Steal the Day (Thieves #2)(79)

Marcus and I were going to have to have a long talk.

Kim shook off her serious face and smiled a little. “It’s my turn for questions. Please tell me if I’m being far too personal. Henri says I have no discretion, but then I don’t remember Victorian England. The rumor is Daniel brought a lover. Is that true? He seemed so into you last night.”

I smiled slowly because this was the part of our ruse I was going to have the most fun with. “His name is Devinshea Quinn. He owns Descent, the club we were in last night. He also owns a club where we all live. He’s half Fae.”

Kim looked flummoxed. “I just wouldn’t have guessed. My gaydar was perfectly silent around Daniel. God, that just kills a whole bunch of my fantasies.”

I laughed long and hard. “Let me give you new fantasies, Kim. Daniel isn’t gay. Daniel likes to watch.”

Kim’s mouth just about hit the table. “He shares you?”

I shrugged, and then grinned because, speak of the devil, Dev walked into the dining room. He was dressed to kill in a designer suit that I was sure had never seen a rack. It was custom fit to his body and showed off his lean grace to its best advantage. He was even wearing a tie. I’d never seen Dev in a tie. He always was the picture of decadence, but now he was professional and it looked good on him. Even his hair was under ruthless control. It should have lessened his sex appeal, but it just made me anxious to mess up that perfection. I watched as Kim’s eyes widened when she caught sight of him.

“Wow,” she sighed. “That’s just wrong. I think I’ve just seen god’s actual gift to women.”

“He thinks so,” I replied as he spoke briefly to Neil and then zeroed in on me. “Kim, you’re about to meet Dev.”

“Daniel shares you with him?” Kim’s voice probably got louder than she had intended, and I watched Dev’s lips quirk briefly.

“Mrs. Donovan.” Dev acknowledged me formally with a slight bow. “Mrs. Jacobs. I can see Mrs. Donovan has already informed you of who I am. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“And you, Mr. Quinn.” Kim managed to breathe, but only barely.

Dev glanced around the room, his voice going low. “Mr. Donovan was actually hoping to speak to your husband. He will look for him at tomorrow night’s ball. Please let Henri know Daniel would appreciate a few moments of his time.”

Kim went a little pale. “Did Henri do something wrong?”

Dev gave her a smooth smile. “Not at all. Daniel has some business he would like to discuss, and he would greatly appreciate Henri’s input. Your husband is renowned for his business sense. I believe Daniel is going to suggest that the two of you might enjoy visiting us in Dallas in the near future. We were thinking of having a few friends out. I believe you will find that Hugo Wells and Brendan Ford have already accepted invitations.”

Kim stilled. Those names meant something to her. “Yes, I think that would be something we are very interested in, Mr. Quinn. It seems Mr. Donovan has more layers than any of us thought.”

“Excellent. I look forward to speaking with you further. Now, I am afraid Mrs. Donovan is needed. Daniel is awake and craves his wife’s attention. I’ve settled the bill, but if you need anything else, Mrs. Jacobs, please feel free. The ma?tre d’ will charge it to our account.” Dev held out his hand and helped me from my seat.

I said good-bye to my new friend and waved at Neil, who told me he was off to enjoy the strip now that his babysitting shift was over. Dev picked up a package at the bar and then hustled me out.

“Why did she know those names?” I asked when we were safely in the private elevator.

Dev pulled a bottle of Scotch out of the package and inspected it as the elevator shot up. “Brendan and Hugo were part of an earlier group that had discussed the possibility of overthrowing the Council. Nothing could be proven, and after Daniel ascended to his current post, the group quickly disbanded. It isn’t surprising they never got past the talking stage since they didn’t have a strong leader.”

Dev pushed the button for the elevator, and we began to rise toward the penthouse. I couldn’t help but think about how lonely I’d been the last couple of days. “I suppose you and Daniel are going out this evening after we’re done. I guess I’ll watch TV or something.”

“Zoey, I hate this, too.” Dev stared out the glass, looking down.

Dev had slept in one of the smaller bedrooms the night before, completely surprising me.

“I just thought we could be normal when we’re alone.” I’d been left to sleep with Neil, who I loved, but didn’t bring me the comfort Dev did. Both my loves were behind closed doors, unavailable to me.

Dev stood across from me in the elevator, the distance between us clear. “We’re never alone here, Zoey. If I get into that bed with you, how long will it be before my hands are on you? How long until you moan and wail because you are anything but quiet, lover. Do you want Daniel to lie in his bed knowing what we do? Do you want to hurt him in this fashion? If you do, we might as well just f*ck on the couch where he can see us.”

“That’s not fair, Dev.” I didn’t like the guilt the image brought up. I also didn’t like his sudden prudishness. “You haven’t cared about Daniel’s feelings up to this point.”

“It’s not about Daniel,” Dev admitted, and he looked so tired. “I didn’t love you before, Zoey. It was fun, and there is this big part of me that liked the fact I was sending the entire vampire world a big old f*ck you. It’s serious now. Our relationship, it deserves respect. I would want Daniel to do the same for me. If this thing is going to work, Daniel and I can’t be at each other’s throats twenty-four seven.”