Page 45 of Promised Vows

Ari returned to the condo so he could get ready as well. I sealed myself off in the guest bedroom. I still very much enjoyed seeing his jaw drop when I wore something I knew he’d like, and he was going to dig this one. A jewel-green empire-waist dress with a plunging neckline and thigh-high slit. I liked how it flowed and made me feel. Plus, it was comfortable and had pockets. I pulled my hair up, leaving the back of my neck bare. I wanted to show off my shoulders.

A knock came from the door, and I finished putting my earrings on. When I answered it, I got the exact response I was looking for.

His eyes raked over me as he inhaled deeply. “Absolutely stunning.”

He was in his Armani tux. It was another that was tailor-made for him and he rocked it with a quiet confidence, making him irresistible. He’d picked my favorite cologne to go with it and it was all I could do not to lean forward and wantonly breathe him in. I crowded his space and pretended to straighten his tie. “You are edible-looking, Mr. Kalantzis.”

“You keep talking like that and we’ll be skipping this fundraiser.”

I turned my head as he went to kiss me. “I spent an hour on this makeup. If you ruin it, I will hurt you.”

Frustration laced the soft growl he gave. His finger touched the underside of my chin and lifted my head, baring my neck. He touched his lips to my throat and nibbled on my skin. “I will be kissing you before the night’s over.”

With a moan, I replied, “I might even beg.”

His deep laughter tickled my neck. He kissed me a few more times. “You ready to go?”

No. I wanted to stay home and make out. His kisses were addictive. “Yeah.”

On the way to the fundraiser, Ari sort of filled me in on what we were doing. The city was having a special election since our mayor committed suicide a few weeks ago. He’d been found dead with a note detailing horrible crimes. Apparently, he’d been abusing his wife and children for years, and according to the note, he learned that he’d been found out. Rather than face his punishment, he’d taken his own life.

However, I wondered how true that was. It happened around the same time the chief died. I hadn’t asked about it though. Could I ask him to divulge his secrets when I was keeping my own?

A popular local alderperson was testing the waters to see if he had any chance of making it to the ballot. Based on the debased previous mayor, Ari wanted to get a read on this mayoral hopeful. If he had the same predilection as the last mayor, Ari would make sure the guy never got the chance to be in the race.

The venue was one I recognized. Jason’s Wicker Park office. Was he feeling this potential mayor out as well? The limo idled as Ares held the car door. Ari helped me out. We followed a few couples in and shared the elevator to the fifteenth floor. It held a massive conference room that would easily accommodate something like a political donor party.

I expected to see Jason, but when I stepped off the elevator and realized my father was in attendance too, I was more than a little shocked. Then it hit me that he might tell Ari that I’d been secretly meeting him. This had the potential to go south.

“Your father’s here?” Ari whispered.

“I didn’t know.”

Ari froze and I followed his line of sight.

“Who’s that?” I asked.

“Gabriele Moretti, and his second, Enzo Moretti, Marco Moretti’s oldest son.”

I looked at Ari. “Based on the way you reacted, I’m guessing they aren’t nice people.”

Leaning close, he put his lips to my ear. “I’ll tell you after. Okay? Smile for me. Pretend everything is okay.” He took a breath. “We might be swimming with sharks. If anything happens, and I tell you to run, you run. Don’t hesitate and don’t look back. Do you understand?”

I looked at him. “What about you?”

“Don’t worry about me.”

Tangling my fingers in his, I shook my head. “Too late.”

My father didn’t waste time finding us. “Mr. Kalantzis. I’m Michael Georgiou.” He stuck his hand out.

Ari flicked his gaze from my father’s face to his hand and back. “It’s nice to meet you. I didn’t realize you were back in town.”

“Only yesterday. I haven’t even had a chance to connect with Anna yet. I wanted to wait until my business was concluded so I could spend the rest of my visit with her.” He looked from Ari to me and smiled. “I didn’t realize you were seeing my daughter.”

I held up my hand. “Engaged, actually.” Of course, my father knew, but I hoped he’d keep my confidence that we’d been meeting.

My father blinked like he was surprised. “Congratulations are in order.” His tone was pleasant, but there was an underlying sharpness to it that most wouldn’t hear.

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