He squints, holding up a finger as if trying to physically read me. “I believe… you’re thinking… you want to fuck me again.”
“Not even close.”
He pulls me against him and we tumble back into the tall grass, laughing, and I’m thinking, maybe he really can read my mind after all, but I won’t ever admit it.
CHAPTER 31
NIKA
We spend two more days at the farm. Daniel recovers enough to get out of bed, though the doctor insists he stays off his feet as much as possible. I take a lot of hikes with Gabe and we discuss our Greek problem endlessly.
But like all good things, it doesn’t last. The house feels jittery the night before we’re set to drive back to Paris for the Dragons meeting. Gabe’s on edge. I figure I’ll distract him the best I can, maybe use my womanly wiles against him to take his mind off what’s coming, but instead I find a dress laid out for me on the bed that evening just before dinner.
“What’s this? You’re picking out my clothes now?”
“For tonight I am.”
I hold it up. Light and airy, attractive but modest, more suited to a cocktail hour at a high-end restaurant than anywhere within twenty miles of here. “Do you have some kind of erotic roleplaying in mind?”
He laughs at that. “Later maybe, but put that on for now. We have a meeting.”
“With who?”
“You’ll see.” He leaves the room and I don’t have much choice. I get dressed, end up going light on hair and makeup. He’s waiting for me downstairs in a lightweight linen suit, looking like the sexiest country gentleman I’ve ever seen in my life. He kisses my cheek and tells me I look perfect.
We take the BMW into the village center. It’s quiet around here, and the car draws some attention. We’ve been avoiding coming here, but I guess it doesn’t matter anymore since we’re going back to the city in the morning. He parks near an old tavern, gets out, and offers me his arm.
“Taking me out to dinner?” I say as he leads me inside. It’s dim and cool, a traditional French cafe that’s probably older than the entire United States.
“Something like that.” The hostess seems to recognize him and gestures straight toward the back. There’s a modest dinner crowd and many of them glance up as we pass. The attention is polite and curious though, not hostile at all. Gabe strides through confidently and only pauses when he approaches another section of the building, a private room tucked around the corner and blocked off with curtains.
I think for a moment we’re in the wrong place. A man and a woman are sitting at a table big enough for twelve. He’s tall and brutally handsome with dark curly hair and deep crystal blue eyes. His gaze is piercing, like he’s trying to pick me apart.
But the woman beside him makes me stop in my tracks.
She’s younger than him, closer to my age, and wearing a cute navy dress. Her hair is thick and dark, and her build is small and delicate. Despite that, I can immediately see some of Gabe in her: the same nose, a similar eye shape, the same skin tone. She stands, beaming happily, and comes around the table.
“Hey, big brother,” she says, giving Gabe a tight hug.
I watch in shock as Gabe hugs her back. “Good to see you, Allie. I want you to meet my wife, Nika.”
Allie throws her arms around me. She’s an inch smaller, but her grip is iron hard. “Fantastic to meet you! Welcome to the family. I’m sorry it took us so long to come see you two, but you know how it is.”
“Nice to meet you too.” I laugh in pure surprise and look at Gabe questioningly. He’s grinning back at me. “I didn’t think I’d get a chance to before the big finale.”
“About that.” The man speaks, his voice low and calm. He’s got an air about him, powerful and commanding. Allie goes over to stand at his side, and the way she looks at him almost makes me jealous. It’s pure, blissful adoration. “Things have changed.”
“Nika, this is Massimo Cardone.” Gabe gestures at the Dragon casually.
“Call me Mass. Everyone does.” He protectively puts an arm around Allie’s shoulder and I bet he doesn’t even realize he’s doing it. “The situation isn’t exactly ideal.”
“Come on, let’s sit down and eat.” Allie gestures for us to join them. “I know this is a surprise, but hopefully it’s a good one?”
“A good one. I’ve been wanting to meet both of you.” I take a seat beside Gabe. Mass pours us wine from a bottle at the side of the table.
“Truth is, there’s no point in pretending like I’m not involved anymore.” His expression is difficult to read. His affect is flat, borderline non-existent. I can’t tell if he’s angry, bored, or disinterested. Probably none of the above. “Zohran declared his allegiance and I believe he dragged the others to his side as well. I was hoping trying to remain neutral might sway them, but I was wrong.”
“Leave it to a Dragon to change the rules,” Gabe mutters, sipping from his glass.
