Payback (Dueling Devils 2)

“I can do that!”

They continued playing mini games until they were packed.

“How we doing here?” Demon appeared in the doorway.

“The kids are all set.”

“I’ll take them into the living room, so you can get your things together. Come on guys.”

The kids started to walk toward him.

“Wait, don’t you need something too?” Ardy asked.

“No.” He shook his head

Her stomach plummeted. He’s pawning us off. “Okay. I’ll meet you guys out front in a few.” Ardy walked around the kids toward her room without making eye contact with Demon. Without a word about where they were going or why he expected her to blindly follow him. Tradition or not, she needed more to feel halfway secure right now. They’d narrowly escaped bodily harm. He had to realize inside she was still reeling. Inside their room, she pulled out the duffle bag she’d originally moved in with and began to go down her list of things, starting with underwear.

“You’re pissed.”

His gravelly voice drew her attention to the door. Demon walked in and closed it behind him, leaning up against the wood.

“I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to babe, it’s written in those killer eyes of yours.”

“A lot’s happening. I’m dealing the best I can.”

“Stop watering it down and say what you want to say.”

“Its bullshit for you to come in here, demand we pack, snap at the kids and not tell me shit. I don’t give a fuck about the rules. If I’m not okay, how can I make sure they’re okay?” She gripped the shirts in her hand and bowed her head, taking a deep breath.

“You’re going to another property I own in a remote location. This one has been compromised. I’ll do my best to travel back and forth, but the truth is I’m going to be busy doing that shit I won’t tell you about.” He walked over and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her to his chest. “I’m doing what it takes to keep all of you safe. You realize that, don’t you?”

“Yes, but I’ve never been the type to sit at home and wait.”

“You’re not. You’re taking care of the most precious things to me in this world. It keeps my head clear. That’s important in this life. I make the wrong moves and I might not be coming home.”

His words settled in her belly like ice “God, if anything happened to you. “

“Hey.” He wrapped his hand around her neck and tilted her head back. “Ain’t shit keeping me away from the three of you. Feel me?”

She licked her lips. “Yes.”

He narrowed his eyes. “You bullshitting me beautiful? ‘Cause you don’t sound very confident in your man.”

Your man. The words melted her insides and she leaned all of her weight against him. The hard planes of his body and the heat pouring off him eased her apprehension and made her feel protected. “My man?”

“You forget I claimed you?” He caressed her throat with his thumb. He moved his other hand up her along waist to cup her breast. He pinched the swollen bud through her clothing and nuzzled her neck. “This is mine.” He slid his hand back down her body and cupped the heated area between her legs. “And this is mine. I’m not doing this shit again Ardy. You run and I’ll chase you. You freak out and I’ll tell you to sit your ass down and chill the fuck out. We can hash it out as much as you need, but that sweet ass of yours ain’t going anywhere. Your place is beside me. You put your big girl panties on and made that decision, so you best believe you’ll be sticking to it.”

His breath caressed her ears and his words inflamed her. Her panties were soaked, but a part of her wanted to cuss him out. He pressed his fingers into her seam and she moaned. “How do you do that?” Ardy felt more than annoyed with the act of betrayal her body was committing.

“Do what?” he asked nipping at her flesh.

“Make me want to slap you and jump your bones at the same time.”

His body shook and he chuckled. “God given talent. I think I know what your problem is, you need to relax.”

He removed his hand from her shorts and she whimpered.