Page 14 of Stolen Queen

“Why are those women nearly naked?"

I practically snort out my shot. “Sweetheart, you’ve wandered into a gentlemen’s club for your adventure.”

She stares at me like she doesn’t know what I’m talking about. It’s a reminder just how sheltered and innocent she is.

“It’s a sex club.”

Her eyes widen and for a minute, I think I’m going to have to take her home. But then she laughs. It’s free and so fucking lovely.

“Boy, when I want an adventure, I go all in.”

I shake my head, intrigued and a little too turned on by this sweet, sexy woman.

As we talk, her gestures become more animated, her laughter more frequent. It's like watching a flower bloom in fast-forward. She’s beautiful and mesmerizing. But even as I enjoy this transformed version of Ava, a part of me remains on high alert. I scan the club periodically, making sure no one's paying too much attention to us. The last thing we need is for word of her little adventure to get back to her father. If he hit her for talking back, God knows what he’d do upon learning she’d snuck out and ended up at a sex club. Not just any sex club, but one owned by Elio D’Amato. This is a powder keg situation that could blow up in all our faces.

"We should go." I stand up abruptly. "This isn't the right place for your first taste of freedom."

Ava looks up at me, confusion and a hint of disappointment in her eyes. "But?—”

I offer her my hand. "Trust me, Princess. There are better ways to rebel."

I lead her toward the exit, vowing to keep her safe from the ugliness of the world. The cool night air hits us as we exit. My car is brought around, and I help her into the passenger seat. As I pull away from the curb, I have a thought that I could drive out of the city, driving us both to a new adventure. But I fightthat urge. She’s not mine. No, before long, her father will find someone else to sell her off to.

Fucking hell. The image of Ava in the arms of another man makes me sick. I remember her father talked about sending her to a Don in New York. The man is old enough to be her father. The idea of his pawing at her innocence makes me want to kill them all.

"You're different than I thought you'd be," Ava says as I drive her toward her prison.

I glance at her, curious. "Oh? How so?"

"Kinder. Everyone talks about how dangerous you are, but… you make me feel safe."

Her words rattle around my brain and settle softly in my chest. It’s a weird sensation. The only people who feel safe around me are the D’Amatos. Everyone should wonder if I'm going to kill them. That’s my job.

And yet here is this innocent girl, seeing something in me I thought was only there for my family. It’s worrisome. If she can see it, can others? That could be a problem.

Fuck. I should have sent her home the minute she entered the club. Spending time with her has been a mistake that could get us both killed.

“I had fun. We should do it again sometime," she says lightly.

God, how I’d like to, but… "I don't think that's a good idea, Princess."

She crosses her arms. "Why not? Don't you like spending time with me?"

"It's not that," I say carefully. "It's just there are rules.”

Ava rolls her eyes dramatically. "Rules I broke tonight. Rules you break everyday. I’m not so naïve that I don’t know what our families do. If you obeyed rules?—”

“You made your point.” I can’t decide whether I’m amused or annoyed.

“I know more than you think,” she says defiantly.

I raise an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

"Absolutely. I know all about the… the business. And the alliances. And the…" She trails off, searching for words.

I smile. Her attempt at sounding worldly is adorable. "You're right. You're clearly an expert."

We pull close to her home. My nerves are on end, wondering how the hell I’m going to get her back into her room without anyone noticing. I’ve been able to breach the perimeter of the Rinella estate, but I’ve never tried to get into the house. How did she even escape?

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