Devin: A Romantic Suspense (V Mafia Series Book 2)

by Karice Bolton

  George had been with our family since we were kids, but you’d never know it by looking at him. His buzz cut only made his square jawline more imposing to go with the rest of his wide-set features. The man was a beast. Will and Peter had been with us for years and knew how to scrub the scene better than anyone. I cleared my throat and Jax flicked his gaze in my direction.

  “Nice of you to join us,” he said flatly as I circled the man in custody.

  I noticed the knots had been cinched so tightly around his wrists, his fingers had turned purple. Plastic had been rolled out on the concrete floor.

  The man ran his tongue against his lips, slicking the blood into the corner of his mouth before spitting onto the ground.

  “Let’s try this again. Why did you attack Avery?” Drake questioned, kneeling in front of the man.

  “I didn’t attack her.” The man glared at my brother and anger pulsed through me.

  “What did you plan to do to her?” I questioned, keeping my voice steady.

  Drake stood and walked over to George’s tool chest, and the man’s gaze stayed on him for a second too long.

  “Which time?” The smirk that fell across the man’s expression was a mistake. My fist connected with his chin immediately, and his blood sprayed across the steel post.

  “If you answer our questions, you have a shot at seeing the sun rise.”

  “Like I told your brothers, the first time I saw her, I’d been sent to deliver a message from the Bureau. I wasn’t attacking her.”

  “The Bureau?” My brow arched. “You’re telling me Avery works for the FBI?”

  “I’m not telling you shit.”

  My fist landed in his soft abdomen, and he began coughing, unable to catch his breath as I landed a couple more. The release felt good.

  “You can kick my ass all you want. It’s not going to change what I tell you. I don’t care about seeing a goddamn sunrise. Your little bitch squad screwed up my life completely.”

  I glanced at Jaxson, who shrugged and rolled his eyes.

  “Are you talking about Jenn and Avery?” I stretched my fingers and the guy flinched.

  “What do you think?” the man sneered.

  My blood turned cold. He knew exactly who Jenn was. I took a step back and unbuttoned my jacket.

  “Did you murder Jenn?” I studied the lanky man in front of me.

  “I’m an Intelligence Specialist. Why would I bother?” He lifted his gaze toward Jaxson.

  I could tell he was lying, which made my fury run wild, but it also told me he had nothing to lose.

  “Did you plan on killing Avery?” Drake asked.

  “I wouldn’t waste my time.” The man smiled and let out a maniacal laugh.

  Drake tossed the knife across the concrete floor. “Then why were you pressing this against her femoral artery?”

  “Please,” the man rebuked. “She rubbed up against it.”

  I glanced at my brother, wondering how he knew that had happened. Avery hadn’t mentioned it, but the guy did have a knife.

  “The video footage doesn’t lie,” my brother informed him.

  “Yeah? Well, does it have audio?” He shook his head. “I didn’t kill anyone, but those bitches ruined my life. Everything I’ve worked for is gone, ripped from me because of them.” His eyes turned to slits. “Because of you. You’re untouchable. We’re all just pawns. Some of us are just smart enough to figure it out. Too bad for your girlfriend’s sake she’s not the brightest bulb, or she never would have taken the job.”

  My eyes connected with George’s, and I gave a slight nod.

  “I wouldn’t do anything different,” the man chided. “The bitch deserved to die.”

  I landed another punch, but this time, I aimed for his nose. Hearing the cartilage snap gave me the thrill I’d been hoping for. I took a few steps back and watched as George and Will descended on the man. It didn’t take much from them to finish the job.

  I let out a sigh as Will began rolling up the plastic. George began untying the guy from the post and I walked toward the stairs.

  “Hey.” Jax called, and I turned around to see my brother coming over.

  Jax shoved his hands in his pockets and let out a deep sigh before asking the question I never wanted to hear.

