Chapter 20 #2
She laughs softly, flashing me a wry smile as she brushes her hair back over her shoulder. “I’ll admit, I thought it might be part of some master plan. I didn’t think the Zeke Guerra I knew would ever settle down.”
I suck in a sharp breath and throw back the last of my drink, clicking it down on the marble bar top. If Sacha is thinking that, then so are others. “Guess there is more to me than you realized.”
She twists her lips, casting her gaze around the room as patrons mingle and preen. “Perhaps. I’d like to meet her. The woman who managed to tie you down must really be something.”
“She’s a force of nature.” I speak without thinking, but I mean every word.
Sacha’s eyes flash to mine and I’m sure I see a streak of something that looks a whole lot like hurt.
“Sacha. I have a lot of respect for you.” She wrinkles her nose into a grimace and lets out a short, sharp laugh.
“If you need anything in a business sense, please contact my office and I’ll be happy to help.
But as far as you and I?” I pause, offering her an apologetic smile.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate that we remain friends. ”
It’s not lost on me that I’m permanently burning bridges I might want to cross again at a later date. But Chloe made it clear she expects all outward appearances to be respectful, and this is what a man should do if he’s committed. She deserves that, and that’s what I’ll give her.
“Ouch.” Sacha grins, taking the glass of champagne that has just been slid across the bar toward her. “You’re a good man, Guerra. Don’t fuck this one up, okay?” She offers me a wink and reaches up on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek before walking away to rejoin the mingling.
“I’ll try not to,” I grumble, shaking my head as the bartender offers a refill.
Mason is alone by the time I get back to him, talking quietly into his phone. “We’ll meet you there.” He hangs up and turns to me. “Get your wallet out, Guerra. Time for us to make an obscene donation and get the fuck out of here.”
“And where might we be going?” I raise my brow, checking my watch—it’s barely past ten.
“To get our women,” he grumbles.
***
When we step out of the back of the Town Car thirty minutes later, the sidewalk outside Abyss Nightclub on 7th Avenue is packed with people.
I clock two private security agents dressed in black standing next to the petite frame of Mia Walker, who is scowling in the direction of two NYPD police officers outside the club.
“He was groping my friend!” I hear a raspy voice I recognize all too well and my head snaps sideways, zeroing in.
Standing between two officers with her hands on her hips, is Chloe.
Her face is set to a disbelieving scowl, her full lips downturned.
Chase is next to her, his hands gesturing in front of his chest as he speaks to the officers.
I stride through the crowd of spectators, anger fizzling bright in my chest, right up to them.
“What’s going on?” I bite out, glaring between them all.
Chloe’s eyes capture mine, going a little round at the edges as she gapes. “What are you doing here?”
“Sir, please step back.” One of the officers, a short, squat guy with a moustache, tries to fence me away.
Standing my ground, I rise to my full height, towering over him. “That is my fiancée, so I suggest you tell me what is happening.”
I see recognition flare in his eyes before he takes a half step back. “Sir, your fiancée is being detained on suspicion of assaulting a man with a chair.”
What the fuck?
“It barely touched him!” Chloe scoffs, rolling her eyes.
I shoot her a warning glare so heated that even she cows a little, stubborn as she is.
This woman will be the death of me. “Detained?” I ask, twisting my neck to see Mason stooped over his wife, deep in conversation.
Thank fuck I’m not seeing any paparazzi.
The last thing we need is this splashed over the front of tomorrow's papers.
“Questioned,” the other officer interjects.
“Detained or questioned, which is it?” I snap, pulling my phone out of my pocket. I bring up my contacts, searching for who I want, and hit dial, holding it to my ear.
“Well, at this time we’re just trying to ascertain—”
“Glen, it’s Zeke Guerra. Remember that favor I did you last year?
” I cut the officer off as the line connects.
A scowl pinches at the stout man’s face at being dismissed and he opens his mouth to chew me out, which is laughable considering I can see clear over his balding head.
“Well, I’m about to call in my chit,” I reply down the line once I hear Glen’s assent.
Holding my phone out to the guy, I quirk my brow.
“The state attorney would like a word with you, officer.”
Moustache splutters, his wide eyes bouncing from me to the phone and back again. He takes it slowly like it might detonate and holds it to his ear.
“I don’t need you to—” Chloe starts indignantly, but I cut her off.
