12. Devon
Chapter twelve
Devon
“ I … I… I…”
She’s fucking lost for words, those big blue pools wide with fear, her gaze dancing between my gun, which is digging into Bruno’s temple right now, and back to me.
“What did you want to do under the tree with Bruno, little mouse?”
“Nothing… I…”
“You what?” I snap, and she flinches, her shoulders rolling forward as fear grips her.
The only response she musters is a shake of her head as her eyes turn glassy.
“Did you want to drop to your knees for him?”
“Sir, I—”
At Bruno’s attempt to defend himself, I shove the barrel harder against his temple, keeping my gaze on Jaxcen.
“No,” she whispers, her lower lip trembling, and fuck, I don’t want to make her cry, but I need to remind her that she can’t leave. She needs to stay here.
“So why the fuck did I get an alert on my phone from the motion activated camera, even after I’ve told you time and time again not to run, and what will happen to people you involve, only to find you strolling up to my men, and fucking flirting with them?”
She remains quiet.
“Trying to escape again?” I ask and she nods this time.
“Yes.”
“You obviously don’t care what happens to others do you?” My words have her scared eyes turning into angry slits. “So again, I’ll ask, what did I say happens to people you involve?”
“They die,” she snaps in a loud whisper.
“Exactly. You give them a death sentence. Now I have to kill one of my best men.” I deadpan and her lips part in protest as Bruno stutters.
“B-but Dev—”
“Stop!” I bellow, causing Jaxcen to squeak and Aaron to curse behind me as I glare at his fellow guard, shaking under the press of my gun.
Leaning in, I whisper in Bruno’s ear, so Jaxcen can’t hear. “Go along with this and I won’t beat the shit outta you for ogling what’s mine and considering her fucking offer.”
Bruno nods quickly, probably wondering what the fuck I mean by go along with me, but I don’t have time to explain it right fucking now. I’m too busy needing to make sure Jaxcen understands the consequences of her fucking actions.
“P-please don’t.” She starts to sob. “I didn’t mean to get anyone in trouble.”
“Yet you did. And now, because you were selfish, he’s going to die.” I shift my stance, like I’m preparing to shoot, and she drops to her bare knees on the hot gravel road.
“Please Mr Marx. I beg you not to harm him. I am at fault. Punish me, not him.”
My cock is instantly hard, the mere sight of her down on her knees looking up at me with tears streaming down that angelic face has sent all the blood from my brain to my fucking cock.
“Please. I’ll do anything you ask. Just please don’t kill him.”
With her hands held together in front of her like she is praying, I almost wish there was no one else here but the two of us so I can show her what I’m holding out for tonight.
“Anything?” I ask, and she nods, completely devoted to her response.
Pulling my gun away from Bruno’s head, he sighs in relief, so I punch the fucker, watching him stumble back as a squeak falls from Jaxcen’s lips.
“That’s for all the fucking things that went through your head about my girl!” I snap, letting him see my rage as he scrambles backwards on the ground to put more distance between us, before I then turn my sights to Aaron and point. “You should have fucking stopped it. I’ll deal with you later.”
He doesn’t argue, just nods, accepting his fate, so I turn back to Jaxcen, still kneeling on the ground, her eyes trained on my gun at my side.
Stepping closer, I angle it back and forth, letting her get a good look. “You like my gun, little mouse?” I hold it in front of her eyes, watching her fear filled gaze dart from the heavy metal in my grip to my hard stare. “Do you want to take it from me and shoot me?”
“Yes.” Her confession is quick, and I smirk.
“Unfortunately for you, today’s not that day.” I chuckle, reaching forward to press the barrel to her damp cheek, and she flinches.
There’s just something about the way she’s looking up at me. The way those big blue eyes shoot hateful daggers at me, like she is imagining my death.
Slowly, I glide the metal over her searing cheek, to her mouth, which parts before I graze the tip over her plump lips.
