Power in human form.
And flanked—of course—by the Contessa twins.
Sherry and Sabrina. All legs, lips, and vapid stares. They were draped over him like fashion accessories. Kiki’s jaw tightened. Her heartbeat pulsed harder thanthe bass.
So much for thinking I was special,she thought wryly.
She’d told him to go to the club. Shehadn’ttold him to wrap himself with a couple of blonde bimbos like a Christmas present.
As she moved forward, two bodyguards stepped into her path—tall, trained, black suits, wired ears. She didn’t slow.
She lifted her hand, palm up. In her agitated state, she sent a stronger pulse than she meant to.Thisis why she didn’t get involved.
They froze mid-step—muscles locking like someone had hit pause on their bodies.
Kiki flicked her fingers once, sending a command for them to move out of her way. Their bodies turned sharply as if yanked by invisible threads, and they walked off without a word—bewildered and glassy-eyed.
Don’t mess with a woman on a mission,she thought with savage satisfaction.
She reached the booth.
Three pairs of eyes looked up.
The twins curled their lips in unison. “Ugh,” Sherry said. “Aficionadas. So cute.”
Kiki didn’t bother looking at the two blondes. They were immaterial to her mission.
Instead, her eyes locked on the brown eyes and quirked lips of the man between them. Realization cascaded over her as she felt his inner self.
The man returned her stare with an amused expression that was meant to cover his intense interest and wariness. The women with him filled the space with inconsequential sounds, their weakness and spite wrapped in condescension.
Without breaking eye contact, Kiki spoke—her voice cool, low, and laced with steel.
“Take a hike. This is a private conversation.”
The twins recoiled, indignant.
“Excuse us?”
“You heard me.” Her tone darkened.
Sherry opened her mouth.
Kiki didn’t give her the chance.
One step closer. A soft smile that didn’t reach her lips caused both women to press back against their seats. She added another little ump to the push she sent as she spoke in a low voice.
“Leave. Now.”
She didn’t need to touch them. The word was enough.
They blinked in unison before they slid out of the booth and walked away without another word.
Kiki slid into the booth, never taking her eyes off the man watching her with fascination.
“Where is Nikos?” she demanded, her voice like velvet over a fiery blade. “I need to find him. Now.”
Ten
