a few good-looking men, and help out my brother, Luke.

  Luke owned one of the largest private security firms in the country. Celebrities and politicians regularly tapped his company for services that law enforcement couldn’t provide. He also specialized in countersurveillance and risk management, which often meant being proactive when it came to the bad guys, which was what led me here tonight.

  My brother’s line of work often put him in complex situations with outcomes bordering on downright dangerous. Thankfully for him, he managed to run into the right woman who was about as twisted as he was, and they both loved the adventure of it. In fewer than two weeks, they’d be walking down the aisle, and because of that, I volunteered to keep an eye on someone for my brother so Luke could spend a blissful three weeks away from work.

  My preference? I tended to enjoy a paintbrush and a blank canvas rather than sneaking down an alley to spy on someone, but here I was in all my sparkly glamor.

  I think my willingness to help my brother out was because his relationship with Hannah had secretly given me hope that screwed-up people could find love. Plus, he’d caught me in a weak moment. I’d just broken up with another quasi-boyfriend before coming to New York. I seemed to specialize in men who were as walled off as me. Usually, it was a win-win.