“Open,” I demand, and the trembles rippling through her body increase as she shakes her head just a fraction, her terror gripping her.
I consider pushing the issue, but I’m pretty fucking sure she’s received the message loud and fucking clear, so with a smirk, I re-holster my gun.
“Stand up.” I gesture with two fingers and she obeys quickly, still keeping her eyes locked with mine.
That’s it little mouse, don’t let the predator out of your sight.
“Let’s put these back on,” I say, reaching into my pocket and bringing out the mauve lacy panties I stole from her earlier.
The guards curse behind me, but I ignore them, my sight trained onto the flush engulfing Jaxcen’s cheeks at the sight of her panties dangling off my finger.
Slowly, I lower to kneel on one knee, and tap the inside of her ankle.
“Step in.”
Now it’s me who’s looking up at her, on my knees, yet I don’t feel any less powerful.
She knows who’s boss here, so she obeys, lifting her sandaled foot so I can slip the fabric on each leg before sliding it up and under her dress, before I give her arse a little tap.
“Atta girl.”
It’s hard to know what she’s thinking right now. Her gaze remains on me, yet there’s no glare, and I’m not even sure there is fear right at this moment.
If only I could see what’s going on inside her head.
I brush off the dirt and small pebbles that sunk into her knees from kneeling on the gravel road, before brushing off my pants and standing.
“I’ll see you both in my office in the morning.” I turn and glare at my guards, who nod quickly in agreement before I turn back to Jaxcen and sweep her up in my arms.
A squeal flies from her lips, sounding more like a squeak befitting my little mouse, and her dainty hand fists the front of my tee as I cradle her to my chest and start walking back up the fucking mountain.
“What are you doing?” she whispers, like she’s not sure if she’s allowed to speak.
“What does it look like?”
“I can walk,” she protests, but I simply shrug.
“And I can carry you. Besides, it'll take you forever to walk back up this mountain, and I don’t have time to wait for you.”
Even though I’m focused on where I’m walking, I can feel the sear of her glare.
“Perhaps I’m trying to be a gentleman.”
She scoffs. “There’s nothing gentlemanly about you. ”
“Hmmm, was I not a gentleman when I made you soak through your panties last night?” I smirk as I glance down at her, and she quickly looks away. “Or how about this morning on my desk? A gentleman eats everything on his plate. I think I succeeded. Don’t you?”
“You’re so crude.”
“Don’t pretend you don’t like it, Miss Summers. I was simply trying to kiss you under the mistletoe. You were the one that took my sweet kiss and started fucking it with abandon.”
“I hate you,” she whispers, and I grin at her flat tone, knowing she can’t even deny the way she ground against my face this morning.
It was fucking hot.
As I walk, Jaxcen rests her head in the crook of my neck, and a part of me is waiting for her to attack. To bite, and dig her teeth into the column of my neck so she can make her escape. But by the time I make it back to the top, and head towards the Palace, I know she’s not going to try anything.
I feel the gazes of the locals on me as I carry Jaxcen, but ignore them, carrying her into the bar where I order a couple of drinks on my way out to the beer garden.
Straightening in my arms, Jaxcen’s interest piques, so I ease her feet to the paved ground as I lead her closer to Taylor and Alice, their angelic voices wrapping around us as they sing into the microphones while Natasha plays the guitar behind them.
“What’s this?” Jaxcen asks absentmindedly.
“The beer garden. From November until mid-April, the locals turn up to sing, or watch and enjoy the atmosphere.” I lead Jaxcen to one of the lounges with a small table and a shade umbrella overhead, urging her to sit, before I slip down next to her.
She doesn’t even flinch at the way I put my arm over her shoulders and pull her to my side, her gaze taking in her surroundings, shock playing at her expression.
“What’s wrong, little mouse? You didn’t think people would have fun in my town? ”
She glances at me then, her brows tugging in. “Well… no actually. I thought perhaps you might shoot locals in the head if they enjoy themselves.”
