“And that doesn’t make you wonder why people would want to snatch Lily or threaten the family?”
“Money. They’re rich. Isn’t that what happens when you’re rich? People want what you have. That’s all Lily is to them. A bargaining chip.” She saw his eyes roam around the room. “Yes, Mr. C has bodyguards here tonight.”
“I didn’t notice.”
“Why would you? You don’t know the Chilani family as well as I do.”
She scooted her chair closer to him, leaning into him, seeking his warm heat. Her eyes met his as they shared a look of desire. Or, at least, she hoped that’s what she saw. Before she could find out, she pointed a small finger to their left. “He’s a bodyguard. They all blend in well.”
He tore his eyes away to look where she pointed to a man in a black suit holding a glass of champagne talking to a group of people. Nothing too obvious going on, except for the frequent roll of the man’s eyes as he surveyed the room discreetly.
“I would’ve never guessed. Who else is one? Just curious.”
Placing an arm on the table, like he was wrapping a protective arm around her, she started to point out each person that she knew was a bodyguard. She hadn’t realized until she finished that the tiny sensations of ecstasy coursing through her skin were from the subtle brushes of his fingers against her back.
“So, this entire conversation started because you were sorry that Lora lost interest in me. Why is that again?” he asked, his mouth delicately close to her ear.
“Because Mr. C told her to back off. He doesn’t know you, therefore, he doesn’t trust you. Lora never disobeys her father. Like I said, he’s the head of the family. Travis told me this. And I proceeded to tell Travis that you’re very nice and there was no reason not to trust you.”
“You talked to Travis about me?”
“He was curious about you, wondering what I thought. You’re a bit of a mystery to the family. They don’t particularly like mysteries. I told him there was nothing to worry about when it came to you. Was I wrong?”
5
Such a loaded question. Was I wrong?
Hell, yeah, wanted to spill from his lips. Trusting him would be the worst thing she could do. Yet, here she sat, trusting him as if she had known him forever. If she ever found out the real reason he was here, she’d hate him.
Pointing out bodyguards, helping him figure out which people were Martin Chilani’s men without much effort. He had pegged a few himself, but she helped point out the rest. She had no clue how useful that information was. He felt like the biggest asshole using her.
“You have nothing to worry about.”
There. Question answered without really answering. She had nothing to worry about. He would never harm her or slap a pair of handcuffs on her. He was starting to think she might know more than he realized. Was she honestly that clueless when it came to what Martin Chilani did?
International business. That’s what she thought he did. Did she not know what that business entailed? Gunrunning, drugs, murder.
Dax hoped she was clueless.
“So, are you sad?”
He lost where this conversation went. What was he supposed to be sad about? Lora?
“She’s not my type. She was coming on strong and I didn’t want to hurt her feelings, so I played along. I’m not sad.”
“That was nice of you. She does come on strong.” She glanced down at her lap like she wanted to say more, but was afraid to say it.
“You and Travis seem close. You looked like you were enjoying yourself out on the dance floor with him.”
What the hell was wrong with him? Why would he let her know he had been watching her? But damn it, he wanted to know what was going on between them.
“Oh, we are close.” Blushing, her eyes got round with shock. “Like brother and sister, I mean. Close like that. He’s like my annoying older brother I never had. I have a younger brother. He annoys me at times, too.”
“That’s good.”
“Why’s that?”
She looked at him with an unreadable expression. His arm was locked around her, his fingers brushing her back, completely unable to stop even if he wanted to. She hadn’t objected, so he felt no need to stop. Inches away from her mouth, he could close the distance to answer another loaded question. That would answer it plenty. It would also be wrong. He had one objective tonight. To learn the location of the load of weapons coming in. So far, failing miserably.
And it seemed, his self-control was wavering. “Okay, I was a bit jealous. I still haven’t gotten my dance I reserved earlier today.”
“You didn’t ask me to dance yet. I’ve been waiting.”
“Have you? You’ve been busy dancing the night away. Hell, I noticed you didn’t even finish the last dance when Lily yanked you away. Perhaps you want to finish that one first.”
There was no mistaking the shiver that rushed through her body.
“What did I say? What’s the matter?” Did his jealousy come out that obvious?
“Dancing with Franklin is the furthest thing from my mind. I was happy when Lily saved me from him. Trust me. I’d much rather dance with you.”
His hand tightened on her back as he laid a hand on her leg. “What aren’t you saying? Why does he scare you? And don’t try to lie to me. I can see that he scares you.”
“Franklin has always been the creepy cousin. He looks at me like a piece of meat and it unnerves me every time. I’ve never liked him. And he’s a criminal.”
That perked Dax up. Don’t get excited. But damn if he couldn’t help it. Still earning the title of an asshole. He needed to coax more out of her.
“Criminal? What do you mean?”
“Oh, I know he’s been arrested for drugs before. Maybe not that serious, but I don’t trust him.” She looked away, shaking her head with disgust. “Jeepers, I wouldn’t be surprised by what I heard him say had to do with drugs. He’s not a good person.”
Holy shit. Were the answers he needed right in front of him? He didn’t want Sarafina to be the answer to his prayers. He wanted her to be clueless, innocent, and so far away from any danger.
“When did you hear him say something? What was it?”
She waved her hand like she was dismissing everything she just said. “It was nothing. He scares me. I heard him in the gardens earlier talking to someone and it all sounded weird. Like I said, he always creeps me out. I’m making him sound bad when he isn’t.”
Don’t count on that.
“Well, I hope it had nothing to do with drugs here tonight. I’d hate for Ryan and Lily’s night to be ruined.” You’re such an asshole, Dax. Why are you playing her like this?
“Oh, no, I know it’s not tonight. I would never let that happen. I wouldn’t want Lily’s night to be ruined for anything. I wouldn’t let her know, but maybe I would’ve said something to Mr. C. I could still say something to him. I don’t know why I said anything.”
“I don’t mind. Sometimes telling someone helps you determine whether it’s important or not. I’m all ears to be a sounding board if you think you should tell Mr. Chilani.” Please, Sarafina, tell me, not that man. You could be seriously hurt.