Dani’s cheeks look like they could split with how wide her smile is. “I’m totally shipping you two. Like hard. Total goals.”
My brows bunch. “Shipping?”
Sera pats my back. “I’ll explain it to you later, old man.”
23
SERA
Something is wrong with Liev, but I can’t figure out what it is. He has a look on his face I haven’t seen before… Well, that’s not true. It looks remarkably similar to the look he had when we loaded his father’s dead body into his trunk.
After the photo shoot, we returned to our room, but when I asked him about Anton, he’d kissed me until not only had I forgotten what I was going to ask, but possibly my address as well. Then, he abruptly claimed he had to get gas for the SUV and disappeared for over an hour.
He’s lying. I don’t know how I know. I just do. But the same intuition tells me to trust him. Which I can admit to myself isn’t the smartest thing, considering my recent track record with men.
Liev is different.
In an odd, intangible, impossible-to-explain way, I trust him. More than anyone I’ve ever known.
And I trust he’ll tell me what’s going on when he can, because even though he is pretty much the mold for an alpha, overly protective man, he treats me like an equal.
My heart flips as I realize what I’m thinking.
Oh fuck.
I’m in love with him.
I’d thoughttonight’s event wouldn’t be as bad as the others. Instead of standing silent for hours, I was getting a meal. However, I hadn’t expected that it would be necessary to navigate an ocean of testosterone at my table.
The event coordinator sat Liev and me near Keke along with Dani and Marco. The French security detail completed the group.
It’s clear Anton hates Liev. Not dislikes him.Hateshim. And I’m not the only one at the table who has noticed.
We aren’t even done with the salads yet, when picking up on the tension between the men, Marco makes a joke about professional competition, and Anton snarls something in French. I have no idea what he says, but Henri, one of the other men, turns and barks at him in French.
Liev must understand enough of the words, and they must be bad, because he slowly sets down his fork and stares at Anton. “It’s a dangerous line of work. Everyone knows the risks.”
Anton’s face flushes, his eyes practically bulging. For a second, I’m concerned he might pull his weapon, but then his furious eyes flick to me.
“Doeseveryoneunderstand the risk?” His English is heavily accented in his anger. “Does she understand the risks she’s taking working with you?”
He’s clearly trying to bait Liev, but to my surprise, Liev lifts his fork and takes another bite before answering. “Yes. But there are risks in everything don’t you agree? You could get hit by a car, have a bad night at an underground casino… The world is a dangerous place.”
The simple answer seems to further enrage the man, and he turns purple. Etienne erupts with a barrage of rapid French. Anton shoves to his feet and storms away.
Dani and Marco watch the whole exchange like a tennis match, and when the tension drops with Anton’s departure, Marco blows out a long breath. “I feel like I just watched a cage match, but without all the blood and shiny shorts.”
Liev barks out a laugh. “You know, I think you’re actually growing on me.”
I swear Marco preens.
24
LIEV
It only took a few phone calls, a handful of texts, and a phenomenal stroke of good luck to put my plan into motion.
After the formal dinner Atelier Florian hosted for its best customers and the most profitable store managers, there is a meet-and-greet hour for the guests to network and presumably admire Keke and the rare jewels she wears up close.
