Davon’s jaw tightened. This whole mess had been eating at him, and Marianna bringing it up now wasn’t helping. His expression darkened.
“Everything was set,” he hissed, keeping his voice low. “Then Payton ruined the whole damn thing
Marianna’s face looked like she’d just swallowed something rotten. She’d been waiting for this–waiting to watch Kayla get played, watch everything blow up in her face. But she’d gotten nothing.
“What happened?” she demanded.
Davon had no choice but to walk her through every detail of that day.
As she listened, Marianna’s usual mask of gentle sweetness cracked and fell away. Something cold and vicious flickered in her eyes.
“How does Kayla get this lucky? Payton just happens to save her?” Her gaze dropped to nothing, calculating. “No wonder he’s wearing that bandage on his arm. He must’ve gotten hurt rescuing her.”
A thought surfaced, and her eyes narrowed with fresh suspicion. “Wait. Payton and Kayla barely knew each other before. So why are they suddenly together all the time? Are they actually dating?”
“No way.” Davon’s denial came fast, almost defensive. “Kayla’s a Sexton. Why would she look twice at someone like Payton? He’s nobody.”
Besides, he knew Kayla had liked him since they were kids. There was no way she’d fall for anyone else.
Marianna’s eyes flashed with something sharp–anger, maybe jealousy–but her expression shifted into wounded vulnerability. “Are you jealous, Dav? Do you still have feelings for Kayla?”
Before he could answer, she continued, her voice trembling with practiced hurt. “I get it. She’s a Sexton. She has everything–money, looks, everyone falling over themselves to spoil her. She can have anything she wants. Of course you’d still care about her.”
Her eyes glistened. “I’m nothing compared to that. I’ve never had anything. How could I possibly compete?”
Davon’s expression softened immediately, and he rushed to reassure her. “Maria, don’t talk like that. Kayla’s got money and looks, sure, but that’s it. You’re better than her in every way that matters.”
When no one was looking, he reached over and gave her fingers a gentle squeeze–intimate, deliberate.
Marianna’s eyes went wide and bright as she looked up at him, her voice uncertain. “Really? Then why do you keep staring at her?”
Davon brushed his hand through her hair, nodding. “Of course it’s real. You know how I feel about you, don’t you? I wasn’t staring at Kayla. I’m thinking through some things.”
A shy smile bloomed on Marianna’s face, sweetness flooding her expression. But she pressed on. “What’s got you so distracted?”
Chapter 188
“Those idiots I hired. Payton and Kayla took them down, and they called the cops. Now all those thugs are sitting in jail. His jaw tightened. “If any of them talk if they tell the police I’m the one who sent them—I’m in serious trouble.”
Marianna’s face darkened for a moment. Then, just as quickly, her smile returned. “Oh, is that all? Don’t worry about it. I’ve got a way to make sure this doesn’t blow back on you,”
Davon’s eyes lit up. “You do? What are you thinking?”
Marianna pressed her lips together, hesitating before she spoke. “Kayla might be the Sexton family’s precious daughter, but she’s not the one with real power in that family.
“Dav, you know Kayla’s brother–he’s the one who’s been funding my education. If we can get him to bury this whole thing, even if Kayla wants to make a fuss, there’s nothing she can do about it.”
Something bright flickered in Davon’s eyes. “You’re right. God, I can’t believe I forgot about Tristian.”
Then his expression darkened again.
“Would you go talk to him?” His jaw tightened. “Every time that man looks at you, I–the way Tristian stares at you, I’m afraid he might—”
Davon trailed off, but he didn’t need to finish. He was a man. He recognized exactly what that predatory hunger in Tristian’s gaze meant when it landed on Marianna.
