THE DEVIL I LOVE

NICA

e. The hallway offers a stunning view of Manhattan. Clicking my heels, I head towards the conference room where my brother and father

as I hand over the manila f

ises, shoots me a stern look. Brady shrugs, muttering something about confidentiality as he snatches the file from my hand. Ignoring me, he dives ba

probably don't want me here. 'A pretty girl like you shouldn't be here,' my father would

al, but I'm not sure why. After all, it was my fathe

rties, girls, disappearing acts – that was his life post-college. But on his twent

uickly shifted his attention to Brady. All my hard work

a?" Dad raises his eyebrow, his real message cle

ad and Brady, but Brady avoids eye contact, burying himself in papers. Our dynam

d worked for, our relationship crumbled. He was once my close

'm the one losing it. Grabbing my bag, I make a swift exit, holding b

faint protest just before the door closes behind me. It's a reli

s aren't what they used to b

_______

s he here yet?" Annalise, tall and stunning in her red ballgo

wiping off excess gloss before adjusting my emerald gr

d out of the restroom. Through the crowded hallway, we make our w

he noise, following Annalise into the vast ha

n with the mostly business crowd. I've attended this

find my seat. Scanning the names, I stumble into someone and almost fell down, but a strong

otice his features, styled brown hair, sharp jawline. Annalise's throat

back slightly as he lets go of me. Wow, good looking, strong, and sexy? I couldn't he

shaking my head as I think of what just happened, lo

p, noticing how impeccably he's dressed in his black suit and tie, paired with loafers. But beyond that

e that makes my heart skip a beat. Without hesitation, I s

o," I reply, returning his smile. His e

g fun of me? I'm taken aback, not just because he knows my father, probably quite well

st didn't expect you to be so beautiful," he clarifies, seeing my

attention to the man who's appeared beside me. His lips brush my cheek, whispering a

pressing his fingers into my waist as he extends his ha

iling as he shakes Brian's hand. I notice Brian's grip on

noring my scowl. Seriously? My eyes meet Nico's briefly, both of us

s disapproval of Brian's attitude but know he won't say anything. I could

self out of Brian's grip. This was going to be a long night, considering I was sandwiched between Brady and Brian, with Nico