Page 64 of Wilde and Deadly

“Y’all prudes.” Sabin shrugged but levered up out of his chair to get out of Elliot’s reach. He crossed to Rowan and tilted his head, giving her a slow, considering once-over that had every caveman instinct in Davey roaring. In a heartbeat, without even consciously making the decision to move, he was between them, shoving a hand against Sabin’s chest.

“Touch her, and I’ll break your fucking fingers.”

Sabin held up his hands in mock surrender, but his eyes danced with amusement. “Easy. I was just going to offer my expertise on formal wear. Our little warrior princess could use a lil’ polish,non?”

Rowan blinked. “Excuse me?”

Sabin arched a brow, giving her a slow, considering once-over. “You ain’t exactly Met Gala-ready in that jacket and them combat boots.”

Rowan narrowed her eyes. “I’m sorry, are you critiquing my wardrobe?”

Davey sighed. “Jesus Christ, Sabin?—”

Sabin ignored him, tilting his head like he was appraising a painting in a gallery. “Ain’t nothin’ personal,bébé. Black tie means black tie. Unless you got a designer gown stuffed in that duffel, you’re gonna stick out like a gator at a garden party.”

Rowan groaned. “I don’t have a damn dress, all right? Been a little busy dodging assassination attempts.”

Sabin grinned like she’d walked straight into a trap. “Lucky for you, I know just the person who can fix that.”

He let the words hang just long enough to make them all look at him.

Then, with a smirk and a lazy tip of an imaginary hat: “Ma p’tite sœur, Vivianna.”

Davey frowned. “Your sister?”

Rowan crossed her arms. “The fashion designer?”

“The very one,” Sabin said smoothly. “And lucky for you, she owes me a favor.”

Davey narrowed his eyes. “Why do I get the feeling that favor stems from something illegal?”

Sabin pressed a hand to his chest, looking deeply offended. “Davey,mon ami, you wound me. I am merely a man with excellent connections and impeccable taste.”

“Yeah, how did you get those connections?”

He waved his hand. “A story for another day.”

“Uh-huh.”

He gave an exaggerated sigh. “Why do y’all always assume the worst of me?” A beat. Then he grinned. “Wait, don’t answer that. But Vivi is all legitimate and above board…” Another beat. Another quicksilver grin. “Now.”

Rowan folded her arms. “You think your sister will help me on such short notice?”

Sabin’s expression turned downright indulgent. “Oh, cher, she lives for this kind of thing. Dressing a woman with your—” he waved a hand vaguely in her direction “—particular aesthetic? She’ll consider it a challenge.”

Rowan’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “That sounded an awful lot like an insult.”

Sabin didn’t bother denying it. He just tilted his head, eyes gleaming with mischief. “That’s ‘cause it was,bébé.”

A choked sound came from Dominic’s direction. “Vivianna?”

Davey glanced over at his brother, who had suddenly gone tense.

“Coming here?” Dom asked, his voice carefully neutral.

Sabin’s smirk turned wicked. “Ahhh,” he drawled, eyes lighting with amusement. “So you do remember my sister.”

Dominic’s jaw tightened.

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