Page 42 of Abandoned Oaths

“He saw her,” Cruz said with a hint of dread.

Dias locked in. As he watched Emilia, a tiny smile appeared. “Who is that?”

The shorter of his men followed his line of sight. “That woman?”

“Yes.”

He shrugged. “Never seen her before.”

Dias scowled. “Find out who she is.”

The other thug broke away and headed toward Cruz.

“Intercept him,” I urged.

Cruz stumbled a bit, pretending to be drunker than I knew he was.

“Oh, sorry, man. I was in a rush.” He patted the guy on his shoulder and nodded in Emilia’s direction. “I want to grab a drink and bring it over to that girl. I’ve been waiting all night for her to not have men hanging all over her.”

He let out a good-natured chuckle, selling his role perfectly.

“That woman . . .” The guy didn’t even have the decency to be discrete as he lifted his arm and pointed at Emilia.

“Yeah,” Cruz sighed.

“Who is she? I’ve never seen her before.”

“Tonight’s the first time I’ve seen her too. I asked a guy who spoke to her, and he said she just moved here. She’s an heiress of something. Oil maybe? Anyway, she’s loaded and single, and that’s all I need to know.”

Perfect.

The guy thanked frat-bro Cruz and headed back to Dias, relaying the information.

“She’s an oil heiress?” Dias repeated. “What’s her name?”

“He didn’t say.”

Dias took a sip of his drink while staring my girl—Emilia—down.

“Fuck,” Cruz muttered.

“What?” Derek snapped.

“I didn’t realize how close Brazzi was. Now he’s interested in her.”

It took all my self-control to turn and survey the room casually. “He’s heading her way.”

The greasy-haired man approached Emilia with an offering of a fresh glass of champagne.

“I simply had to introduce myself to the most beautiful woman in the room.”

I nearly barfed in my mouth.

Emilia cocked her brow and took the flute. “Well, are you?”

He chuckled. “I am Leo Brazzi.”

“Well, Mr. Brazzi, thank you for the drink. I’m not sure I could have managed a refill on my own.”

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