I chuckle at her feisty tone.
“Only if they are having too much fun.” I tease, and she rolls her eyes, returning her gaze to the women singing.
“Why are there so many women here?” She turns her frown back on me.
I’ve been waiting for this question. Either she’s only just noticed how the female gender overpopulates the men in this town, or she’s been too scared to ask until now.
“I keep having to kill my men for touching what’s mine, so there are now less males.” I lie, and her gaze hardens, a single brow hitching high. I grin. “What’s wrong, little mouse? You don’t like my laws?”
She scoffs. “They are barbaric. What you’re doing is illegal.”
I shrug. She’s not wrong. Most of what I do is illegal.
“I don’t know how you sleep at night,” she snaps, and this time it’s me who lifts a single brow.
“If I’m such a monster, how can you stand to sit so close to me?”
“Like I have a choice.”
Her words grate on my fucking nerves, and I know she’s not wrong, but it doesn’t make it any easier to hear.
Better she think I’m a monster than know the truth and think she can deal with things on her own.
Ronnie arrives then with our drinks, placing them on the small table with a bowl of nuts and pretzels. “Finn wanted me to let you know that there’s been a new development,” Ronnie states, gesturing his head over his shoulder where I notice Finn hovering near the door.
I guess news about my run in with Bruno at the front gate has made its way around now and my best mate doesn’t want to be next.
Sometimes he forgets he has the ability to sit me on my arse in the blink of an eye if he really wanted to. We may be a similar height and build, but his skills out throw mine by a long shot given his military special ops training.
I got my skills from a brutal father that liked to use me and my family as a punching bag, and from serving my Uncle Ewan, making sure the crims of Melbourne know which family rules over them.
“Tell him to come over,” I advise Ronnie, and turn back to see Jaxcen watching Finn as he approaches.
She likes him. It’s not just in the way her face softens, but by the way I feel her tense frame relax as Finn pulls up a seat and nods a hello to her.
“What’s happened?” I snap, and Finn gives me his attention.
“The cameras we planted picked up a visitor.” He glances at Jaxcen again, so I keep my words vague, realising he’s talking about the cameras we planted in her apartment.
“Friend or foe?”
“Definitely foe. He planted his own cameras, but he didn’t find any of ours.”
I nod, considering my words, so as to not alert Jaxcen.
“Did we get an ID?”
Finn shakes his head. “Nope. He wore a ski mask. Wore all black. Came in armed and ready to kill, but when he found no one there, he installed the cameras.”
This Mr V fucker isn’t messing around, and he certainly wasn’t bluffing. He said he’d come after Jaxcen, and he’s now tried, planting cameras when he didn’t find her there.
Fuck.
“So we still have nothing?” I snap, and Jaxcen stiffens next to me at my savage tone.
“Not nothing. We were able to follow his path from CCTV. We got a partial number plate, so Dom is working on that. He’s also finished with the laptop.”
I shoot a sideways glance at Jaxcen, and see her watching the women singing in my peripheral.
She really has no idea we are talking about her apartment and her laptop .
“Also, this is ready.” He hands me a black pouch, and I take it, removing my arm from around Jaxcen to peer inside.
It’s her phone.
Nodding, I glance back at Finn, handing it back. “Put it in the safe in my office. I’ll look at it after.”
He nods back, accepting the pouch and standing. “We have another meeting at seven to discuss the other intel.” Finn reminds me of the fact they forced Father Peters to give up everything he knows about Jaxcen and her fiancé, Eddie.
All in the name of keeping her safe of course.
“Enjoy your afternoon.” Finn nods to Jaxcen who smiles back, and fuck, I want her to smile at me like that.
Leaving us alone, I return to holding Jaxcen close, and eventually she relaxes again, leaning forward every now and then to have a sip of the lemonade I ordered her, or to scoop up a small handful of pretzels.
