The Devil's Masquerade: The Remedy: The Devil's Eyes, #5

By Jennifer Loren

Nick Jayzon is now a Savage, a part of Asmodeus's army. Kayla has been threatened, cornered and tempted to run and hide, leaving her true love to fight on his own and be forever under the control of the greed hungry devil. However, she meets a mysterious ally that she never knew she had until she needed her the most and that ally encourages Kayla, to stay and to fight. Will Kayla fight for the husband she loves? Will she stand toe to toe with the devil and fearlessly threaten his final annihilation? Will Kayla find her husband again and be able to inflict her own kind of devil's Remedy and be able to bring Nick back to the life he once knew? Without Nick, Kayla and all her allies will be outnumbered and their power will be no contest against Savage and his manipulated grandson's own power. Will they need to kill Nick to survive or will a younger Nick step forward and show his extraordinary power to save them all? Kayla and all her allies will accept their fates and enter into the ultimate battle at The Devil's Masquerade.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jennifer Loren
• Release date: Jul 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393653868

Jennifer Loren

Jennifer Loren graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a Fine Arts Degree, specializing in Architecture and Design. She currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her German shepherd, Nick. In addition to the vastly popular, top mafia romance and bestselling series, The Devil’s Eyes, Ms. Loren has successfully published bestselling romantic suspense novel Finding Ava and its sequel Reckless and the bestselling short story, The Hand That Holds Mine. Her mafia series, The Laws of Kings, and its sequel Dethroning the King along with standalone novel Undercover – Secrets & Lies have also been released with great reviews. Her writing genre is considered dark, romantic suspense, and mafia romance. Her books tend to have a lot of humor, which is why she is currently branching out into comedic books and children's books. Her first children's book, the award-winning The Awkward Puppy has been highly rated and loved by children and adults.  @JenniferLorenDE https://www.jenniferloren.com https://www.facebook.com/JenniferLoren.Author http://www.youtube.com/user/LorenJennifer Books By Jennifer Loren The Finding Ava Series Finding Ava Reckless The Long Road The Devil’s Eyes Series The Devil’s Eyes The Devil’s Revenge The Devil’s Son The Devil’s Masquerade: The Poison The Devil’s Masquerade: The Remedy The New Devil in Charge The Devil Forgotten Fate Escape The Laws of Kings Series The Laws of Kings Dethroning the King Undercover Undercover: Secrets & Lies Short Story The Hand That Holds Mine

Book preview

Prologue – The Remedy

Kayla

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Nick has not been heard from for over a month now. I can hardly sleep without dreaming of him. I can hardly breathe without thinking of him. From what Kamini tells me, he is not at all himself and is lost somewhere within Savage’s lies. Forget him, I was told, ...forget Nick and leave him behind for a new life. Kamini was right. I would always be searching for him within someone else. I would always desire him. There is no way I can forget Nick. How can you forget such a man? How can you forget someone who is so much more than just a man to you? Nick is more. Nick is so much more than just a man. When we are together, he proves who he is. He proves that no other can match him. It isn’t just one thing that makes him so hard to let go of. If it was just one thing, then maybe I could. If it was just the way his hands handled my body with ease or the way they caress me, filling me with a tender warmth. If it was just his lips, tenderly kissing every part of me with want. If it was just his tongue encircling the edges of my nipples and tasting my lips with his whispering desire. If it was just his erection, so bold and hard, brimming with desire as it penetrates, tight and full, inside of me. If it was just the powerful sensations causing my muscles to tighten, my toes to curl, and for me to cry out with desperate pleasure. Ohhh, if it was only just those things, then I could resist him and call for another, but no, it isn’t just any of those things. As great as they are, they are only a small part of who he is.

Nick, my Nick, is a love that I feel deep within me, an adoring love that I see within his eyes as he smiles proudly at my moaning gasps of his name. It is simply that he knows he can fuck better than any man; yet with every move he makes, he chooses to make me feel loved instead. How could I ever give up and let him go when, letting go of Nick, would be like letting go of my own soul?

