Devil Takes His Innocent

by Emma Anderson

  “For fuck’s sake, can’t I leave her a couple of days without her getting herself into trouble?” Devil shouted, trying to hide what was truly running through his veins, panic.

  “Sir, it’s been four days.”

  “I know how long it’s been!”

  Not a minute had gone by these last ninety-six hours that she hadn’t entered his thoughts. He had been hoping that with the separation, clarity would be gifted him. But instead he had been bombarded by memories of her scent, the feel of her body against his, her smile, and her tears. No matter how busy he had kept himself, she was there with him. She was haunting him.

  “She seemed mighty upset earlier in the car. She even tried to throw the watch out of the window.”

  “Tell me you stopped her!”

  “We tried talking her out of it, but she didn’t seem to believe what we said,” the guard told him. Devil growled. “She still has it, sir. She had it out the window, but for some reason she couldn’t seem to let go of it.”

  This pleased Devil more than he thought it would. He couldn’t even claim that it had anything to do with his ability to still track her if the need arose. His pleasure came at the idea of her not being able to throw away something he had given her. He knew it was due to her growing feelings for him. It was the reason for him avoiding her these last few days, as well as the cause of his heart currently feeling lighter than he could ever remember it being.

  “Sir, what would you like us to do?” the guard asked, pulling Devil back to the matter at hand.

  “Stay put. Judge and I are on our way,” he ordered as the lift doors parted, allowing their exit.

  As he and his brother walked toward his car, Judge asked, “So you want to tell me what’s going on?”

  “I would have thought you heard what had happened. It would seem that Gabby has attracted the cops’ attention again.”

  “That’s not what I’m talking about, and you know it. Why have you been avoiding your mate?”

  “I can’t babysit her, Judge. We have a business to run.”

  “Four fucking days, Devil. You haven’t seen her for four days and you’re trying to tell me it’s because of work. I’m not buying it.”

  “This really isn’t your business, Judge. So stay out of it!” Devil warned, his voice carrying through the underground car park. The dark, heavy cemented surroundings suited his current mood.

  “I consider Gabby a friend and you a brother. I hate to see two people I care about hurting.”

  “I’m not hurting!”

  “So you’re claiming you don’t miss having her in your life at all?”

  “My cock certainly is!”

  “You’re a bastard! She deserves better than you.”

  “What, like you?” Devil had Judge by the shirtfront, pinning him against the car.

  “At least I know how to treat a woman,” Judge retorted, pushing Devil off of him. “What are you scared of, man?”

  “I fear nothing!”

  “I would have believed that to be true before Gabby came along. Now it would seem I was wrong.”

  “Fuck you, Judge,” Devil said, climbing into his car. “Are you coming? Or are you just going to stand there?”

  “I’m coming. I want to see you running scared from such a small, sweet creature such as Gabby.”

  “Watch it, Judge. Otherwise I’ll forget you’re my brother and I’ll dine on your heart.”

  “Give it your best shot, old man.”

  Devil could have pointed out that Judge was of similar age to him, but instead he chose to hold his tongue. The silent journey gave him the opportunity to consider the truth behind his brother’s words. He knew he had been acting like an ass, but it wasn’t in him to admit it to anyone, not even his family.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Miss Winters, are you sure nothing’s been taken?” Detective Morris asked.

  “What the hell’s going on?” Devil demanded, walking into the lounge as if he owned the place. Gabby’s heart picked up speed at the sound of his voice. As soon as her gaze landed on him, her breath hitched. She was so focused on Devil that it took a few seconds to realize Judge had come with him.

  “Mr. Torments, what are you doing in here?” Detective Redburn inquired.

  “I live here!”

  Nikki snorted beside Gabby, gaining the attention of both detectives. “Is there a problem?” Detective Morris asked her friend.

  “He only lives here when it suits him,” Nikki said, scowling at Devil. Gabby quickly jabbed her friend in the ribs before she said anything further.

  “How did they get in?” Judge asked.

  “From what we can tell, they jimmied the back door,” Detective Morris informed him.

