She cups my face and kisses my lips. In that moment, she silences all the noise, stripping away the pseudo-calmness and replacing it with a real one, the calmness of my soul.
I hold her in my arms as we walk through the VIP gallery, kissing her all over her face. Keeping her in my arms is the best way to keep her safe, and after having her out in the open for so long I need to tell myself she is safe and will stay safe.
I set her down once we reach the secured corridor behind the viewing arena. I take her hand and lead her toward the private lift.
San Diego’s underworld racing complex was built by Valente Corp, Uncle Alessio’s company, now Leo’s. Wehave a private penthouse here and a dedicated lift for it. My men stop outside the lift, the penthouse security unit is already in position. The unit below will now head to the sky lounge where the New Year party takes place.
“I didn’t know you had such a crazy fan following,” she says, giving me a sidelong look.
I chuckle. “What happened?”
The lift opens.
“I almost killed a girl today,” she says, narrating with vivid anger, gritting her teeth and throwing imaginary fists in the air. “She was claiming she’d marry you. I told her you’re my man, and she made fun of me with her bitch friends. Your men gave her a piece of their mind or I would have beaten her to death.”
I laugh as I open the penthouse door.
“Has she done something wrong to you?” Leo asks the moment the door opens. He’s come out of the kitchen with a water bottle in hand.
“Why are you saying this?” Avira glares at him.
“He’s laughing too much these days,” Leo says.
I sit down on the chair beside the shoe cabinet and start to take off my boots.
“That’s because I’m a good girlfriend,” she grins. The anger vanishes. That’s my little demon—angry one second, smiling the next.
“Do you attend every race that Zoan participates in?”
“Of course. Don’t you know I’m madly in love with your man? Wherever he goes, I follow,” he drawls, looking at his phone.
Avira rolls her eyes.
I take her upstairs to my room. She removes her jacket and throws it on the bed.
“Are we going to get ready for the party now?” she asks.
I pick up her jacket and place it neatly. “Yes, after a long bath.”
I walk toward the bathroom, open its door, and turn to look at her. “Come.”
She walks inside, grinning. I close the door and start removing my race suit. She begins filling the tub.
“Will you bathe with your clothes on?” I ask.
She shakes her head.
“Then remove them.”
She makes an “oh” and starts undressing. I quickly get out of my suit and approach her. “Let me help.”
I hold her around the waist and help her sit on the vanity countertop. She has removed her top, leaving only a yellow bra covering her breasts.
I unbutton her trousers. She lifts her hips slightly as I pull them down, placing them neatly on the other side of the countertop.
I take in her beautiful form, sitting in her yellow bra and thong, my own body reacting to the sight.
I unhook her bra and place it on top of her trousers. I brush her nipples lightly with my thumbs, and her breath stutters.
