Cards of Love: The Devil (Devil's Playground #1)(57)

“I love—”

A stream of warm liquid saturates my clothes before a faint ammonia smell fills my nostrils. I look down in shock.

Cain’s peeing on me…like he’s a dog and I’m a goddamn fire hydrant.

“You have two seconds to leave me the fuck alone forever, or I’ll call Detective Trejo back.” The gun in his hand shakes as he continues urinating, aiming for my pants and shoes. “I never wanted you, and I sure as hell never loved you, you fucking faggot. I never will.”

The heart I wasn’t sure I had until Cain, shatters as I run out of my bedroom. Leaving nothing but a gaping hole in my chest.

A gaping hole now filled with a venomous wrath so strong, I start shaking with the force of it.

If Cain thought I was obsessed before, he has no idea what kind of poison his hurt and betrayal has unleashed inside of me.

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

And unfortunately for Cain…there’s no longer love.

There’s only darkness. A need for vengeance.

But it’s not enough to idly threaten him. It’s not enough to screw with his head.

No…I’m going to bide my time and let Cain lead his perfect life.

I’m going to let him forget about me.

And then…when he’s content and happy. When he’s close to getting everything he ever wanted.

When he finally falls in love…or at the very least, a lust so powerful it drives him crazy with obsession.

That’s when I’ll appear.

Because the best way to hurt someone, the only way to make them truly pay and suffer for their sins…is to strike when they least expect it.

And then destroy everything they ever wanted…everything they ever cared about.

Until they have nothing.





Preview





The Devil’s Advocate





Chapter 1 (Eden)


It’s not Cain. It can’t be.

Cain wouldn’t bring me here just so he could hurt me like this.

He loves me.

I wipe the tear making its way down my cheek with my fingers.

Despite my brain’s insistence that the man leaving in a haste isn’t Cain…another tear falls.

His lips.

Everything else about the man. His hair, his tux, even the way he touched the woman he kissed on the dancefloor…I could chalk up to coincidence. But I know those lips.

They’re the same lips I’ve dreamed about kissing since I was fourteen.

But my heart isn’t convinced. It needs proof. I refuse to believe Cain would betray me like this.

I take a step forward, preparing to follow him out of the ballroom, but the ground beneath me tilts and I stumble instead.

I’m trying to gather my bearings when the lights above me change colors, illuminating the room in a red glow.

“Take it easy, sweetheart.” The man next to me nods at the now packed dance floor. “Cocktail hour just ended, and you’re already hammered.”

I blink in confusion. I’m not drunk. Anxiety shoots through me like a rocket and I clutch my chest. It’s becoming an actual struggle to draw in air.

Oh, God. I’m having a panic attack. Right here in front of all these people.

“Why don’t we go somewhere more private for a little while?” the man shouts in my ear, so loud I wince. “This way I can look after you.”

The man tugs on my hand, but I yank it back.

Nausea churns my insides. I need to get out of here but my feet won’t move, no matter how much I plead with them to.

Cain. I need him. He’s the only one who can help me through this.

Instinctively, I peruse the room for him while I pull out my phone, ignoring the little voice inside mocking my efforts.

Angelbaby123: I feel like I’m going to pass out. I’m on the dancefloor.





I think I spot him, but strobe lights start flickering, and the music changes—filling my ears with uneven beats, dark harmonies, and intense tempos.

My senses kick into overdrive, making it impossible to concentrate, but I scan the room in a last-ditch attempt anyway and send a text directly to his phone instead of the app.

Eden: Please, Cain. I need you.





“Fine, be that way,” the man next to me snaps. “I was only trying to help, you drunk bitch.”

“What?” I can’t understand a word he’s saying. I want to ask him to repeat himself, but the lights flash…and then it’s nothing but darkness.

A few people scream, but it’s drowned out by a spooky, evil laugh that crackles through the speakers.

A moment later, the lights turn back on, sheathing the room in a blood red hue again.

My legs finally get the signal and I put one foot in front of the other. I’m halfway to the exit when the lights go out for a second time. It’s so dark I can’t even make out shapes, let alone walk.

Terror spirals through me when a muscular arm wraps around my waist.

I open my mouth to yell at the asshole who won’t take no for an answer, but I’m slammed against a wall.

“Wh—” My eyes adjust, enabling me to see the tall figure wearing a black mask in front of me. My heart takes flight when I inhale the scent of Cain’s aftershave.