Chapter 1

Kayla

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Nick! Oh my God Nick, please don’t hurt him! Nick’s painful screams shake me to my core, and I run. I have to get to Nick, but one look down at my side, and I realize Nicky has stayed with me. He’s scared, for me and for his father. I need to help Nick, but Nicky, I have to protect Nicky. My heart is tearing its way out of my chest trying to keep pace with my head. I push Nicky into a closet and step back, only to have him follow me. Thankfully, Eey steps in and corrals Nicky under a table, guarding him with a fierce stance. With my son protected, I rush to my husband with the first weapon I can find, but the moment he lays his eyes on me, my body releases an exhale I cannot gain back. Savage’s hand cuts into my throat with an aroused rage. All I can do is stare into his crimson; swirling eyes and watch as his story unfolds. The madness, the black terror he inflicted with no remorse, even with his own children’s cries. I want to fight him, but I’m captivated by the story and the images developing in front of me, making this man, this demon, too real to me. I can faintly hear my son crying for me, my husband screaming for me, but the more I try to respond to them, the more he cuts off my ability to breathe and threatens to send me to my grave. There is nothing I can do but look deep into his soul, and that’s the moment I see it. I see Savage’s moment of despair, the moment he was no longer a man but hell’s darkest nightmare. I gain a single breath of air and Savage realizes his mistake. He showed me a weakness, and he showed me Nick’s future if he is to follow him. Savage’s intense glare begins to fade while the world around me begins to fade away ...

There is nothing here. I am not sure how to get out. I am not even sure how I got here.

Am I dead?

"Well, you look good for dead, or as best as you can look, my mother’s voice calls out from behind me. I spin so fast I become dizzy and stumble backwards, trying to regain my composure. Still nothing but a klutz. An ugly klutz. How you managed to get a man is beyond me, but yet, here you are: married and with children. Amazing. What did you do? Put a curse on him? You must be a witch. You’re too ugly to have what you have without being a witch," she says with her usual intimidating glare.

Where am I, and what ...?

Don’t worry. You’re not dead ... yet. Although, you might as well be. What kind of mother leaves her son hiding under a table with nothing but a dog to protect him? I try to respond, but nothing more than a weak, single syllable leaves my mouth. My mother laughs before continuing her judgment, And your husband? You leave him to defend himself and your children alone. All that he has done for you and you do nothing. You really are worthless. Her eyes continue to look me over with judgment as she walks dizzying circles around me. You know, Savage wants Nick to leave you. He has someone else for him, someone much better suited for him. A much better match: prettier, smarter, and an even better option for bearing his children. She has been groomed for him since birth. She ... she says, stopping to face me with squared shoulders. She is the one meant for him. You are simply a place holder, a meaningless moment of his past.

"You don’t know anything! You’re dead, and I don’t have to listen to a word you say," I reply, raising my head a little higher.

You need to let him go. You have to let him go. I shake my head, and I feel her rage as it begins to heat my skin. You need to do it for your son. If you let Nick go, Savage will spare your son.

He would stay away from Nicky and Brayden? I ask.

Her laugh penetrates to my spine, like needles that pierce my skin to the bone. Don’t be ridiculous! Only one will be allowed to live, and you know which one. Not that it would matter much; Brayden is nearly as worthless as you. I step forward, forcing my mother to instantly step back. Oh, so there is some fight in you. Tell me, Kayla. Tell me. How much courage do you have?

She starts circling me with a hardened glare. Are you strong enough Kayla, to stand toe-to-toe with the devil? Are you smart enough to listen to the whispers that give you the answers or speak when you know you will be heard over all others? Will you do as you know to be true and not as the world wishes for you to do? Where do your loyalties lie, Darling?

What are you talking about, crazy woman? I bark at her.

When you are faced with your greatest fear, Kayla, will you run and hide or will you face it head on? My mother stops dead in her tracks and walks up to me, staring me down. You are nothing but a bundle of fears and insecurities, a weakling in a fighter’s skin. Run Kayla. Run fast and hide with what little you are being offered and never come back. You don’t have what it takes to be a player in this battle. Her image strengthens in front of me as I step towards her.