  “What if he was right about Avery?”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Avery

  I closed my eyes and listened to the silence the office offered at this time of night. Everyone had gone home, but I stayed to get things ready for a meeting the Volkovs had at seven in the morning. I’d rather do most of the work tonight than come in earlier to prepare.

  The time alone also gave me time to snoop. I loved working with Greta, but I wasn’t foolish enough to believe she didn’t keep tabs on my every move. She’d offered to stay and help, but I could tell she was relieved when I promised her I had it covered. Regardless of what the Volkovs believed, I think she liked having time away from the office.

  I double-clicked on a shared file that had modifications dated today. As I waited for the files to populate, my mind drifted to Devin. Something had shifted between us since Friday. He came back that night and took me home. He’d kept his distance and never tried to pick up where we’d left off.

  I didn’t hear from him yesterday, and today, he seemed far more reserved. There was no flirting and barely any acknowledgment whatsoever, which really had me worried. I knew who Devin went to see after he left me, and my concern was that he might have believed the guy if he decided to squawk, but there was nothing I could do. I had to stay the course. It wasn’t just about seeing the assignment through. It was about keeping my job.

  I let out a silent sigh of frustration and took off my sweater, draping it over the back of my seat. My shirt was cut lower than I realized, so all day, I’d stayed bundled in my sweater, but now it didn’t matter. Just thinking about Devin made my body temperature climb for absolutely no reason at all.

  I’d already looked at Devin’s calendar for the period Ellis specified, and all that did was create the perfect alibi for Devin. The more I started researching, the more innocent Devin looked. My gut told me that Devin didn’t have anything to do with the murder Ellis was trying to pin on him, but my job wasn’t to judge. It was to collect evidence and facts, and I’d do the best I could to keep an open mind that maybe he was responsible.

  I sank into my chair, slowly scanning the screen, when several manifests caught my eye. They were similar to the ones that Ellis had me give to Davis, except that the dates were different and so were the ship names. Had I stumbled onto the actual weapon shipments?

  Why was Ellis feeding me inaccurate information to give to Davis? I straightened in my chair and scanned over the lists. I pulled my phone out of my purse and took a shot of my monitor right when I heard the elevator chime.

  My heart hammered in my chest, and I quickly closed everything out and made my way to the copy room to make the last few copies for the morning. I heard the click of the door and the lights turned on in the reception area. I couldn’t tell if it was Jax, Blake, or Devin who’d decided to come back to the office. Drake was still in Miami.

  I grabbed the original sheet of paper, shut the lid on the copier, and snatched the copies from the tray.

  “You’re still here?” Devin poked his head into the copy room.

  The sight of him sent my heart into an unexpected tailspin. He looked as charming and sexy as ever. He wasn’t wearing his suit jacket or tie from earlier, and his white shirt had been unfastened a few buttons down, showing off a bit of what I’d already gotten to experience.

  There were so many reasons I should be immediately shutting down and heading out that door, but I couldn’t. There was something about him that always made me stay, and it was aggravating.

  “Yup. I’m almost done,” I answered, holding onto the papers as if my life depended on them. “I just didn’t want to come in super early tomorrow.”

  “You’re not a morning person?�
� he asked, gripping the doorway and somewhat swinging into the copy room.

  “I wouldn’t say I’m not a morning person, but I’d rather be a night owl who greets the mornings as best she can.” I moved toward Devin, expecting him to move out of the way.

  He didn’t.

  “I’d like to get through here,” I told him, not forgetting how unfriendly he’d been since Friday. I did spot a hint of a smile underneath his stern expression, but it wasn’t good enough.

  “No problem.” He stepped aside, barely giving me enough space to pass through.

  I set the papers on the edge of the desk and walked over to my monitor, where I closed my computer down.

  “Is there something I can help you with before I set everything up in the conference room?” I asked, glancing over my shoulder.

