However, I have no desire to be on the receiving end of his wrath.
Beni holds out his arm for me to take and, after a moment’s deliberation, I do. He pats my hand lightly, in an almost fatherly way, and leads me from the dining room. We trail behind Tristano who’s following the butler through the long hallway.
“Come along, Violet the vicious,” Beni says with a wink. “You need your sleep if you’re going to whip my ass inTetrison the way home tomorrow. Just know that I let you win last time, but I’ll show you no mercy from now on. Which means you’re going down.”
A smirk pulls at my lips.Yeah, sure, I mouth.
He jerks to a stop and blinks down at me. I frown, searching his widened gaze for a clue as to what’s bothering him. “Did you just sort of speak to me?” he asks, his tone filled with disbelief.
From the corner of my eye I watch Tristano freeze mid-step. His large frame stiffens right before he slowly turns to peer at us over his shoulder. If I thought his gaze was shiny before, now it’s bright enough to rival the full moon outside.
I swallow the nerves gathering in my throat and shrug. Not exactly an admission but not a lie either.
“Wow,” Beni says. “I don’t think you actually made a sound, but I read your lips easily enough. Is this your new way of speaking, but incognito? ’Cause I’m cool with that. It’ll be a lot easier for you to talk shit that way.” He tilts his head in thought. “I guess it’d bemouthingshit, but whatever you call it, I think that’s fucking awesome.”
If my entire face isn’t pink from blushing, I’ll be surprised. I’m hot everywhere with embarrassment, but some of the warmth is due to feeling…happy. The last time I was like this was when Carina went on and on about how beautiful I looked after she’d dolled me up with makeup and a flattering hairstyle. I was pleased yet shy, just like I am now.
Although, another reason for my blush stems from Tristano. If possible, he looks angrier than before, and the reason is quite difficult to pinpoint. I highly suspect that Beni delaying Tristano from retiring for the night is the reason for his thundering expression.
To help defuse the situation, I jerk my head in the direction we were originally heading and mouth,we should go now, to Beni.
He flicks his gaze over to Tristano and back, and then nods. We fall into step behind Tristano like before and I exhale in relief. It’s challenging to be on the receiving end of his stares, especially when the silver rings start to resemble the barrel of a pistol.
Beni leans down, but doesn’t stop walking. “He’s just sleep-deprived and in a bad mood. Understandably, but don’t let him get to you. Okay?”
Yup.
“Good.” He straightens and goes back to facing forward. “I wasn’t kidding aboutTetristhough.”
My lips twitch and I fight the smile that tries to rise, but I’m unsuccessful. Beni has somehow disarmed me with the ridiculous things he says, as well as his loyalty to Tristano. It gives me hope that one day I won’t be scared of every man I come across.
I know that my ability to speak is somewhat impaired, but now I suspect my hearing is as well. Did Beni just say there’s only one room in this guest house, and that it only has a single king-sized bed?
If possible, Tristano looks more upset about it than me.
“What do you want to do, boss?” Beni asks. “I can go back there and tell them we want to stay somewhere else. It’s not like that damn house isn’t big enough.”
Tristano works his jaw back and forth before answering. “I’m not open to the idea of conversing with her more than necessary, let alone asking for a favor.”
“Okay.” Beni glances around, taking in the elegantly decorated living room. “I’ll sleep outside Violet’s door.” At my sharp inhale, he looks down at me. “It’s not the first time I’ve done something like that, so don’t worry. Besides, it’ll make myTetrisvictory all the better because I’ll still beat you even after a crappy night of sleep.”
This isn’t right.
He pats my hands. “It’s fine. Don’t feel sorry for me and go easy on me when we battle it out. Okay?”
I guess.
“Are you quite finished?” Tristano’s voice hits me like a slap to the face. Both me and Beni zip our gazes to him and I take in the hard lines of Tristano’s face. I didn’t think any of his anger was derived from anything I’ve done, but now I’m not so sure.
His anger feels targeted. Personal.
“Sure thing,” Beni says slowly, removing my arm from his.
Tristano follows the motion with a narrowed gaze. “You will take the couch,” he instructs Beni.
The next thought is logical in nature. There’s only one option that’s feasible because there’s no way Tristano would volunteer to sleep on the floor. Ever. Yet my brain refuses to acknowledge this next step. Or maybe it’s my body that doesn’t want to, out of fear it’ll no longer be controlled by me?
If Tristano had no qualms about doing those intimate things to me in the jeep with other people close by, then what would he do if we were alone and without the threat of being discovered? A strong tremor snakes its way down my spine.
