The Devil's Beauty (Crime Lord Interconnected Standalone Book 2) by Airicka Phoenix

Author:Airicka Phoenix [Phoenix, Airicka]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Airicka Phoenix
Published: 2016-07-15T21:00:00+00:00

The sight of John Paul’s estate coming into view nearly had Ava in tears. The familiar rush of freshly mowed grass, the sweet honeysuckles, the familiar way the sun pierced through the canopy of trees, it all poured over her with an intensity that had her biting her lip to keep from laughing hysterically or weeping.

Dimitri had barely pulled to a stop when the front doors burst open. Ava threw herself out of the car and was swept up into familiar arms even before she’d taken two steps.

“Ava.” John Paul held her tight enough to break ribs. “Ma fifille, je vous ai manqué.” He squeezed tighter. “I missed you so much.”

The tears she’d been fighting burst free in a hot rush. It climbed out of her in waves, each one making her chest heave between sobs. She clung to him with a desperation that refused to be ignored.

“I’m sorry,” she cried in between pants. “I’m so sorry.”

“Shh,” he whispered, stroking her hair the way he used to when she’d been a little girl. “There is nothing to be sorry for.”

But she couldn’t stop. The words kept punching out of her chest in jagged shards. She wasn’t even sure what she was sorry about, but it was all she could say as she held him and soaked in his warm, comforting scent.

“Come inside,” he murmured. “I want to see you.”

She almost couldn’t let him go. It was a wonder her arms obeyed and relaxed their death grip around his throat.

“I have ordered all your favorites,” he went on softly. “Do you want to shower first?”

Ava nodded. The bath at Hector’s had felt wonderful, but it hadn’t been her shower. It hadn’t been her lotions or shampoos, or her clothes.

John Paul smoothed back her hair and cupped her face with both hands. He peered into her eyes, searching, assessing, trying to determine the depth of her damage, of all the things she wouldn’t tell him.

“I will find them,” he promised quietly. “Do you understand? And I will end them in the slowest manner possible.” He pressed a kiss to her brow. “Go. Get yourself together. When you are ready, I will be downstairs with those salmon sandwiches you like.”

Despite the weight on her chest, Ava laughed. It was wet and shaky, but it felt good. “I do like the salmon sandwiches.”

He grinned. “Well, hurry or I’ll eat them myself.”

With a gentle stroke of her head, he sent her off up the steps to the front doors. She paused at the top and glanced back.

John Paul was staring at the rental and the somber man standing next to it. Neither spoke, but the wall of hate between them was a solid force so hot and angry, she cringed at its ferocity.

“We had an agreement,” John Paul said quietly. “Do not test to see what will happen if you go back on it.”

“I haven’t forgotten,” Dimitri replied. “But we need to talk.”

“Not today,” John Paul cut in savagely. “My daughter has only just arrived home.

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