  “What about the alarm?”

  “I wasn’t going to be long, so I didn’t bother putting it on,” Gabby replied.

  “What’s been stolen?” Judge asked.

  Gabby shrugged. “Nothing, from what we can tell.”

  “So what’s the point of this mess?” Judge asked again.

  “They were obviously looking for something, but since nothing is missing they must have left empty-handed,” Gabby responded, feeling Devil’s stare pierce through her.

  “Are you sure, Miss Winters? I suspect this may have had something to do with your half brother’s death. Maybe he gave you something that seemed like nothing but might not have been,” Detective Morris suggested, not for the first time since arriving, hinting that she had something of Grant’s.

  “I think that’s a given, considering my grandmother’s jewelry wasn’t taken,” Gabby replied. “As for Grant, he took from me rather than giving me anything. Whoever broke in must have assumed the same as you, but I can honestly say they wouldn’t have found anything of his in this house. It just wasn’t the kind of relationship we had.”

  Gabby felt confident in the fact that the truth in her words had been heard. She was just thankful she still knew very little about what was in that envelope Grant had sent her. Devil hadn’t gotten around to telling her before he disappeared from her life with the envelope.

  “I think for your safety I might assign a squad car to remain outside the house,” Detective Morris said. “All signs are pointing to the fact that your half brother’s associates are coming after you, Miss Winters.”

  “Don’t bother,” she all but snorted. “In case you hadn’t noticed those two black SUVs outside, I already have enough people keeping an eye on me and my movements. I really don’t think I need any more.”

  “Yes, Miss Winters, I did notice them, but I don’t put much faith in them,” replied Detective Morris. “Otherwise they wouldn’t have let you enter a house that had been ransacked, let alone walk around in it alone. The perps could have still been in here. Did you think about that?”

  “I can guarantee, Detectives, that is a lapse in judgment that won’t happen again,” Devil assured. “Gabby and Nikki will be protected at all times.”

  With a nod, Detective Morris turned his attention back to Gabby. “You know how to contact me if you should need anything,” he said. After a quick glance in Devil’s direction, he added, “And I mean it, Miss Winters, anything.”

  “Thank you, Detective Morris, I’ll keep that in mind,” Gabby replied sincerely as she carefully stepped around the broken coffee table to show the detectives out. “Thank you both for responding so quickly to my call for help.”

  “It’s our pleasure and duty,” Morris said before moving toward their car.

  Devil and Judge had also left the house. Once again Devil stole a little bit more of her heart. Unfortunately, she knew where it would end up, on the rubbish pile. She felt Nikki grabbing her hand and giving it a squeeze before pulling her back into the house and shutting the door.

  “It’s a pity those two detectives are dirty. I think Detective Morris is interested in you more than in a police capacity,” Nikki said, raising and lowering her eyebrows. Gabby responded by laughing. Her friend could always be
counted on to lighten the mood when Gabby needed it.

  Unfortunately, Gabby also had someone in her life that enjoyed adding tension. Devil’s gruff voice interrupted her laughter. “If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll keep his hands to himself.”

  “I thought you left,” Gabby said, turning toward the man who had featured in every one of her dreams and nightmares for the last four days. “It’s what you do, isn’t it?”

  “Watch your tone, mate.”

  “Or what? You’re going to spank her, fuck her, and then leave her broken again?” Nikki challenged.

  “Hey, Nikki, do you have to return to work?” Judge asked.

  “No, I have a house to help clean up. They’re not expecting me back into work until tomorrow with Gabby.”

  “Come on, then. I’ll take you out for a bite to eat. That way these two can talk,” Judge offered. Nikki looked over at Gabby who gave a slight nod, but still she hesitated. “He’s not going to hurt her, Nikki. She’s his mate, it’s just not possible.”

  “He’s already hurt her, Judge. A mate may be free from physical harm, but what about mental trauma?” Gabby cringed at her friend’s comment. While not untrue, she wasn’t sure she wanted Devil to know the true extent of her feelings for him.

  “I promise, Nikki, nothing will happen that Gabby doesn’t want,” Devil pledged.

