Chapter 16 Alessia had moved the party outside to the Olympic-sized swimming pool. I stood by the glass doors, whiskey burning a hole in my palm, watching Maya.She was lounging like a goddamn queen-legs crossed, her thick thigh exposed. Matteo hovered too close, grinning at some bullshit he'd whispered in her ear. She leaned in, touched his arm, and something in my chest snapped.I cracked my neck.Alessia materialized beside me, fingers curling around my bicep."I think Maya likes my cousin."I didn't answer."She's the kind of girl who needs attention," Alessia mused. "That's why I introduced them. Matteo likes girls like her." She said it like I had asked her. Then she excused herself. I watched Maya stand and head into the house.I waited. Counted to ten. Then followed. The hallway was empty. The sink ran behind the bathroom door. It opened.Maya stepped out of the bathroom, still smirking like she'd won something."You looking for me, Ra?"My dick throbbed at the nickname. Fuck.I grabbed her wrist, hauled her into the nearest room, and kicked the door shut."What the hell is your game?" I snarled, backing her against the wall.She shoved me off. "I was having a conversation-""You were fucking him with your eyes.""Oh, you're jealous?" Her laugh was sharp as broken glass. "All it takes is me smiling at another man? Guess I'll do it more often."I crowded her, knuckles white. "You're pushing me.""You let me." She held my stare. "You don't want to like me, but you don't want anyone else to either. What happens when I stop waiting?" I saw red.My hand shot out, gripping her throat-just enough to feel her pulse hammering. Maya's breath hitched. Then she smirked. "Squeeze tighter. You know I like it rough."Her tongue wet her lips. She curled her fingers around my wrist and dropped her head back. Daring me."Do it," she whispered. I released her like she'd burned me.She rubbed her neck, grinning. "That's what I thought." Then her eyes dropped to my belt. "That made you hard, Ra. Your hands around my neck." She eased her dress up her thighs, black lace peeking. "You can fuck me." Every part of me wanted to. Hated how much.I grabbed her. Spun her. She hit the dresser with a thud, palms slapping wood. She arched her back, ass in the air like she'd been waiting for it.I yanked her panties aside."This what you want?" I dragged my cock through her slick."Fuck yes," she spat. "Don't make me wait." I shoved inside."You like it when I fuck you angry," I growled, hand wrapping around her throat. "Told you I'd make you sore.""Yes-" Her nails dug into the dresser. I reached down, slid a finger into her ass. She moaned, pushing back onto me."You're mine, Maya.""Yes, yes-" Then we heard it. "Raziel?" Alessia's voice. Maya stiffened. I fucked her deeper."Raziel, where are you?"Maya tried to twist away. I pinned her."Not until I finish."She whimpered as I bit her neck."Say my name.""No-"I thrust harder."Fuck... Raziel." I came with a groan, spilling inside her. She bolted for the balcony as the knock came.I adjusted my pants, face cold when the door opened. 'What are you doing in here?' Alessia asked, relief stretching her mouth into a smile. "I was looking for you.""Needed a minute to myself." She glanced behind me but didn't push it."Maya disappeared. Then you did too. I wondered if she was with you."I shrugged and frowned."Why would she be with me?""She's the kind that seduces men like you," Alessia said, tone soft but sour. "Her and her sister. I've heard rumors, you know. About Priest's first wife. About how the other sister might've had something to do with her suicide. They'd been involved. The wife found out." I didn't react. Nobody was sure what happened. Priest was too smart to let that slip to anybody. And nobody speculated. That could be dangerous when you were dealing with someone like him. "She's trouble," Alessia added, like that wasn't already obvious.I didn't respond.She shifted closer. "Don't spend too much time around her, Raziel."I looked her dead in the eye."I'm not trying to." That made her smile."I don't like either one. Not my type of woman. I'll play nice, of course. Out of respect for who Priest is. What he can do to my father's business." Behind me, there was a loud clink-something knocked over on the balcony.Alessia tensed."What was that?" I stepped forward, filling the doorway."Probably the wind." She took a step toward the glass doors.I leaned slightly, shifting into her path."I'll check. Just in case. You stay. If you hear anything..." I tipped my head, voice low. "Run." I watched the fear crawl across her face.I turned away and walked to the balcony. Maya was crouched low behind a chaise lounge, curls wild in the breeze. When she saw me, she grinned and blew a kiss-bold and reckless.I exhaled hard. Rolled my eyes.But the corner of my mouth twitched anyway. I shut the door and turned around.Alessia hadn't moved-hands clasped, face tight."It was the wind," I said. She narrowed her eyes, searching my face like she could dig the truth out of my skin.I gave her nothing."Let's go say goodbye to our guest," I said, placing a hand on her shoulder and guiding her toward the door. Five-year-old Annie, who can understand animals, saved Landon Hawthorne, a wealthy businessman, from suicide. Now she's his whole world and he's her legal cheat-code against every villain fate throws ...