Chapter Fourteen Dare
A lthough it pissed me off to no end, I allowed James to follow me to the outskirts of Boston. Once he was satisfied that no one was hiding out on the interstate to ambush me like something out of the Godfather , he pulled over and turned around.
Without James on my tail, I gunned the engine of my Porsche 911. That had been another sticking point with my bodyguards. They’d wanted me to drive one of the bulletproof SUVs. But I refused. I rarely got my sports car out of the city.
After arriving in Gloucester, I followed the GPS directions to Taverna by the Sea–the restaurant that Ava’s parents owned. Traffic was a nightmare with the town’s Greek Festival going on. I had to park two blocks away from the restaurant and walk down.
When I made my way up the hostess stand, an elderly man stood stacking menus. He glanced up before giving me a welcoming smile. “Good evening. How many?”
“Actually, I’m just here to see someone.”
After putting down the menus, he said, “Who are you looking for?”
“Ava Carras.”
Tension coiled in his body. “What do you need with her?” he demanded.
Although I wanted to argue that it was none of his business, I imagined he was just being protective of Ava. “We had a date last night, and I didn’t get her number.”
He eyed me suspiciously before proclaiming, “Ava wasn’t in town last night.”
“I know. She was in Boston.” Winking at him, I added, “With me.”
As he continued scrutinizing me, a familiar voice boomed behind him. “Pappoúli, we just cleared out another four-top.”
When I glanced past the man, Ava’s nephew, Nick, came striding up to the hostess stand. At the sight of me, Nick’s eyes bulged wide. “Dare?”
Extending my hand, I said, “Hey man.”
“What the hell are you doing in Gloucester?”
With a grin, I said, “Trying to woo your aunt.”
His eyes popped wide. “Really?”
“Absolutely.”
“Good for you, man.”
“So, he really does know Ava?” the old man asked.
“Yes, Pappouli. They met last night.”
Relief flickered in his eyes. Extending his hand, he said, “I’m Tobias–Ava’s father.”
His protectiveness made even more sense now. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Dare Kavanaugh.”
At the mention of my name, Tobias jerked his hand back. “Kavanaugh? From Boston?”
“Aye.” Tilting my head at him, I asked, “Do you know my family?”
Frowning, he replied, “No, I don’t.”
Liar. His body language was evidence that he was lying. I didn’t know if he was just aware of mafia families in the Boston area or if he had ties himself to one of the Greek mafia families. If he hadn’t been Ava’s father, I probably would’ve called him out on it. But I didn’t want to do anything to screw up my chances with her.
As people started lining up behind us, Nick motioned me to follow him. “I take care of him, Pappouli.”
For a moment, it appeared Tobias wanted to step between us and prevent Nick from leading me inside the restaurant. Trying to ease the tension, I said, “Nice meeting you, Mr. Carras.”
Although he still appeared conflicted about my presence, he replied, “Yes. Same to you.”
Nick waved for me to follow him, so I fell in step beside him. Grinning, he said, “I gotta say it makes my fucking day seeing you here.”
“I’m not so sure Ava is going to feel the same way,” I mused.
“When she told us about running out on you, we all gave her shit for it.”
I chuckled. “I’m sure she loved that.”
“Sometimes Ava is too strong and stubborn for her own good.”
“I like that about her. I really do.”
“Regardless of what lame ass excuses she might give you, don’t give up on her.”
“You have my word I’ll try my fucking hardest.”
“Good. A lot of her hangups are because she’s still reeling from what that bastard ex-husband of hers did.”
With a growl, I replied, “I’d love to get him alone for a few hours.”
Nick laughed. “You and me both.”
Glancing back at the wait stand, I caught Tobias eyeing me. “Is it just me, or does your grandfather have it out for me?”
Nick laughed. “That’s just my grandfather being his usual overprotective self when it comes to Ava.”
“So I shouldn’t take it personally?”
“Nah. He and my grandmother have tried keeping Ava on a short leash.”
“I get it. She’s their baby girl. My brothers and I totally smother our sister.”
“Yeah, but Ava’s thirty, for Christ’s sake, but they still try treating her like she’s a teenager under their control.” With a roll of his eyes, Nick said, “They lost their fucking minds when we told them we were going to Boston last night.”
“Somehow I don’t see their overprotection going over well with Ava,” I mused.
“No shit. She lost it on them.”
“Hey, my mom still tries to run my sister’s life, and she’s married.”
“Yeah, but my grandparents have baggage that your mom probably doesn’t.”
“Like what?”
They know better than anyone regardless of how hard you try, you can’t save your kids. Just before they came over from Greece, they lost their only daughter in a car accident.”
For some reason, Shannon’s face flashed before my face. Like Ava’s parents, she was O’Dell’s only daughter, and she was taken from them far too soon.
At the ache in my chest, I grimaced. “That’s horrible.”
“It was. I know that’s what has made them so crazy about Ava. I mean, she’s this late in life miracle who comes just when my aunt died.”
After eyeing what must’ve been my devastated expression, Nick sighed. “I think we’re seriously overdue for a subject change.”
“Absolutely.” Since my usual mode was to turn to humor, I eyed his outfit with a grin. “Nice outfit.”
“Fuck you,” he jokingly replied.
“Do you style this look all the time when you’re not clubbing?”
“In case you missed it, it’s Gloucester’s annual Greek Festival this weekend.”
With a laugh, I replied, “I’d gotten an inkling.”
“Because of that, my grandparents go all out here at the restaurant. That means me and all the other grandchildren get stuck wearing this bullshit.” Wagging his brows, he said, “Wait until you get a load of Ava.”
“Is she dressed like a goddess or something?”
He grinned. “Yeah, or something.” Clapping me on the back, he then turned me to face the left side of the restaurant.
“Holy fucking shit,” I muttered at the sight before me.
It was Ava, but not like I’d ever imagined she’d be. She wore a glittering purple and gold belly dancer’s costume. The sequin encrusted top cinched her tits up and sent them spilling over the cups. Her abdomen was bare from the low hanging sheer pants. Her long dark hair cascaded over her shoulders in long waves while her blue eyes were heavily lined causing her to look even more erotic.
With each swirl and pop of her hips, the coins around her waist jangled along with the ones on her wrist. Greenery peeked from the waistband where not just men were rewarding her efforts.
Besides being deliciously scantily clad, she was dancing on top of one of the tables. Above her head, she waved a white napkin. Standing stock still, I was utterly mesmerized by her.
After giving me a slight shove, Nick said, “Go get her, tiger!”