“Fancy seeing your ugly mug here.” I smile at Sammie before turning to his mother. “Ms. Russo, I had no idea you were in town. It’s been a long time.” When I hug her, she makes a point to press herself up against me. I step back almost immediately, never having let go of Evie’s hand.
Ms. Russo turns her attention to Evie next. “And who is this beauty?”
My shoulders straighten. Friend’s mother or not, I will fucking slit her throat if she tries to mess withmy girlfriend. Ms. Russo likes to play mind games with her son, so I wouldn’t put it past her to try them with me. I’m hoping she’s not that fucking stupid, though.
“This is Evie.” I squeeze her hand a little tighter when I say her name. “I was about to take her home. I just bought a new house close by. You want to come and see it?” If I can get the woman away from here for at least one night, it will give Sammie some peace.
When I look to my friend, I find his glare bouncing around the bar, until it lands on no other than Lailani.
“Fucking hell,” I mutter as I stare at Lailani, who doesn’t appear too thrilled at the moment. “I gotta use the restroom. Finish your drink, Ms. Russo. I think you’re going to love my new house.”
“I have a room here,” she replies.
“You’d rather stay in this cesspool than the comforts of my home?” I give her thedon’t fucking say no to melook. “Now, I’m offended.”
“Well, okay. Just for one night. I do need to grab some things, though. I’ll wait for you in the lobby.” Ms. Russo downs her drink before sliding off her barstool. “Sammie, we will continue this chat,” she directs to her son before walking off.
“I’ll be right back.” I drop Evie’s hand as I turn to her. “Youwant a drink?”
She doesn’t say anything, just shakes her head, and I lift a hand, indicating for my men to step closer. Five of them are within reaching distance.
“I’ll be quick,” I whisper before moving towards the bar.
“Follow me,” I tell Lailani as I pass her. By the time I turn the corner, she’s right behind me. “Whatever you’re thinking, don’t.”
“Why would I be thinking anything?” she asks.
“Because I know you, Lai. Just don’t do anything without talking to me first,” I tell her.
“Sooo, you want me to call you before giving Sammie a blow job? That kind of thing?” She peers up at me with that innocent look on her face.
“Cute. You know what I mean.” I step around her and make my way back towards Evie. I hated leaving her, but I needed to check in with Lailani. I know what she’s capable of and I don’t want her doing something she’ll regret later. Like killing her boyfriend’s mother.
My friends are trying to keep whatever it is they’re doing on the down-low. I don’t know why, but it’s not my problem.
“You ready to go?” I ask Evie.
“Yep.” She hops off the stool.
“Thanks for coming,” Sammie says.
“Don’t mention it,” I tell him. “I’ll see if I can gether to go home.” I don’t know what his mother wants. Usually it’s money so it shouldn’t be hard to coax her out of town again.
Ms. Russo is waiting for me in the lobby. She gives Evie a very disinterested glare before smiling at me.
“You ready?” I ask her.
“Lead the way, Emmanuel. You know, you always were my favorite friend of Sammie’s.” Her hand lands on my arm.
I step aside. “Thanks, Ms. Russo. Paz will drive you to the estate. Evie and I will be in the car behind you.” I nod to Paz, who moves forward to lead the way.
“Okay, but you’re going to give me the tour yourself, right?” Ms. Russo asks me.
“Of course.” I smile, having absolutely no intention of spending any more time with the woman than I have to.
“Jefe, she’s at the Paris Hotel,” Paz says. Lailani disappeared after the club, while I’ve had a hell of a night trying to escape Ms. Russo’s claws, which Evie found amusing.
I just left my girlfriend in a bathtub to comedownstairs and get some work done. “Go and get her, bring her back here, and make sure she’s not seen,” I tell him. The last thing I need is for people to know Lailani works for me.
