Page 80 of Diamond Don

Kat shakes her head, pushing me away to look into my eyes. “No, I have to go. I’m tired of letting that horrid man dictate my life. And I’ll do what it takes to help you take down the person who took your brother from you.” Her bottom lip quivers with emotion.

Like a broken record, I groan again. “Kat—” She’ll unman me if I let her.

She shrugs. “Besides, I know you’ll keep me safe.”

“With my life,” I promise her solemnly, meaning it with every cell in my body.

29

KAT

The feel of Nik’s hands on my skin is exactly what I need tonight.

His callused palm rubs against mine as he helps me out of the black Bentley that brought us to McGuire’s party. The sensation is exhilarating, and as our eyes connect and his hand caresses mine, I feel electrified.

It’s a very welcome distraction. For a moment, I almost completely forget about the possibility of running into the stronzo during the festivities.

Almost.

As the boss of the Italian mafia and the patriarch of the Salvatore family, Giuseppe Salvatore—the villain I unaffectionately think of as the stronzo—could very well be in attendance tonight. I shiver in horror just thinking of facing him while Nik is around.

“Are you cold? You should’ve worn something that covered more of your skin, milaya,” my handsome Russian rasps against my ear as he shrugs out of his black suit jacket.

Nik has a point. My backless pink silk dress is gorgeous but not the most practical attire for this breezy coastal environment.

“I’m fine. Beauty is pain,” I say with a smile, stopping him from removing his coat. After all, I need to keep my wits about me tonight, and seeing him undress—even slightly—would make that impossible.

“You must be in constant agony then,” he whispers, playfully nipping my earlobe.

I laugh as my nerves subside a little. “You silver-tongued devil. Do you shamelessly flirt with all the women in your employ, or am I just that lucky?”

“Oh, you’re lucky. You have no idea how lucky you are. Let me show you.” He draws me into his arms, pulling my hips tightly against his. I can’t help gasping. Shimmying against him, I try to come up with the most risqué comeback I can get away with right here and now, but our host approaches us then, interrupting our back-and-forth.

“Nikolai! Kat!” Patrick McGuire excitedly greets us, briskly walking down the front steps of his house to meet us. “It’s good to see you again. I’m so glad you could join us.”

“McGuire,” Nik impassively acknowledges the man, shaking his hand.

The Irish mafia boss disengages from Nik after a moment, extravagantly kissing the back of my hand. Next to me, Nik tenses up.

“Kat,” McGuire practically purrs with a smile. “Welcome to my home.”

“Thank you, Patrick,” I respond, biting my bottom lip for his benefit. “What a gorgeous place you have here.”

“I’m glad it pleases you. I’d love to give you the tour later. But first, Nikolai, I must show you my new yacht. You haven’t seen it yet, have you?”

“I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure,” Nik says, and I almost miss the hint of sarcasm in his tone.

“Well, come with me. Kat, would you care to join us?”

“With these shoes?” I scoff, pointing to my four-inch high stilettos. “You two go on without me. I’ll find something to drink instead.”

“Are you sure, dear?” McGuire asks me, a slight frown of polite concern creasing his features.

“I’m positive. As a matter of fact, I insist.” I wave them off and start to make my way towards the house.

“Very well. We’ll catch up with you later,” McGuire says over his shoulder, walking away from me.

Nik bends down to whisper into my ear again. “I’ll be right back. Vladmir is inside. If anything happens, I’m only one call away.” His tone brims with urgency and intensity.

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