Because she does.
“Sounds like you have something you need to tend to, so I think it’s best if I get on my way.” She’s not making eye contact as she picks up the pieces of shredded leather off the floor and then drops them again, appearing frustrated at the mess I’ve made of her things. When she turns to face me, there’s something in her eyes.
Is she sad? Disappointed? Afraid?
I want to ask, but I don’t have the time to get intofeelingsright now.
With a long sigh, she finally makes eye contact and says, “Last night was fun. I’ll let myself out and let you get on your way. Maybe we’ll see each other again sometime.”
She’s dismissing me.
Not fucking likely.
Althea moves to slide past me, attempting to brush me off, but I’m not letting her off that easily. I grab her around the waist, spinning her until her back is to my front, leaning my chin on her shoulder, brushing away her hair with my nose.
“I told you this wasn’t a onetime thing. I have a family emergency to tend to, and then I’ll be back. You can stay here and sleep until I return. Then we’re going to go out to eat and discuss exactly whatthisis between us.” I keep my voice soft, tamping down the frustration at her obvious attempt to play off what just happened here between us. Try as she may, Althea can’t deny that what we shared tonight affected her.
Her shoulders relax slightly when I drop a kiss on her neck just behind her ear. A spot I discovered makes her melt. Every time I kiss her there, she sighs.
Her body’s response to me is intoxicating. The moment is broken, however, when Leo pounds on the door shouting for me to get a move on.
“I should go. I still need to get my things out of the locker room, and my car is still in valet.” Althea breaks out of my hold,and this time I let her go. As she passes through the door, Leo pushes past her like she’s no one of importance, barging his way into my room. I grab him by the throat, lifting him up onto his toes and glare at him.
“What the fuck, Enzo? We have to go!” he yells frantically. I know he’s right, but he needs to know not to touch what’s mine.
“Never touch her again. Understood?”
“Who? The girl? She’s just …” I squeeze a little tighter. Leo blinks several times, glancing between the empty doorway and my eyes. Whatever he sees staring back at him has made my point clear. He nods as much as my hold will allow and after another moment, I gather my control and release him.
I’m pulling on a black shirt and my boots, watching as Leo paces the floor with his phone in his hand. Leo’s the youngest male in the Venatti family. He’s barely begun to make his mark in the family business and is rarely shaken by much, which is why I’m giving him some leeway. He’s young and still likes to joke around and make light of most situations. He knows better than to barge into my space and disrespect me in front of others. The only reason I haven’t beaten his ass is because he’s worried about his brothers. Any other time and I’d have taught him a lesson he’d never forget. The same lesson we’ve all learned at some point growing up.
I grab my knife, gun, and keys from the drawer and tip my chin for him to move, then follow him out, locking the door behind me. Althea is already long gone when we reach the elevators, but her scent still lingers.
“What do you know?” I ask.
“Santo and Naz had a meeting with Devante Mesias, the head of the Mesias Cartel. They were mending fences after the incident with that asshole you killed and The Bishop,” Leo starts. “Naz wanted to put out feelers to see if the cartel had any leadson who The Bishop might be or where we could find him. No one has been able to track him down.”
“And what about the cartel? Did they take any damage, or was it just Naz and Santo?” I don’t think the cartel would put out a hit on my cousins, but I don’t trust anyone after my uncle was murdered right under our noses.
“Not that I know of. Their security did their fucking job!” Leo shouts. “How did this happen, Enzo? How could anyone get so close to my brothers and still be breathing?”
“I don’t know, Leo. But I intend to find out.” I vow.
“What do you mean you don’t know? Security is your fucking department! These are your men. Trained byyouto protect us,” Leo snaps.
“Careful,” I warn.
“I’m not in charge of the men on everyone’s protective detail. Nazario chooses the men who protect you all. Most of them were selected by your father a long time ago. My job is to teach themhowto protect you.”
“Well, someone fucked up!” Leo’s hands go out at his sides. He’s starting to spiral.
In some respects, he has a point. I’ve trained most of our soldiers. Especially those who work in close detail with the family. Their jobs are the most important and often most difficult.
Leo scrubs his hand down his face and lets out a long sigh. “Sorry, Zo. I’m just … how does something like this happen? First my dad, now this.”
Gripping his shoulder, I tell him the truth. “I don’t know how it happened, but when I find the answer and the motherfucker responsible, I will make them pay. You have my word.”
We reach the garage and head for my SUV. I scan the area and find Eddie in his SUV and two other guards in anotherwaiting for us to get into mine. Althea’s car is gone, and the spot where Stavros was parked is now empty.
