21
TIERNEY
“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to these events.”
I lean into Livvie and hold my purse close to my side as we walk inside the grand ballroom set up for a charity luncheon.
“These aren’t my sort of people. Too judgey. Too much high-class arrogance.”
Livvie hooks my arm.
“I felt that way too,” she says. “I keep them at arm’s length most of the time, but some of these ladies will come in handy in the future. Believe me. Plus, the money raised today goes towards women’s shelters.”
A suited guy escorts us to our table near the front stage, and I get the impression Livvie Viacava has more than established herself in these circles.
I take a sip of water and assess the room. From power couples to singles and everything in between, the influential and wealthy are in attendance thisafternoon. Every table looks like a catalogue for expensive jewellery and white teeth.
It makes me want to crawl under the table to hide.
“So how come Kingston doesn’t come with you to these things?” I set my purse on the table, sit back and fold my arms.
Livvie shrugs. “He’d escort me in a heartbeat, but it’s important for me to have something for myself. Aside from playing the violin, I need something that’s mine.
When you have money like we do, we have to put it to good use. I suppose I get a kick out of donating so much to a good cause.”
“I’m trying to figure out who I have to become now.” I lift the place card with my full married name written in ink and turn it in my fingers. “Lately all I think about is Bronx’s next move… or his last one. I hate how living with the man has screwed with my head.”
“So things are still going well?” She takes a sip of champagne and gives me a knowing look.
“You could say that.” I shrug. My thighs still remember the way his hands felt all over me. “It’s all part of Bronx’s game, right?”
Livvie smiles and places her hand on my knee. “And if Viacava men are playing, they always win.”
My stomach knots because I’m realising that. Living with him was only the beginning. Making moves wore me down and now I can’t go five minutes without daydreaming about how I want to lick his chest.
Livvie strikes up a conversation with the woman to her left while I scan the tables again. Two men step inside the function room.
They pause just beyond the doors, both wearing dark suits that don’t fit the occasion, their eyes sweeping the guests, studying the layout, the stage, the clusters of chatting men and women.
My skin prickles.
Years of training snap awake inside me like a switch being flipped.
I lower my glass to the table and watch them hover until their gaze lands on our table.
Something’s wrong.
“Tierney?” Livvie murmurs beside me. “You okay?”
I keep my gaze fixed on the men.
“Those guys over there clearly aren’t here to make a donation.”
Livvie follows my line of sight, her brows pulling together as she studies the strangers weaving through the room.
My pulse picks up speed as they veer in our direction. I slide a silver knife under my purse, then lift both onto my lap.
The first man’s shoulders are broad, his dark hair cropped short. When he reaches our table, he stops just close enough that only we can hear him over the chatter of the room.