For a little while, I relax too. Coming out here and listening to the talent in this town is often a way I like to unwind. Usually Finn sits with me and we have a couple of beers, but it’s nice spending it with my guest, even if she’s probably quietly plotting my death as she watches on.
My peace doesn’t last long though, as Allegra sweeps into the beer garden with her best friend Eden, and their sights immediately zero in on me, and my guest.
Fucking hell.
I shift uncomfortably as they come our way, Jaxcen not noticing them until they are upon us, blocking our view of the singers, their smiles huge.
“What do you two want?” I snap, and Allegra rolls her eyes before her expression morphs into puppy dog eyes and a fucking pout.
“We wanted to see who was taking all your attention.” Allegra’s fucking acting skills are sensational. Really they are. I should give her an award for best bullshitter.
“This is Jaxcen,” I mutter, and the two girls beam as they turn their sights to my little mouse, who is now sitting ramrod straight .
“Hi Jaxcen,” Allegra says as she pulls up a seat near Jaxcen, while Eden takes the one Finn was in before, closer to me.
“Uh. Hi,” Jaxcen mumbles, her gaze dancing between the two teenagers.
Fucking teenagers. These two especially will be the death of me.
“I’m Allegra, and this is Eden.”
Eden waves, and Jaxcen offers them a warm but somewhat awkward smile.
“We haven’t had anyone new for a while.” Allegra continues, and ignores the fucking death glare I shoot her way. “It’s always exciting when we get a new lady in town.”
Jaxcen’s gaze darts angrily to me, and I frown, because what the fuck did I do?
“How often do you get new ladies in town?” Jaxcen snaps, and Eden answers.
“Usually at least one a month, but it’s been a while.” Eden turns her green eyes to me. “I know it’s never good circumstances, but what are the chances you’ll bring another teenager home with you soon?”
I roll my eyes, and Jaxcen gasps.
Fucking hell, these goddamn teenagers know how to boil my blood.
“Just remember what they have to go through to come here, Eden,” I snap.
“Nevertheless, we’re happy Jaxcen is here.” Allegra smiles while Jaxcen shoots me the most venomous dagger she can muster.
What the fuck is up with her?
“So when am I gonna get some Devon time?” Allegra asks, pouting again. “It’s hard sharing you with everyone.”
“What are you talking about?” Eden scoffs. “You had Devon time last week. I haven’t had any Devon time for at least three weeks.”
I’m about to tell the teenage brats to stop fucking around, when Jaxcen stands abruptly .
“I can't believe the way you two are behaving. This isn't okay.” She snarls at the girls before turning to me. “This isn’t okay, Devon. You are a disgusting pig!” She all but fucking yells, gaining everyone’s fucking attention before storming off, leaving Allegra and Eden snickering with laughter.
“You two fucking proud?”
“What?” Allegra asks like she’s done nothing wrong. “It’s just a bit of hazing. We do it to all the new girls.”
“For the fucking record, Miss Summers is not a new girl. She is simply a fucking guest for Christmas.”
Their faces fall. “Oh, we thought—”
“I know what you fucking thought, Allegra. And how the fuck did you get inside my locked office while I was gone?”
A sinister smirk pulls her lips wide. “You found the mistletoe. Have you had to kiss anyone yet?”
I could tell her the truth about who and what I kissed under the mistletoe, that’d really fuck with her, but I’m not that fucking crude, despite what Jaxcen thinks.
Allegra is a child and doesn’t need to be fucking exposed to that shit. Especially not after what she’s been through.
“Uh, Dev?” Ronnie comes rushing out. “You might want to come in here.”
Shooting the girls one last glare, I stand and head inside, to find Jaxcen standing behind the bar, holding a knife out in front of her.
“What the fuck is this?” I snap, watching as she stabs it out in front of her, ready to strike anyone that comes near.
“She just walked behind the bar and grabbed the knife I use to slice the limes.” Ronnie explains, “Then she said she’d stab me if I didn’t get her a phone.”
