Page 80 of The Devil Can Be Kind

They both inclined their heads and smiled down at me as I approached. It seemed that I was fast becoming friends with Marco’s security personnel, and surprisingly, I washappy about that.

“These are to say thank you for being the best security guards a girl could wish for,” I said sweetly, presenting them with the tray of drinks.

They looked at the drinks and then each other. I rolled my eyes, seeing where this was going.

“Would you both relax! It’s alcohol free.” I smiled triumphantly at them.

After a second of deliberating, they both reached for the glasses. “Thank you, Ma’am,” Tom said, and Alonso chimed in with the same.

“Jesus Christ, it’s Addie, okay? Or Adalyn. I’m notseventy,” I scolded around a laugh. Alonso chuckled and Tom shot me a bemused look.

“Have a good night boys,” I said, turning round on my heel and heading back to the makeshift cocktail bar.

Unsure of what to make next, I perused the little menu card with recipes listed on it. I wasn’t a very experienced cocktail maker, so chose to chiefly examine the recipes marked as ‘beginner cocktails’. After only a few minutes of looking at the instructions, I huffed in confusion and gave up, preferring to go with the flow and throwing a bit of everything I liked into the mix instead.

“What are you making?” A familiar deep voice questioned, coming up behind me, amusement lifting his tone.

“I am making…” I began but hesitated. “I don’t really know what I’m making,” I admitted, my usually quick tongue failing to come up with its normal sarcastic response.

Marco ran a hand over his mouth absentmindedly, taking in the cacophony of ingredients scattered across the work surface.

“I figured that if I just put in everything I like then it would come out okay.” I shrugged, picking up the metal shaker and sloshing the mixture together.

He nodded slowly but didn’t look too convinced. The boyish smile I adored but rarely saw tugged at the corner of his lips as I poured the mixture into a glass.

Well, that looks fucking rank.

White and yellow lumpy pieces of God-knows-what sank to the bottom of the glass and the liquid appeared to be curdling.

I pursed my lips at the mess and looked over to Marco. To my surprise he was shaking with quiet laughter. His perfect white teeth flashed as a smile contorted his face and his eyes sparkled with amusement. His laugh was infectious, and I couldn’t help giggling as I observed the clumping cocktail.

“What the fuck is that?”

“I don’t even know,” I said around a laugh. “I’d better get rid of it before it poisons someone.”

I went to move the drink away, but Marco was faster. Removing it from my grip, he brought the glass to his lips before I had a chance to intervene.

“Marco!” I shouted and tugged on his arm to try and stop him. A few curious gazes turned in our direction, but I ignored them. “Are you crazy?” I half-laughed, half-shrieked.

After two big swigs he brought the now empty glass down onto the counter and pulled his face into a grimace, making me laugh even harder.

I eventually got out, “I’m not being held responsible for your death.”

“Noted.” He said in agreement. “It was probably the worst thing you’ve ever made. I’d stick with brownies.” He grinned, flashing his perfect white teeth and my heart fluttered in response.

“Gee, thanks,” I muttered derisively as he leaned against the counter.

“La Torre!” A man suddenly interrupted us, breaking into our conversation to pull Marco into a flinchingly hard hug.

“Ronaldo.” Marco greeted with a pat on the back. Familiarity making his confident voice smooth as silk.

He got quickly drafted into the small group of men that subsequently descended on us and I took that as my cue to leave.

Deciding it was probably best to keep away from the cocktails, I grabbed a bottle of Pinot Grigio and made my way outside to sit by the pool.

My shadows, Tom and Alonso followed behind me as I settled into one of the comfortable seating areas. I poured a glass of wine and sat back, watching the party from a distance. Periodically a few glances were shot my way. Most curious, some somewhat angry, and others a bit leery, so I turned my attention upward to try and locate any of the star constellations I was familiar with.

“YOU!”

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