Page 20 of Beautiful Desire

“So, you weren’t even thinking about it then?” Fabi says with a raised brow.

“I thought you called me here for a business meeting?” I deflect.

“I did. Let’s go into my office. Marco, stay here with Luigi and watch the girls. If anything happens, and I meananything, come get me.”

Replying with nods, Marco and Luigi move closer to the dance floor as Fabi and I stand with two of his other men, moving to his office at the back of the club.

Once in the privacy of his office with his men waiting outside, he sits down in his chair, and I can tell already he isn’t happy with what he’s about to tell me.

“There’s been some murmurs about them looking for Arturo.”

Fuck.

Raking my hand through my hair, I take a deep breath before speaking. “Okay, what do you propose we do?”

“We?”

Rolling my eyes, I say drolly, “About Arturo?”

Crossing his arms over his chest, he leans back in his chair, looking at me intently. “Well, if I were Arturo, I would lay low. Keep to myself, not draw any unwanted attention my way. Keep my head down, but always be aware of my surroundings. Go about my daily routine like nothing’s out of the ordinary.”

I nod along with everything he’s saying, because that’s exactly what I was thinking.

“Just be careful who you talk to, D. You never know who’s listening. If whoever put out these feelers gets wind you know anything, especially Arturo’s whereabouts, it won’t end well for you.”

Don’t I know it?

Getting up from his desk chair, he walks over to me and claps me on the shoulder. “How about a drink so you can fill me in on what the fuck just happened between you and Elle out there?”

“I’ll take you up on the drink.”

He begins pouring us both a scotch, but right now, my brain can’t think about what just happened out there. Not with the news Fabi has just dropped on me. I need to steer the conversation in the direction I want it to go, so I start asking more questions about what he knows, how he got his information and, most importantly, where he got it from. I need to know if anyone else knows. Thankfully, I’m able to keep us on this topic and away from any conversation about Elle for a good forty-five minutes.

It’s almost midnight when we leave his office and head back to the roped-off area. I should just go home, but my dick won’t let me. Not when I know she’s still here. I need to see Elle one last time. Make sure no other asshole has his hands on heragain.

I’m relieved when I see Elle and Gia together on the dance floor without any guys surrounding them, no doubt thanks to Marco and Luigi. I stand watching her for a few moments as she dances. The familiar pull I feel when she’s near takes over. I have to stop myself from walking over and giving in to my desire to run my hands along her silky-smooth skin, inhale her intoxicating scent and hear those moans of pleasure fall from her lips.

I see another guy hovering around in the background, his eyes planted firmly on Elle. A smirk pulls on his lips as he moves in her direction. I ball my hands into fists when I see him approach. Grinding my teeth in anger, I watch as his hands land on her hips. Fury takes over my body as they slowly slip around to her front. I start to move, making my way toward them, as Elle turns to look at the man behind her. Her brows crease and her eyes narrow as a mixture of anger and confusion settles on her face before she pushes his hands off and takes a step away.

“Paul, what the hell are you doing?” I hear her shout as I arrive, standing beside her.

He’s a good five inches shorter than me, dressed in a pair of dark jeans, a navy Henley, and a pair of designer shoes.

Who the hell is this guy?

Taking a step toward her, he reaches out for her hand, but I step in front of Elle, preventing him from touching her.

Leaning down into his face, I grit out, “Leave. Now.”

His eyes narrow as I stare down at him, furious at the thought of Elle being anywhere near a guy like this. He looks like a pretentious prick. Stepping around from behind me, Elle glances up, shooting me an annoyed look before settling her attention back onPaul.

“I told you back then, and I’m telling you now. We. Are. Done. Leave me the hell alone.”

Bouncing his attention between Elle and I, his eyes glower in humiliation before he turns and walks off in the direction he came from.

“What the he—”

Cutting her off, I grab Elle’s hand and drag her off the dance floor and down a darkened hallway. Seeing a door near the end, I keep going until we arrive in front of it.

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