My brow hitches and I fight to hide my smirk.
She’s fucking resourceful, I’ll give her that.
“Everyone out!” I call, and the old fellas that rock up before lunch every day slide off their stools, unfazed by our knife wielding guest, and go out into the beer garden, while the old couple, the Burlingtons, remain in place at the end of the bar, not caring if they live or die .
Ronnie moves to their sides and tries to urge them to leave, but they just look at him like he’s grown two heads, and return their gazes to their glasses of beer.
“Give me a phone, Devon!” Jaxcen snaps, her eyes wild as they dart around the space.
“Ronnie. You leave too,” I sigh.
“But…” he gestures over his shoulder at the old couple, and I just shrug.
“It's their prerogative. Man the beer garden door and make sure no one comes in.”
Nodding, Ronnie dashes out quickly, leaving me alone in the bar with a crazy-eyed Miss Summers and an old couple that wished they didn’t exist.
“Put the knife down before you hurt yourself,” I scold and she scoffs.
“Come over here and let’s see who will get hurt.”
Sighing, I drop my head back and stare at the fucking ceiling.
I shouldn’t have brought her here. I should have palmed her off to my cousins and let them deal with her.
Even as I think it, I know there’s no way I would have allowed that. From the moment she walked into the church, she drew my fucking attention. Now, she’s stuck with me.
“What’s really happening here?” I ask, bringing my gaze back down to see her eyeing the old couple. “Why were we enjoying music one moment, and the next, you’re storming off and calling me a pig?”
“You are a pig. I can’t believe what you’re doing here. It’s vile, Devon. They are teenage girls.”
My brows shoot up and for some fucking reason, her words have sparked the Burlingtons to life.
“They were teenage girls,” Edith hisses. “So innocent and sweet, and those monsters took that away.”
Fuck. This isn’t good.
Jaxcen’s mouth drops open, her gaze darting from the old couple to me.
“See, they agree. ”
“You don’t know what they are talking about, little mouse. Now put down the knife and come here.”
“They needed a knife,” Gordon Burlington growls. “They could have gutted them all. Cut their gizzards from their bellies.”
Jaxcen’s expression morphs into confusion, so I approach Gordon, who’s slowly rising from his bar stool.
“Hey, Gordon. We got them. Remember?” I gesture for him to sit again, and he does, while his wife Edith nods.
“I remember.” Her normally almost gone gaze meets mine, and for the first time in a long time, I see the flame still burning. “But it wasn’t enough.”
I don’t get emotional often, but this is a hard one and I have to stare at the fucking floor for a moment to let the wave of emotions pass.
“No, Edith. It wasn’t enough.” I glance back up so she can see the sincerity in my eyes. “I’m sorry.”
A tear pops from her eye then, and a dainty hand reaches into my peripheral, as Jaxcen hands Edith a napkin.
As Edith dabs at her wet cheeks, and her husband begins to break down, Jaxcen’s tear filled gaze locks with mine.
“What are you doing to these people?”
It’s a whisper, but I hear it, and I can’t blame her for jumping to the wrong conclusion. I did kidnap her after all. Hell, she probably thinks I kidnapped everyone that lives here.
It’s then that I know my epiphany is true.
Fuck.
That’s exactly what she thinks.
“Give me the knife, please,” I ask politely, and she screws her nose up at me.
“Go to hell.”
Frustrated, tired, and fucking horny from this temptress always testing me, I pinch the bridge of my nose, willing myself to have more patience.
When I glance up, I know I can spend all fucking day wishing for patience, but it’ll never happen.
“You keep forgetting, little mouse. This is hell, and you’re in it with me.”
My words make her gasp in disbelief, distracting her, so she doesn’t see me coming until I’m halfway over the bar top, with my sights set on her.
She tries to turn. To flee.
She’s not quick enough, and the moment I fist my hand in her hair, she screams.