Page 45 of Revenge & Truth

“It’s never going to happen since I’m not playing any fucking games. Yet you’ve made me curious… how would you manage to convince her so readily?”

“Funny thing about having a relationship with someone you don’t want to sleep with. It’s a bond founded on trust, communication, and loyalty. Astin knows I’d take a bullet for her, give my life to keep her safe, and keep whatever secrets she tells me. I don’t come to her with matters unless they are damn fucking important. So, if I tell her you’re using her and she should look into it, I have zero doubt I’d be ignored,” Boykov explained. “Those who don’t speak often will be heard because others know it will be of value.”

We continued to stare at each other, neither of us backing down until someone cleared their throat, drawing our attention. Braxton stood mere inches away from us, and we both missed it.

“You two okay?” Braxton asked.

“Fine,” I muttered.

“Yeah, and I’m on the Pope’s speed dial,” Braxton quipped. “Look, whatever it is you’ve got going on, get over it right now. Astin is so excited for this night out, and I don’t want either one of you fucking it up. She deserves to be spoiled and treated like the queen she is, so lock it up.”

A little stunned at Braxton’s attitude, I reached out and took his hand. “Babe, it’s fine. Boykov was doing his job looking after Astin and called me out on my past behavior. Can’t say I was a fan of it happening, but it won’t be an issue.”

Braxton looked between Boykov and me for a moment then gave a sharp nod. “Good, because I’ll kick either of your asses if tonight isn’t fucking wonderful.”

Tugging Brax over to me, I leaned in and kissed him. “God, I love seeing you stand up to me for her. You don’t do that for anyone else.”

“Anyone else isn’t my Mistress,” Brax pointed out.

My brows shot up. “It’s official?” The smile that appeared on his face was all the answer I needed. “Babe, that’s amazing. I’m so happy for the two of you.” I cheered, grabbing his face and kissing him deeply.

“Goodness, what would people think if they saw my date making out with another man right before we’re supposed to have dinner?” Astin asked, a teasing note to her words.

Ending our kiss, I looked at her to say something but stopped before I could even get the words out. There she stood like a work of art that should be in a museum with how stunning she looked. Her chestnut-colored hair hung in soft waves with one side pinned back with a shimmering gold barrette showing off her elegant neck. The dress she was wearing was a long-sleeve, deep wine color that showed off her collarbone and shoulders. Her curves were on display with how snuggly the dress fit, ending at her knees. Even though there was hardly any skin showing, she looked sexy as fuck.

My gaze dropped to her feet, where I found her wearing the shoes I’d requested, bringing an edge to the outfit. A simple black clutch was tucked under her arm as she smirked at me, allowing the blatant perusal of her figure. Never had there been a more lethal and stunning woman to grace me with the honor of taking her out. I was so out of my league.

“You look stunning,” I murmured.

Braxton kissed me on the cheek and stepped to the side, giving me a light shove forward. “Have fun.”

Taking a second to remember how to walk, I reached out to her. She took it, allowing me to twirl her, giving me a full view of the dress. When I saw the back, I nearly swallowed my tongue at seeing the bare expanse of skin. The dress came to a point just above her lower back where a large zipper sat. Everything in me wanted to grab and yank it down so I could see what was under the dress. Then I remembered who this woman was and how desperately I wanted to prove Boykov wrong. Astin wasn’t a game or woman to be trifled with. She was the real deal and deserved a better man than any of us could be.

“That dress was simply made to be worn by you,” I shared, kissing her hand. “How did I get to be the lucky asshole who gets to be seen with you?”

Her smile widened at my words, and a slight blush appeared on her cheeks. “You asked.”

“Wasn’t that smart of me!” I chuckled. “You ready to head out?”

“More than ready. I’m really looking forward to enjoying the evening and putting everything else on hold for just a little while,” Astin admitted, looping her arm around mine.

I escorted her to my matte black Audi R8 and opened the door for her, revealing the blood-red interior. Astin took a moment to run her hand over the outside of the car before looking at me over her shoulder. “How did you know I had a thing for cars?”

“If I’m being honest, I didn’t, but this is my favorite car, and I don’t get to drive it all that often,” I shared.

Holding her hand, I helped ease her into the super-low car before shutting the door and jogging around. Boykov was sitting shotgun in a black SUV with Thad driving and probably two more men in the back seat. I don’t think Astin realized yet that gone were the days of going anywhere with just one bodyguard. As the Boss of the Caprioni Family, she was a target whether she wanted to admit it or not.

Dropping into the driver’s seat, I pressed the red start button, and the engine rumbled to life. Astin grinned at me like a kid waiting for the go-kart race countdown. The purr of the engine was one of my favorite things about this car, and the other was zero to sixty in three-point-five seconds. I revved the engine a few times before dropping it into gear and shooting down the driveway. Astin let out a whoop of excitement as we drifted the turn out of the driveway onto the main road.

“Hell yeah, that’s what I’m talking about,” Astin yelled over the squeal of tires.

I glanced at her smiling face and couldn’t help but have a matching grin of my own. After all we’ve been dealing with, I truly think we both needed to have a bit of fun, leaving all the worry behind for a little while. Ivory was about twenty minutes away in a normal car going at an average speed, but with my driving, we got there in half that.

Sliding out of the car, I tossed the keys to the valet and slipped a hundred-dollar bill in his front pocket. “Take good care of her for me.”

The kid bobbed his head eagerly, assuring me he wouldn’t try to take my Black Betty on a joyride. When I noticed the other attendant had opened the door for Astin and offered her his hand, I cut him off before she could take it. “Sorry, my man, but that isn’t gonna happen.”

Astin rolled her eyes as I grasped her hand, assisting her out of the vehicle. “Really?”