The woman’s face fell, and I couldn’t help but giggle. I looked down and curled my lips over my teeth, but it wasn’t enough.
“And what do you think is so funny?” the woman asked curtly.
“I’d be curious to know that as well,” Dante said.
I slowly looked up at him, and when he tossed me the slightest wink, I leveled my head on my shoulders.
“I just think it’s funny that you intentionally gloss over the fact that someone has accompanied him to this gala because you believe you’re better than me. But I can promise you, your spiky heels don’t make you better than me.”
The woman’s eyebrows rose as she turned to face me. “You speak as if you see yourself as competition.”
“I promise you, there is no competition from what I’m seeing.”
Music started up in the background as the live band took their place on stage. The woman scoffed as she looked me up and down, and I couldn’t help but straighten my back with pride. Fuck her and whatever horse she rode in on. She didn’t get to hit on my date just because she thought she was better than me.
“Care to dance?” Dante asked.
I smiled up at him. “I’d love to.”
“Well, when you get bored, Dante,” the woman said as she brushed past him, “you know where to find me.”
“I do,” he said as he started for the dance floor, “at the pound.”
My jaw hit the floor when he spun me around. I laughed with delight as my dress fluttered out, only for him to spin me back into him. His arm wrapped its way around my waist. He held my right hand up into the air before cradling it against his chest. He placed my palm on top of his beating heart as he continued to survey the room high above my head.
I couldn’t help but place my ear against the lower part of his chest.
“You know, I’ve never really been a big dancer,” I said.
Dante shrugged. “I get by at these events. Appearances are important at things like this.”
“I can only imagine.”
He didn’t say anything else, so I didn’t push the matter. Mostly because I felt myself melting into his embrace. The more we softly rocked side to side, the more it lulled me into a trance where all I knew was him. All I knew was his comforting strength wrapped around me, pulling me closer with every sway. He dipped me back, allowing my hair to just barely grace the ground as I stared up at him. His green gaze sparkled with mischievous delight, and I had to admit, I was curious to know what he was thinking about.
Jesus, what are these men doing to me?
“Brielle?” Dante asked, bringing me back up onto my feet.
“Yes, Dante?” I asked as I gazed up into his face.
“You look gorgeous tonight.”
I blushed beneath his stare. “I’d say you do as well, but I’m sure you get that all the time.”
He brought my hand to his lips to kiss. “Ready to do another patrol with me?”
My hand trembled when he caressed my skin with his lips. “Ready whenever you are.”
His body froze, and I ceased my movements alongside him. The music continued to play as people danced around us, but I had no idea why in the world he had stopped. Had I stepped on his foot? Was something wrong with one of his guys?
“Come with me,” he said, picking me up off my feet.
I scoffed as he damn near tossed me over his fucking shoulder. “Not like I have much choice right now.”
A door slammed open before I found myself in a bathroom. He placed me back down onto my feet and the panicked look in his eyes shocked me to my core.
“She’s here, isn’t she?” I asked.
