Page 11 of Blissful Devotion

Hmm, I wonder.

“But—”

“No buts, Trent.” I can’t see her face, but judging by the way he’s pouting now, I can imagine she’s not taking any shit.

She looks toward the other two, and they both seem to want to say something but don’t.

It still blows my mind how much power she has.

She gives them a moment, and when nobody seems to have anything to say, she turns back toward us, where we sit on the couches watching. The rest of her guys seem to find this entertaining, and when I steal a glance at Elio, I’m not surprised to find a smile on his lips. Something tells me the blonde girl might be the other part of this argument.

“I’d hoped not to see you all again so soon.”

I turn my attention back to Jade as she moves to sit on the third couch, her eyes momentarily darting down to the pool before she looks at each of us.

“Or ever.” The grumpy one says, sounding like he’d rather be anywhere else. Jade glares at him for a moment before the big one cuffs him upside the head.

“Thanks, Daddy.” She blows him a kiss, and Grumpy grumbles, rubbing at his head while the big guy smiles at her like she’s his whole world.

I have no doubt she is.

“Never is a long time, and I’d hoped to get at least an invitation to the wedding,” Jade tells us with a smile as she turns to look at Nathan.

It’s impossible to miss the way his face falls at the mention of a wedding, and I feel the weight on my chest as well.

“As helpful as you were last time, we didn’t want to need this kind of assistance again.”

“Tell me what you know.”

My brain is working in overdrive as I watch them while Nathan explains everything, again.

I’m not great with people, but I’ve always liked to know how things work—their dynamics—and, while strange, they do, in fact, work. I just can’t seem to figure out how or why.

The blonde girl comes back and gives Father a bottle of something; he doesn’t even look at the label before he pours a shot-worth into his wineglass and knocks it back with alarming speed.

He needs to stop drinking, but I can’t make myself say it. If I were a drinker, I might be right where he is. I’m nearly tempted anyway; maybe it will help to fill the pit in my chest.

Though looking at him, I'm not sure if it’s actually helping.

The girl moves past the couch, but at the last second, Elio reaches out and grabs her wrist, pulling her down into his lap. Her gaze shoots up to the blonde man Jade called Trent earlier.

His jaw clenches, and I swear his head might explode before he turns away with a huff but otherwise stays quiet.

A small smile tugs at her lips, and she glances at Jade, gratitude written all over her face.

Elio leans in, kissing and nibbling at her neck, making her giggle and squirm.

“For the love of God, Elio!” Trent shouts, tossing his hands in the air.

Elio hushes him, holding up a finger to stop him, and Trent collapses back in the chair with a groan that makes Jade snicker.

“Oh, you shut up for him, but the head of the Bratva you don’t mind telling to fuck off.” Shaved head says, and despite his obvious annoyance with Trent, his words don’t seem to hold any real heat.

Trent levels a glare at him.

“That’s because Elio is scary.” He gestures toward Elio, who, I must agree, has an air about him that makes him feel… intimidating. “And you're not the head of the Bratva. My wife is, and she’s also scary.”

The other one, who I believe could be her brother, barks a laugh.