And now one of the most brilliantly deadly women in the world is being whisked around the dance floor by her husband mere feet from me.
I think I’m going to be sick.
I keep my gaze averted as the elegant pair draw people’s attention. I’m certain they’re doing it to rile the O’Rourkes by stealing the limelight from their hosts. But you can’t deny what a perfect couple they make. Enrique’s in his late fifties, and Elodie’s in her late forties. You’d never guess from their agility and grace. They simply glide along the floor. It’s obvious how in love they are from how they anticipate each other’s next moves. It’s really quite remarkable.
Until Elodie turns in my direction.
I purposely bump into the woman next to me, allowing Patrick and me to stop dancing long enough for me to apologize. The woman’s gracious, but only because she’s not part of a syndicate. The last thing I need is any syndicate holding a grudge against me in case I need to use this disguise again.
“I’m pretty sure she saw you, Liz.”
“But did she recognize me?”
“I don’t know. She lingered over watching you, but her expression told me nothing.”
“Fanculo.” Fuck.
I mutter it under my breath not needing anyone wondering why I swear in Italian.
“Let me grab my purse and duck into the restroom for a few minutes.”
“All right.”
With my arm looped through his, Patrick and I make our way to our table. I pick up my purse, and we walk toward the bar. I leave Patrick there and head to the ballroom doors. I recognize Alejandro ahead of me, pushing a door open. I keep my pace natural, not wanting to catch up to him yet. The last thing I need is him holding it open for me.
I leave the ballroom and look around, spotting him walking toward the restrooms. Perfect excuse for me to head in the samedirection. The hallway leads away from the well-lit mezzanine and to a more shadowy corridor. I silently snap open my purse, ready to reach in to remove my stun gun.
“Hello, beautiful.”
My head jerks up as a swarthy man steps in front of me. Two more men approach. Their posture’s casual, but I know they’re all getting a read on me. When their gazes dart to my open purse, I pull out a tampon and cock an eyebrow.
“The ladies’ room is in the opposite direction.” I don’t know which ofTres J’she is, but he’s undoubtedly one.
“Oh. Thank you. I’ve never been here before. I assumed it was near the men’s room since I can see a sign for that.”
“Nope.”
This second brother definitely doesn’t mince words. I can’t tell if I personally irritate him or he just hates people in general. I saw him with a blonde with a sunny disposition early. If ever there was a grumpy-sunshine love story, it would be them. His face would crack if he smiled.
“If you’ll excuse me.”
“You only looked in one direction when you left the ballroom, and you couldn’t have seen the sign for any restroom from that far away. What made you turn this way?”
The third brother’s quieter than the other two, but it almost makes him more menacing. Three to one in most situations isn’t odds I fear. Tonight? They’ll have knives pulled faster than I can drop my tampon back into my purse.
“OurtíaElodie said she thought she recognized you. She’d love to say hello to an old acquaintance. We didn’t want you to leave without saying hi.” The first brother flashes me a smile that would be sexy as sin if I didn’t already know Alejandro.
“I really need to use the restroom.” I hold up my hand with the tampon, which fits mostly in my palm.
“There are some notoriously unscrupulous men here tonight, and many of them have been drinking. It might be safer if we escort you.”
Brother three steps closer as he speaks. He’s not wearing a wedding ring. He must be Joaquin, the one who heads up the family’s construction company, or Jorge, the accountant. Can I trade information for my life?
“I’ve been going to the restroom on my own for decades. I’ll stay alert.”
I’m about to be more assertive, but I can’t help but see Alejandro approaching from behind the brother who just spoke. I spin on my heels and lift my gown. I don’t linger, especially not once I hear the four men’s rapid Spanish. I’m certain the reaper in the form of a hot Colombian is on my heels when one of them sayspistola paralizante.
Stun gun.
