Page 64 of Lethal Infatuation

My purpose tonight was to make sure everything went according to plan. Catering, the guest list, security, the bar. I'd have float around the vicinity to keep an eye on the nitty gritty.

The dress I wore was shimmery, gold in colour, and off shoulder with a high slit on the left hand side. The material clung to my figure. I straightened my hair, the long, brown tendrils cascading down my back.

My favourite jewellery wasanything dainty, minimalist, and gold, and of course, my nails matched my dress with accents of golden hues mixed into the acrylic design.

I involuntarily looked to see if I could spot Nicolas, but I didn't see him yet. Everybody who sauntered into the venue looked absolutely spectacular.

Mr. Braun has been hosting fundraisers every year for different charities, because aside from him being a special agent in charge at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, he was also someone who often did community service and participated in different causes each year.

It was admirable, to say the least.

Melissa was off duty tonight but still wanted to attend the event, so I had practically forced her to enjoy herself because this was past her working hours. And knowing her, she’d be at my every beck and call.

Soft jazz music played in the background and I could hear faint chatter as the venue filled up with more people. I grabbed a flute of champagne, slowly sipping on the liquid. I smiled at the people who passed me by, maintaining my professionalism.

The night of the event finally arrived and my anxiety was at an all-time high. There'd be so many people present, which meant it was an easy opportunity for men like Antonio to sneak his way in and hide himself along the crowd.

Not only was it an event hosted by one of the most well-known special agents in charge in New York City, but Gabriella was upcoming in the event space, which was bound to gain traction.

Traction often meant information about her circulating everywhere. I've been on edge ever since I saw those pictures, and it's likeeach day that passed by, those feelings would worsen.

Freeman was fucking with us. Every single time Kayden discovered his location, he'd automatically pop up elsewhere. He definitely knew we were onto him, and the fact that we couldn't trace his exact location was pissing me off.

His wife had been in the process of filing for a divorce, but apparently encountered some issues with the legal aspect of things. We monitored both his wife and son. Thus far, there weren't any suspicious behaviour from either of them.

I flicked my wrist to check the time, grabbing a flute of champagne when the waitress offered it to me. She smiled at me and I nodded, taking a sip of the liquid. I abhorred champagne, but I wasn't going to drink any hard liquor tonight. It would certainly send my emotions straight to fucking hell.

I glanced around the room, scanning the crowd for the one woman who pervaded my being. A goddess clad in gold weaved through the crowd of people who were filing in.

Gabriella straightened her hair tonight and I immediately noticed how long it was. Fuck, it felt like each time I saw her she became more beautiful than before.

I shoved one hand into the pocket of my black slacks and took slow strides closer to her. She hadn't noticed me yet, but I couldn't seem to take my eyes off her.

I was drawn in like a sailor swimming towards a siren. Finally, our eyes connected from across the room and I could tell she forgot to breathe for a moment.

Then, she smiled at me and God, that look on her face nearly had me clutching my chest. It hurt to look at her right now because that's how ravishing she was.

My pants already felt tighter which was concerning, given the fact that I hadn't even touched her yet. "Mikrí petaloúda."

"Are you ever going to tell me what that means?" She grinned.

"If you keep looking at me like that, I just might." I placed my empty flute on a nearby table and clasped her hand in mine, placing a soft kiss on her knuckles. "You look exquisite, I'm almost tempted to keep you hidden because the way you look right now, nobody else should be seeing you."

"I'm not even going to comment on that, because I'm afraid you might follow through with it." Gabriella's eyes lingered on the top part of my chest that exposed my skin as the first two buttons of my shirt were undone. "You don't look too bad, yourself."

"Yeah?" I caressed her bare arm, making her shiver. "That's all you're going to say? That I don't look too bad?"

"What else would you like me to say?" she asked playfully.

"I'm not one to fish for compliments, but I'd do anything to have you compliment me." Down bad, that's what I was. "God, you're going to be my undoing."

Her eyes sparkled under the fluorescent lighting, putting me into a trancelike state, or perhaps my infatuation for her was just that overpowering.

"You look incredibly handsome, I'm incapable of diverting my gaze," she murmured, moving a little closer. "Andyou're a distraction. I have to focus on the guests this evening and make sure everything is running smoothly."

I chuckled softly, twirling a few strands of her hair around my index finger. "Can you blame me? How am I supposed to be in the same vicinity as you and keep my distance?"

"We've discussed this before. You really need to work on that self-control," she mocked.

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