  “Fine, but if you hurt her again, your balls are mine,” Nikki declared before turning to give Gabby a hug and whispering in her ear. “Don’t take any shit from him, Gabby. You deserve so much better than that poor excuse for a man.”

  With tears clinging to her eyes, threatening to fall, Gabby held on tighter to her friend. She knew Nikki spoke the truth, but she didn’t want anyone other than Devil. Somewhere along the line, she realized she was in a worse situation than her mother. Her mother had been able to recover from her heartache and open up her heart to other men, even if they’d all been selfish men only looking for a good lay. Gabby knew she didn’t have it in her to love anyone other than Devil. A man incapable of loving, according to him.

  ****

  Devil watched as his mate’s gaze followed the departure of her friend. The look was filled with a yearning that should have been reserved for him. It would seem his mate wanted nothing more than to leave with Nikki and Judge. It was something he couldn’t allow to happen, though he understood her desire. He had, as Nikki claimed, hurt Gabby. It was something he needed to atone for.

  Though, he hadn’t lied to her when he claimed that love didn’t exist in his heart. But that didn’t mean that he didn’t care for her and her well-being. He did, in his own way. He had just failed to communicate that. It was a failure that he would no doubt repeat. He had never been a talker. He preferred people to know who he was through his actions. If he was angry with someone, they would meet his fists. If he trusted or cared for someone, he would allow them into his inner circle, sharing a little bit of himself. That was who he was, and the sooner his mate realized this, the better.

  “We need to talk.”

  “And I have a house to clear up,” came Gabby’s reply as she bent down to pick up a broken photo frame.

  “That can wait,” he replied, moving toward her. “We have important things to discuss.”

  Stepping back from him, she said, “Don’t. As soon as you touch me everything else will be forgotten, and I can’t allow that. While you have somewhere else to go, Nikki and I still have to live here. I don’t have time to satisfy your sexual urges at the moment.”

  “My living quarters are yours as well. I also have two other rooms which Nikki would have her choice from.”

  “Nowhere in my future do I see myself living in a loveless relationship, Devil. To coin a modern phrase, we are fuck buddies, nothing more, nothing less and fuck buddies don’t cohabitate.”

  “You are my mate.”

  “A mate you could never love. Your words, not mine.”

  “The absence of love doesn’t mean I don’t care for you. I do.”

  “They’re only words,” she replied.

  As she spoke, Gabby continued collecting items from the floor. Only this time when she bent down to pick up something else, it was followed by a gasp and the scent of her blood filling his nose. Rushing over to her, he noticed blood gushing from her palm. In the center of it was a large shard of glass. Gently pulling the offending item out of her hand, he then brought her palm up to his lips. Healing her wound had been his primary objective, but as soon as her unique taste burst onto his tongue, any coherent thought was gone.

  His cock had hardened instantly as his fangs descended. He sucked harder, unable to stop himself. A moan sounded in his ears. His mate’s moan. It was the sweetest sound he had heard in a while. A sound he wished to hear more of. That and Gabby’s laughter. Her alluring scent wafted up to his nose. His mate needed him.

  Releasing his suction on her palm, his head rose level to hers. Her glazed over eyes and parted lips were all the invitation he needed. Fitting his mouth perfectly over hers, he devoured her, kissing her hard, ensuring her swollen lips would speak of who she belonged to for days to come. His hands moved of their own accord to her deliciously rounded backside. He could have held her like that for hours, kissing her, had his cock not demanded some action.

  Lifting her, he encouraged her legs to wrap around his waist. He carried them both through to the bedroom and the awaiting bed. Across it many items were flung, thankfully all clothes. He threw Gabby into the middle of the bed and followed her onto it. Not wanting to allow her any time to think, he ran his hand up her bare leg. His fingertips were quickly replaced by his tongue.

