Caught in the Devil's Snare

by Dani Matthews

  A devious idea begins to form as my eyes scan his sophisticated attire. He’d probably came straight from a business-related function. Maybe it’s time for Devlin Kade to step out of his comfort zone. I quickly text, Fine. I am on my way to eat before going back to the apartment. You can join me if you want, but I’m going to continue my daily routine, with or without you. I wait for his reaction.

  He gives me a curt nod and tucks his phone back into his suit jacket. “Lead the way,” he says, but the hard glint in his eye lets me know that he’s aware I’m playing games. However, I’ve thrown him a challenge, and he’s refusing to back down from it.

  I begin down the sidewalk once more, and Devlin falls into step beside me. There are plenty of storefronts and eateries to pass by on the way to the subway, and I know exactly which eatery I want to stop in at. It’s the greasiest place I’ve ever seen, and the atmosphere isn’t overly friendly, but the burgers are amazing. Keagan and I had dropped by for lunch yesterday, and we’d made note of it so that we could drop by more often.

  As we walk, Devlin draws interest from every female that walks past us, young and old. He has such a charismatic presence. Toss in his masculine features and the confidence of his walk—naturally, he’s going to draw the eye. He’s an arrogant prick, but he’s also a man that exudes controlled power.

  After a few blocks, I lead him to the fast food joint that I’d had in mind, and I watch as his expression turns appalled. This is going to be the most fun I’ve had in a very long time. I give him a sweet smile and step inside, immediately finding myself assaulted with the scents of grease and cooking meat. Devlin’s going to walk out of here smelling like he’d been dipped in a fryer.

  People are waiting in line near the door we’d just stepped through, and to the far right of the small room, are rows of cheap tables lining the wall where windows overlook the sidewalk. I step into the line and pull out my phone, typing my order for the cashier. As I’m typing, my phone vibrates. I hold back a smile, already knowing what the text message will say. I scan it anyway. You’ve got to be fucking kidding.

  I press my lips tightly together to keep from laughing out loud. I don’t think the man has ever stepped foot in anything other than five-star restaurants. I send back, I’m hungry, and the food here is great. Figure out what you want to order, because if you take too long, they move on to the next person.

  The line moves forward, and in the corner of my eye, I see Devlin reading my text. His shoulders are tense as he stands beside me, and I can imagine how out of place he’s feeling. Most of the people in the crowded eatery are wearing jeans, tees, and scuffed shoes. Seeing a suit in here is probably a rarity.

  When my phone doesn’t vibrate with a response, I know I’ve won the battle. The line moves forward quickly, and when it’s my turn, I show the bored looking young man my order. I open my purse to pull out my wallet, but Devlin drops a twenty on the counter, causing me to scowl.

  He refuses to order anything, so once I have my burger, fries, and soda balanced on my tray, we make our way through the throng of people. A small table opens, and I manage to nab it before anyone else can move in on it. I drop down into the hard, plastic chair and watch as Devlin grimaces before reluctantly settling into the opposite chair. The table is chipped in places, and someone had left a crude drawing of a penis in the corner. Devlin’s eyes are fastened on it with revulsion.

  I turn my attention to my meal and unwrap my burger. I am absolutely starving. After taking a large bite of the dripping burger, I open my ketchup packets and make a large gob on the wrapper so I can dip my fries in it.

  Devlin just sits there, watching me with an unreadable expression on his face. His body language is tense, and over his shoulder, it appears that two teenagers are slinging slurs about him. If he can hear them, he’s ignoring them.

  I let him stew in his disgruntlement as I concentrate on my food. It’s been a good day, and even his dour presence can’t ruin my mood. A week ago, I hadn’t had a hope of securing a job. Today, is the first day of my new life. As soon as I pay back Devlin and figure a way out of this mess with the apartment, I’ll be on the path of financial independence.

  I don’t care if I never make it past being a shelver. At least I’m making money, and I can always share an apartment with someone if the option arises. I’ve never had delusions of being rich or wealthy. If I’m scraping by month to month, so be it. At least I’m still living and making my own decisions.

