Page 39 of Mine to Tease

“Now, whose heart is this?” he asks me, his voice much gentler as he brings a finger to my chest.

“Yours,” I say once more, and he kisses me softly on my sweaty forehead. The sweet gesture brings a small smile to my face.

“Good girl, Mrs. Dupont.”

As Damon continues to hold me, I’m quiet for a moment longer as I catch my breath and ride out the last of the waves of pleasure coursing through me. Once I regulate, I say, “How on earth am I supposed to look my brother in the eye after that?”

Damon laughs. “The same way I will—with a smile.”

39

We’re thirty minutes late to see Aidan. But, after our rendezvous at my shop, I had to shower before getting dressed. I opted for a classic black satin slip dress that hits midthigh, and Damon went with a black suit and black button-down to match. I chose my outfit to signify my growth to my brother. I’m coming to him tonight to tell him that I’m in love and I’ve chosen the man I’m going to marry. I need him to take me seriously, and if I show up wearing my typical pink, he won’t be able to see me as anything other than his little sister. Yet Damon’s look is the true power move.

In all the time I’ve known him, I’ve never seen him in anything other than black denim. Though it’s obvious he’s no stranger to wearing a suit. I can tell the fabric is expensive, and it’s been tailored to fit him perfectly. This is his Mafia aesthetic and I’ve got to admit, it’s sexy as Hell. I run my eyes up and down his body, taking him in. Yet, despite my appreciation for his attire, I find comfort in the tattoos that are visible on his hands and neck and in the rings and chains he wears. That’s the Damon I know. At that, I move my hand to his biceps and give him a little squeeze. While holding my other hand, he returns my squeeze as he pushes open the glass door to the Royal Sonesta Hotel.

“After you, my love.” I slip past him into the marble-floored lobby without letting go of his hand and take in my surroundings. Gold wallpaper covers the walls adorned with crystal sconces and eclectic artwork. Accompanied with a mix of classic French furniture and funkier items that better represent the culture of the Crescent City, the Royal Sonesta is a perfect mix of luxury and homey all residing within the historic bones of a four-story brick building wrapped in balconies.

“It never ceases to amaze me how beautiful these old buildings are.” My eyes drift to take in the crown molding, and I catch Damon smiling at me in my peripheral vision.

“Well, you’ll have plenty of time to explore them all now that you’re making New Orleans your permanent address.” I look to him then. I hadn’t even thought about that. I never really intended for this move to be permanent. I still have my townhome in Beacon Hill. Not to mention, my friends and the different organizations I used to volunteer at. But I suppose those aren’t exactly reasons to return, and we have plenty of reasons to remain here. “I’m not sensing second thoughts, am I?” Damon asks.

“No, of course not. It’s just surreal how much things have changed for me in these past six months. My move here started as a secret, an escape that was always meant to be temporary. But now…this is my life. Still, it feels like a dream sometimes. I guess because no one I know knows the truth.”

“Well, all of that is about to change. Because it’s not a dream, Anastasia. This is real life and you’re the love of mine.” Damon lifts my hand to his lips and plants a soft kiss on my knuckles.

“Ditto,” I tell him. “But speaking of change, I need a few moments alone with my brother before we tell him the news.” Damon drops my hand and lets out a sigh of reluctance. “We haven’t seen each other in over six months. I guess I just want one more moment to be his little sister before I become your wife. Besides, once we tell him about us, I know he and I won’t get a chance to talk about anything else. The two of you will be busy arguing over finances and arrangements that I don’t understand in between Aidan trying to rip your head off because you’re taking me away from him.”

Damon nods. “That’s fair. I’m sure there’s a bar in here somewhere. Just text me when you’re ready to tell him so I can come up and we can do it together. Mostly, because it’s the respectable thing to do. But also because I don’t trust him not to try to take you away before the arrangements are made.”

