With our history, Savio knew I’d never come running unless he looped a noose around my neck.
His excuse of bringing me on as head of security is a bunch of bullshit. He’s got plenty of his own guys.
He’s also got enemies for years, so why now?
And why me?
Frank leans in close to Kira and says something in a low voice that I can’t make out from where I’m standing. Then he pulls his arm free and swivels around to storm out the front door.
Kira narrows her eyes, staring at the door for a few long seconds. Her deep red lips twist into a frown and she tugs at a loose strand of hair hanging next to her face. She seems lost in thought for that brief period of time, and while I shouldn’t give a shit, I’m curious.
I don’t know what the hell Savio dragged me into and what all of this strife has to do with the Leota Commission, the syndicate that he runs.
I ball my hands into tight fists, the memories of Joey’s battered body splattered across my mind like angry blood stains on a stark white canvas. After the attack, I swore to Joey and his family that I’d protect them, that I’d do whatever it took to keep them safe from Savio.
I’d walk through hell and back for those people.
They saved my life when my own father was ready to take it.
“Mom? Is everything okay?”
My ears perk up and I move slightly to see the girl who belongs to that voice, again mesmerized by her clear green eyes. But this time instead of lust, there’s a flicker of concern in the depths.
“I was just going to see the girls and I ran into Uncle Frank and he seemed...off. I know something is going on here, I can feel it. I get that you’re upset because I’ve been gone for so long, but don’t leave me in the dark.” She laces her fingers with Kira’s. “Please tell me what’s going on. I don’t need to hear it from Dad. Just be honest with—"
“Mrs. Ivankov!” A deep baritone bellows from behind the women and a hefty guy in a black suit strides toward them. “I am about to set up the cameras for the family photoshoot, and I need you to tell me what you want use as the backdrop for the photos.”
Kira’s head snaps up at the intrusion. She glances down at the gold Rolex on her slim wrist and lets out a deep sigh. “There is a lot we need to talk about…all of us, but now isn’t the right time,” she murmurs to her daughter. “Go see your sisters.” Then she turns and leads the photographer down a hallway off the foyer.
The girl’s shoulders slump and she twists a strand of dark hair around her finger, just like Kira did earlier. I know I should move, shield myself with one of the ornate white columns so she doesn’t catch me staring.
But something roots me to the spot and I can’t seem to tear my eyes away.
An inexplicable force draws me to her, my fingertips itching with the need to touch. My eyes drink her in, every soft curve from her full breasts to the slope of her hips. Smooth velvety skin, bright eyes that pop against her natural tan, lush glossy waves that tumble over her shoulders.
Christ, she’s gorgeous.
I forget about Savio and Anton and Frank.
I forget my life back in Manhattan.
I forget about everything except my raging hunger for this girl, this stranger whose name I don’t even know.
These thoughts startle the shit out of me for a few reasons.
One, I don’t usually give a damn about women’s names. Hell, I don’t even ask most of the time.
Two, I don’t get swept up in lust. It’s dangerous and makes you do stupid shit that can hurt you, kill you, or bankrupt you. And I’ve seen plenty of people fall prey to all three.
Three, she’s Anton Ivankov’s daughter, and just by his association to Savio, I know he’s a low-life scumbag.
If he’s Savio’s partner, he’s cut from the same evil bastard mold.
She lets out a deep sigh and sweeps a hand through her hair as her eyes travel the space and land on my curious gaze.
She recoils, her eyes popping open wide. “Jesus! Were you lurking there the whole time?”
“I’d prefer to use the word observe. Lurking makes me sound like a stalker.”
With a raised eyebrow, she flashes a half-smirk. “So if you’re not a stalker, then what are you, exactly?”
“What do I look like?”
Her grin widens. “That’s a loaded question.”
“Then give me a loaded answer.” I cross my legs at the ankle, leaning back against the wall.
She takes a few steps toward me. “Okay, well, if I had to guess, like I said earlier, I’d say you’re part of my father’s security team.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re a lurker. I thought we already covered this.” She cocks her head to one side. “You’re assessing your surroundings, trying to anticipate what’s going to happen next and who it might involve. You’re listening to people’s private conversations, fading into the background. And you have perfected that vacant, impassive look.”
“I could be overseeing the caterers. Or be one of the waiters.”
“Then I think you’d be on your way to the unemployment line since I haven’t seen you anywhere near the kitchen.”
“You’re pretty detailed in your analysis.”
“Yes, well, I’m a med school student. Diagnosing problems is kind of my thing.”
“So I’m a problem?”
“Maybe. There are still a lot of hours left in the day that will go into my final diagnosis.”
“You’re assuming I’ll be here for them.”
“I hope you will.” A pink flush creeps into her cheeks and she averts her eyes, a tiny giggle slipping through her lips. “I, ah, only meant to think that last part.”
“I’m glad you didn’t.”
“Kristina!” Savio brushes past me, capturing the girl in a big, bear hug. He kisses her on the cheek and she forces a smile.
But this one doesn’t reach her eyes.
Her spine tenses once he invades her airspace and she pulls away enough that I notice.
She senses he’s an evil asshat, too.
I like her even more.
“You look beautiful,” he says, flashing a smile of the most insincere kind. “Your family was looking so forward to having you home this weekend.”
She nods, the forced smile still plastered across her face.
“I see you’ve met Massimo,” he continues, nodding at me. “He is my new head of security.”
Her shocked…and maybe a little disappointed…expression flits toward me. “Oh, yeah. I actually thought he worked for my dad.”
Savio gives a solemn nod. “Well, under the circumstances, I guess you could say he’s serving two masters right now.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m standing right here. Don’t talk about me like I’m in another fucking room.”
A fierce glare fires in my direction and I bite back a smile. He’s got me by the balls right now, but I’ll be damned if he thinks he’s gonna drag me around like his little bitch.
Kristina seems to appreciate watching Savio get cut down, though.
Her smile trends genuine when she looks at me.
“We’ll be back later for the party,” Savio says gruffly. “Massimo, let’s go.” He pushes past me, straightening his jacket, his dick all in a twist. I wink at Kristina.