Page 67 of Abandoned Oaths

“I know,” I growled.

“She doesn’t owe you, or anyone, anything.”

I balled my fists. “I fucking know.”

“You’re not the only one with feelings for her.”

I knew that too, but his statement of fact felt more like a confession. Did he really think I hadn’t noticed how he looked at her? How all of us did?

“I know I can’t have her, that none of us can. I know I shouldn’t have said anything to her, and that she doesn’t belong to any of us, but that doesn’t stop how much it fucking sucks.”

He put his hand on my shoulder. “It really does.”

We stood like that until the docks loomed closer and it was my turn to be a crew member again.

“Fuck,” Derek grunted. “I’m going to warn Emilia.”

I gathered the rope, glanced up, and then glared behind my sunglasses. The Italian prick stood on the pier with his hands shoved into black slacks. His greasy black hair didn’t move in the strong ocean breeze even though his black polo rippled against his body.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t say anything to him. Not only did I want to avoid his attention in the remote chance he recognized me from the gala, but I wasn’t supposed to be anyone to Emilia right now.Or ever.

I tossed the rope to one of the waiting dock hands as the yacht went silent. He and one of his coworkers pulled us in.

Emilia passed me, and I offered my hand to steady her down the steps. She took it without a word, her eyes locked on Brazzi.

“Millie, I was hoping we could have a word.”

She stopped several feet away, with Derek at her back. “How did you find out where I live?”

The asshole didn’t even bother looking embarrassed. “I told you. I’m very connected in my city. Only had to ask.”

“Well, if you bothered asking me for my phone number, you could have texted and avoided this.”

He didn’t react to her sharp tone. “I wanted to apologize for the other night in person. I’m afraid you’ve seen the worst of me twice. That man, Dias, has a way of bringing it out in me.”

“I felt his appearance was rather serendipitous. It was quickly becoming clear you and I have nothing in common.”

“I beg to differ. . . .Your lipstick.” His eyes narrowed as he took a step closer. “It is smudged.”

Her shoulders tensed, and she subtly shifted her feet into a better stance for attack.

Fuck.

She absolutely could not go into assassin mode right now.

Derek put his hand on her shoulder as he took a step forward, only slightly blocking her from Brazzi’s view.

“It’s time for you to leave. Ms. Torres has made herself clear. She’s not interested in continuing to get to know you.”

Brazzi’s glare turned lethal. “You were with him. Weren’t you?”

Derek blocked her and waved for me to come down. The situation was escalating, and the only thing that mattered was getting Emilia out of here without getting hurt or, more likely, hurting him.

“Where she’s been or what she’s been doing is none of your business.” Derek nudged Emilia in my direction, and I put my hand in the middle of her back as I guided her toward the building.

Yes, Emilia could kill all of us without effort, but Millie Torres was an innocent, naïve woman who needed big, strong men to protect her. She stayed silent until we were in the elevator.

“What an ass,” she growled.

---