Page 9 of Cassio (Belles & Mobsters 3)

I swiveled around to put the woman in her place when my eyes connected with deep ocean eyes. Those unforgettable, stunning blue eyes.

My steps halted and I stopped dead in my tracks, staring at a girl… No, not a girl. A woman. Jesus, what a woman! Talk about a man’s wet dream. A beautiful soft body, fucking centerfold-worthy, and eyes that could take your breath away.

A soft groan and an eyeroll brought me back to the situation at hand. A woman dressed in a sexy Wonder Woman costume stood in front of us, boots and all. Not a sight you see every day.

“Buddy, I said to speed it up, not slow it down,” she said exasperated. Luciano chuckled next to me, though he tried to hold it in. It has been a while since I heard him laugh.

Another soft goan. “Oh, come on,” she mumbled. “At least move out of the way.”

The three of us, Luciano, Nico, and I, took up the entire hallway, and she kept shifting left and right, trying to wiggle her way between us to pass through.

“Are you in a rush, Wonder Woman?” Luciano challenged with a smirk.

“As a matter of fact,” she snapped, glancing over her shoulder. “I am.”

Her red mane, colors of the most magnificent sunset, swished around as she turned. Christ, there was so much of it. I could practically envision wrapping it around my fist. I clenched my hands, or risked reaching out to feel whether it’d feel as soft as it looked.

“Miss, get back over here!” One of my bouncers came rushing down the hallway. She must have snuck in.

Her head turned back in the direction she came from, her hair throwing off a flaming glow each time she moved her head, even under the dim lights of the hallway.

That hair!

I have only seen that shade of red hair once, and I’d never forget it. I’d recognize it anywhere. Yet, it was hard to believe that the girl I saved was here. In front of me. As a grown woman.

And the most magnificent woman I had ever seen.

She pushed her hand through her hair, slightly tilting her tiara adorned with a red star.

“Nice tiara,” Nico mocked, in his cold voice.

Her hands came up to it. “Thanks. It is also a weapon,” she told him, fixing it back straight. “Kills men that annoy me.”

My lip tugged up. She was no longer a helpless, young girl. Just as I predicted, she turned out strong. There was fire beneath all the exterior that matched that incredible mane of hers. The temptation to see how hot she burned was strong. And then, I wanted to ignite it into a full blown inferno.

“Miss,” the bouncer called out again.

“Just go back to your post,” she yelled his way, flinging her hand to shoo him away and at the same time trying to get through our three big bodies. The way she was doing it almost looked like she was trying to avoid brushing against us.

“Miss.” The bouncer was barely ten feet away by now.

“Umm, I’m with these guys. Right?” Her eyes came up to me, mischievousness sparkling in them.Áine Evans. She had grown up, but I’d recognize her anywhere. “Play along,” she whispered under her breath. “Please.”

Gosh, she could saypleasein that soft tone and I’d burn cities for her.

“It’s okay, Alan,” I told my bouncer. He stopped, eyeing her as if he didn’t believe me and he’d lose his job any moment. “The lady is with me.”

Surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly masked it. After all, I never brought women to my club. There was only one place I took them, to my penthouse that I only used for fucking. I never slept there, nor stayed there. Just like my brother, relationships weren’t for me. I had a roster of women I used for release. An honest and simple agreement was set upfront. Nothing sweet and vanilla. No lovemaking. Both sides knew what was expected and when that no longer worked, we parted ways.

“Oh, okay.” He heaved a deep breath of relief. “Why didn’t you just say so?” he mumbled under his breath, annoyance flashing in his eyes. “Make me chase you all this way.” Alan’s eyes came to the three of us. “And the other girl? The Black Widow girl? She with you too?”

“Yes. Yes, she is,” she answered him, grinning wide and nodding her head in confirmation. “No need to hunt us. Go search for someone else.”

Alan’s eyes came to me for confirmation, anxiousness in his gaze. Jesus, I couldn’t believe after all these years, she was right here.

“Right?” she asked nervously, sending me a fleeting gaze as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. I nodded. I guess the party crashers came in duos. “See,” she returned her attention to Alan. “No need to fuss.”

Alan grunted something under his breath and then satisfied that he did his job, went to take his leave.

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