It takes a few minutes for me to find her in the ballroom. She’s taking a glass of wine from one of the male servers who doesn’t fail to notice how sexy Aurora is. I snarl and rush out of my office, slamming the door shut and dashing into the room. It’s so crowded that I want to demand everyone leave, but this isn’t some small fucking gathering of nobodies. This is the town’s most influential people on the last night of the year.
My stride increases, but then someone stops me. It’s a woman from the prosecutor’s office. I don’t know her name, but she’s a vicious investigator. Her head points toward, McDowell, who is moving ever closer to Aurora. “Interesting guest list you have here Mr. Devlin.”
“Yes, well, I didn’t pick the guest. My assistant and my CFO picked the guests.”
“Well, I wouldn’t be too close to him. He’s currently the target of an investigation.”
“Good, the bastard needs to be in prison. Excuse me, but I’m looking for my fiancé.”
I walk away from her and step behind Aurora and McDowell only to hear him utter the most disgusting thing to my beloved. The man has a death wish, and I’m going to grant it for him when the time is right.
I reach them and growl, “And you’re a dead man.” John drops his hand. I can see he’s caused red marks on her soft skin. I tug her around the waist and pull her behind me.
“Relax, Devlin. I thought she’s fair game.”
“You thought wrong. Stay away from her.” I turn my anger toward Aurora. “You weren’t supposed to leave until I came to get you.”
She narrows her eyes at me, but then she thinks twice. “Yes, Mr. Devlin. Excuse me.”
“No. Let’s go talk.” I take her hand and drag her through the crowd back to our bedroom. I would carry her up there, but there’s a risk of someone seeing her ass or pussy if I do what the caveman in me aches to do.
“I don’t want to talk to you. I just want to forget this ever happened.”
“Too fucking late, Aurora. You sold yourself to the devil, and I sure as fuck won’t give you up.”
My phone buzzes, so I pull it out of my slacks.
“What’s up?”
“We have her, and we called the cops. She’s safe, but she’s not the only girl here. The cops had taken the others to a safe place before we took the little one. We’re on our way back. They’re lying in wait for McDowell to come home before they arrest him.”
“Great. How is she?”
“Safe. Brynlee’s worried about her sister.”
“Put her on the phone,” I demand.
“A soft child’s voice answers shakily.”
“Hey, sweetie, give me a second.”
“Kitten, this call’s for you.”
“Hello. Oh my God! Brynlee, are you okay? Where are you?”
My sweet Kitten looks right at me with a shocked expression that turns into a smile.
She throws her arms around me, mouthing thank you.
I let them talk for another two minutes before taking the phone back. “Your sister will be here soon. They’ll sneak her in through the garage away from McDowell. I know you think I’m just like him, but I’m not at all. I was putting up a front. I didn’t want him to know that my men were going to snatch up your sister.”
“Are you serious? I’ve been lied to, used, manipulated, and hurt so much I don’t know the truth anymore.”
“I’ve never done any of those things to you. You’ll see in due time that I’m putty when it comes to you. I’d gladly put a bullet in McDowell’s head after I cut off his balls with a dull, rusty knife.”
“Graphic, but I get it. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. I’m obsessed with you.” She crushes her mouth to mine, kissing me with a hunger unexplainable. Just like that, I have her pinned to the bed, sliding my hand up her dress, caressing her smooth thigh.
Another damn knock on the door sends me over the edge. “What the fuck do you want?”
“Sir, there’s a commotion down here. They’ve arrested McDowell, and he’s accusing you of kidnapping Ms. Jones.”
“I’m not kidnapped. I’m being cockblocked,” Aurora screams out with a giggle. Opening the door is the investigator from the DA’s office, along with two officers.
“I told you,” Morris informs them.
“I know. Mr. Devlin informed me that Ms. Jones was his fiancé downstairs, but McDowell’s claims were shouted out to the crowd as he left. We have to do our due diligence, and you might need to do some damage control with your guests.”
“Why did you guys get the fucker in my house?”
“Sorry, it was a major sting operation put on by the mayor.”
“We’ll be down in a minute. I need a minute to freshen up.”
“No, Kitten. Let’s go now. We have a special guest coming soon, and I want you two to have some time together before the clock strikes midnight.”