Page 35 of The Consequences of Love and Vengeance

But why?

“Bri?” a deep voice, I easily recognize, calls my name.

I glance over to see Jase Teller standing with his arms crossed over his large chest with an easy-going Shane Thornton standing beside to him. Jase, Nikki’s boyfriend, always looks mad. I’ve come to learn that, and I’m used to it now.

Shane nods, his warm chocolate eyes that match his skin, silently greeting me. He’s one of Jase’s friends, a fellow MMA fighter who I also see regularly at Knocked Out.

“You can come with us.” Jase glances at Drago then back to me.

Drago’s hand wraps firmly around the inside of my leg just above the knee before I’m able to reply, tellingJase I’ll head back there shortly.

What I didn’t expect was to clamp down on Drago’s hand due to the current of electricity that his touch sent straight to my vagina.

His eyes snap to mine just briefly then glances down where my legs are squeezing his hand. A smirk forms on his lips as if reading my mind, before turning his head toward Jase.

“Did she say she wanted to go with you?”

“I wasn’t talking to you, Acerbi. Let’s go, Bri.”

Drago turns back to me then leans close to my ear.

“Leave now,” he starts to whisper so only I can hear him, while at the same time running his hand higher up my thigh, “and the only time I’ll willingly meet with you and answer your questions is with my lawyer present.”

I have to bite the inside of my cheek so my breathing doesn’t become labored from his touch and the feel of his breath in my ear.

What the hell is wrong with me and why does this feel so good?

I haven’t had sex or any male attention in a while—that’s all this is, I justify to myself. After all, I’m investigating this man for drug smuggling and conspiracy to commit murder.

Except you don’t believe that girl’s story for a minute.

“Brianna,” Jase’s demanding voice drags me from my thoughts.

“I’ll...” Shit, my voice is breathy. “I’ll be back there shortly. Tell Nikki I’m having a drink with a friend... friends.”

I look atLuca andsmile, but it quickly fades.

“Good girl,” he whispers.

What the fuck did he just say to me?

I turn,giving him my best “back the hell off” look. He laughs. So I kickhim in the shin with my heel and smile back at him while hisjaw locks from the pain.

Jase and Shane don’t stick around. They turn, heading toward the back where Nikki told me they’d be—where I should be. I have no business talking to Drago while not on duty.

I look at him.

“Do I look like a girl to you?” I don’t wait for his answer. Don’t really care what it is. “Maybe you have some type of little girl fantasy, but I can assure you I’m not that little girl. And for the record, I’m a year older than you. If anyone’s the little one in this case, it’d be you.”

Rico has perfect timing. My Whiskey and soda shows up in front of me, so I gladly take it from him before he’s able to set it on the table, and then I take a sip.

Luca throws his head back and starts to pretend to bawl.

“Bro, can I keep her? She’s more badass than you.”

Luca smiles as he looks back and forth between Drago and me.

I think I like Drago’s brother better than him. He’s light-hearted. That’s easy to tell, and he seems fun.

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