  I noticed his gaze taking me in and a blush crept up my cheeks, which I wasn’t accustomed to, but there was something about Devin’s gaze that always felt one step beyond what I was seeing. It was like he had some microscope that dissected the smallest details of my life and provided an explanation for how I arrived at this moment in my life. I’d never talked of my father’s death or my desire to help people, but with him, it all came tumbling out, and he was the one person I needed to keep at a distance. When Ellis told me I had to build loyalty, I never realized it would be so easy to divulge parts of my life I’d always kept to myself. What concerned me was that even if Ellis hadn’t told me to do so, I suspected I still might have.

  “No. I just thought I’d briefly enjoy the view since I never got to appropriately say goodnight on Friday. I’ve got a couple things I need to take care of in my office.”

  I spun around in my chair and glared at him as he set a leather portfolio down on the desk.

  “So you’ve barely spoken a word to me all day, and now you want to play nice?” I stood and grabbed the stacks of photocopies and a bundle of pens.

  His expression didn’t change so I continued. “Listen, I know Friday was just a fun tryst, and I don’t expect anything more. We can just leave it behind us, but I’d appreciate it if I didn’t get the cold shoulder for eight hours during daylight hours.”

  “Your wish is my command.” He bowed his head, and I suddenly wanted to slug him, but I didn’t condone violence purely for being a smartass.

  “You’re a real gem, aren’t you?” I clutched the papers to my chest and walked around the long way to avoid bumping into him.

  I made my way to where all the conference rooms were, and Devin appeared at the end of the hall. He’d apparently taken the shortcut through the copy room and couldn’t hide the smirk resting on his attractive features. He leaned against the wall, looking far too amused, and watched me go into the conference room.

  I flipped on the lights and began placing the papers and a pen where each person would be sitting in the morning. I couldn’t wait to get back to my apartment where I could try to figure out what I’d just tapped into and how it all related to Ellis and Davis.

  Even though my back was turned away from the door, I knew Devin had walked in, and my heart sped up.

  “What do you want?” I asked, bringing my gaze to his.

  The deep blue in his eyes nearly took my breath away.

  “Sometimes I wonder why you came into my life.” His brow arched, and he shoved his hands into his pockets. I finally figured out what was infuriating me the most about our encounter. He’d been drinking. I could hear it in his voice.

  I put the stack on the table and put my hands on my hips.

  “Because your brother didn’t want a lawsuit.” I cocked my head.

  Devin shook his head. “No. I feel like you were sent here for some reason. I think you’re good at playing whatever part you need to in order to get what you want. There are a lot of inconsistencies with—”

  Fear bolted through me, and I held up my hand. “Devin, I’m exhausted. I don’t have time for your games. I need to get home. If you don’t want me working for you any longer because of Friday, fine. Just tell me now so I can start looking for work, because unlike you, the rest of us have to figure out how to pay rent.”

  “I don’t play games.” His eyes darkened and he took a step forward.

  I forced down a swallow as I watched him slowly roll up his sleeves and take another step forward.

  “You look frightened.” He tilted his head. “Have I ever given you a reason to be afraid of me?”

  The charge in the air was filled with something raw and calculating. He had no reason to be here.

  “No,” I whispered, shaking my head. “Not directly.”

  “Not directly?” he repeated, taking another step closer.

  “I know what you did to that man on Friday.” I pushed the fear down, waiting to see his reaction.

  “Would you prefer he comes back for a third round?”

  “No, of course not.” I shook my head. “But there had to be another way.”

  “There is no other way, Avery. That’s not how the world works. Redemption, second chances, salvation. . .” his voice trailed off and he took a deep breath. “They’re all overrated, if not impossible to achieve. The police can only do so much. They actually appreciate our technique.”

  I shook my head. “That’s not true.”

  “He murdered Jenn.”

  His words worked through me like a building shockwave. The man was an agent. Why would he have hurt Jenn? I leaned against the table for support, fiercely shaking my head.

  “Impossible.” The connections were leading right to me, and we both knew it.

