Page 3 of Taken By the Kingpin
“I have a great interest in astrology.”
“No you don’t.”
“No, I don’t.” I can’t help but smile. Some things haven’t changed. She’s still a mouthy brat and I adore it. “I’m here to wish you happy birthday.” And protect her from whatever fuckwittery the Carter and Fletcher mafias have planned. “Eighteen.”
Jeanette has grown up into a siren with no vanity. She has the sort of beauty that compels a second glance. A casual observer might initially see her long hair and slim figure, but I see more. The titanium in her back. The determined tilt of her jaw. The uncertainty in her eyes.
“Tomorrow. You always did have bad timing.” Her words are harsh, but she shifts her legs together under her dress and licks her lips. Her body is responding to mine without her awareness, turning towards me and when our gazes meet her pupils are blown.
Every cell in my body clamours for me to claim her.
“This event ends at midnight, so I’m only a few hours early,” I say instead of taking her in my arms.
But when the clock strikes twelve the protective order I took out against her ex-husband and family runs out, and that is my only priority right now. Her safety.
We manage some polite conversation over dinner, and I can tell she wants to ask why I’m here, but can’t bring herself to admit she doesn’t already know. Part of her attention is on her boss, who barks orders to Jeanette even as she and every other person at the table tries to engage me in conversation about their nonsense. I’m used to it. Being rich trumps being lethal in most people’s minds. They know I could have them quietly murdered but the lure of my patronage is greater inducement than fear of my power. I might just dispose of Jeanette’s boss if she doesn’t cease telling me about her social media following. That was what got us into this mess in the first place.
“Why do they need a fancy event to reveal their winners, if the results are pre-determined by constellations?” I ask Jeanette in an aside when there’s the award for most improved something and Priscilla walks up to the podium and gushes about how much she loves all her followers.
“It’s not like that.” Jeanette rolls her eyes and answers from the side of her mouth. “It tells you about how you respond to events.”
“So if you know my horoscope you know my personality? Based on when I was born?” I am, to say the least, sceptical.
“Yes. Ugh. I bet you’re a Scorpio.”
“Maybe.”
“What star sign are you?” There’s a hint of curiosity in the way she unconsciously leans into me.
“Haven’t a clue.” As head of the Laurent mafia, if I want to know the future, Imakeit. I don’t read it in the stars.
Her pout, like she can’t believe I’m not aware of this crucial piece of information, only succeeds in drawing my attention to her sweetly pink lips. “When’s your birthday?”
“Twenty-ninth of March.”
“Oh!” She looks me up and down. “That figures. Aries.”
“What does that tell you about me?”
“Aries are born leaders. Impulsive. Domineering and energetic, you’re highly assertive. Passionate, you know what you want and fear nothing in getting it.”
“Huh.” Maybe there is something in this whole zodiac thing. “What about you?”
There’s a quiet point where someone is giving an acceptance speech and Jeanette leans over to whisper into my ear.
“Libras appreciate beauty, and are diplomatic. We’re social, idealistic and lovers of justice.”
Shivers go down my spine at her breath on my face. I turn slowly and our mouths are half an inch apart. Close enough to kiss.
“And are Aries and Libras compatible?”
Her mouth sets in a mulish line and I know. I just know… Under cover of applause, I say, “Very compatible, then.”
“Yes,” she admits.
The woman on the podium thanks everyone for coming and says the dance floor is open back in the ballroom. Several people head there as the music starts up and Jeanette casts them a longing glance.
“Come on.” I stand and hold out my hand for her.
