Page 56 of A Sinner's Virtue
“I’m not letting anything touch her.” I will fall on my own fucking sword if I have to. I will sacrifice myself before I let anything touch Zoe. Fuck the fucking curse.
“We can’t always protect the ones we love,” Gio says with a frown. I know he’s thinking about his wife, and how she was attacked not long after their wedding.
“I know, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do everything we can to try. Besides, Zoe is a Petrov. She has more than just the De Bellis family looking out for her.”
“That also means she has more targets on her back,” Gio points out the obvious.
It’s a fact I’m well aware of. I’ve been searching for a possible connection between Zoe and the shooting at the restaurant. I haven’t found anything, but it’s odd that nothing has come from it. Like I’ve said before, I don’t believe in coincidences.
“You should bring her back to the house. Let everyone meet her for real. If she’s going to be a part of your life, then she’s a part of all our lives, Marcel.”
“That didn’t go down so well last time I tried to bring her around,” I remind him.
Zoe ran back to New York the morning after. I’m fucking petrified of doing anything to scare her off again. I’ve been walking on eggshells all week, almost afraid to do or say anything that could possibly upset her. It’s fucked up, and something I need to sort out. It’s not her fault. I don’t blame her for needing time. She’s been through shit no person should ever have to go through. I understand her hesitation. I just don’t like it.
Although, since she’s been back, she doesn’t seem as flighty. She says she’s all in. That she wants to give us a real go. It’s me who’s holding back this time, because I don’t want to risk not having her.
Gio stops in front of the club and I jump out of the car before he even comes to a full stop. I hear him yell after me but I don’t bother looking back. I need to see her for myself. The bouncers open the rope for me without question, as they always do. This isn’t my first time at this club. And I head straight for the VIP section because that’s Lucy’s usual hangout spot.
I climb the stairs and find them straight away. And then I pause. Zoe isn’t just sitting with Lucy. No, she’s hanging out with Eloise and Daisy as well.
I spot Ivan in the booth in front of them. He clocks me, acknowledging my presence with a nod. I don’t know what to do. I want to walk up to the table, take Zoe, and walk the fuck back out again. But then I see her smile. She’s happy. She’s enjoying herself, and that’s not something I’m going to ruin for her.
As I’m standing like a fucking idiot staring at my girl, Gio barges right past me. That fucker has no qualms when it comes to going in, claiming his wife, and dragging her ass out of here. I follow him over to the table and get there before he has a chance to open his mouth. Sliding into the booth and wrapping my arm around Zoe. Thankful she’s sitting on the edge.
“Fancy seeing you all here. Gio convinced me we needed a night out. I tried to tell him he’s too old for the club scene but he wasn’t having a bar of it.” I give her my best easygoing smile.
Zoe’s eyes roam all over my face. I have no idea what she’s searching for. “Are you… Never mind,” she says while shaking her head.
I frown at her, about to ask her to finish her question when Eloise’s voice yells out over the noise of the music, “Gio De Bellis, if you’re crashing girls’ night, then at least be useful and get us a new bottle of champs.”
“Oh, more champagne! Yes, that’s the best idea I’ve heard all week.” Zoe turns her attention to El.
Leaning in so only she can hear my words, I whisper, “I’m pretty sure you told me the same thing about a third orgasm last night.”
Zoe gasps and spins around to face me. Her eyes wide open. “You can’t say that here. In front of people,” she tells me.
“What’d he say? I wanna hear.” Dani, one of El’s friends, chimes in.
“Nothing,” Zoe says before leaning in against my ear. “I want to dance.”
“Downstairs?” I ask her.
Zoe bites her bottom lip and nods her head. “I think so.”
“Let’s go.” I stand and hold out a hand to her. I don’t need a second invitation to dance with Zoe. Having her body pressed up against mine is a fucking daily goal of mine. One I make sure I achieve. “If at any point you want me to get you out of here, say the word and we’re gone.”
“I’m good. I wanted to come here. I want to dance—even more now that you’re here.” She smiles back at me.
“Well then, show me what moves you’ve got, babe.” I take Zoe’s hand and guide her down the stairs to where the main dance floor is situated. It’s full of people, and I have to push through the crowd with Zoe right behind me until I find a spot.
I wanted a darkened section of the dance floor. Somewhere we’re not privy to everyone’s attention. I plan on making this a dance experience she’ll never forget. I can feel the tension coming off her. I don’t like seeing her fight with herself for control. So I do the only thing I can think of that will help. Distract her.
Pulling her body up against mine, I press my thigh between her legs and press her as close as I can get her. My arm is tight around her waist.
Zoe gasps, and her hands land on my biceps. “What are you doing?”
“Dancing,” I tell her before slamming my lips down on hers. My tongue pushes into her mouth, tasting the champagne on her.