I smile and shake my head. Gently, I press my hand to his cheek to reassure him that everything will be fine. “I wouldn’t let him do that. I will fight to get to you, fight for us, because I am going to marry you, Damon Dupont. And as much as my brother may want to stop it, he won’t because he loves me and he wants me to be happy. But also because my temper rivals his, and I know the buttons to push to get him to cave.”

Damon laughs and reaches into his pocket. From it he pulls out the room key included in the note Aidan sent with the flowers. “Best not to keep him waiting much longer then.” He offers it to me and I take it from him. Despite my heels, I have to stand on my tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek.

“Thank you, my love. I shouldn’t be too long.”

* * *

The elevator stops on the fourth floor and I make my way toward the room my brother reserved for me. After months of having Damon by my side, it feels strange not having him with me now. Yet any unease I feel at his absence quickly gives way to feelings of anticipation as I prepare to see my brother. I know the news of Damon and me will be emotional to share and hard for my brother to receive. And who knows what it will do to our relationship? Though my brother hasn’t exactly been an active part of my life for some time now, once I’m no longer his financial responsibility we may become even more distant. I don’t know what to expect, but all of these fears and questions are only more reason for me to see him now without Damon. I need at least one more normal moment with him before everything changes.

As I reach the correct room, I slip the key card into the slot and push the door open. It reveals an empty suite with a king-size bed, covered in white linens, and complementary blue furniture. I move farther into the room, making sure the door latches behind me. Aidan did say he got us adjoining suites so that we wouldn’t be seen entering the same room. As I round the corner past the bathroom, I find the adjoining door.

At the sight of it, I take a deep breath and place the key card into my purse and my purse on the bed. This is it. A smile spreads across my face and my stomach dances as I move quickly toward the door. I unlock it from my side and knock on the door connecting to the next room to let my brother know I’m here. It opens almost instantly, but the man behind it is not my brother.

My brows crinkle as I take in the unfamiliar being. He’s tall, muscular, has dark hair and eyes to match. He wears a light gray suit and a grin that makes the hairs on my arms rise. The one thing he doesn’t have is the mark of the Irish mob on his hand. I’m not sure if my brother made the Italians who pledged their loyalty to him get the Irish brand or not, but regardless of if this man works for my brother, something about this doesn’t feel right. I try to look behind him to see if Aidan is anywhere near. I wasn’t expecting him to have security for a private dinner with me, but not seeing nor hearing anyone else in the room, I realize this whole thing has been a setup.

“Um, I’m sorry. I think I have the wrong room,” I say then. I take a step back before my nerves get the best of me the way they did the night my brother’s men broke into the parlor. Though, as I move to shut the door to my room, the man extends his arm, keeping me from doing so. I gasp at the sudden movement, and I see the gun strapped to his hip.

“No, you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be, Anastasia. We’ve been waiting for you,” he says. His words and the wicked look in his eyes turns my skin to ice and my legs to jelly. Nausea rumbles inside of me.

“Who’s we?” I ask, though I fear I already know. He only smiles and takes a step forward. As he closes in, my legs are heavy and wobbly, so much so I can barely retreat. Fighting through my fear, I use all the strength I have to stumble toward the bed in an effort to get to my phone. Damon. I need Damon. But just as I reach for my purse, the man grabs me by my hair and yanks me toward him.

I scream as he pulls me against him, holding me hostage by my hair. He’s so tall, I have to balance on my tiptoes just to stay upright. It’s then that movement catches my attention and another man appears from the bathroom. He has the same dark hair and eyes and is dressed similarly to the one holding me, except his suit is navy. It’s not a coincidence. These are the men who’ve been plotting against my brother. As the reality of my situation sinks in, every nerve in my body feels like it’s on fire and yet, I’m paralyzed.

“She’s alone. Wasn’t expecting that,” the man holding me hostage says.

“All the better. The whole reason why we’re doing this is because they killed one of ours. I’m not keen on killing Damon Dupont just to get revenge for Angelo. It’s hypocritical,” the man in the navy suit says.

“Is it? Damon made his choice. If he’s in bed with Aidan and this little trick, then he’s no longer any of our concern.”

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