Cards of Love: The Devil (Devil's Playground #1)(12)

“What?” She sits up. “Why? Everything was perfect.”

“No, everything was not perfect.” I pick her clothes up off the floor and hand them to her. “You deserve more than this.”

“But I love you, Cain.” The space between us tightens as we lock gazes. “I love everything about you.” Her lower lip trembles. “Even when you hurt me, I still love you.”

There's a part of me that knows I'll regret what I'm about to say the moment the words are out of my mouth, but it's the only way. This can't keep happening. We're spiraling out of control and if I don't stop it...lives will be ruined.

Just like last time.

“No, you don’t. You only think you do because you never leave the house and you don’t know any better. You’re a sweet, beautiful girl. But this thing…this sick shit brewing between us is over for good.”

Hot tears fall down her face. “But you love me too.” The tears fall faster, and I honestly hate myself for making her hurt like this. “I know you love me.”

“I do love you, Eden.” Then before hope can rear its ugly head, I add, “But not in that way. I love you like a f—”

“Don’t,” she chokes out, shooting me a look that would turn a weaker man to stone. “Just get out.”

“Eden—”

She grabs a vase off her nightstand and I watch as it shatters against the wall. “Get the fuck out, Cain.”

I walk to the door, my heart in my throat. “I’m sorry.”

“No, you’re not.” She buries her face in her hands. “You never are.”





Chapter 5





Eden





I clutch my chest as pain slashes through me. It’s so severe I lose my breath. So brutalizing…I swear I can actually feel my heart breaking into a million tiny pieces.

Like I’m dying slowly with every beat of the shattered organ.

And yet, if God were to offer me one final wish before my soul departs the earth—I know exactly what I’d wish for.

The same thing I’ve wished for every night for the past four years.

I’d wish for Cain Carter to love me the way I love him.

But I know now that will never happen…and it’s not because he doesn’t love me. It’s because he doesn’t love me in that way.

He doesn’t want to love me the way I love him.

Because he equates loving me with something sick and wrong.

An evil sin.

And deep down I know I should let him go and try to find a way to move on, but I can’t.

Because the fucked-up thing about love is—just because the person you love doesn’t love you back…it doesn’t stop you from loving them.

It only makes you love them even more, makes you hold on a little tighter…because your love is the only thing that still tethers you to him.

And if the thread were to snap. If the foundation you built were to ever crumble. You’re left with nothing.

Sometimes the only difference between love and obsession is a broken heart.





Chapter 6





Damien





Flecks of gold, blue, green, and white dash back and forth in front of my eyes. There’s little more tranquil in this world than sitting in the dark watching fish swim under neon lights.

It’s a pity the click-clack of heels across the marble floor of my office disrupts my meditation.

“Good thing I don’t care about my job as a reporter, because the interview went exactly like you said it would.” The young woman—Jodie—huffs out a breath from behind me. “I was halfway here when I got the phone call I was fired.”

My lips twitch. I knew Cain had a soft spot for his stepdaughter. Can’t say I blame him. She is…special.

“You’ll be well compensated for your trouble.” Standing, I sprinkle some food in the tank. They haven’t been fed in two days, so they’ll be pleased.

“Find out anything interesting about Eden?”

“You mean other than her being a typical high society bitch whose shoes cost more than my rent?”

“Jealousy is such an unattractive trait.”

“So is ignoring someone you want information from. Are you going to turn around and look at me at some point, or are you planning on giving me my money telepathically?”

“That depends.”

“On?”

“If looking at you is a better view than the one I have now.”

I glance down at the small security screen displaying our exchange.

It’s not.

The girl’s mouth drops open. “Wait, are you…was that? I mean, I’m totally down to fuck. You’re Damien freaking King. I saw your picture on your website and nearly pissed myself.” She puts her hands on her hips. “But I’m no prostitute.”

“Here’s a tip. Don’t walk into my office late at night expecting to be paid for a job you haven’t completed. My time is valuable—so you can either use that mouth of yours to tell me about the interview and leave with a check in your hand…or use it to suck my cock and leave with nothing but my cum on your face. The choice is yours.”