Page 4 of In the Dark

“Not even after I saved you from your date?”

“On the contrary.” I tsked. “Now his ego is going to have to be pet.”

“Fuck.” His forehead wrinkled into a bit of a frown. “Want me to have him removed for the night?”

I couldn’t tell if he was serious, couldn’t exactly read what was empty charm and what wasn’t. Callahan Knight was a wild card I didn’t want to bet on or even play a hand with.

I started to step away from him. “Didn’t you learn your lesson the first time? I don’t need a knight in shining armor.”

He stepped into my path so I couldn’t leave him yet. “Not scared of him?”

I chewed my cheek, and then he took another step toward me.

I took one back immediately, and he assessed my movement.

“Scared of me, though?”

Hell yes I was scared of whatever connection I felt between us. “I’m not scared of any man.”

“Why is that?”

“Because, Mr. Knight, you may have a little sword swinging around down there, but I assure you the one I carry is sharper and deadlier.”

A laugh burst from him then. It carried through the night and seemed to lighten the tension between us enough that I let a smirk slip.

“Jasmina Ruiz. I like you. You have bite when your family’s not watching, huh, little viper?”

“I’m not a snake.” I put my hands on my hips and frowned at his blue eyes sparkling like freaking stars. “I’m just honest. Now, if you’ll excuse me …”

He moved even closer, so we were chest to chest, and my breath caught. “Save me a dance inside?”

“So Paolo and Tomás can lose their minds?”

“I’ll handle it if they do.” His tone was confident, like he was sure he’d be able to take on anyone. “I want a dance.”

I left him standing in the midnight air with a few words of wisdom: “Unfortunately, you don’t always get what you want, Knight.”

But his voice traveled in that cool wind as I went back inside, and I heard him murmur, “Sure … but I always take what I need.”

The ballroom was a masterpiece of decadent excess—soaring frescoes, crystal chandeliers that wept light onto the polished marble, and the heavy, floral scent of thousands of white lilies. I moved through the waltz with Tomás, but the opulence felt suffocating. I enjoyed intimate places with family close, liquor flowing, and laughter exchanged.

Instead, I listened to Tomás try to dominate my every move. “I talked with Paolo, and he agreed that you shouldn’t have been in the meeting. That you barge in even when you’re told not to.”

Like I said, I knew my pride was dangerous. I felt the slight by my uncle, and I swear it turned my blood dark as ink in frustration and rage. Tío Paolo seemed to really want to make an impression with Tomás. Did he expect me to sit back and not attend the meetings when I was the one who helped him navigate his financial losses and watched his back when others attempted to blackmail him or disrespect him?

Growing up in the family business the way I had meant I had to be ready for anything. My uncles were wanted men, and I was dedicated to making sure I didn’t lose any more family than I already had.

They knew that. “I like to think I go where I’m needed, Tomás.”

His hand squeezed mine tighter as we waltzed on the dance floor, then he pulled me close to whisper, “You know your uncle’s already got a secret bitch helping him make decisions. You’re not that important to him.”

Wow, what a dick.

But he was probably right. My uncle was in love with a woman he wasn’t supposed to be in love with, and she was calling the shots behind closed doors.

“You’re lucky you’re hot as hell. I can teach you the rest. I’m excited to. I told your uncles: I got plans for us tonight.”

Gross.