Thank God he’d had the forethought to ensure Evangeline wouldn’t be present, because while Drake could school his features, mask his thoughts and allow nothing of what he was feeling to reflect in his eyes, when it came to his angel, he could no more appear indifferent than she could be anything but honest and sincere in both words and expression. And Drake’s greatest strength, the reason he was invincible, was that he had no weaknesses for his enemies to exploit.
Until now.
Until Evangeline.
If it was known that Evangeline was his greatest andonlyweakness she would absolutely be used to take him down, because where beforehe would never negotiate—never had reason to—there was nothing he wouldn’t do, wouldn’t sacrifice to keep her safe.
The mere thought of his angel being hurt ordefiledbecause of him sent chilling fear through every part of his soul, and he was a man who feared nothing and no one.
“Sweet pad you have, Donovan,” one of the men said as they reached the top floor.
Drake gave him a lazy smile and drawled, “Only the best. Only way to live.”
“Hell yeah,” another chimed in.
The elevator doors opened and Drake came to an abrupt halt, shock and dread turning his veins to ice when he saw Evangeline standing at the end of the foyer, a shy, welcoming smile on her face and looking so achingly beautiful that he was momentarily robbed of speech.
Oh God. No. This wasn’t happening. What the fuck? He was going to kill Maddox. This couldn’t be happening. Itwasn’thappening. He had to be imagining her presence, but an appreciative whistle from behind him confirmed the very real vision of the angel standing before him. And the evil he had sworn she would never be exposed to.
“Nowthatis one sweet piece,” one of the men said. “You’ve been holding out on us, Drake.”
“I wouldn’t mind having some ofthat,” another said crudely as the others laughed.
“Hey, Donovan. Is she part of tonight’s entertainment? Because I have to say, you certainly know how to throw one hell of a party.”
Evangeline flushed, embarrassment and trepidation shadowing her eyes. Uncertainty and fear flashed over her features. But then her chin came up and she calmly composed herself and started forward, her welcoming smile once more in place.
“Good evening, gentlemen. If you’d like to go into the living room,there are appetizers and drinks. Dinner will be ready and on the table shortly.”
“I hope to hellshe’sdessert,” one muttered in a low voice.
Drake’s heart sank, and desolation settled deep into his bones for what he knew he had to do. What he had nochoicebut to do. And he’d never hated himself more than in this moment.
Evangeline had arranged to play hostess and had gone all out. Forhim. Because she wanted so badly to please him, make him proud of her and let him know he mattered.
She was so beautiful she took his breath away. She was even wearing the jewelry he’d given her—gifts she’d been uncomfortable receiving because she never wanted him to think even for a moment that she wanted anything but him. Not the material things he offered. She was dressed impeccably as if she wanted to make him proud. Worthy of him when it was he who was in no way worthy of her.
And he was about to destroy the most precious gift he had ever been given because he had no otherchoice.
“What the hell are you doing here, bitch?” he snarled. “Do you not understand orders when they’re given to you? If I wanted my latest whore to dress up and play hostess in my apartment I damn sure would have chosen one with more class and with the intelligence to heed simple instructions.”
Evangeline’s eyes went wide with shock and devastation. She stood as still as a statue, tears gathering in her eyes, her face flushed with humiliation.
“You can’t cook for shit, so do you honestly think I’d want you to serve my business associates and embarrass me when I had already arranged delivery from one of the finest restaurants in the city?”
Tears slid down her cheeks, her eye makeup smearing in dark streaks.
“Goddamn useless woman who can’t even follow simple instructions,” he repeated with a snarl. “Get on your knees,” he barked. “Now!” when she hesitated.
Trembling and nearly falling, she clumsily fell to her knees, wincing as they made contact with the hard Italian marble floor.
Drake strode forward, reaching for his fly, opening it and pulling out his flaccid erection.
“Suck it and you better damn well make me hard and swallow every drop of my come.”
She lifted her eyes, betrayal and utter devastation dulling her eyes. He twisted his hand cruelly in her hair, yanking at the elegant knot until her hair tumbled down her neck.
“Open your goddamn mouth.”
