“We’re not,” Kathleen said. “I’m just saving time.”
Enzo’s chest tightened. Jesus, she had nerve, and he loved it.
Dominick’s eyes lingered on her, assessing. “You have spirit.”
“People keep saying that,” Kathleen replied, then took another bite as if he wasn’t standing there. “It’s almost like I’m a person.”
Dominic chuckled softly, then looked at Enzo again. “I assume you’re enjoying your meal.”
Enzo kept his face blank. “Is there something you want? Or are you simply trying to threaten us?”
Dominic’s smile sharpened. “You mistake proximity for threat,” he said. “If I were here to hurt you, this conversation wouldn’t be happening.”
“And yet here we are,” Kathleen said, still chewing, “watching you hover like a creep in a dining car.”
Enzo’s lips pressed into a hard line. He should shut her up. He should keep her from provoking Vitale’s enforcer. Except he didn’t want to.
Dominic’s gaze returned to Kathleen, and any lingering trace of amusement faded. “You’re very brave for someone who doesn’t understand the rules.”
Kathleen swallowed, then set her fork down carefully. “I understand the rules fine. You’re trying to intimidate me because you can’t control me.”
Enzo’s pulse spiked. If Dominic responded in any physical way, all bets were off. He’d kill the man without hesitation.
Dominic leaned in slightly. Not threatening. Not overt. Just close enough to make it personal. “Control isn’t always necessary,” he said softly. “Sometimes it’s enough to remind someone what happens when they resist.”
Enzo readied himself to launch at the man.
Dominic didn’t flinch. It was like he sensed the violence in Enzo and welcomed it.
Kathleen leaned forward too, eyes steady. “Is that supposed to scare me?”
Dominic’s mouth twitched. “It should.”
Kathleen’s expression didn’t change. “You’re not the scariest man I’ve met this week.”
Enzo almost made a sound. He didn’t know whether to laugh or drag her back to the compartment and lock the door.
Dominic straightened slowly, eyes returning to Enzo. “Mallorca tomorrow,” he said, voice lethally low now. “Or Bianca pays.” The name hit like a two-by-four to the solar plexus. He kept forgetting about Bianca. Not forgetting exactly, but losing focus on her. She used to haunt him, but she was nothing more than a distant memory now. And that was bad. Her life might be on the line. Enzo’s jaw locked. He forced himself to breathe.
Dominic watched him for a long beat, then tipped his head toward Kathleen. “Enjoy dessert,” he said, as if offering hospitality. Then he turned and strolled back to his table as if he hadn’t a care in the world.
Kathleen exhaled slowly through her nose. “Well. That was charming.”
Enzo stared at his plate, appetite gone. “You shouldn’t poke him.”
Kathleen’s eyes flashed. “He’s going to do what he’s going to do whether I poke him or not.”
Enzo couldn’t argue with that. He also couldn’t stop the surge of something warm and dangerous in his chest. Admiration. And desire. Kathleen Drake was dangerous to him in a whole new way. He’d better focus, or he’d be in serious trouble.
The waiter arrived with a tray. “Dessert?” he asked brightly, oblivious.
Kathleen didn’t hesitate. “Yes. Please.”
Enzo’s gaze snapped to her.
She shrugged slightly. “If we’re going to be held hostage, I’m at least getting dessert.”
He grinned. “I like the way you think.” He turned to the waiter, “Bring tea and coffee too. To go.”
