Page 37 of Dark & Deceitful

Leaning in, Romeo sets his cup to the side and urges me closer with the crook of his finger. I follow his movements, curious what he has to say. “That packet won’t tell you…” Romeo whispers, looking at the instructions between us. “But you need to stay away from the visitors. Keep a low profile. If you think El Jefe’s parties were… bad before.” His dark eyes bore into mine. “This weekend… extra bad.Comprende?”

Pressing my lips together, eyes widening for show, I nod once. “Yes. I understand.”

“You need me. You come. I’ll keep you safe.” Having said what he needed to say, Romeo sits back in his seat and drinks his coffee.

“Thank you,” I reply, and I mean it. I believe Romeo when he claims he wants to keep me safe. There’s a reason he’s been extra nice the past week. Since I returned from my weekend visit with my sons, the chef has cooked for me nonstop, to the point he sent me home with leftovers, which he’s never done before. Romeo’s treating me like they do when they send pigs off to be slaughtered. You fatten them up. In this case, I sense it’s the guilt because he knows what’s coming—to be killed or sold. Those are my options. If only he knew the truth. But he will soon enough.

In companionable silence, I read, drink, and nibble on my pastry as Romeo watches me and other patrons mill about the café. When I’m through, we depart together, and he escorts me like a gentleman back to my apartment complex, where I don’t invite him inside.

Standing outside the security gate, I wring my hands together, chew the inside of my cheek, and stare up at him shyly. This is what I do. I know I’m playing my part to a T when Romeo steps in, and I step back until I’m pinned against the gate. He’s in my space, staring down at my lips as if he can’t decide if he wants to fuck them or kiss them. His nostrils flare wide as he inhales and grips the bars on either side of my head.

“Romeo.” I faux shiver as he presses in further to show me what I’m doing to his body.

Romeo squeezes his eyes shut and groans as if his name upon my lips pains him.

I trail the tip of my finger down the side of his neck. “Romeo.” I speak his name like a prayer, and he stiffens, blowing out a frustrated breath, fanning my face in the fragrant black coffee as if he’s battling an internal war. There is no fraternization allowed between employees. That was made clear the day I tookthis job. I’m sure it’s also been made clear to Romeo, given how long he has worked for Mr. Cassiano.

Growling under his breath, Romeo leans down and drags the tip of his nose up the side of my cheek. I shiver when his lips pause at my temple, and he whispers, “Be safe and remember, come to me.” Then he’s gone, striding away as if it’s the hardest thing he’s ever had to do. I watch him go to be sure he won’t see the code I punch into the gate as I return to my apartment, wearing the biggest smile. Not because I’m into Romeo, because I’m not, but because he’s into me, and that’s a win. This isn’t like the stalkers. This is mission security. This is having an unlikely ally. Even with Dark on board, I can’t guarantee my own safety, but with Romeo on my side, I’ve got a little extra backup, just in case.

Will I share this newfound knowledge with Dark? Nope. This is between me and Romeo.

My personal cell phone rings as soon as I set my purse on the kitchen counter.

Rolling my eyes, I collect it from the nightstand in my bedroom and answer it without looking at the screen. “Stop checking the cameras, Dark. It’s creepy.”

“Who was the man at the gate, Kali?” he seethes.

Dragging a hand down my face, I sit on the edge of my mattress and sigh. “Of course, you also put cameras outside my apartment, you fuckin’ stalker.”

“Answer the question, Kali.”

“That’s the head chef, Romeo. Shouldn’t you already know that?”

“He almost fuckin’ kissed you.”

“But he didn’t.”

“His lips touched you.”

“I’m hanging up now, Dark.”

“Kali. Is there something going on there?”

Sheesh. This man needs to get a grip.

I bark a sharp, awkward laugh. “I’m working a job with my nosy, overprotective ex-husband, who is basically stalking me. I can’t even change my clothes outside of my bathroom because of the cameras he installed inside my apartment because he’s acontrol freak.”

“You can, too, change your clothes,” he defends, as if that’s the most preposterous thing he’s ever heard me say.

“No. I can’t,” I argue.

“I’ve already seen all of you naked, babe. Or did you forget you’re my wife?”

Ugh!

“Shut up, Dark. Iwasyour wife. I’m not anymore. I don’t know how many more times I have to remind you of that. And I’m not letting you see any of me naked if I can help it.”

“Kali.”

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