"You have never known who I am, and you certainly do not know me now. Go ahead. Test me. Provoke me with whatever you have, but you will never see me waiver. I know where my loyalties lie. They rest with my family, mother; my family is all that matters to me, and I will not run, I will not hide to protect the one, but I will stand and fight with everything I have to protect them all. Each and every single one of them. My eyes meet hers, making it clear that I don’t mean just my husband, or just my children, but all who I love and cherish. Face to face, we stand, and my head rises above my shoulders, strong and defiant. If you have something to tell me, then say it."

He will kill you if you test him, she says with a smug expression.

I know him now. I have seen deep into his soul, I say.

Oh, and so now you know how to stand in front of him like you do me now?

I am not afraid of him, I reply with certainty.

Oh no? I shake my head, and my mother’s image fades, suddenly replaced with Savage’s in front of me. The steaming, volcanic eruption looks down on me with blood red eyes and churning detest.

Do you not wish to run now? Savage rages.

My heart stays steady, and my mind breathes easily, No. Your hellish fury is nothing to me. Your actions are everything that makes me stronger.

A woman scorned? That old saying keeps you foolishly strong, he fires back.

No, your confidence is foolish. Run. Run and hide, Savage, because not you, or any of the rest of hell’s demons, has the ability to battle my fury.

Hell will welcome you, Fallen Angel, Savage retorts.

"This fallen angel may be stained, but don’t be fooled. I am not broken. I will be the remedy to your poison, Asmodeus." I breathe against his fire, causing his blaze to turn to ashes while I ... I awake without fear.

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Kamini didn’t even do me the pleasure of looking surprised when I showed up to meet her. She simply said, Okay, now it’s time to get to work. She takes my hand and leads me away to her home, hidden in a place that I could never find on my own. I have to be driven there by her and her two female guards. The two women at her side stand silent and strong, never giving any sign of concern. Her place is a sanctuary, an open air paradise in the middle of nowhere. I hope you don’t mind, but I find it easier to train in my home.

You have trained other people before? I ask.

When necessary, I train ones that have been chosen to help me locate and punish the most immoral souls. Unfortunately, there seems to be more and more work these days. Come here, Kayla. I step towards her, squaring my shoulders with hers and follow her instructions to breathe deeply and slowly until I am relaxed and focused on the task at hand. Kamini has me step back and follow her movements. She starts out slow and easy, giving me precise instruction on every movement of my hands, my feet, and even my eyes. I practice over and over again, and at the end of the day, I return home to my sons, showing them what I have learned and earning applause with each accomplishment. Nick was right; the boys are easy to confide in. I speak of my meetings with Kamini to no one but the boys. Nicky understands that my training is a secret between us and no one else should ever find out. Brayden? Well, he understands somewhat, but he doesn’t speak much anyway. When he does, it is only to me or his brother.

Each day, I meet with Kamini’s guards and am escorted to the hidden paradise. Each day, I go through the same routine, repeating every motion and taking every breath I need to save Nick, to become what I need to be for my husband.

In between our workouts and practices, Kamini reports back to me what she knows about Nick. She sees him at The Meeting of the Lords, as he attends every assembly. He does nothing more than listen while sitting at his grandfather’s side, but he appears well.

Kamini said, He looks healthy and strong on the outside. I spoke to him briefly, and I can find no pain within his voice; however, his eyes say something different. Clearly, he is undoubtedly lost, lonely, and completely heartbroken. The worst part is he doesn’t even remember why.

The things she tells me make me feel good but pain me at the same time, making me even more determined to get to him, and to save him.

Chapter 2

Nick

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The family bunker is a mess. Whoever attacked us was looking for something, and it doesn’t look like they found it. They left everything of importance and didn’t take anything of monetary value. So what were they looking for? There are guards at the front and throughout the tunnel leading to this point. Surely they would have encountered some forced casualties along the way, but no bodies were found other than ours. The men that were left standing remember nothing. We know they accessed the prison from the back door, the bunker’s emergency escape route, and not the main access, which is odd. If they knew where this place was and that Gideon was here, then why didn’t they know about the other door? It would have been easier and wouldn’t have put them in such a vulnerable position with our men chasing after them. That is, if they were chasing after them. I can find nothing to believe they were. Gideon’s prison cell leaves little clues; however, the access door does contain something. A few strands of long hair dangle from the hinges along with a small piece of fabric, and from the sweet scent accompanying them, they are not male. The scent is familiar and arouses me for some reason, but I am not sure why. I don’t want anyone else to know about it until I can learn more, so I wrap up the evidence and pocket it. I want these bastards, and I want to deal with them myself. This woman, whoever she is, is mine.

