Devil’s Game (The Devil’s Demons #2)

13. Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

Giana

“ L et’s check out this shop.” Sophia grasped my arm and tugged me around a group of girls before barreling toward a store.

It took me a moment to place it, but as soon as recognition lit within me, my feet became leaden. “Maybe we shouldn’t—” It was the same store Spade had taken me to after hours.

Here’s hoping that he actually did pay the tab.

My protest came too late, though. Sophia had already dragged me through the entrance and to the nearest rack of clothes.

I almost expected someone to jump out and yell “gotcha” while placing my hands behind my back and strapping cuffs on my wrists.

I snorted at the thought, because out of all the things I’d done, I was most scared of being caught for being in the mall after hours? Hell, it wasn’t even shoplifting, since Spade said he’d paid them for the clothes already.

Now, if she tried to drag me into that department store, that would be another story.

“Welcome,” a blonde woman chirped, the shock nearly sending me into cardiac arrest. “Let me know if there’s anything I can help you with.”

“Thanks,” I murmured, suppressing the urge to place my hand over my chest to ease my frantic heart.

The blonde woman beamed as she nearly skipped away, far too chipper for this early in the morning. Well, it wasn’t really early, but eleven in the morning came quickly when you didn’t get to sleep until dawn, like I had the past couple of days. I’d spent the last two days with Spade, not wanting to leave his side after he’d bared his soul to me.

I didn’t regret the lack of sleep for a second, though. Hearing Spade’s story had ripped my heart in two before mending it back together again, knowing that he’d found his place, despite everything he’d had to endure. I almost hadn’t wanted to leave his side even today, but he’d insisted.

“This is so you.” Sophia grinned, holding a bright pink crop top up to me.

“It really is.” I chuckled, taking the hanger from her. I didn’t have the heart to tell her I already had the same one, except with sequins, but like they always said, if you like it, just get it in another color.

Sophia’s smile widened, and she searched through the next rack, finding a few more items for both of us. “This store is definitely your style, at least your style now,” she probed, casting me a questioning look.

“It is.” The light mood seemed to dampen at the reminder of my time in New York, of the stores we used to shop in.

“I’m just glad I’m getting to know the real you.” She placed a hand on my shoulder, urging me to meet her gaze. Her expression was soft and sincere, and I knew that, despite our differences now, we’d always be friends. She just got me in a way that only my guys had before. She didn’t stray away from my truths, and she didn’t run in the other direction when I told her about my past and what I’d done.

“Me too.” I placed my hand on hers, hoping I could give her the same support she’s given me. “I’m sorry that I dragged into this, but I’m grateful that it’s brought us even closer.”

“You don’t have to apologize.” She grinned, shifting to link arms with me as we ventured farther into the store. “You know how stubborn I am. I probably would’ve gotten myself into this, even if your crazy ex wasn’t trying to come after me.”

There was a lightness to her tone, but her words still twisted my stomach.

Glancing around the small store, I took stock of all the customers and workers, needing to keep my guard up. After the other day, I felt even more confident in my abilities to protect us, but I could never be too cautious. My gun was strapped beneath my jacket, easily accessible, yet hidden from view. I also had a baton stuffed in my purse—sure, it wasn’t a bat, but it would have a similar effect without being as cumbersome.

There wasn’t anyone suspicious in the store, but I caught the eyes of a few men out in the concourse who quickly turned as soon as my attention shifted to them. I loosed an exasperated breath through my nose, drawing Sophia’s attention from the dress she was inspecting.

“What is it?” she asked, her gaze darting around the store.

“It’s nothing,” I assured her, keeping my attention focused outside as I cocked my brow, giving each of the four men a knowing look. “The guys sent some chaperones, after all.”

She chuckled and shook her head, her worries immediately quelled as she held the dress up in front of her and posed with it in the mirror. “You can’t really blame them.”

“No, I can’t.” I sighed.

Despite the admission, I still kept a stern expression as each of the men turned back to sneak a look, noticing my knowing expression still locked on them. I rolled my shoulders and relaxed slightly, grateful that there were a few extra sets of eyes.

I wasn’t that conceited to think I could take on an army of the Barones’ men if they rushed the store.

At least our bodyguards were staying back and not glued to my hip, like one of the guys would be. I loved them, I really did, but sometimes a girl just needed a break from the testosterone, and a little time with her girl.

“That guy . . .” Some of the easy lilt had ebbed from Sophia’s tone as she put the dress back and turned to me. We’d talked about the other day briefly, but she hadn’t really wanted to go into detail. “He was the trainer, right?”

“Ryan.” I chewed on my bottom lip, eyes darting around us to make sure no one was too close. I wanted to give him his name—that was the least I could do now.

She’d taken a few classes with me but never really gotten to know him.

