The Devil Inside by Mia Amano Read Free Book Online Page A

thinks it’s none of my business. She’s fierce and proud and determined to handle things on her own.  
    Adele doesn’t fear me, even though she saw what I did the other night. I know women who wouldn't ever speak to me again after that little display. It can't be helped. Violence is as innate to me as breathing. She should stay the hell away from me. But after I beat the shit out of those two hardened thugs last night, she made me tea.  
    That was refreshing.
    I light up a cigarette and inhale, savoring it. A small laugh escapes me. She’s the first person to ever lecture me about my smoking. She’s right, of course. The cancer sticks are a filthy habit.  
    “Fuck.” I exhale, then think twice and drop the cigarette on the ground, crushing it under my shoe. Maybe it is time to quit the smokes.
    What the hell is wrong with me?
    This was supposed to be a business visit; a quick explanation to the manager about what happened last night, warning him to call Masa or myself if Lucini’s people return and things get out of hand.  
    Instead, I end up following my dick.  
    I’m not used to this kind of thing. She’s not easy, this Adele. Dealing with women is not normally a problem for me. My days in Japan were filled with one night stands with beautiful predators who hid behind a demure facade. It’s a certain kind of woman who’s drawn to the world of the yakuza.  
    They wanted exactly what I wanted and neither of us ever lingered afterwards.  
    With my reputation, I wasn’t exactly relationship material.  
    Since coming to America, I’ve gone under the radar, acting quiet, reserved, every inch the Japanese professional. I have my reasons. There are people who would be happy if they heard I was dead or in jail.  
    Until this goddamn Adele comes along with her perfect face and bee-stung, cherry lips and mesmerizing green eyes and I’m lusting after her like a fucking virgin schoolboy.
    I should stop right now. She’s starting to ask questions I don’t want to answer.  
    Like who am I, really?
    I don't know how I'm supposed to explain that.

CHAPTER THREE

    Adele

    On Sunday, I have a day off. I decide to make the morning my own, so I sleep in, have a slow breakfast and watch crap on the internet for a while. The bruise around my eye has started to turn yellow. Next it’ll go green, before eventually fading.
    Gross.
    Having a giant, multicolored patch around one’s left eye isn’t glamorous.
    At least it’s not as painful anymore.
    I’ve got the apartment to myself. Dio’s gone to some tech conference in Silicon Valley for the week so I can lounge around in an oversized t-shirt, wearing only my panties. I know; I'm a slob.
    It’s good to relax.  
    I’m half asleep on the couch, basking in the warm mid-morning sunshine when my phone vibrates.  
    Adi, pls come over. Dad in trouble.
    Not again. A bad feeling uncoils in the pit of my stomach.
    If Gavin has done anything stupid with that five thousand dollars I gave him, I'm going to kill him.  
    I sigh. So much for lounging around in comfort on my day off. I get dressed and call a cab. Normally, I take the bus, but in this case, time is an issue. When the driver drops me off at my family's house, there's a black Porsche parked out front.  
    I'm pretty sure we don't know anyone who drives a Porsche.  
    That bad feeling from earlier has morphed into dread.
    I creep in through the open doorway and hear raised voices coming from the kitchen. On silent feet, I peer around the corner. I freeze. Gavin is seated at the kitchen table with two men. Mom and Mina are nowhere to be seen.  
    Dad has his head bowed. One of the men has laid a gun on the table.  
    "Listen, Johnny," he pleads. "I'll get your money. I just need more time."
    "Time's up, Gavin." The man named Johnny leans forward. Even sitting down, I can tell he's a huge guy. His hulking frame seems to fill the entire room. His counterpart is the opposite; whip thin, but no less scary.
    He has a