hrough the lounge's ambient no

turn the crowd against her. "This woman is a

a, started to murmur in agreement. "Yeah, that's not possible

ed in front of Adria. "Are you serious? Y

umbled backward, her elbow crac

ey could mock her, insult her, challenge

le. "What's wrong? Did I hit a nerve? Have you decided how you're going t

tion to Adria, he shot to his feet. The whiskey glass in his hand sha

ous. "Get ready," he

to move, something happened d

n's advance, Ad

y raised

AC

sharp and loud, echoing

just a blur. A bright red handpr

and flying to his fac

lowed the slap with a swift,

in, doubling over l

ir, yanked his head up, and executed a clean, perfec

evin lay there, the wind knocked out of him,

e lounge was in shock. No one could believe this sle

e knew Adria was tough, but she

g off his men. His anger was replaced by a deep, burning curi

on Devin's chest, pin

she pulled a knife. It was thin as a ra

ed the atmosphere from shock

he blade. Her voice was soft, but it carried a bone-d

cheater, but to touch what's mine.

the dagger tracing a line on his expensi

to beg. "No... please... I was wrong! I lo

ger hooked under the top button of his suit jacke

precise, like a surgeon beg

g of the cold steel gliding against his f

bladder. A dark stain spread across his trousers, an