Page 54 of Savage Ruin
“Let’s just say I reached out to a few healthcare individuals who were invited to a bid demonstration earlier this year,” he quips. “With a gentleman named Marcos, I believe.”
Not wanting to confirm or deny the rumor, I go back to eating my meal.
Beau chuckles. “When you’re done eating, I’d love to show you the lake. The view from here is incredible.” He slides a glance at Thiago, whose eyes are narrowed on him. “You too, of course, Thiago.”
I mentally roll my eyes at the posturing, but Beau was right. The relaxed atmosphere was infinitely more conducive than the boardroom, and more importantly, we have a partner. Within the year, the glasses will be in the hands of surgeons everywhere.
* * *
I slipthe earrings into my ears and step back to make sure everything looks good. My pink hair falls in waves and is a pretty close match to the YouTube video Peyton sent for me to follow. My make-up is simple and neutral. My black silk dress is deceptively simple, but elegant, with its halter style neckline and flirty A-line skirt. The bare back is my favorite part, adding a hint of sexiness.
And unlike the peacock dress, I don’t have to worry about accidentally showing anyone my underwear. This skirt falls only a couple of inches above my knees. I twirl around but smile when nothing scandalous shows.
The firm knock on the door tells me Thiago’s here, and I grab my clutch and open the door.
Dressed entirely in black with a slightly menacing air surrounding him, he’s pure devastation and the epitome of every woman’s fantasy of what a mafia don might look like from the tips of his straight dark hair to the tips of his elegant shoes. Power in a package. I try to remember to keep breathing.
His dark obsidian eyes drop to my shoes and travel slowly back up again. The heat in his gaze makes me shiver, but he doesn’t say anything.
“Peyton said this dress would work. If it doesn’t, I can change?”
“We’re going to be late if we don’t leave now,” he says gruffly. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you. You look handsome yourself,” I reply, trying to keep things on an even keel. “I’m excited to go dancing. What’s a supper club?”
He ushers me through the hotel and into the waiting SUV. “It’s a restaurant that focuses more on the social experience of dining and upscale entertainment. The one we’re going to tonight has dancing. It should be fun.”
Minutes later, his hand rests lightly against my back as he escorts me from the SUV into the club. The hostess parts black velvet curtains and I almost whistle at the view in front of me. It’s so… swanky. Almost like the room is from another era when restaurants were reasons to dress for a night out.
Plush velvet is everywhere, from the barstools at the bar to the booths in the dining area to the individual chairs surrounding the stage. Dark, moody colors of blood red and black with heavy gold accents set the tone for the evening.
We’re immediately seated in one of the booths near the stage. Fascinated by this place, I can’t decide whether to focus on the beautiful décor or the gorgeous people dressed in their finest. It’s another world.
A dark chuckle tickles my left ear, and I turn my head to find Thiago practically curled around me in the booth. “You should see the look on your face. I’m guessing you like the place?”
Every word out of his mouth is almost torture. Small puffs of air travel down my neck, making me shiver. “It’s amazing. I’ve never been somewhere like this before. Everything is beautiful and sophisticated. It’s almost like we stepped back to a time when restaurants were more glamorous, and an evening out meant something.”
His mouth curves. “Exactly. Do you trust me?”
“Yes,” I say without hesitation.
He calls the server over and orders a couple of cocktails. When my drink arrives, it’s a dark purple concoction in a champagne glass. Surprised, I sniff it, but I can’t smell anything.
Thiago raises his glass toward me, and I bring mine up to touch his. “To Henley. Thank you for loving Marcos as much as we did. Everything you’ve done, including today’s deal, is in honor of him. He would be so proud of you, not for what you’ve done, but for who you’re becoming. Saúde!”
“Saúde!” I repeat. The first sip of the concoction is divine. I can’t even tell what’s in it, but I’m not sure I care. “Mmm… delicious.”
Thiago bends down and murmurs in my ear. “Drink, eat, dance, and let loose tonight. I’ll take care of you.”
The thought is so tantalizing, I can’t even breathe for a second. My eyes drift up to the man beside me. “Are you serious? I don’t have to worry about anything?”
His strong hand grips mine. “I’ve got you, Henley. Enjoy yourself.”
Soft jazz starts playing in the background, adding to the haze of ambiance, and I slowly allow myself to let go. The drinks are flowing and the intensely attractive man next to me is in full charm mode. Instead of his usual surly self, Thiago’s regaling me with stories of all of them when they were children.
“Marcos would get this stern look on his face when he was disciplining us, but I’d always see him and Tia Mariana laughing about our antics later. He was a different father to each of us. For Mateo, his father left after my aunt became pregnant. My aunt is wonderful, but he needed someone who could speak to him at his level. Besides being a father figure, he was Mateo’s mentor.”
He takes a bite of his steak, then continues. “For Grayson, he was the only father he’d ever known. They probably had more of a true father and son relationship out of all of us.” He lifts a shoulder. “For me, he was everything. An uncle who became a father the instant he saved me from death and the man who taught me how to survive and thrive in this world. Probably similar to your relationship with him.”
