Chapter 12 – Penelope
“ Y ou call me with updates,” I commanded, squeezing her shoulders tighter.
Poppy nodded vigorously. “Are you sure about this? There will be blowback and—”
“Enough of that, mouse!” I pulled back and gave her a huge smile. “You go and live your life out in the wide-open spaces. I’ll join you as soon as I can.”
If she knew that wasn’t likely to happen, my cousin kept her mouth closed. The evening wind whipped through the parking ramp. Under the glare of the industrial lights, our escape plan didn’t feel as foreboding. There was a reassurance buzzing through the space that lent an air of confidence. I reached for it with every fiber of my being, praying that my cousin made it through the night. It was up to her now to seal her destiny.
“I’m really doing this,” she whispered, excitement edging her voice. “I’m leaving the mob.”
“You’re leaving the mob.” You’re free.
I pushed her into the car, the keys for which we’d stolen from the valet stand. It belonged to a wedding guest spending the night at the hotel, so the theft wouldn’t be noticed until morning when they tried to leave for the ceremony.
By then, Poppy would be safe.
“I can’t thank you enough,” she said, eyes glowing with hope.
I wished I could latch onto that particular feeling and let it brighten my days. But as she traveled into the light, I was voluntarily remaining in the shadows.
“I love you,” I murmured and shut the door on her smile.
The engine started, Poppy put the car in drive, and the taillights soon faded around the turn. Whatever happened next, whatever storm of fury descended here, Poppy wouldn’t have to face it. I would survive. We knew Uncle Tito would be furious, but that would probably be the extent of the broken engagement. If there was a problem between the two dons, they could work it out. There wasn’t going to be a consequence so terrible that it would make me regret my actions tonight.
I did the right thing. Relief, sweet and wholesome, gently washed over me.
Cloying smoke drowned it a moment later. A firm step sounded on the concrete as the door to the hotel’s walkway banged closed. I threw on my game face, only to drop it a moment later when I realized who was here, stalking through the shadows.
“Where’s my fiancée? You two came out here twenty minutes ago,” he drawled, cherry blazing between his fingers.
I stilled. “I didn’t realize you were paying any attention to her.”
“I pay attention to everything, Penelope.”
The way the beast’s tongue slid over the words sent a shiver through me.
“Poppy went home for her beauty rest,” I lied smoothly. My fingers crossed tightly at my side, hoping he wouldn’t question that.
He didn’t. It was there in his eyes. “And you?”
“No rest for the wicked; I have a date to charm.” Smiling broadly, I began to sashay toward the ritzy downtown hotel and its stifling ballroom.
“I am going to rip the fucker’s lump head off if he puts his hand on your waist again,” Mancini growled in Italian.
I stopped short, glared pointedly at the smoldering stub on the ground, and back at the man who’d thrown it. “What did you just say to me?”
Those midnight eyes studied me. “I said, I don’t like your date.”
Close, but not quite, mister. “Well, that makes two of us.” When he didn’t move to stomp out his cigar, I did. “You should really pick that up. Littering is gross.”
The smirk on his lip told me he’d done it only to see my reaction. And his words confirmed it. “Make me.”
My hands fisted. I’d been known to throw a punch before, and a few times I’d knocked out men twice my size.
“You’re an awful person,” I said and turned away in disgust. I needed to keep my distance with this beast. Too close, and he might take a bite.
A shiver raced through me at the thought—traitorous body.
“Trust me, I hate it too,” he drawled. But he stooped, snatched the butt off the ground and walked it to the trashcan with a sand trap at the top.
Chin held high, I marched to the door. He beat me to it, opening it and stepping aside. I narrowed my eyes at him. “See, that’s the thing. I don’t trust you, Mancini.”
“And that shows your good sense.”
I rolled my eyes at the ceiling. “Argh! You’re horrid.”
His dark suit whispered as he sprang. The next second, my back slammed into the glass wall of the walkway. My gaze locked with his, and my chest rose and fell with a deadly mixture of excitement and arousal. This close, the warmth of his body was tangible.
“I am horrid,” he rasped. “But not for the reasons you think.”
Air whispered through my dry lips. His gaze dropped to my mouth, making me turn to stone. My heart barely dared to beat. Would he do it? What would it take to make him close the distance? We weren’t touching. His hand braced the wall over my head and his body hovered over mine. There was part of me that screamed to reach for him and pull him closer, but the next move in this twisted game was his and his alone.
“Aren’t you going to ask me why, vespina?” he said, voice deep and rough.
I shrugged. “It doesn’t matter, does it?”
A harsh laugh barked in his chest. “I didn’t take you for a coward.”
“Fine,” I challenged. “Why are you so horrid ?”
He lifted his other hand, and with the back of a knuckle, he traced my lips. “Because the only thing I’ve been able to think all night is how much I want to taste you.”
Not kiss me.
Taste me.
My insides clenched in response. The need to experience that was a desperate pulse roaring through my veins. I wanted it more than I wanted my next breath.
“But you’re the forbidden fruit,” he continued. “I never let myself be tempted, but there’s something about you that is breaking down every defense in my arsenal.”
It was the gravel in his voice that did it. I reached up and brushed the tip of my finger over his lips. Would it really be so bad? This thing clamored at us to give in.
Poppy….
It wasn’t because this man was her fiancé. No, that might be what stopped him from giving in. He thought the wedding was still happening in the morning. His honor was admirable. But for me, I needed to keep up the ruse.
“Go back into that ballroom and forget about me, lupo,” I demanded, voice as strong a whisper as I could manage.
His jaw tightened. I dropped my hands to my sides, fisting the dress so as not to make contact again. Even pushing him away was dangerous enough to start a conflagration.
With a low bark of frustration, he shoved off the wall and took a step back. I used the distance to flee as my pussy wept in protest.