  While I eat, I find myself amused as other patrons either glare at Devlin—who probably represents all the assholes that’ve rejected every person in here—or they look at him with a hint of envy. Either way, Devlin’s the source of attention, and judging by his set jaw, he’s hating every minute of it.

  Good.

  I’m nearly finished with my burger and fries when Devlin snags my attention and asks, “Why would you get a job?”

  I’d known that he’d eventually bring up the reason he’d sought me out, but I am surprised he’d politely waited this long. I dip a few fries into the quickly disappearing blob of ketchup, and I pop them into my mouth before wiping my hands on a crumpled napkin. Then, I pick up the phone resting on my thigh and send, Why wouldn’t I?

  He waits until I’m looking at him before saying, “You don’t need one. You have a monthly allowance for a reason.”

  His response has my teeth grinding. He looks genuinely bewildered, and I take a moment to study him. He lives in a completely different world than me, and evidently, those he surrounds himself with are happy to live off other financial offerings. Not me. I text, I want to make my own way. With my own funds. After I send it, I set the phone on my thigh and continue eating while watching Devlin.

  His brows crease as he scans the phone in his hand. He has nice, long fingers. I don’t know why I notice this, but I do. His hands are masculine but well-manicured. I wonder if he visits a salon, and it’s weird to think that there are men out there that expect others to take care of their personal grooming.

  “I didn’t save your ass so you can work yourself ragged,” Devlin says when my eyes meet his once more.

  He’s not accustomed to others making him wait, and I’m more than happy to be the first. I ignore him as I take a sip of my soda. He can sit there for a bit since this is about my job—a job that I want and will continue to keep regardless of his approval.

  Five minutes later, after sensing how dark his mood is becoming, I push aside my tray and pick up my phone. I type, I am living in the apartment you leased, living with the babysitter YOU hired. If I want to work, I’m going to work. Deal with it. It’s non-negotiable. I send it and watch his reaction.

  He reads the text and stares at it for a full minute as he processes my response. His eyes lift to mine, but instead of seeing anger in their gray depths, I see exasperation. “Have you always been this obstinate?” Before I can respond, he shakes his head. “Fine, keep the job. But if it becomes a nuisance, we’ll revisit the topic.”

  Like hell.

  “Are you done?” he asks, motioning to my empty tray.

  I nod, and we both stand and exit the eatery, stepping out onto the sidewalk. The limo is waiting at the curb, and Devlin looks at me expectantly. I give him a cheeky little wave and begin walking away, but I don’t get far before my arm is caught as he brings me to a halt.

  He towers over me, scowling. “Why can’t you just get in the damn limo?”

  I yank my arm from his grasp and pull out my phone. I reply, A limo isn’t part of my routine. I take the subway.

  As he yanks his phone from his pocket, annoyance flickers across his face. He quickly scans the text, and a muscle begins to tic in his jaw. His eyes flash to mine as his expression turns severe. “You are not riding the subway by yourself.”

  He’s walked right into the rest of my plan. I drop my eyes and text, I am unless you’re coming with. Or are you going to physically drag me to the limo? If so, I hope you have a good explanation because there are a LOT
of people around.

  Devlin reads my reply, and if looks could kill, I’d be dead ten times over. “You manipulative little hellion.”

  I shrug. If I have to deal with his demands, he can handle a few manipulations on my end. I text, I didn’t ask you to see me home, I remind.

  Devlin scans the new text, and then his lips move as he releases a long stream of curses. I have him backed into a corner, and he knows it. He either lets me go alone, which I know he won’t, or he comes along.

  Either way, I win.

  His eyes warn me that I’ll pay for this before he motions with an exaggerated flourish to lead the way. I give him an obnoxious smile with a salute before beginning down the sidewalk once more. I probably shouldn’t tweak the tiger’s tail, so to speak, but damn, someone has to. Doesn’t anyone ever tell the man no?

