Cards of Love: The Devil (Devil's Playground #1)(34)

My palms grow damp. The fact that I’m already thinking of ways to ditch Julia speaks volumes. But I can’t. It’s bad enough I jerk off several times a day while reliving what happened in that classroom. If I fall down this rabbit hole, there’s no coming back. I can kiss my future goodbye.

“Pass. Thanks for the offer though.”

“That’s too bad.” He looks at Mrs. Miller and grins. “Fortune favors the bold.”





*



“Do you think Kim’s new haircut is weird?” Julia questions as we sway to the music. We’re one out of three couples left on the dance floor.

“Do you think it’s weird?”

I’ve learned the best way to answer her questions is to direct them back to her.

“A little. Her bangs are kind of short.” She purses her lips. “Then again they’ll grow out, so I guess it really doesn’t matter.”

“Nope.” Nothing about this conversation matters.

In my peripheral vision, I spot Mrs. Miller leaving the gymnasium. Damien hangs back by the bleachers, looking between me and his watch every so often.

“What did you think about the dress Stacy Saxton wore on Tuesday?”

I grit my teeth. “What did you think about the dress?”

I scan the bleachers. My blood quickens when I realize he’s no longer there but moving toward the exit.

Julia scrunches her face, pondering. “I’m not sure.”

Damien casts me one last glance…

And then he’s gone.

“I think it made her look a little chubby, but it was an unflattering c—”

“Fuck,” I yell before I double over.

“Oh my God. Cain, what’s wrong?”

“I think I’m dying.” It’s not a lie. I’m positive I’m going to keel over if she asks me one more goddamn question about Stacy or Kim and their stupid wardrobe.

“What?” Julia shrieks. “Holy crap, the card was right.”

Clutching my stomach, I hobble toward the exit. “I think I have food poisoning.” I dig my keys out of my pocket and hand them to her. “I don’t want you to catch this. You should take my car and drive yourself home.”

She stares at me like I’ve sprouted another head. “You want me to drive your car?”

“Yup.” Drive it off a goddamn bridge for all I care. “I’m not sure how long I’ll be in the bathroom. I’ll get a ride home from my brother later.”

I break into a sprint. Hopefully Damien didn’t leave yet.

“Wait,” she screeches. “Does this mean we’re going steady? Am I your girlfriend?”

“Sure. Whatever.”

The second I’m outside the gymnasium I start running like a football player heading for the end zone.

“Wait up.”

“Well, I’ll be damned.” Damien’s eyes widen when he sees me. “Look who decided to stop being a pussy.”

“This better be worth it. I’m pretty sure I just gave Julia my car so she’d leave me alone.”

“Fuck that bitch.” He bangs the side of his truck. “Get in, fucker. Good pussy waits for no one.” Jumping into the driver’s seat, he revs the engine. “Kristy only has two hours before her husband gets home from his fishing trip.”

I open the passenger side door and climb inside. “I’m pretty sure we’re going to hell.”

“I own a timeshare there.” He flashes me a quick evil grin as he shifts the car into drive. “The weather’s beautiful this time of year.”





Chapter 19





Cain





“Don’t you Hello Katrina me, asshole. I spoke to the Independent Chronicle earlier and they said the last time they spoke to Jodie was before she left the office to go to your house.”

Milton frowns. “Is this true?”

I swallow hard. “Yes, she was conducting an interview with Eden.”

“Right,” Katrina says, and I notice she’s slurring her words. The drink in her hand is half empty, but I’m willing to bet my next paycheck it’s not her first of the night. Not her second or third either. “She had an interview at your house and then she vanished after.” Her drink splashes over the rim. “Well, not before you went on a rampage, kicked her out, and got her fired.”

“Her questions were inappropriate and upsetting my stepdaughter.”

“Oh, please. That’s rich coming from you of all people.”

I can feel everyone’s eyes on us now. “Look, Katrina, I know you and your husband—” I look at the man beside her. If memory serves, he’s an assistant to the DA. Fuck. “Are concerned about—”

“So concerned they’re attending a party while their daughter is missing,” Margaret interjects.

Katrina’s mouth drops open. “How dare you.”

“How dare I what? Tell you what everyone here is thinking? I might not have children, but I do know if I were missing, the last place my father—the governor—would be is at a party.”

Milton nods. “My daughter is absolutely correct. I’m sorry for what you’re going through, but it doesn’t give you the right to point fingers and attack an innocent man. I’ve known Cain since he was born and he would never hurt anyone. I suggest you go home, sober up, and focus on finding your daughter.”