Page 44 of Devil's Sinner

I could think of the newspapers’ gossip column reporting on this.

Underage sister of bride accuses groom of… What, exactly?

I watched Annie dancing after I begged her for some time alone. Connor and Georgia were dancing too, neither looking at me. I could see the bruise forming where Connor had hit his head in my bedroom.

Forcing myself not to show my discomfort, I mingled with the rest of the wedding guests, making my family proud. I made sure to surround myself with people, so I’d never been alone. Connor didn’t approach me again.

Late that night, as I lay in bed tossing and turning, I promised myself I’d keep the weird events of today a secret… Unless something happened again. For my sister’s sake, I hoped Connor wouldn’t act strange with me again.

Still, I couldn’t sleep. My mind kept spinning with thoughts about him. There was no one I could tell, but I could try to get some information on Connor. I had one source that would surely know…

Devlin Windsor.

I was hesitant to contact him since we hadn’t seen each other much in the past years. I didn’t know how he’d take to me asking a favor of him, since we didn’t always see eye to eye.

Still, I typed a text to him with shaky fingers.

Hey, Devlin. My sister got married today, but I heard rumors her husband is cheating on her. What do you know? V.

I awaited his response into the night. It was past three a.m. When I texted him, but his reply came in twenty minutes later. I wondered whether he’d been lying awake at night too. What was he thinking of?

With trepidation, I opened his text.

Violet, I don’t want you near that guy.

I furrowed my brows in confusion when I read his reply. Did he know something? But how could I reveal I was worried without letting him in on my secret? I’d promised myself not to mention Connor’s unnerving behavior to anybody, and here I was, mere hours later, ready to reveal it to the devil himself.

What do you mean? Have you heard anything? I need to know so I can protect Georgia.

I fired off my response and lay on my back, exhaling again. I was lying about protecting my sister. If anything, Georgia should’ve protected our family from Connor.

Anger boiled inside me. I resented my sister for the first time. How she’d withdrawn from me and Daddy, not giving a damn about us. All she cared about was her perfect wedding with the perfect flowers, perfect dress and perfect menu. She hadn’t showed an interest in me in years. I doubted she even knew how old I was.

Your sister’s problems aren’t yours, princess. Stay away from him. He’s a serial cheater and a total prick. Your sister will learn the truth soon enough.

I narrowed my eyes at Devlin’s next text. I started typing a reply but changed my mind and deleted everything, nervously biting my bottom lip. I’d already said too much to Devlin. But at least now I knew to stay away from Connor.

I promised myself to steer clear of the guy at any events we’d be at together. I would never mention him to Annie, Daddy or Devlin. Those rumors were Connor’s problem, but at least I wouldn’t be adding to them.

Not wanting to be a victim made me feel stronger than ever. I was proud of myself for fighting off the panic attack I’d had in the bedroom with Connor. It was a rare moment where I felt proud of myself.

I wouldn’t let a pathetic guy like Connor steal my attention.

***

Devlin and Violet's story continues in book 4, Devil's Plaything!

Chapter 16

Devlin

I'dneverbeeninlove.

But this felt the closest to it I'd ever gotten.

Holding Violet's frail body in my arms awakened the savior inside me. That night, I carried her to my bedroom and gently lay her down on my bed. She was obviously nervous, but my princess tried to hide it so hard. She trembled on the bed, her eyes fearfully finding mine as she whispered, "Are you going to hurt me?"

"Not today," I grunted, locking the door behind us. "I don't think you should be hurt tonight, princess. Do you disagree?"