“For the love of god, woman, just shut the fuck up for once in your life,” I growl, ignoring Chase’s snicker.
My fingers itch to pull her to me and kiss that outraged look off her face.
We lock eyes, hers glassy and mine stern, battling silently over the murmured conversation happening to my left.
She snaps her jaw shut and looks away haughtily, crossing her arms in front of her chest and turning her nose up.
My lips twitch with amusement, but then I clock what she’s wearing and almost sink to my fucking knees.
A fire red silk dress that hugs every inch of her body stops just below the knee.
The plunging neckline shows off more than a generous amount of creamy, freckled cleavage.
My eyes drop to her feet, strapped into six-inch red stilettos that I want wrapped around my head all night.
The grinding of my teeth is audible as my dick leaps to attention.
Fuck. She’s a fucking siren and I’m suddenly aware of how many men surround us.
How many men must have had their eyes on her tonight. How fucking close Chase is standing.
“Move,” I bark out at Chase, not even giving him a second to react before I insert myself between them. Sliding my arm around her waist and tugging her to my side, I suppress a growl when I realize the dress is backless. Tequila-laced peaches invade my nostrils.
“Yes, sir. Understood, sir.” Moustache frowns as he ends the call, handing my phone back.
It’s clear from the look on his face no one is going to be arrested here this evening. “I trust everything is in order?”
“I…apologize, Mr. Guerra. You’re free to go.” He nods, his cheeks ruddy.
I begin to guide Chloe away without another word, but she pulls herself loose from my grip stubbornly. Overestimating her balance, she wobbles on her heels and all but pinwheels her arms to stay upright. “Whoops.” She giggles to herself as I grip her arm to steady her.
“Just how much have you had to drink?” My jaw sets in a hard line as I start to guide her through the crowd again, clearing a path through the bystanders with the weight of my glower alone.
“None of your business, Dad,” Chloe snorts, trying and failing to snatch her arm away.
“What is it with you two and the daddy issues?” Chase drawls from behind as we reach the others, and I’ve never wanted to smack the guy more. He’s my friend and I’d do anything for him. But fuck me, it would be satisfying. A hand swipes across my shoulder, and I hear a muffled curse.
“What was that for?” Chase whines, staring at his brother and rubbing the back of his head. Blinking between the two, I realize he just got a good old-fashioned clip around the ear from the older Walker.
“For not being there when someone was trying to grope my wife,” Mason growls, his nostrils flaring as he stares down Chase.
“What, a guy can’t piss?” Chase grumbles, rolling his eyes.
“Okay, enough.” Mia sighs with a smile, placing a warning hand on her husband's chest.
He grumbles, but jerks his gaze away from Chase, his cool eyes softening as they land on her. Hard bastard that he is, he’s practically a teddy bear for his wife. I feel a morsel of envy in my chest and then give my head a sharp shake. Since when do I envy marital bliss?
“Cute.” I hear from my right and glance down to see Chloe grinning at the pair, swaying lightly on the spot. Chase groans and mutters something about his brother getting all the good ones.
Mia giggles and flashes Chloe a grin. “Thank you for having my back.”
Chloe blows a harsh breath through her lips, batting Mia’s comment away. “Your back, your ass—I got you, girl.” She returns the grin.
Mia laughs and I’m forced to reluctantly let Chloe go when the two women hug.
“And thanks for bringing hot husband along. He makes my eyes happy.” I roll my eyes at that. “Kudos to you, by the way. He could smile a little more though,” Chloe says happily as she pats Mia on the back.
I groan quietly, pressing my forefinger and thumb briefly into my eyes.
Drunk women are a pain in the ass. Mia snorts a loud laugh, letting Chloe go, her eyes alight with glee.
Chloe turns to Mason and points a manicured finger at him before she can reply.
“You should smile more, handsome. I mean, the grumpy and broody thing totally works, but lighten up a little. You’re married to an absolute smoke show! ”
“Okay, that’s enough,” I bite, pulling Chloe gently into my arms so that her back is flush to my chest.
Mason’s brows have jumped to his hairline as he stares at the five-foot-nothing ball of tequila-fueled fire in front of me. Then, he surprises us all by letting out a low chuckle. “I’ll take that under advisement, Miss Devlin.”
Mia is beaming up at him like he hung the sun, moon, and stars—which is our cue to leave.
“Home for you,” I grumble, maneuvering Chloe away from the group.