Ice slides down my spine. My mind cycles through all the moments a stranger might have eavesdropped. My conversations, phone calls… I wasn’t exactly quiet with Liev.
A large palm closes over mine and squeezes my fingers. I end the call and power it off, then take a few deep breaths to calm the nerves making me want to peel my skin off.
“We don’t know they heard anything.” Liev’s voice startles me. “We don’t even know if there is anything on your phone. It might just be broken.” But I can tell he doesn’t believe it.
“After that night…” He stops abruptly, eyes dropping to the phone in my lap. “Did you leave your phone anywhere?”
I shake my head, and his shoulders relax. “Then it’s not likely to be…” He closes his mouth and looks at me while gesturing to himself.
Oh my god!The Russian mob tapping my phone and learning the truth about Sergei hadn’t even occurred to me.
“It’s not that,” he says firmly, reading my mind, and I nod, hoping to convince myself. “Our tech is much better than to affect your phone like that.”
One side of my mouth turns up. “Your rationale is it couldn’t be those people, because if they were spying on me, I wouldn’t know?”
“Exactly.”
“Didn’t you just say you weren’t good with computers?”
“I said I wasn’t a computer dork. A sexy dork… but still.” He amends with a grin. “I employ a lot of them.”
“I’ll be sure to tell Finn you think he’s sexy,” I say mildly, and Liev laughs. “I can see the attraction though.”
I smirk when Liev’s laughter dies, and he growls. “Not funny.”
“I’m hilarious.”
“You’re something,” he mutters, but lifts my hand to kiss my knuckles. After a quiet minute, he glances over. “So… I was thinking. Tonight, I’m taking you on a proper date.”
I arch a brow. “Do gangsters date?”
“Not really. But I’ll make an exception.”
“So romantic,” I drawl.
“I know, right?”
I smoothmy hands down the front of the dress for the third time in as many minutes, suddenly hyperaware of every inch of exposed skin. The fabric is a deep forest green and drapes to skim my curves without clinging. Thin straps cross over my shoulders, leaving the silver scars along my collarbone and shoulder bare.
I’d bought it on impulse this afternoon. I wanted it the moment I saw it hanging in the boutique window, but in the dressing room I faltered.
What if people stare?
It’s not like I have three heads. Who cares if my skin isn’t flawless.
Fuck those imaginary people.
I had to bite my lip to hide my smile when I handed the woman helping me a credit card.
Hearing of our evening plans, Dani and Marco were strangely enthusiastic, but it appeared genuine, so I acceptedDani’s offer of help to get ready. Now, as Dani steps back, brush in hand with a satisfied little sigh, I catch my reflection in the full-length mirror behind her and freeze.
I’m me, but... more. The smoky shadow she’s layered on my lids makes my eyes look bigger, greener, almost luminous. My hair falls in wide, loose waves. My fingers lift to touch my cheek. “You’re a miracle worker.”
Dani laughs, packing her brushes into their case. “Hardly. You have gorgeous bone structure and those eyes? I just gave them a little spotlight.” She smiles at me in the mirror, eyes sparkling. “I’m totally invested in this date. You and the hot Russian bodyguard?” She gives a dramatic shiver. “I’d pay to see that movie.”
Marco leans against the bathroom doorway with a fresh bottle of champagne. “Is it porn? Because I want to see that, too.”
We dissolve into laughter.
