Luck of the Devil (The Forge Trilogy #2)(41)

“De Vere is behind this. I don’t know what the fuck his angle is right now, but he’s changed tactics.”

“He was in Mallorca last night,” Indy says as Dorsey starts the car, and I wonder why it took her so long to tell me.

“I know. Bates reported in. Belevich was there as well.”

She presses back into the seat and sharpens her gaze on me. “I should’ve figured you already knew. Did they tell you he only approached me once and then backed off?”

I incline my head. “But he watched you all night. They weren’t able to identify who he was calling, though.”

“Do you think it’s possible he set this all up?” she asks as Dorsey drives us to the quay.

“It’s possible. De Vere isn’t stupid, and if he wanted to cause trouble, this was a good enough plan. Even if it was sloppily executed.”

“Did Batman tell you about what Belevich said? That he knew about my sister’s kidnapping?”

“Batman?” I ask as Dorsey slows the car at the quay where Goliath waits by the boat.

“Sorry, Bates. Batman is easier to remember, though. He’s got that Bruce Wayne aura about him in a suit.”

I raise an eyebrow as a blush rises on her cheeks. “Is that right?”

“Anyway, that’s not the point. Did he tell you what Belevich said?”

“No, but you should’ve.”

She glances down. “Sorry, I was a bit distracted. I don’t know what the hell I was thinking.”

Indy quickly runs down everything the Russian told her, and I agree with her—we have to find out where he’s getting his information. I have one guess, and I don’t want to voice it right now. The last topic I want to discuss is Indy’s father. Tomorrow morning, though . . . the man will be hearing from me.

Dorsey opens Indy’s door and she climbs out. I push open my own and step out of the car.

“Hey there, high roller. You looking for more company tonight?”

Two women wearing short dresses and sky-high heels stroll toward me.

Indy’s breath catches, and I’m sure she’s thinking of the two girls who ran from the apartment.

“Sorry, ladies. We’re not interested.”

The bolder one of the pair struts forward until her hand brushes my arm. “But you look like you’d be a real fun time.”

“We’re good,” Indy says. “Thanks, though.”

“You sure?” the girl asks her. “He looks like a lot of man to handle. We can help.”

“I’m perfectly capable of handling my husband.” Indy emphasizes the word as she wraps herself around me, twining her fingers into mine. It’s impossible to miss the jealousy in her tone, and I can’t deny the satisfaction it gives me.

I squeeze her hand. “I’ve got all the woman I need right here, ladies. Better luck elsewhere.”

They pout but back off. Indy doesn’t release me, though. She keeps a tight grip on me as we reach Goliath and the boat.

“I don’t share,” she says under her breath. “And that includes with women you have to pay for.”

I stare down at her face, still gorgeous, even if her lips are pressed into a hard line. “We’ve covered this ground before, and I was being completely honest. You’re everything I need.”





42





India





Brick by brick, the wall around my heart is crumbling. I can’t build it back up quickly enough to protect myself from the jealousy that ripped through me at the thought of Jericho taking up either or both of those women on their offer.

This isn’t something I’ve ever felt before, as irrational as it was. Well, except when it came to Juliette . . .

But the green-eyed monster that clawed its way out of my gut this time was even stronger. Because I’m feeling things I shouldn’t feel.

I shouldn’t care what or who Forge does. But I do care, desperately. And the way he rushed to Alanna’s rescue and handled everything . . . If I were capable of swooning in such a situation, I would have.

Which puts me in a very precarious position, watching the walls I’ve tended so faithfully turn to dust. Once they’re gone, there’s nothing to protect me from tumbling headfirst in love with this man, which would absolutely be the most idiotic thing I could do, because I already told him I want a divorce.

The salt spray off the ocean should help clear my head as we make our way back to Isla del Cielo, but it doesn’t do the trick. When we dock and Forge helps me out of the boat, I’m still a complete mess. I don’t know whether I want to pull away or hold on tighter. My instincts are going haywire, and I don’t know what the right answer is anymore.

Who would have thought this would be my problem?

I pull my hand free of his as we walk toward the villa, even though I don’t want to. I have to. I need to put some space between us after this whirlwind of a night so I can sort out how I’m feeling and find some solid ground. My emotions are running too high right now, and I’m not sure I want to face them.

“I’m going to shower and get ready for bed. I’m beat.” I toss the words over my shoulder and attempt to make my escape, but Forge snags my hand again.

“What’s wrong?” The lines around his eyes deepen as he studies me.