Page 4 of Tainted Beginnings (Dark Syndicate 7)

I laugh. Trust Bree to come up with something like that.

“How is it a necessity?” I incline my head to the side.

“Because we can’t allow you to slip into the shadows. This trip is about living it up.” Bree nods enthusiastically. “So, if a gorgeous guy is looking at you, work with it.”

Georgia suddenly tugs on my arm. “You better work with it real fast because he’s heading this way.”

“What?” My nerves scatter like mice when the light pops on in a dark room.

My heart jumps into my throat when I see the drop-dead gorgeous Italian god definitely heading this way, and his eyes are practically glued to me in a way that could strip me bare layer by layer.

My heart is still in my throat when he stops by Quinn and Bree and smiles.

That smile should have come with some warning because it’s sinful and full of lust.

“Evening, ladies,” he begins. His voice holds a slight accent that adds to his allure.

“Hi,” they all say.

I can’t talk; my lips part, though, as if I’m going to. The words just don’t come.

“Sorry to intrude on your get-together. I wondered if I might borrow your friend if she doesn’t mind being borrowed.” He keeps his gaze on me, and I don’t know what the hell to think.

“She doesn’t mind,” Georgia says before anyone else can answer, and he switches his gaze to her. “But this is my cousin. So, before she goes anywhere with you, I’d like to see some ID first.”

I’m surprised at Georgia. I thought she’d be the first to hand me away like the prized turkey at Thanksgiving.

“My name is Nick Bellotto,” he answers with a smirk. I was right. He’s Italian. He pulls out his driver’s license and walks over to Georgia and me. He gives

her the license, and she carefully inspects it.

“You’re from L.A.?”

“I am. How about you keep this.” Now he pulls out a business card.

She takes that, too. “You’re a consultant?” Georgia looks impressed.

“Yes. And the owner of the casino will vouch for me as a good guy. Did I pass?” He raises a brow.

“You did.”

When the three of them nod, he gives me his undivided attention, and I find myself lost in his dark brown eyes.

“What’s your name, goddess?”

Goddess. Wow. I’ve never been called that before.

“It’s Tennessee Patterson.” I try not to stutter. My brain still stumbles over using my maiden name, even though I returned to it months ago.

No one would believe by looking at this shell of a person I’ve become that I was once the ‘it girl’ and the life of our group. It used to be me encouraging the others to get a life, have open minds, and seize the moment.

“Pleasure to meet you, Tennessee. So, do you want to come and join me for a drink?”

Out the corner of my eye I can tell his forwardness has definitely scored points with Georgia, who is nodding her head off. She definitely wholeheartedly approves.

What about me, though?

Can I just go with him?

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