“I don’t want water.” She scrunches up her face, which only seems to fuel him.
“Water or nothing.” He gently pushes her onto the stool before turning to his sister.
Nicolette watches the scene with a huge grin. “Oh, I’m done drinking. And I came in last place if you’re wondering.” She gestures to the pile of scraps.
“Were you playing this game?” Ivan’s voice hardens with the question.
“No.” I lean a little into him. “I didn’t think you going to prison for mass murder would be a good way to start our relationship.”
The corner of his mouth lifts in an approving smile. His fingertips graze my cheek as he cups my face.
“We’re in a relationship now?”
“Oh. I thought…I don’t know…” He shuts off my overthinking with a quick kiss, followed by another to my cheek as he makes his way to my ear.
“I already told you, you were mine.” He bites my earlobe. “You don’t know how much I love hearing that you’ve accepted it.”
A shiver runs through me.
“I’m taking you home.” He pulls away, looking to Nicolette. “Is there a tab?”
Max giggles. It’s loud and overdone, and she tries to stop herself, but then she finds herself hilarious and starts all over again.
“She’s probably had one too many martinis.” I push my water toward her. “Drink this.”
“No tab.” Nicolette hops off the stool. “Caroline won that round.”
“Where is Caroline?” Ivan stands taller.
“She left.” I stare down at the text that just came through. “Dammit I asked her not to leave with that guy.”
“She’ll be okay. Just tell her to share her location with you,” Nicolette suggests.
“Good idea.” I send her the request, and a moment later the notification that her location has been shared with me pops up on my phone.
Ivan helps me down from the stool.
“You know, I could have sworn I saw Elana tonight.” I look up toward the balcony where I thought I’d seen her.
Ivan follows my gaze, his body tightening as the man I’d seen earlier stops at the railing then disappears again.
“Artem dropped her at a friend’s house for the night.” He assures me. “And she wouldn’t be up there. That’s Tony DeAngelo. He’s Marco’s youngest brother. She wouldn’t be anywhere near him.”
I freeze.
“This is a DeAngelo club?”
“No.” He slides his hand down my arm and links his fingers through mine. “It’s neutral space. Tony doesn’t work for his family.”
“I’ll take these two home.” Lev helps Max back off the stool.
“If you’re going to keep looking at me like you’re mad, I’ll take a cab.” Max snatches her arm from his grip and nearly falls again before he catches her.
“I wasn’t watching her drinks; she might have more than I thought.” Nicolette frowns at the empty martini glass on the table.
“Or one of the assholes you were taking drinks from all night slipped something in it.” Lev chastises Nicolette. “If you’re going to be playing stupid games like this, you’re not going clubbing without one of my men standing at your fucking table.”
Nicolette rolls her eyes. “Let’s just go.”
