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The book. Everything revolves around the damn Codex.

“He can get me the key, Tommy; I know he can. He just needs a little…convincing.”

I shoot her a look. “So, what do you need from me if he’s the one who needs convincing?”

She leans up as I rest my hands on her hips. “Stephen only likes girls with boyfriends,” she whispers. “The more I look unavailable, the more he will want me.”

Well, damn.

Stephen and his girlfriend approach us and immediately strike up a conversation with Talia. I hold back behind her as she chit-chats with others.

“Talia,” he says, adjusting his popped collar. I don’t like the way he says her name. “It’s been a while.” He nods at me. “Is this your new boyfriend?”

I grunt in response, and Talia reaches her hand back to mine. “Tommy and I started seeing each other a couple of months ago,” she says with a charming smile.

Her charisma knows no bounds, and neither does her depravity. Stephen and his girlfriend might as well plan their funeral.

Chaos doesn’t choose its victims, but Talia does.

“We’ve met,” I remind him.

He knows who the fuck I am. Everyone in this town knows me.

He tilts his chin back. “Oh yeah, I remember you…you’re Remy’s little friend.” I puff out my chest to remind him that there is nothing little about me.

Talia continues the conversation, focusing on Stephen and ignoring his girlfriend, who awkwardly smiles at me. Talia is an expert at keeping up appearances, and her hands keep reaching back to mine, grasping it.

Touching me. Claiming me. Even as Stephen’s slimy eyes watch us, like he’d stand a chance at stealing my girl from under my nose.

Stephen’s eyes flicker at Talia. “Maybe we could catch up sometime soon.”

Talia leans back into me. “I’d like that very much, Stephen.”

Stephen walks away, and Talia keeps her body pressed to me, knowing full-well I’m being used like a throwaway toy.

“You’re diabolical,” I whisper, nipping her ear with my teeth.

“Keep playing,” she whispers as we head out to the middle of the room, where a few people are dancing and swaying. “I need him to take me home tonight, Tommy.”

Instead of looking away, the creepy motherfucker watches her as she presses her body into mine, putting on a show for him.

I pull Talia closer and move my hand to her ass.

Seems like everyone wants to play games tonight. Didi keeps looking over at me as we intertwine with each other, so hell yeah, I’ll play. I’ll be the doting boyfriend tonight for Talia.

I pull down the strap of Talia’s shirt and kiss her shoulder, worshiping the smooth lines of her collarbone as I push her into a corner.

She presses a little baggie into my hand, then leans up, kissing me. “Don’t go overboard tonight. Keep your wits about you.”

My stomach twinges. “What are you up to?”

She merely smiles and pinches my lips. “You’re a good guy, Tommy. Have I told you that lately?”

Why the hell is Talia acting so funny tonight? And why does it seem like something is going to happen? It’s like everyone is avoiding me.

Didi and Remy have kept a comfortable distance. They seem to be lost in their own little world.

“You better come home to me tonight,” I growl at her.