Chapter 5 #2
I waited until they walked away before addressing the bastards.
“I’m going to give a single piece of advice that you can take back to your master.
Don’t fuck with the Prince family. Not here.
Not in Miami. As a matter of fact, nowhere on this planet.
That is if you want to continue breathing.
Now, I’m going to allow the three of you to walk out that door because I don’t want to interrupt my guests on such a festive evening.
But if you try and return, I won’t be so nice. Got it?”
After a quick squeeze, I dropped the guy hard, standing my ground while he acted as if he was going to retaliate.
Fortunately for him, he didn’t.
“Bruno. Will you escort these men to the door. Enjoy all New Orleans has to offer, but keep in mind, the city is mired in black magic.”
Two of the assholes grinned, one muttering in Spanish that I didn’t bother to pay attention to. I followed them through the crowd until they were a few yards from the door. Why did I have a very bad feeling I’d yet to see the last of them?
Exhaling, I rubbed my eyes before heading back through the crowd and toward the floor holding the offices. I needed quiet for a little while, both for myself and to make a phone call to Alexander. He should know his instincts were correct.
After that, I’d need to escort the lovely but disobedient princess home. And ensure the cartel members hadn’t set their sight on her.
I was almost to the private elevator when I didn’t just sense a presence, I was accosted by one stunning yet disobedient woman. She didn’t just jump from the shadows, verbally attacking me; she added an element of surprise by managing to shove me against the wall.
With enough force I was shocked.
The girl was much stronger than she looked.
“What in God’s name did you think you were doing?” she tossed out, her mouth twisted in fury as she moved back and forth from one high heel to the other.
While I was in a pissy mood, this was the princess of the family attacking me. Caution and prudence were needed. That didn’t mean there weren’t seriously filthy thoughts and images rushing through my mind.
“Saving you from a potential kidnapping.”
“Are you kidding me? That’s ridiculous. They were guests in the family club, Donatello. Paying guests.”
“Who just happen to be Las Bartas Cartel members, little witch.”
Her haughty look was followed by a roll of her eyes.
“From Miami? Really? Cartel members. Nice try. That’s truly the best excuse you and my brothers could cook up?
My friends are with me, Donatello. I’m partying in a club owned by my family where the bouncers could easily kill a two-hundred-and-fifty-pound man with their bare hands if one of their four weapons won’t do and you’re acting as if what I did was against the rules. I’m not playing this game any longer.”
“It’s not a game. The Las Bartas are causing problems in the new club in Miami.
” She knew enough about the business to understand what I meant.
In fact, I had the distinct feeling she was very in tune to business, perhaps even more so than her brothers.
I wouldn’t want to meet the woman in a dark alley.
Well, maybe I would. She had a way of making me crave very dark and forbidden behaviors.
She took a deep breath. “Alright. I’ll bite. How do you know they are members of the cartel?”
“Instinct. And a tattoo that could be linked to their organization.”
“Could be, not can be. You’re kidding me.”
“No, I’m not.” I took a deep breath, trying not to react to her incredible fragrance. The woman was wearing the perfume that nearly drove me crazy. There wasn’t a hint of floral, just exotic spices and hints of citrus and musk.
The reaction was instantaneous. My cock was completely erect and a single glance of her fire-filled eyes indicated she knew exactly what she was doing to me.
As per usual.
She twisted her hips and the way she moved her leg had the dress crawling up her thighs by a couple of inches. I forced myself to look away. If I didn’t, I’d do something I’d regret for the rest of my life.
The skimpy dress fit her like a glove, accentuating every curve, the roundness of her hips and full breasts that I’d envisioned more than once cupping with my hands.
Here we went. I was falling prey to her feminine wiles all over again.
“You’re a bastard. Don’t bother me any longer, Donatello. I understand you have orders to follow, but that doesn’t include keeping watch or control over who I dance with. Now, I’m going to go enjoy spending time with my friends.”
“I’m afraid I can’t allow you to do that.”
“Well, in this case, I outrank you since I’m part owner of the club. So, how about this? Why don’t you take the rest of the night off? I assure you that I can handle any situation if it arises.”
With the way her hands were on her hips, one leg shifted forward, she appeared a beautiful and very capable .
“You don’t know what the cartel is capable of.”
She laughed, brushing her hand through her hair. “And you don’t seem to remember what I’m capable of. I’m following the rules. I’m in my family’s club. I’m safe.” She turned away from me.
I allowed my gaze to fall from the swish of her hair to the single long stride she took as she was walking away.
“Where are your bodyguards?”
“What?” She didn’t bother turning around.
“I was standing right there when you agreed that when you went out at night, you’d allow the guards. So where are they?”
She took a few seconds before turning around. “As I said, I’m at the family club. They weren’t needed.”
Very slowly, I walked toward her. It was fascinating the electricity we’d always shared, the sheer indulgence of our flirtatiousness creating an air of uncertainty.
And a desire that pushed us both into doing things we wouldn’t ordinarily do. We both enjoyed pushing the other’s buttons. It was just one of our private games.
It was the only way I could get my rocks off around her.
However, she was misunderstanding my intent while also undermining the level of danger.
“I can tell you need a lesson in following the rules.” In truth, she did. She’d been allowed to indulge in risky behavior for far too long. At least in my humble opinion.
“Not from you.” She dared blow me a kiss before backing away. Her laugh was meant as torment.
And it worked.
Whether or not I was doing the right thing didn’t enter my mind. All that did was that she needed to learn a lesson that playing with fire would only get her burned.
Oddly enough, I wasn’t entirely certain if I was talking about in being unable to recognize sentries from our enemies.
Or from me.
Either way, I grabbed her around the waist and before she had a chance to react, I tossed her over my shoulder.
“What in the hell do you think you’re doing?” she demanded.
“Giving you the lesson I’ve wanted to for a long time.”