Page 38 of My Beautiful Sin

Devlin took a step closer, reminding himself that Ronan was his friend, which was a damn good thing. If he was anyone else, Devlin would have already broken his nose. “One, don’t ever speak about her like that again. Two, as far as I’m concerned, she’s the only thing worth building anything for.”

To his credit, Ronan didn’t even flinch. All he said was, “Really?”

“Yeah.” Devlin nodded slowly. “She’s been the voice in my head for the last decade. Pushing me forward. Driving me to make a mark. To fight back against what my father set in motion.”

“I get it, man, you know I do. But do you really think she’s going to feel the same? That she’s going to approve of the kind of mark you’re making? You know the kind of woman she is. The way she thinks.”

“I do. That’s why I trust her.”

“I guess you must. You didn’t only tell Ellie your secrets, you practically threw a goddamn party and announced everything to all her friends.”

Devlin dragged his fingers through his hair. “I made a judgment call.”

“Her roommate. Now the detective. If that’s the result of your judgment call, no offense, but I’m questioning your judgment.”

“Fair enough. That’s why I keep you around. But I trust them both.”

“Why?”

“What about you? Are you going to rat me out? Spill my secrets?”

To his credit, Ronan looked appalled by the very thought. “You know I wouldn’t.”

“Even if I piss you off? Even if you think I’ve crossed a line?”

“You know the answer.”

“Tell me the why,” Devlin demanded.

“Because of who you are, you asshole. You and me, we’ve been through a lot of shit. Hell, we’ve walked through fire together.”

“And you think those three haven’t?”

Ronan’s head tilted, and Devlin pressed on. “Even if they don’t care a thing about me—even if they think I’m the devil incarnate—”

“And they might.”

“They still won’t say a word. Because if they do, it would hurt Ellie.”

“The cop, too?”

Devlin hesitated, then nodded.

“Then I guess you’re right. You don’t have to worry about them.” He met Devlin’s eyes, his as hard as steel. “All we have to worry about is what’ll happen when Ellie learns the rest of your truth. I hope she’s worth the risk.”

“She is,” he said. But he couldn’t deny that Ronan was right about one thing. As far as Ellie Holmes was concerned, Devlin was a selfish sonofabitch. Because even though Ronan didn’t say it out loud, it wasn’t just Devlin’s neck on the chopping block.

If it turned out that Devlin had misjudged Ellie or her friends—if the decisions he’d made with his heart rather than his head caused everything he’d built to come crashing down around him—then Devlin knew damn well that he’d never, ever forgive himself.

Chapter Fourteen

I’m wearing PJs and in bed when Brandy knocks lightly on my bedroom door. “Are you awake?” Her voice is soft, barely a whisper.

“Come on in.”

She pushes the door open and steps in, her damp hair leaving a dark spot on the shoulders of her nightgown. “I thought a hot shower would help, but I still can’t sleep. You either?”

I shake my head and scoot over to make room for her on the bed. “It’ll be okay. Lamar won’t say anything. He wouldn’t do that to me.”