Sophia nodded, idly looking through a rack of clothes, despite her attention being somewhere else entirely. “Hearing about the stories is one thing, but actually seeing him . . .”

My stomach dropped. This was too much for her, too close for her—

“He needs to be stopped.” Determination strengthened her tone as her eyes locked with mine. They were cold and unyielding, so different from the fear I thought they’d hold.

I should have known. She was so much stronger than she got credit for.

I nodded in agreement. I couldn’t have said it any better myself. And, hopefully, what Spade and I had done the other night brought us one step closer to taking them down. The Barones were a well-oiled machine, too large to be brought down in one fell swoop.

And, honestly, it was even more fun this way. To play with him, let him think he had the upper hand, just to watch his empire crumble before him.

“So, the other night—” Sophia broke through the silence, cutting off my daydreams of Tommaso’s demise. “You went out with Spade, right?”

She waggled her eyebrows, and I nearly choked on my next breath. “Yes.”

“Come on, give me details.” She spun to the next rack of clothes, shoving a few garments at me while I stumbled over my words.

What was I supposed to tell her, exactly?

“I don’t really think that’s appropriate here . . .” I trailed off, glancing at the other customers surrounding us.

She opened her mouth, about to argue, before realization lit her eyes. “Ohhh.”

“Yeah.” I chuckled, throwing a few garments her way this time as I tried to change the subject. “How did training go yesterday?”

“It was good.” She rolled her eyes, frowning at my choices before she tried her best to subtly put them back. “He’s a lot grumpier when you aren’t there.”

My cheeks heated, and I couldn’t help the grin that spread on my lips. “Oh?”

“Yeah, I thought he was tough before, but it was clear you just had him in a good mood, because last night, I probably had to do double the warm-up, and none of my punches were hard enough, apparently.”

I chuckled at that, already knowing Merrick was probably pissed that Spade had whisked me away.

“Is that so?” I had to remember to tease him about it later tonight. I knew he was particularly grumpy that Sophia had joined our sessions, especially since there was no way to break the palpable sexual tension with her around. But we both knew that her training was one of the most important things we had to do right now.

“What about you?” I asked, needing a diversion. “Did I sense a bit of a spark between you and Zane?”

“Zane?” She scoffed, her voice jumping an octave, betraying her lie. “As if. He’s the last person on this earth I’d ever be interested in.”

“Sure. he is,” I agreed, doing my best to keep a smile off my face, despite my lips twitching.

“I’m serious.” She huffed, yanking a dress from the rack and flinging it at me.

I caught it just before I choked on the soft fabric, giving it an appraising look before slipping it over my arm. Even if she was mad at me, she still had a good eye for clothes.

“He was such an asshole. He just barged into my apartment, and he wasn’t any more pleasant on the drive here.” She gave me a stern look, probably trying to convince both herself and me. “I could never be interested in someone like him.”

“That’s a valid point,” I agreed again, handing her a dress this time. I could tell that she wanted to slam it down on the rack out of principle, but she didn’t, instead subtly tucking it under a few other items she had strewn over her arm. “But sometimes attraction isn’t logical.”

She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Fine, did I want to run my fingers through his thick black hair, and maybe have him fling me over his large, muscular shoulder, caveman style? Sure. But I wouldn’t.” She crossed her arms over her chest as she pinned me with a glare.

She was trying so hard to look pissed off, but I couldn’t hold back my snort of laughter, since she’d shifted the clothes in her arm to the center of her chest, making her look like she was wearing a laundry basket of mismatched fabrics.

Sophia groaned, giving me a scathing look as she realized just how ridiculous she looked, but gradually, her frown twitched up into a smile, and we were both giggling. I clapped a hand over my mouth, attempting to muffle the sound, but it was no use as Sophia doubled over, dropping half of the clothes clutched in her grasp along with her.

We drew more than a few amused glances as we both laughed, the lighthearted turn helping to ease some of the anxiety that had barely let loose its buzzing grip in the last few weeks.

The chime of my phone ringing broke through our fit, sobering our mirth.

Merrick’s name flashed on the screen, and I accepted the call. “I heard you were giving Sophia a hard time during her training,” I teased, needling Merrick with a sing-song tone.

“Don’t tattle on me,” Sophia hissed, shoving my shoulder.

“I’d rather be giving you something else that’s hard,” he growled, the vibration of his voice sending shivers of desire straight through my body, making my toes curl in my sneakers. “Tell Sophia she just earned herself another hundred jumping jacks next session.”

I snickered but decided not to relay the information just yet. I’d never hear the end of it if I told her now.

“I’m assuming you’re calling, since your men let you know that I spotted them?” I grinned as I looked through the glass windows out to the concourse, still noticing the same four men attempting to look as inconspicuous as ever.

