Valor

Chapter 13

Maverick

Dark hair, whiskey eyes.

That line shouldn't have affected me as much as it did, I mean it's just a simple physical description, but it gave me a small gleam into the inner workings of Lilah's mind. Something I haven't been able to do, and frankly I was trying not to. I knew that as soon as I got within her head, my obsession with her would increase.

I wasn't wrong either, that line touched something deep, something primal within me. It somehow marked me as hers and I was pissed at myself that I hadn't marked her back.

I could see a faint irritation she tried to hide under her dress. It looked like a bite mark and that only sparked my own jealousy within me. Was it the neighbor? Did he mark what was mine?

Mine? Jesus this was starting to get concerning. I just had to make sure that no one catches on to it. I already have three weaknesses in this world, making it four would be a mistake.

"Did you get her target?" Onyx's words startle me a little and remind me how lost in thought i truly was. That alone pisses me off. The effect she has on me is dangerous. It distracts me.

I gulp the rest of the whiskey from my glass. "Mark Cortova."

Onyx lets out a low whistle. "A big fish. Think she can do it?"

"I have no doubt she can, but I'm more worried that Kai and Dame will try to get involved if they find out."

Onyx glances back out at the crowd, catching sight of Kai and Dame laughing at something while they grab their drinks from the crowded bar.

Those boys are whipped, and that only means I have to step up my game. Still, I find myself searching the faces for someone in particular.

"When Kai and Dame find out you let her go, they're going to be pissed. Not the incognito vibe you were going for." Onyx murmurs to me.

He's not wrong. Kai and Dame will throw a fit when they come back to just the two of us. If they get too upset we're going to have to leave. Both of them are volatile in their own ways, and being in this crowded ballroom will only make it worse.

A flash catches my eye and I turn to look towards the front of the room, seeing Lilah with her arm draped over some guy's arm as she laughs at something he said. He;s grinning down at her with a clear intent. He wants her. That angers me, and I can only imagine what Dame and Kai will do if they see it.

I notice that though Lilah seems relaxed, she is using her skills to pick apart the crowd, eyeing Cortova as he makes his way through an assortment of people, his two bodyguards and wife in tow. Lilah is cataloging his every move even if to the naked eye she seems distracted. It sparks something in me. It reminds me of how capable she really is.

Then why do I worry for her?

...

The night goes on as I expected. Kai and Dame were ready to throttle me by the end of the night, but luckily they were sane enough to keep their emotions in check; something that's normally difficult for them in public.

I notice that sometime along the way that Lilah seemed to slip out of the crowd undetected. Her date chatting up a storm with numerous people which tells me she must have excused herself.

As we make our way down the steps towards the driveway, Kai grumbles under his breath.

"I wish we knew her plan."

Onyx and I share a glance at each other. We didn't divulge any of the information Lilah told us. I knew that if they knew they would beg to help. No matter how much I might feel for Lilah or how confusing my feelings are, I won't risk my brothers, I can't.