Page 15 of Merciless Desires

“The rules we just went over in the car?” She rolled her eyes. “How could I forget them?”

“What are they?”

“Don’t talk to strangers,” she said in a deep voice that I guess was supposed to mimic me. “Don’t leave your side. Don’t drink that much.”

“Don’t drink at all. You’re not legal.”

“I can drink in my country.” She placed her hand on her hip. “You’ve had bottles of wine with me under the stars, remember?”

I did remember and that was most of the problem. I wanted to get back to a simpler time between the two of us. When I could be the man she thought I was and not the ruthless one who agreed to protect her while her father made arrangements to marry her off to a stranger.

“What country are you in now?” I asked. “You only got into a club because you’re with me.”

“I can’t dance or have any kind of fun either.” She exaggerated a dramatic sigh. “Can we find Lu?”

“She’s over there.” I pointed to the private area that was reserved for me and Romero and our selected guests. “Let’s go.”

Conti stayed by my side as Leo and Alberto followed behind. We had enough security tonight that I was comfortable letting the two guards Janero sent with his daughter look after her when I couldn’t. Leo took his job seriously, but Alberto seemed more into Cinzia than I would have liked. How could he protect her if he was too busy sizing up her ass?

“I need to speak to the bar manager,” I said as Cinzia waved to Luciana.

“I’ll be over there not having any fun.” She kissed my cheek as she let go of my hand. “Come on, Alberto.” She hooked her arm in his and hurried him over to Lu.

Once they reached Lu, she separated herself from Alberto, but he stayed close to her.

“What’s got you so pissed?” Romero joined me and handed me a vodka.

“What?”

“You look mad.”

“That guy pays too much attention to Cin.” I sipped the expensive alcohol. “I don’t like it.”

“Isn’t that his job?” Romero laughed. “To pay attention to her?”

“I don’t see Jag standing that close to Lu,” I said. “He still protects her.”

“He knows I would kill him if he got too close to her.”

“That’s my point.”

“It shouldn’t be your point.”

“Why not?”

“Do I really have to explain it?” Romero finished his drink. “Luciana is my wife. Cin doesn’t belong to you.”

“I’m still supposed to protect her.”

“But it shouldn’t be your concern if her guard has a hard-on for her. Fuck, most of the guys in this place have one for her. She’s fresh meat around here. They all want a piece. You just have to keep her safe and make sure she doesn’t do anything stupid.”

“That’s easier said than done.” I slung back my vodka, remembering how she looked in her pink underwear this morning. “We need another round.”

I followed Romero to the private bar and held up two fingers. The bartender nodded and quickly granted my request by placing two more drinks in front of us.

“How are things going between the two of you?” Romero tossed a hundred-dollar bill on the bar for the service. “It seemed a little tense at lunch today.”

“We’re finding our way.”

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