“Whatever you want.” She smiled.
I fucking wished she hadn’t said that.
9
Cyndee
Event 2: Christmas Choir Concert
I lingered outside my apartment building waiting for Fabio to arrive. After we’d left the bistro, he’d said nothing the whole drive home. If I’d done something wrong, the least he could do was tell me what it was, so I didn’t do it again.
But no, he’d sat there with a scowl on his stupidly handsome face. As I got out of the Mercedes, he said, “See you next Saturday.”
Well, okay then…
Today was Saturday and the second event I was obligated to attend with him. My outfit was a pretty green off-the-shoulders cashmere sweater, creamy white trousers and matching green patent leather pumps. And a long creamy white wool coat, because God forbid, I wore the fur coat a second time.
Since my hair and makeup weren’t done professionally, I did my best. Hopefully, Fabio was pleased with my appearance and effort. After he turned cold as ice toward me, I didn’t want to make matters worse.
I spotted the G-Wagon coming down the road. My stomach twisted into a knot as I put my new Louis Vuitton clutch under my armpit.
The SUV stopped and Fabio jumped out of the passenger seat.
“Why are you waiting outside?” He grabbed my arm a little rougher than I anticipated and nudged me toward the backseat.
“Don’t man handle me.” I jerked out of his grasp and faced him. “If you’re going to be a jerk tonight, I’m not going. Nobody puts their hands on me like that.”
“I’m sorry.” He raised his hands as if surrendering. “Please, get in the car.”
“Are you going to be nice to me?”
“Yes.”
“Fine.” I slid in and put the seatbelt on. Feeling Ross’s attention on me, I said, “How’s it going, Ross?”
“Good, Miss.”
Fabio slammed the door. “Let’s go.”
For ten minutes, or longer we didn’t speak. I questioned my decision-making skills and wondered if I even had a backbone when it came to my sister or the handsome man sitting next to me.
“I apologize for my reaction. But you can’t be hanging outside waiting for me. You could’ve been mugged. Or worse, hurt.”
“You were angry because I could’ve been hurt?”
“Yes. The last thing I want is for you to be injured. Your neighborhood isn’t the safest.” The torment in his dark eyes softened the anger inside me.
“I’ve lived there for over a year, and nothing has happened.”
“Were you wearing expensive clothing like that? You look beautiful, by the way.” He swallowed thickly as he stared at me.
“Of course I wasn’t wearing thousands of dollars’ worth of clothes.” I thought for a minute. “You’re right. That was stupid of me.”
“My life and business can be complicated and dangerous. I wouldn’t want anyone to try to get at me by hurting you.”
“I don’t know what to say. If I’m hearing you correctly, and I hope I’m not. Are you saying my life is in danger being with you?” Things just took a very dark and unappealing turn.
“Tesoro, you could trip on a crack getting out of car and die. Life is dangerous in general.” He took my hand. “But I’ll do everything to protect you.”