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Another day of practice and another day with Ward, the fuck my grandfather has assigned to be my new trainer. He has recently been promoted to his top assassin because he is the best, so I am told. His attitude would agree. He struts around our home as if he can fight anyone, including me, with ease. If he hits me one more time, he’s going to wish he was better at running.

Okay, Nicholas, let’s try this one more time. Do you think you understand what I have told you?

Yes. It wasn’t that complicated, I say to the prick.

I am only making sure it didn’t go over your head. Now this time, try and keep me from attacking you from the right side, he says just before sliding in on the left and knocking my legs out from under me.

Motherfucker, you said right!

Of course I did. You have to be prepared, Nicholas. You think an attacker is going to tell you which way he is going to come at you? Surely you are not that foolish, he says with a cocky smile. I really hate him. Now, get off the floor you lazy punk. You might have gotten away with that slacker attitude with your previous trainer, but not with me. I stand, curling my lip and fisting my hands.

I have never been a slacker at anything.

Really, you little rich boy? You have never known what it is like to be a real man and have to fight for a living, but now, I am going to show you what a real man can do to even a devil like you. He comes at me, again and again. This time, he draws his gun and begins shooting. Dodge the bullets Nicholas! He laughs as I am barely able to dive out of the way of the onslaught of blazing ammunition.

Enough! my grandfather yells as he steps into the practice room. Ward, still laughing at my expense, sets the gun aside. I run at him and slam him into a wall. Nicholas, let him go.

I hate this fucker! I want him dead, I growl.

Good, Grandfather says. But for now, you need him, and I need you to get cleaned up for dinner. You know I do not like to eat alone. I slowly release Ward as grandfather nods and walks out of the room.

Be careful threatening me, Nicholas. You might get more than you bargain for, he says, slamming me in the chest with an iron rod and blocking me with a shield to keep my eyes off him. I find myself on the floor, fighting off his attack but grimacing in pain from his initial strike into my side. He finally steps back, throwing his weapons at my head before walking out in amusement.

During my next session with Ward, he brings in an assistant, someone I have never seen in this house before and someone who is clearly scared out of his mind. Nicholas, this is ... well, it doesn’t matter who it is because I want you to kill him before he can reach the door. The man immediately starts to run while I wonder what the fuck he is talking about. Ward runs after him and stabs him in the side with a blade before cutting off one of his legs. The man screams in agony, begging for his life. Okay, now he is minus one leg. Maybe you will be able to kill him this time.

I don’t even know this man, I yell at him.

You have to know him to kill him?

I need to know why I need to kill him, I say, sitting down and ignoring his attitude towards me.

Ward turns to the guy and slits his throat as he continues, No, you don’t. He’s no one, or maybe he is an assassin sent to kill you. It doesn’t matter. I told you to kill him, and that’s all you need to know. If I or your grandfather says, kill you kill. Understand?

I don’t take orders from you ever. I stand, making sure I am clearly heard and understood.

You will until you have learned to lead. I have a lot to teach you, Nicholas, if you would just open up your mind and realize I know more than you, Ward says with his stupid prideful smile.

That’s leading? I laugh, knocking him back on his ass when he makes a mistake of meeting my eyes. I walk by him in disgust. Most leaders lead from a standing position, I say, walking by my grandfather who is not too happy with me.

I leave the practice hall with my grandfather following after me. Nicholas, he calls. Ward can help you. You need to stop being so stubborn.

Help me do what?

Kill, he says, while catching up to me. If we are to succeed in this war coming our way, then you will have to learn to act and act quickly, not analyze every being that comes at you before you decide to kill them.

I like to understand my surroundings before I act.

Understand them, sure, but if you wait to verify every particle before you act, you will surely be killed. You take too long to decide, Nicholas. He huffs at me before walking away.

Chapter 3

Kayla

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I have to speed towards Pagelle in order to meet up with Ryan and Elijah in time for the meeting. I receive an expected awkward glare when I walk in.