  He doesn’t bother trying to speak with me again, and once we reach the subway and pay our fare, we make our way to the platform. There are people all around us, some dressed in business attire, and others barely dressed.

  Someone bumps into me, and Devlin steps closer as if shielding me with his body. His cologne subtly surrounds me, and it’s a distinctive masculine scent that I’m beginning to associate with him. If he were in a crowd, I’d be able to single him out easily. The man is also an enigma. Even after I’d thoroughly pissed him off, his natural inclination is to protect me.

  Thankfully, we’re one of the first few to enter the subway car, so we’re able to snag two seats for ourselves. There’s a lot of shuffling, and many people have to stand as they grasp the hand loops dangling from the ceiling. The seat I’m sitting on has duct tape sealing a rip, and it’s poking me through the thin fabric of my pants, but I ignore it. As we pull away from the platform, the seat beneath me begins to shake. The scents of perfume, men’s cologne, and body odor intermix, and I begin to breathe through my mouth.

  A glance at Devlin shows me that he has his phone out and his fingers are flawlessly moving across the small keyboard on the screen. My purse is on my lap, clutched tightly in my hands so no one can grab it. I feel the phone’s vibrations through it. I’m sure the subway car is loud, and I can understand why he wouldn’t want to carry on a conversation with so many people surrounding us. I open the purse and pull out my phone. Keagan rides the subway with you, correct?

  I sigh inwardly. The man just doesn’t let up. I reply, Yes, he does. You’re being ridiculous. I used to ride the subway on my own all the time back in Philly.

  You’re from Philly? he promptly responds.

  Yes. I don’t bother including anything further.

  What is your real name?

  It doesn’t matter. You already gave me a new one, remember?

  He doesn’t text anything further, and in the corner of my eye, I watch as he slips the phone back into his suit pocket. I don’t bother putting mine away, I’m sure I’ll be needing it again before we part ways.

  When it’s our stop, we exit onto the platform and make our way up to street level. I tell myself that it’s just a few blocks walk to the apartment, and then this little excursion can come to an end.

  The moment we approach the apartment building with its awning, I send him a quick text. See, made it safe and sound. Goodbye.

  He pulls out his phone and glances at it before giving me a look. “You’re an ungrateful brat.”

  I probably do seem ungrateful, and to be honest, if it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have a job. The thing is, he’s the type that if you give him just an inch, he’ll take a mile. I need to tread carefully around him, which means keeping my distance. I send, I didn’t ask you for your help, and you’re the one who insisted on escorting me home. Had you not told Keagan to stay home this evening, you wouldn’t have had to suffer through the last hour.

  After he reads my text, his eyes lock on mine, and something lurks deep within his gaze that I can’t begin to decipher.

  I think we’re done here. I turn and walk away, entering the building and leaving him standing there on the sidewalk.

  Eight

  Devlin

  I watch as the little minx doesn’t so much as glance back before disappearing from sight. With a shake of my head, I call Aiden and tell him where to pick me up. Then, I slip the phone back into my suit pocket and wait. I could follow her inside, but she’d made it abundantly clear that she can’t stand being around me.

  This is new to me. Sure, there’s plenty of people that dislike me, but women aren’t usually part of that equation. Charli’s the first to ever rebel against my directives, and as irritating as it is, it’s making me respect her more for it. The woman has a mind of her own, and not even I can sway it.

  She isn’t predictable, and it’s refreshing. I can’t anticipate what she’s going to do like I can with everyone else. I should have known she wouldn’t willingly step foot into the limo, but she’d still caught me off guard. From now on, I need to begin thinking outside the box where she’s concerned. And damned if she doesn’t make me feel more alive than I’ve ever felt before. About the only time I feel this exhilarated is during life or death moments when I’m either killing someone, or someone’s trying to kill me. Outside of that, I feel like I’m just fulfilling a cycle that repeats daily. Yet when I’m with Charli, that cycle is completely thrown off, and it’s invigorating.