  “Why’s that, Avery?” His expression turned solemn. “Why would it be impossible that this particular person killed your friend, our employee, and set his sights on you next? Is there something else you should tell me?”

  “Because you said he worked for the FBI.”

  His lip curled into a wicked grin. “You don’t think there’s such a thing as bad cops? Bad agents?”

  “I’m not that naïve,” I said softly, my gaze falling to the table. “But there is no reason he’d be after me or Jenn unless it was one of you he really wanted. You and your brothers are the only link that Jenn and I shared. We work for you.”

  My eyes locked on his, and I saw something change behind his gaze.

  “Don’t be frightened of me, Avery.” He leaned his hip against the table and folded his arms over his chest. “I’ve grown up differently than most. My family is unique. We’ve run with an unusual set of rules for generations. Right or wrong, it’s the way it’s always been. I can’t make excuses, but I can see the usefulness in the way my family has run things. We don’t make excuses for the bad. We eliminate it.”

  I forced down a lump and nodded slowly, hiding my trembling hands behind me.

  “I think there’s more behind this man targeting you and Jenn, and we’re determined to get to the bottom of it. When my family does, we’ll take care of it our way.” Devin straightened up and his arms fell to his sides.

  “Why do you care?” I asked, my pulse pounding.

  “Why wouldn’t we care?”

  I didn’t want to push it, yet I knew I needed to go all the way. When this assignment was behind me, I had no idea if I’d have a job or a place in New York any longer, but I needed to do my best and carefully navigate the situation surrounding me.

  “Who are you, really?” I asked. My voice sounded fragile, breaking on the last syllable as I walked over to him.

  “I don’t understand the question.” His brows knitted together, and he pursed his full lips into a thin line as I stood less than a foot away.

  “Regardless of whether your techniques are the best way to accomplish things, very few people ever care about righting the world.” I sucked in a sharp breath, and Devin’s gaze fell to my breasts. I’d forgotten I’d removed my sweater and was far more exposed than normal. Knowing he’d been drinking only exacerbated his actions. “I find it curious that you care enough to involve yourself over a waitress and a receptio
nist.”

  His gaze flew to mine. “You’re saying you’re less than? Or what?” A fiery glint flashed through Devin’s gaze as he gripped my shoulder. “That I shouldn’t care what happened to Jenn or could have happened to you?”

  “Most men wouldn’t have done a thing. Maybe they would have called the police.”

  “I’m not most men, Avery. I thought you knew that by now.” His voice lowered. “I suspect you know more about my family than you’ve let on. We’re not monsters.”

  “I never thought you were.” My throat tightened.

  Devin lessened his grip and slid his hand slowly along my shoulder, softly touching my chin, clasping it between his thumb and index finger, and studied me quietly.

  “I just don’t understand much of anything since I met you at Meta,” I whispered. “And maybe that’s how it will always stay.”

  His eyes darkened and dropped to my lips. Fighting this physical attraction was exhausting. It was almost easier to let go.

  “It’s for the best, love,” he whispered, closing the gap between us. “It’s the only way to keep you safe.”

  Hearing the words tumble around us brought a dull ache in my belly until I lifted my eyes to meet his gaze. The silent promise of things I never knew I craved lodged right behind his gaze, sending a shiver through me. Protection, justice, and a future disconnected from my past were all within reach if I just turned my back.

  But I couldn’t do it. I was here to play a part.

  “I can learn to live with that,” I said softly. “If it means the promise of something more.”

  He slid his tongue along his bottom lip and I imagined it elsewhere. “Promises are made to be broken, and I wouldn’t do that to you, but I can give you my word.”

  “Your word?”

  “I’ll always protect you, Avery Hill.”

  His touch ignited something deeper inside me that I couldn’t ignore and that thought scared me more than anything. I knew I had to dismiss the feelings that sharply pulled me in Devin’s direction. They weren’t real. This was all make-believe. But when I looked at Devin, every emotion I’d been batting away was stronger than ever.