OK, who is that pulling? Even if she wouldn't let me, I would.
"The Shard. This is Fancy Drake."
"Well, when I don't get to see my kitten very often, I have to make it special."
She leaned into me, pressing her much smaller body against mine. "I know it's been crazy lately. I'm just glad we get to spend a whole night together. Luckily, my project is winding down. So we'll get some normal time soon."
I kissed her on the top of her head as we walked into the building towards the elevator. "Gabe and Saff have promised a little more downtime as well, so you'll be stuck with me. We'll do farmers' markets and go to the country on holiday."
The sound of her giggle was sweet. "If you want to see Reginald more often, just say so."
I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "Okay, fine. I think it best not to let the old man stew alone for too long. I haven't been out there in a month. I want to make sure he's okay."
"And around here, everyone thinks you're this big bad killer." She leaned forward as she said the last word. "But really, you're just a big softie."
I tickled her sides as we stepped into the elevator. "Don't tell all my secrets now." I pulled her in for a kiss, sliding my hands down her asre, pressing her against my swelling cock.
"I see someone missed me," Daphne whispered against my lips.
"Ignore him. I've missed you. Think of him as a giant, intrusive thought."
Daphne pulled back with a grin. "Giant indeed."
I couldn't stop myself from chuckling. "Woman, I'm trying to be romantic here. And you keep trying to indulge my dirty thoughts."
"Well, to be fair, it is very fun when I give in to them."
The elevator slowed to a stop and I had to clear my throat and step away from her before the situation in my trousers became untenable. "Behave yourself, woman. Tonight, I'm going to woo you. There will be wine and drinks and food so delicious it will make you moan with every bite. I'm taking care of you.”
She gave me another cheeky grin. "I mean, there are other ways to take care of me and make me moan." She giggled and stepped just out of reach as I aimed to swat her bottom.
"You keep teasing me and I'll forget everything I've planned and find a very dark corner where I can make you moan my name and I don't give a fuck if the whole restaurant hears you."
She looked up at me from her lowered lashes, "Promise?"
And that was that. My cock was steel in my trousers as I thought of all the ways I could make her moan. Quietly and not so quietly.
I had no choice but to follow her into the restaurant as the hostess led us to our table. The swaying of her arse in that vermilion dress that skimmed her knees was enough to make me drool.
She was teasing me. On purpose. My brain was trying to think of all the ways we could get to dessert first. I should have just fucked her before we left the compound.
No. I was going to propose, damn it. I wasn't going to get distracted.
She looked at me over her menu. "What's wrong? You seem off."
Shit. She knew me too well by now. "I'm fine, kitten. What wine would you like?"
"Forget the wine. I'll have a cocktail. But are you sure you're okay?"
No, I was not damn okay. I wanted to make this perfect. Instead, I was horny and she was suspicious. "Nothing wrong except I'm thinking of all the ways I can bend you over this table."
Her lips formed a small "O" shape as she hid behind her menu.
After the waiter took our order, I started to relax a little. I could do this. I just had to wait for the helicopter.
But when she leaned in and whispered sweetly, "I love you. Thank you for tonight," she shattered my resolve.
"I love you too. I should take you out every night."
"Nah, I don't need to. Besides, if we have limited time, I'd rather stay in."
"Daph. I-" Movement in my peripheral vision made me pause. The hairs on the back of my neck standing at attention had me looking for an exit for Daphne.
Her normally smooth brow furrowed. "Drake? What's going on?"
I turned to peruse the diners more closely. "Probably nothing, but love, why don't you go to the bathroom and lock yourself in."
Her raised eyebrow was basically the equivalent of saying, "The fuck I will. "Absolutely not." She had to be crazy if she thought I was going to let her walk into this. "What's going on?"
"Honey. I'm not sure, but I'd feel more comfortable if you just-" The wine glass on our table shattered, stopping me in my tracks.
I wasted no time turning the table on its side and pulling her behind it. The serenity and quiet of the restaurant erupted into screams and more shattered glass as diners ran and ducked for cover as bullets flew.
"So much for a quiet dinner," Daphne muttered. "Is this a friend of yours?"
I grabbed her clutch from the floor and pulled out her compact, using it to check my lines of sight. and that was when I saw the bearded man making a run for the kitchen.
Salvador Gianni.
A Syndicate enforcer. One of the ones we still had to clean up. Was he here for me, or was it just a coincidence? And how the hell did he find me?
No such thing as coincidence. Move your ass.
"What are the chances of you staying here?" I asked Daphne.
She pursed her lips and shook her head at me. "You go I go."
I cursed under my breath. Of course she would refuse to stay. But I couldn't let her get hurt. I had to take care of Gianni first. "Fine. But stay behind me and do exactly as I say."
Daphne nodded but I could see the fear in her eyes. Why wouldn't she just stay here?
You helped her get strong. She won't hide now.
I hated to put her in danger, but there was no other way if she wouldn't stay. First I sent my SOS code to headquarters on my phone, then I took Daphne's hand and led her to the kitchen where I could hear the sounds of a struggle.
Fortunately, there was no more shooting, but the restaurant was still in an uproar.
I slowly opened the door to the kitchens, making sure Daphne stayed behind me as we entered. We were met with the sight of Gianni holding a chef hostage with a knife to his throat. "Back off, Webster. I'm not afraid to use this."
I raised my hands in a peaceful gesture, trying to keep Daphne safe behind me. "Let the chef go, Gianni. This doesn't have to end in violence."
He laughed, the sound getting on my nerves. "You've always been soft, Webster. That's why you'll never survive" He tightened his grip on the knife, drawing a bead of blood from the chef's throat.
I could feel my rage building, the need to protect my loved ones overwhelming any sense of caution. "Let him go or I'll make you regret it."
Gianni sneered, "You and what army?"
I didn't need an army. I was armed. I had my baretta hidden in the small of my back. Not to mention the Rogues were on their way.
But the old way of doing things wasn't going to work anymore. I couldn't shoot him. Not with all these witnesses and looking like a civilian.
Fuck. Things were so much simpler when I was a spy. The shadows were easier.
When you stand in the light, there are more rules.