Page 84 of Reckless Desire

“My plans got derailed with Jeremy’s betrayal, but I’m happy where I am now.” She swallows and I get the feeling it’s not the complete truth. I guess tonight is the night to wear the mask.

A murmur among the diners catches our attention and we both turn. The chef ambles amongst the tables with a cocky smile.

“Massi,” Sydney says and waves. He winks at her but gets intercepted by someone.

“He seems to enjoy the attention. I like him. We had a pleasant chat at the fundraiser. He might even consult on the show from the nutritional point of view. He’d look good on camera.” I watch as he shakes hands and jokes with his customers.

“He wasn’t always like that. Until recently, he growled at everyone. It’s his wife that lures out his kinder side.”

I reach for her hand and kiss it. Sydney also draws out a side of me I didn’t know I had. The man who wants to be a better person, a better father, a better everything to protect her, to make life easier for her, to make her happy and carefree.

“Syd, I can’t believe you’ve finally come.” Massi makes it over and shakes my hand. “Hey, Hunter, nice to see you again. Thank you for dragging my sister out of her cave. I’ve had the restaurant for fifteen years and I can count Syd’s visits on one hand.”

“The honor is mine.” I wink at her. “This dinner was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten.”

“Thank you, man. You look good, sis.”

“A night of compliments.” She blushes. “The meal was splendid. Send my regards to Gina. Did you know Gio is here tonight?”

“Yeah, I better go and say hi. Thank you for coming again.” He kisses her cheek and shakes my hand before moving on.

A well-dressed man with a couple of bulky guys who look like bodyguards walks by on the way to their table. He nods to Sydney and she tenses.

Looking away, she fidgets with her napkin before placing it on her plate.

Before I get a chance to react, Gio strolls by. “Enjoy your evening, Syd. Hunter.” He bows his head quickly and then frowns, looking at something behind me. “Do you know him?” he asks Sydney.

Gio puts his phone into his pocket. I don’t know Sydney’s brother that well, but the fact he puts away his phone spikes my attention, and the hair on my neck.

I turn to see who he’s talking about. The stocky man in a dark suit who has just passed by raises his whiskey in our direction, but his eyes are not on me. I spin back around.

If it was possible, Sydney would blend in with her chair, or at least that’s what her body screams as she shrinks away, her eyes darting around, her face flushed.

“Of course I don’t know him,” she snaps at Gio.

“That man is bad news, Syd, and he’s been staring at you. What the fuck?” her brother demands, his voice low.

“He must have mistaken me with someone else,” she says through her teeth.

“Elliot McFadden is a dangerous loan shark, Syd. I don’t understand what you’ve been doing with your money, but I hope it has nothing to do with him.” Gio leans in, speaking into her face.

“Chill, man,” I growl. “She said she doesn’t know him, so leave her the fuck alone.”

Gio straightens and glances over my shoulder again, then he looks at me. “If you care about her, you better find out what the hell is going on.”

Gio storms away, the blond supermodel behind him.

“Who is he?” I ask softly.

Deny all she wants, it’s clear she knows the man. Sydney straightens, ready to tell me off, just like she did with her brother.

“No hiding, beautiful, cards on the table. Why does a dangerous loan shark know you?”

I can sense she is considering bolting. I’ve seen her like this before, even with me when we first met. She swallows a few times, licks her lips and then bites them.

“Because I owe him money.”

ChapterTwenty-Eight

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