butter knife imbedded in their carotid. “The shiner is my work,” he grumbled. “Now give it a fuckin’ rest and plant your ass before you have it handed to you.” He kicked out the chair next to his.
Giving G one last sidelong look—filled with affectionate humor—and the biker one that said he didn’t appreciate the lip, Maks wandered around and folded himself into his appointed seat.
“This okay, Papa?”
V sat and gifted him with an elbow to the ribs.
Gabriel held Eva’s chair, waiting until she sat before taking his own seat. He leaned into her, presumably apologizing for the scene. Those big blue eyes of hers were intent and focused as she listened. Damn. Would she be the one to tame the lonely beast?
Looked like it, he thought when she nodded and covered G’s hand with hers. If she was brave enough not to let all this shit with Stefano sway her.
And speaking of, he should touch base with the boys he had stationed around the hotel before the meeting began. He left the room with a back-in-a-second gesture to Gabriel.
With his boots thumping a nice beat, he traveled down the corridor and through the opulent lobby of the Crown Jewel, duster swishing in that familiar, protective way around his ankles. He ignored the usual stares brought on by his size and looks. Morons. Would the Nancys feel less threatened if he wore horned rims and a plaid button up?
Probably, he thought, aggravated, as he sent a group text when he reached the sidewalk and greedily inhaled a lungful of warm, salty air. He hung a left and stopped after a few feet, reading the replies as the sun peeked out from behind a cloud. It hit his jacket and caused the hide to throw off a comforting scent.
Satisfied that all was well, for now, he was tucking his phone away when a flash of color across the street drew his eye…
Thought ceased at the sight of a fucking pinup with a mane of hair that shone as brilliantly as the rays enveloping her. His heart rate actually kicked up a notch as she shut the door to a black Toyota and started across the street, moving with a natural grace that would have left a prima ballerina pissing with envy. She wore an oversize silky black wrap that flowed down to sway against her hips with every step she took, but the light breeze allowed a glimpse of a silver top and a fitted black skirt. Her long legs were fucking spectacular.
A hot wash of blood rushed through his veins to pool in his groin. A hard-on? From fifty feet away?
That hadn’t happened in a while.
His lower stomach clenched when the breeze caught her hair, making the waves that reached all the way to the small of her back dance. Jesus Christ, how many colors were in there? As she drew closer, he easily made out a rich, blazing russet, a burnished gold, and a vibrant ginger.
She glanced up, and Vincente felt the punch when his gaze collided with a pair of eyes the color of emeralds. Her step faltered, and without thinking, he threw his arm out, snaking it around her slim waist to stop her from falling at his feet.
“Oh!”
Happy to play hero, he pulled her up and in without expecting the scent of her to rock him square between the eyes. Before he even realized what he was doing, he’d tightened his hold and leaned into that gorgeous hair, inhaling the luscious scent of her deep into his lungs. It was like she’d bathed in…fresh, juicy oranges and warm jasmine. He swallowed a moan when her frame softened slightly against him.
“Jesus Christ,” he breathed.
It was over in seconds, their connection severed when she pulled back with a sharp jerk and an obvious wince. At her actions or his? He wasn’t sure.
Forcing his arms to fall to his sides as she took another step back, he watched her chin come up. Her eyes met his again and…pow. Right in the kisser. Like the old-school cartoon characters used to say.
“Excuse me,” she murmured, her expression turning wary. “I’m not usually so clumsy. I was just…startled…” She pulled her wrap tighter around her shoulders in a quick movement that made her flinch again. Was that the edge of a bruise?
His brows slammed down both at the thought of her being hurt and because he’d clearly spooked her.
“No worries. Be more careful.” His clipped order turned into an unmistakable dismissal when