Where have you been? I thought you said you were going to be in the house reading, Ryan asks with that Jayzon frustrated sigh.

Don’t worry about me. I know what I am doing.

You know what you are doing? I suppose you are not going to tell me what that is?

I smile sweetly at him before lightly kissing his cheek, Oh Ryan, you are so sweet to be concerned. He rolls his eyes but, thankfully, drops his pursuit of my whereabouts.

Elijah shakes his head with a laugh, wrapping his arm around my shoulder, At least you don’t just aggravate me.

Of course not. I am an equal opportunity aggravator, I say, kicking back with my boys while we wait for Gideon’s friend to arrive.

When Gideon nervously walks into the room, he takes a second to breathe before holding up his hands at us. Right now, Gideon says he has the answers, and he says he has a plan. Well, at least his friend has a plan. We are all set to meet today for the first time after much negotiation and many promises to give his friend a chance. Gideon actually begs us to hold off our judgment until we hear him out, which makes me nervous.

What is it about this man that will cause us not to trust him as soon as we lay our eyes on him, or before we even know him?

He is here, and he is anxious to speak to you all, but again, I beg you to hear him out before you react harshly, he says. I nod nervously. Elijah and Ryan each step out in front of me with tense chests. The club is closed, so we are free to do business without worrying about anyone sneaking in. So, when a woman with bright green eyes and long red hair pulled roughly into a ponytail walks through the door, we are stunned. She seems just as nervous about us as we do her. She doesn’t speak; however, she nods as she steps to the side and glances towards the man that comes in behind her. He is tall and clean cut with crystal-grey eyes and dirty-blond hair. He is dressed from head to toe in designer clothes that he seems to have put on in protest considering his sour expression. His natural good looks are clear. He doesn’t need to go to too much trouble to have women swooning over him, but I’m sure that is beneath him anyway. He eyes us each with a frown until he spots Ryan...

Motherfucker! Ryan rushes at his throat, and it takes us all to remove him. Let go of me! This fucker killed Sam! Ryan yells.

Sorry, my friend, but I had nothing to do with that. I was there but only to learn more about you. The culprit of your poor murdered fiancé is none other than your own grandfather.

You’re a liar! I saw you, Ryan fumes back at him.

Like I said, I admit to being there but for investigative reasons only. If you noticed, there were others around too, and none of them were there by my orders, the man states with little emotion.

Amery and the other Lords are not allowed to kill innocents without just cause. He had no reason or cause to go after you or your fiancé, Gideon says. It makes sense that it was Dennis. If he found out you were Dante’s son, then he would have done anything to test you. If you failed, then he would have let you die.

Actually, I believe he wanted Nicholas, and he did whatever he could to force him to leave you all behind. He set him up. None of the attacks were anyone other than him, trying to force Nicholas to be sheltered under his control.

And who are you? I ask, still pressing my whole body against Ryan’s firm chest.

Amery Luvis, Lord of the Fifth. I took over for my father after he passed away. That is the way it works. Savage has managed to hold on quite well for his age. He feeds off his offspring to stay in power, that’s why he doesn’t allow any to live, at least the ones that don’t offer some benefit to him. They would only drain him of energy; of power. Amery looks Ryan over once again. I can understand your anger. I felt the same way when my wife was killed. We were only married a day when Savage’s wife killed her. Ryan eases some but doesn’t allow me to get anywhere near the man. I swear to you. I would never inflict that kind of pain on anyone else. Savage set his wife up for the murder, and I was given the right to execute her, which I did, but I still have revenge on my mind and for pride’s sake, he would love to get me just the same.

Why have you been following us around then? Why not come to us before now? Ryan asks.

Why would I trust a Savage? I wasn’t sure why Savage was so invested in your family until I came face to face with you both. Then, it was clear why he was so interested. Once I figured out you were related, I assumed you were loyal to him in some way. Although, I have to admit, I found it odd for him to send in second rate assassins to attack you when he had to know they wouldn’t survive. Now I understand why. Leave it to Dennis to be inventive in his deception, but I guess he needed to be to fool you all.

I don’t believe you. You could be here just to spy for him. You are all a part of the same society. Just like politicians, you can’t trust their words because it is always about what benefits them the most, Elijah says.

"Don’t then.