“This is Lazar Alexeev. Do you remember him coming into the coffeehouse with me that first time? Lazar is the man who knew about the place.” He had known because he’d followed Azelie there.
Keys sent her a grin and gave her a little courtly bow. “Nice to finally meet the woman who captured Andrii.”
That sweet color slid up her neck into her face, flushing her skin a wild rose. “I don’t know that I’ve captured him, but I love being with him.”
“You took him prisoner, woman. I’m Kir Vasiliev. Knownyour man a long time, and I’ve got a wife who manages to twist me around her little finger. Don’t know how she does it, but I see that same look on Andrii’s face that stares back at me in the mirror when I’m trying to figure out how I got so damn lucky.”
Kir Vasiliev could be a very intimidating man. He was big with a great deal of muscle. Scarred and tattooed. He looked as if he’d been to prison, which he had, many times. Azelie didn’t look intimidated. She laughed at Kir’s—Master’s—comment. The tone was low and soft but sounded like a melody running through Maestro’s head. He reached for her hand and brought it to his chest.
“Yeah, you did, babe. I think you cast a spell.”
She laughed again, the sound inviting. “First he calls me an angel, and now I’m a witch.”
“Love the way you laugh,” the third man said. “Name’s Gedeon Lazaroff. You have that same perfect pitch Seychelle has. Do you sing?”
Gedeon, aka Player, had striking blue eyes, was tall and muscular. He had light brown hair and wore a mustache and a small, barely there, beard.
Azelie looked horrified. “If I sing, the children put their hands over their ears.”
“She can’t lie worth shit,” Keys said. “That’s one thing you’ve got going for you, Andrii.”
“They don’t put their hands over their ears,” Azelie conceded, “but I don’t push my luck.” She sent Keys a little smile.
“We’re going to have to get this show on the road,” Maestro said. “Are you going to be all right sitting here by yourself?”
“Of course. But I might go say hello to Lana. She’s got a table right near the piano. There’s four chairs, and it’s just her and the man she came in with.”
“I’ll walk you over there,” Maestro offered, and stood up to circle around the small table. Things were working out exactly like he needed them to.
***
Azelie took Andrii’s hand as they walked around the tables to join Lana and the man she was with. Lana jumped up and hugged her. “I’m so happy you’re here.” Her gaze flicked to Andrii and their linked hands. “Hi, Andrii. We came to be supportive tonight. You know we’re crazy about your music.” She switched her attention back to Azelie. “I go to most of the Crows Flying gigs.”
“I think everyone knew about the band but me,” Azelie said. “I don’t get out much.”
“They’re all over the internet,” Lana said helpfully. She turned to the man who had stood when Azelie and Andrii approached the table. “This is my brother, Kasimir. He’s not too bad until he gets in his bossy mode. Kas, this is Azelie. She goes to the college.”
Kasimir Popov, aka Preacher, had curls no matter what he did to tame his hair. He looked far less intimidating than the band members because of those curls. That was deceptive, Azelie decided. He had muscle running beneath his clothing. He might look friendly, but he had that same reserve Andrii’s bandmates had.
Preacher flashed a grin. “Someone needs to boss her.” He shook hands with Andrii. “Would you care to join us? We have the room.”
“I’ll be playing shortly, but I’d appreciate your looking after Azelie.”
“You got it, brother,” Kasimir responded easily.
Azelie looked from Kasimir to Andrii. They knew each other. She couldn’t tell with Lana, but she was certain there was a connection to Kasimir. Maybe it was the fact that Lana attended the Crows Flying gigs and Kasimir went with her. Still, Andrii didn’t really look at Lana, and she was gorgeous. She was one of the most beautiful women Azelie had ever seen.
Andrii caught her chin and tilted her face up to his. “I’llbe the one playing either guitar or piano. You can focus on me.” He murmured the command against her lips, his tone low, the words barely spoken aloud, but she heard them, and it made her smile. Did he really think any other man in the room could compare to him?
She licked along the seam of his lips, deliberately inviting his kiss. He was a member of a popular band, and there were bound to be others watching them, but in that moment, she didn’t care. She wanted only to reassure him. Maybe it was a mistake after all. He kissed her. Gathered her into his arms, locked her against him and kissed her. Not gently. Passionately. Claiming her. Demanding surrender, and she gave herself to him because that was what he needed. That was what she wanted. It was only when she was certain she was going to burst into flames that he lifted his head. Even then, his thumb whispered over her lips.
“Be good while I’m working.”
She gave him her mischievous smile. “I’m an angel, remember?”
“Stay that way until I’m with you,” he cautioned and held out her chair.
Azelie obligingly sank into it and watched him saunter across the floor, threading his way easily through the tables to join the other three members of Crows Flying.