  My eyes shift to the building, and my gaze lingers on it. Inside, is a woman that I consider mine. I don’t see her as a sexual acquisition, but just…mine. She just is, and that’s the way it’s going to stay. I’d known the minute I’d set her up in the apartment that she was mine for life. Yes, her deafness had played a part in that decision, but so had her willful pride and her fierce desire to live. I’d gone into this with the intention of only being her benefactor, but I can’t deny that I’m attracted to her, and that attraction is beginning to build. I’m not to the point that I want to act on it, so for now, I’ll remain on the outskirts of her life. She can keep the damn job, but I’m going to closely monitor everything she does.

  I turn away from the building with a frown. She’s getting under my skin with her prickly attitude, and I’m finding that I want to get under hers as well. Why? Who the fuck knows.

  As I wait for Aiden, I pull out my phone and begin to do a little retail shopping.

  Nine

  Charli

  I stalk into the apartment and make a beeline for Keagan’s room. His door is wide open, and he’s sprawled on his bed with his tablet. When he looks up, I give him a glare before turning on my heel and entering my own room, closing the door firmly. I’m disappointed Keagan let me deal with Devlin without giving me any warning. Then again, he works for Devlin, not me. It’s not fair to hold it against him, but there’s also nothing wrong with letting him know that I’m not happy about it.

  As I strip down and change into a tank and jeans, I keep an eye on the door. I’m certain Keagan would never invade my personal space without permission, but I’m still cautious. After I’m finished, my bladder begs me to use the bathroom after drinking the soda at the eatery.

  When I open the bedroom door, I find Keagan standing in the hall, waiting. He quickly signs, Can we talk? Please? His blue eyes are urging me to let him explain, and he looks genuinely stressed that I might be upset with him.

  My heart melts a little, because if Keagan is as genuine as he appears, the poor guy is struggling with the situation he’s found himself in. Give me a minute, I need to use the bathroom, I sign.

  Keagan nods. My room?

  I agree and head for the bathroom. When I wander into Keagan’s room a few minutes later, he’s patiently standing in the middle of the room, waiting for me. He politely motions to the bed, and I walk over and sink down onto it.

  Keagan frowns and signs, We really need a sofa or something.

  I’m in full agreement. After my first paycheck.

  He nods, knowing better than to offer to pay for it himself. I think it’s difficult for him to sit back and watch me struggle to pay fo
r the things that I want. Especially since he doesn’t have to pay rent. However, he does understand my need to be financially independent, so he tries not to push.

  May I? he signs, referring to the bed. When I nod, he sits down and looks at me with troubled eyes. I value your friendship, Charli. We haven’t known each other long, but I really enjoy what we’re building. But I also have a job, and it pays my bills, especially my student loans. When Mr. Kade requests information from me, I can’t ignore him.

  When I begin to scowl, he signs, I only report to him when he requests it. Not everything we do, or the conversations we share, are monitored or repeated. I’m not here to spy on you.

  No, you’re a glorified babysitter, I sign back with a peeved look.

  His eyes hold mine. I don’t consider myself a babysitter, Charli.

  Well, I do.

  The corners of his lips turn downwards. I wish you didn’t think that, but I can understand why you feel that way.

  As I scan his handsome features, I decide it’s time to let the topic rest. It’s not like he can do anything about it anyway, and if anything, I’m just making him feel worse. It wasn’t my intention, but I’d felt the need to let him know I wasn’t happy about it. Now that I’d accomplished that, I’m feeling a bit better. Can you at least give me some warning next time? I sign.

  He grimaces. Had I given you warning, would you have still met him out front?

  No.

  * * *

  Thankfully, the next evening, I find Keagan waiting for me after my shift and not Devlin. Though to be honest, I’m not all that pleased to see Keagan, either. It bothers me greatly that they don’t think I’m capable of riding the subway on my own. I’m so tired of the assumption that a deaf person needs special treatment and is incapable of living a normal life like everyone else.