Chapter 10 Klaus #2
“I said if you lived in that apartment, you’d be a pain in my ass. Big difference.” I watched her drink some more as she looked around, taking in the area.
“Is this your club?”
“Matteo’s,” I said.
“Ah, it’s your night to babysit all the mayhem, huh?”
“It is.” I smiled at her, enjoying her company.
“Is it safe to assume you guys own, like, ninety-nine percent of the clubs in this city?” She looked back at me, her lashes fluttering.
“More like ninety. Lorenzo and the Russians have their hands in a few.”
She let out a soft, discontent sound at the mention of Lorenzo’s name before she looked around again. I didn’t want to push her, so I simply stayed patient, drinking in her beauty.
Finally, she turned her focus back to me. “Let’s say I wanted to go to a club you didn’t own. That was just a normal club without your or my cheating ex’s name on it. Where might I find one of those?”
I liked this question.
“We do not own The Falcon House. You could try there. It’s just a boring old club,” I said, mentioning another popular place in town. We didn’t own it, but Matteo was considering strong-arming his way in.
“Perfect.” She slammed her drink back and got to her feet.
I chuckled and stood with her. She stared up at me, looking so delicate and sweet that it made my heart jump.
“I’m leaving,” she proclaimed.
“I can read the room.” I laughed.
She shrugged and went down the stairs. I followed her, deciding wherever she went, I’d go too.
She tripped on a section of the sidewalk that had been raised. She stumbled forward, but I sprang into action and scooped her back before she fell and hurt herself.
“Easy,” I said, standing her again, my hands on her waist. “Sidewalks are tricky.”
“Oh, man. Are you following me?” She wrinkled her nose, amusing me.
“No. I’m going for a walk,” I replied, continuing to follow her as she walked down the sidewalk, her ass swinging. It was a damn nice view, that was for sure.
“I feel like you’re following me,” She called over her shoulder.
I grinned, laughing loudly. She was definitely under the influence.
“Which way to Falcon’s Nest?” She stopped her walk, her words slurred, and looked around.
“The Falcon House,” I corrected. “It’s the opposite direction.”
She turned and walked in the opposite direction. I did too, following her closely.
“You’re following me,” she accused. We’d made it around four blocks by that time, and I’d noticed we picked up company. Based on my own recon, I knew it was Lorenzo’s men.
At least he was still looking out for her. I hated the man, but I did appreciate that he was still keeping her safe.
“I’m not. I’m strolling.” I continued to follow her.
She snorted. “Strolling. The great and powerful daddy Klaus Seeley is out for a midnight stroll in his overpriced suit and his shirt unbuttoned.” She laughed loudly. “You know you scare people, right?”
She stopped abruptly and turned to face me.
“Do I scare you?” I asked softly, surprised by her statement. Not that I was surprised that I scared people. That was always my intention. I was surprised she was telling me. Such a brave little thing.
She stared up at me, looking so damn perfect. “Sometimes.”
She shivered and rubbed her arms. I wasted no time in removing my suit jacket and draping it around her shoulders.
Her cheeks flushed pink.
“Thanks,” she murmured before looking past me and eyeing the trailing SUV.
“There’s a black SUV following us,” she said, her brows pinched in worry.
I didn’t like that she was worried.
“Yes. It has been since you were walking the wrong direction.”
“Are they your men?”
“No.” I shook my head.
“Aren’t you a little concerned?” Her eyes widened as she stared up at me.
“No.”
“We’re about to get murdered, and you’re OK with that? Are you drunk?” Her voice grew louder, her eyes wider.
I laughed. “Relax. They’re De Luca’s men. They’re watching you.”
She frowned and looked back at the SUV, which was now idling next to the curb.
“Jerks don’t even try to stay hidden,” she muttered.
I watched her pull her phone out of her small purse and tap at the screen, her lips pulled down into an angry frown.
“Call your fucking men off me,” she snarled a moment later as she held the phone to her ear. “I told you to leave me alone. I don’t need your shitty security detail.”
She’d called Lorenzo. I couldn’t hear what he was saying to her, but I could tell it was angering her further before she let out a disgusted snarl.
“None of your damn business. Call your dogs off, Enzo. I’m serious. I will slash their tires if they keep following me.”
She snarled again, and I noted she was now in a video call with him.
I only saw him for a moment before she stormed to the SUV.
I watched, taking in everything. I’d intervene if it came down to it.
I really hoped they wouldn’t pull their weapons on me.
I had faith they were smarter than starting shit with Matteo because we’d decimate them in the blink of an eye.
I quickly brought out my phone and told Frank to make his way to me. He was a hell of a driver and handy with a weapon, so he’d be useful. If nothing else, I’d throw his ass in front of some bullets and use him as a human shield.
“Call them off! Fucking do it, Enzo,” she screamed into the phone.
He must have said something she didn’t like because she brought out a knife and slashed the front passenger tire with an angry yell.
I blinked at her antics, both turned on and slightly afraid. I did love a passionate woman.
“Jake, you asshole! Fuck you! Stop following me!” she shouted.
She plunged her knife back into the tire with a strength I didn’t know she possessed. Quickly, she rushed to the other side and jammed her knife into the driver’s side tire.
“Fucking follow me now!” she bellowed. “Assholes!”
“What the fuck? Rosalie!” one of the men, whom I assumed was Jake, shouted. “Hey, we’re just doing our job—”
She rushed to the back tire, but I got to her first and tossed her over my shoulder. She’d made her point, quite literally. I didn’t want her hand to slip and for her to cut herself.
She let her curses fly as the men stayed at the vehicle, bitching into the night about needing their tires changed.
“None of your goddamn business. Stop following me,” Rosalie said, still on the phone. I hadn’t heard what Lorenzo said, but I assumed he was demanding to know who she was with.
“Or I’ll fucking stab you next.” She shifted and must have disconnected the call.
I didn’t slow my pace, spotting Frank coming toward me on the street. Fucker was probably around the corner getting a lap dance. Like the prick needed any more pussy.
“You’re really strong,” Rosalie called out as she hung over my shoulder. She was light as a feather. Her phone buzzed again, but she let out a grunt before it went silent.
“And you’re a violent little thing,” I said as I walked with her over my shoulder. “Little crazy, too.”
I placed her on her feet as Frank pulled up to the curb. I opened the door and helped her to get inside before following her in. I cast a final look at De Luca’s men, who were still standing outside their vehicle, both tires definitely flat.
Pride surged through my chest.
That’s my girl.
Quickly, I schooled that thought.
“The Falcon House,” I called out to Frank, definitely not ready for my night with her to end.
She looked at me with wide, surprised eyes.
I smirked, not looking back at her.
“I like crazy. Let’s see what you got, hummingbird,” I said softly, truly meaning it.