“I had no doubt you’d spot them sooner or later.” He chuckled, the throaty sound making me wish I could sprint out of the store and fly home. “I honestly thought it would’ve been sooner.”

He must be in a good mood.

“Careful,” I warned. Suspicion sparked at his playful tone. He was definitely up to something. “What has you in such a good mood?”

I resisted the urge to check the caller ID and make sure this really was Merrick.

“Sebastian called,” Merrick said, completely throwing me off. Before I could ask how that was supposed to be a good thing, he continued. “He called in his favor. I’m scheduled for a fight at the club—tonight.”

A grin slowly spread across my lips. Normal women wouldn’t be excited by the prospect of the man that they loved fighting, but I’d known for a while that I wasn’t normal.

“I know how much you love watching my fights, little devil.” He growled the pet name, the sound causing heat to creep down my neck, my skin suddenly flushing as I pictured the last time I’d seen Merrick in the ring.

“You know me so well, babe,” I purred, loving his groan that echoed through the phone.

“I would tell you to get your ass home, but it might be more fun to watch you squirm until after the fight.”

“Really?” I gasped and took a few steps away from Sophia.

“Oh, yeah.” His voice darkened, lust lacing his words. “In fact, I think I’ll head over to the gym to warm up.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“I’m heading out right now.” His keys jingled in the background, followed by his booming footsteps and the squeak of door hinges. “I’ll see you tonight, little devil. Don’t forget to wear something for me. The store already has my card on file.”

I frowned at the men outside. Were they seriously reporting back my every movement to him?

“Merrick. I can pay for it myself.”

“Giana. I’ve already called them and told them to put it on my account.”

I knew this would go on forever. I was stubborn, but Merrick was in a category all of his own.

The guys had already set me up with my own bank account—one that was mine and mine alone. They wouldn’t be able to access it for any reason, and I knew they wouldn’t. I trusted them completely, but I would be lying if I didn’t say it had put my mind at ease. The constant anxiety and fear that loomed over me while I’d been with Tommaso was gone now.

They had already transferred money into it—way too much money, if I was being honest. At this rate, it might make more financial sense for Merrick to keep his accountant, but I knew he’d do this either way, and I wanted to help them. Wanted to use my expertise to contribute, to feel like I hadn’t wasted the last six years in New York, that I had actually learned something during my time at school and in the corporate world.

“Fine.” I sighed.

“Don’t pout.”

Was he watching me?

I glanced around the store, my eyes narrowing as they locked on a security camera conveniently facing me.

That asshole.

Oh, I would get my payback tonight.

“Are you seriously watching me?”

“Maybe,” he admitted noncommittally. “I couldn’t resist. You just came back to us. You’re like a drug, Giana. I can only go a few hours without seeing your gorgeous face.”

I sighed . . . okay, more like swooned. These men—what the hell were they doing to me?

A goofy grin spread on my lips, and I blew a kiss at the camera, dropping my shoulder slightly so that the strap of my tank top slipped down, revealing a hint of the curve of my breast.

“Troublemaker,” he growled, sending a wave of heat through my veins. “No one else gets to see you like that.”

“I’ll see you tonight,” I teased, slowly fixing my strap, knowing he was intently watching every move I made. “And make sure you win, otherwise this will be as much as you get to see tonight.”

I quickly hung up before he could say another word and blew one last kiss at the camera before walking back over to Sophia. I even made sure to put an extra sway in my step, just to tease him even further.

Two could play that game.

“It looks like you’re getting your wish sooner than expected.” I grinned, plucking a tight red dress from a rack and adding it to my pile.

“I told you not to bring up the training.” She groaned, rolling her head back dramatically. “Okay, rip off the Band-Aid. How many extra jumping jacks am I going to have to suffer through because of you?”

“A hundred, but that’s not what I was talking about.”

“A hundred?” she sputtered, wobbling on her feet slightly, as though the number was about to knock her back onto her ass. “What?”

My lips twitched as I barely held back my laughter. “Focus, Soph.”

“I am focused. Focused on all the extra exercise your big mouth earned me.” She glared daggers at me. Her forehead scrunched up with the look, coaxing a snort of laughter out before I could stop myself.

“As I was trying to say,” I said, quickly regaining some of my composure. “Your wish is about to come true.

“What wish?” She huffed, about to cross her arms in front of her chest before she thought better of it, apparently remembering what happened the last time she tried that.

“Sebastian scheduled the fight for tonight, so it looks like you’re going to see your hulking caveman sooner than you thought.”

Her mouth popped open, shock freezing her in place for a moment before her cheeks reddened almost as dark as her hair. “If you say anything—”

“We need to find you a dress for tonight.” I grinned, turning on my heel to start the search and hopefully get close enough to some other customers before she exploded.

Oh, tonight was going to be fun.