  His path was set as he left a wet trail up her thigh, heading straight for her soaked underwear. Not wanting to waste any of her juices, he cleaned her inner thighs before moving on to the tiny scrap of material covering her pussy. Her moans grew deeper and more urgent, telling him of her impending orgasm. Quickly tearing her underwear, his mouth and tongue lapped at her clit, flicking the hard little nub. He could sense her completion was close. Stiffening his tongue, it traveled the path that his cock would soon be following, entering her pussy. Her scream and the juices hitting his tongue and chin spoke of the intensity behind her orgasm.

  Not wanting her to return completely to the land of the living, he pushed his cock past the swollen walls of her pussy, causing little aftershocks. The rippling sensation against his cock drew his own orgasm near. He stilled. His mate needed to go again before he could allow himself his own relief.

  As soon as he had his body under some semblance of control, he pumped into his mate, each thrust pushing them both toward climaxing. Gabby’s head rolled from side to side, her moans growing louder as she lifted her backside from the bed. Her head suddenly stilled, her eyes opened, and she seemed to be pleading for something. On instinct he lifted the same wrist he had used to seal their bond to his mouth, slicing it open. Placing it on her lips, he allowed her to take from him.

  What started out as gentle sucks became more desperate. Each draw of his blood could be felt in his cock. His orgasm moved forward fast. Leaning over his mate, he pierced her skin with his fangs, drinking her blood from his mating mark. He exploded into her just as she came. The intensity of his orgasm had his arms giving out, causing his fangs to slide from her shoulder. Barely able to think, he thankfully had enough of his brain working to flick his tongue over his bite marks, sealing the wounds.

  He had no idea how long they remained that way, his thought process only returning when he felt Gabby wriggling underneath him. Quickly moving, ensuring her comfort, he stood, withdrawing his still hard cock from her warm, wet pussy. Reaching down, he went to remove the trousers he had no recollection of undoing. His plan was to lay beside his mate, holding her, silently thanking her for the best orgasm he had ever experienced. It would seem Gabby had other ideas.

  Before he had a chance to even remove his shoes, he heard her groggy voice say, “Please make sure you lock up as you leave.”

>   He stopped in his tracks, his shoes and trousers suddenly forgotten. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Yes, you are,” Gabby replied, turning away from him onto her side. “You promised Nikki you wouldn’t do anything against my wishes. You staying is, so leave now.”

  He was reminded why he rarely let words speak for him. They were often thrown back in his face, as his mate was doing. “That promise was meant to reassure Nikki that I wouldn’t hurt you.”

  “You staying would only hurt me!”

  “I’m your mate. I belong by your side.”

  “Only when it suits you,” Gabby retorted, still with her back facing him. He could hear the anger and the pain in her voice. He didn’t like it, but he knew he had been the cause.

  “Why didn’t you ring me when you realized the house had been broken into?” he asked, suspecting he knew the answer.

  “Why would I, Devil?”

  “Because you’re mine to protect,” he replied, forcing the growl back down his throat.

  “But not to love?”

  This was his opportunity to make amends for his previous failures. Walking around the side of the bed, he crouched down beside her head. Gently moving strands of hair that were stuck to her tear-soaked face, he offered, “I have no love to give. But know this, I do care about you, Gabby. Immensely.”

  Fresh tears rolled from her eyes. “If you care for me, please leave.”

  Angry at his mate’s disregard for her own safety and her challenge to prove his words to be true, Devil moved to the bedroom door. Still he didn’t leave. Instead he turned back to Gabby and said, “I’m not leaving you alone. I’ll be in the lounge room if you need me. Once Nikki returns, only then shall I leave, and only when I hear the alarm being set.”

  After shutting the bedroom door, he headed into the lounge room. As he began righting furniture, he considered the messy relationship he currently had with his mate. It was of his doing, of that he had no doubt. But he lacked the skills to fix it.

  Throughout his life he had seen the worst in people, fixing their betrayals with his fists. Only his brothers had stood by him, never wronging him. Their relationship didn’t revolve around discussing feelings, but common belief systems guiding them through their joint quest. How was he meant to fix his relationship with his mate when he had little experience dealing with the more positive emotions in life? He was at a loss for answers, and he didn’t like it one bit.