Page 66 of Ravaged By a Devil

Shock hits me straight in the chest. "How long have you been standing there?" I ask, my broad chest heaving slightly as I adjust my jacket.

Alexis tilts her head, her voice quiet and steady in the empty lot. "Long enough to hear everything. Why did you spare him?" She asks softly, her eyes searching mine as she clutches the paper bag to her chest.

"I've heard what you do to people, Cain. I know you've killed men for far less than working with Nolan."

I look at her for a long second, the night breeze rustling her dark hair. "There’s a difference between choosing this life and being dragged into it," I rumble, my voice rough. "He's trying to keep his kid alive. A man like that isn't my enemy—he's just collateral."

We walk back to my car in silence. The second the doors click shut, I kick the engine into gear and tear out of the parking lot, heading straight down the main avenue.

"Can you take me home?” Alexis says suddenly, leaning across the console toward me.

"That's where we're going," I say, keeping my eyes on the road. "To my estate."

"No," she interrupts, laying her hand over my forearm, her grip surprisingly firm. "Take me to my place, Cain. Come back with me tonight."

I glance sideways at her, raising an eyebrow. "Your place isn't as safe as mine."

"It has the brand-new biometric lock Elijah installed," she counters smoothly, a bright, triumphant spark lighting up her eyes. "Plus, you'll be right there with me. Are you telling me you can't protect me in my own living room?"

I let out a low growl, turning the steering wheel and redirecting the car toward her neighborhood. "Fine. Your house."

The excitement radiating off her is practically tangible. She shifts in her seat, a tiny, pleased smile curving her lips as she gazes out the window, looking genuinely thrilled that she won this round. I fight back a reluctant smile of my own, keeping my face stoic, though the sight of her genuine delight makes something heavy and warm settle in my chest.

When we reach her house, I escort her up the steps, my hand resting low at the small of her back. She presses her thumb to the scanner on her heavy front door, the mechanism clicking open smoothly.

We step inside, and the second the reinforced door shuts and locks behind us, Alexis turns around on her heel, facing me with her hands resting on her hips.

"We're going to watch a movie together tonight," she announces, her voice dripping with absolute authority.

I stop dead in the middle of her tiny living room, my brow furrowing into a deep, heavy frown. "A what?"

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

ALEXIS

I almost burst out laughing at the expression on Cain’s face. He looks at me with pure horror, as if I just suggested he quietly end his own life right here on my welcome mat.

"A movie," I repeat, stepping closer and giving him a firm, unmistakable nod. "You, me, my couch, and a screen."

Cain instantly shakes his head, turning on his heel toward the door. "Absolutely not, Alexis."

Before he can grab the handle, I reach out and wrap my hand tight around his broad forearm. "Please?" I ask, softening my tone, tilting my head up to catch his dark, resistant gaze.

He freezes in place, his brows furrowing even deeper into a dangerous scowl—but I know this man. The subtle drop in the tension of his shoulders tells me everything I need to know. He’s staying.

Laughing softly, I pull on his arm, tugging his massive frame into the cozy space of my living room. I set the paper bag with the six-pack of beer down on the coffee table with a satisfying clink of bottles.

"Here's the plan," I announce, turning to face him. "We are going to order a huge spread of food, drink cold beer, and binge-watch a show until we pass out."

Cain stares at me like I’m speaking a foreign language. "Why?"

"Because it’s been a crazy, exhausting couple of days for both of us, hasn't it?" I say, offering him a warm, gentle smile. "This is a normal way to relax."

Cain’s dark eyes flash with a sudden, heat-filled intensity as he takes a step toward me, his voice dropping into a low, gravelly rumble. "I can think of a few other ways to relax, doll."

The air between us thickens instantly, but I just place a hand against his broad chest, holding my ground. “We can explore your ideas some other time."

He rolls his dark eyes, letting out a heavy, defeated grunt before turning around and lowering his frame onto my small plush couch. The sight is almost comical—he's so broad, tall, and inherently lethal that he barely fits on my colorful throw pillows and delicate apartment decor.