Page 45 of The Enforcer

I was surprised that neither Christos nor his guards intervened. When Christos stopped only feet from the door, I wrapped my fingers around his arm. Now I was thankful for the dress. The expensive designer frock felt like a mask. I was no longer a hard-working cardiologist from New York. I was a potential love interest for a powerful man.

And our coupling was rocking the news world already. Maybe I should consider this cringeworthy, worried about my picture being in the papers and on the news, but I did my best to take it all in stride. The mask on my face might be invisible, but I tried to take comfort in the fact this was a foreign country. Sadly, there were some people in New York who would connect the dots, discovering my foray into scandalous territory.

I prayed that wouldn’t happen. My father would be mortified.

“My lovely companion is a very special woman in my life. But no wedding bells yet. We’re here to enjoy a fabulous evening with an amazing crowd of people. I hope you’ll be able to enjoy what Club Scandal has to offer such an incredible community. Now, if you’ll excuse us.”

Nothing about the man should shock me any longer. When he turned me slightly, cupping my face and lowering his head, I found myself locked into the moment. As if no one else existed. As he captured my mouth, I heard a few oohs and aahs. He wasdoing this on purpose. I should be incensed, but I grabbed his shirt, pulling him against my heated body.

The kiss was amazing, a wave of excitement building. The man could make any event something special and one I’d remember for months to come. He swept his tongue inside, but only briefly. When he pulled away, his nostrils remained flared. His whisper was enticing, bringing images of moments to come.

“I will have you as mine.”

CHAPTER 13

Christos

“Just remember President Marino is expected to attend, Luca. When he arrives, please escort him to the loft personally.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll take care of it.”

“The Italian president?” Valencia asked.

“Yes. Does that surprise you?” I whispered in her ear.

“Very little about you surprises me any longer.”

“I hope that’s in a good way.”

“That remains to be seen.”

People immediately turned toward us as soon as we approached the doorway. The looks of reverence and respect on their faces were to be expected, yet I could easily tell the notoriety annoyed my lovely companion. She’d had something on her mind other than doing her best to drive me away.

I’d taken a risk with allowing our photographs to be taken. In a way, I’d used her in hopes of flushing out who’d sent the assassin with his warning. It was a necessary evil as so much was in my life.

Another club opening. Another venue where I’d be hounded by the press and women alike. Just another night where strangers volleyed for my favor and a taste of my power.

I was both feared and revered.

However, given my family name and the power I wielded with it, men had wanted and often tried to destroy me.

Women only wanted to fuck me, hopeful I’d finalize a relationship with a ring on her finger. They only tolerated my sadistic needs for the notoriety our marriage would provide along with the doors in high society that would be opened. They also hungered for what money could buy them. Trinkets of gold and diamonds, sports cars and yachts.

The woman on my arm couldn’t care less about any of them. She wasn’t materialistic by any means. I’d checked her address in New York. While the area was safe and even considered middle to upper class, her apartment was on loan.

I’d yet to tell her that I’d also checked on her background. I’d yet to tell anyone I’d been interested enough to spend time investigating the woman and her habits. She was a workaholic just like I was. Her only joy in life was volunteering every so often for a local rescue organization.

I admired her commitment to helping creatures of all types. Perhaps I was even envious.

But I couldn’t take my eye off the ball.

Even though I’d been considered a playboy, my life had predicated being extremely cautious in the women I chose to fuck. I’d made a single mistake only once and it could never happen again. Allowing the right woman into any aspect of my world could lead to my destruction. The lesson had been hard for the Nomikos brothers to learn, but necessary.

Valencia considered me a predator by nature and she was correct. I would always be the hunter in a sea of prey.

That allowed me to enjoy most aspects of my life.

Even as I reminded myself of that, tonight felt different. All because of the doctor who’d saved my life.

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