The first man grinned, leaning in closer, placing his hand on the table. "Come on now, don't be like that. A bit of chat never did anyone any harm."
I saw the way her fingers twitched,the slightest movement, but one I recognized. She was pushing her patience. Considering how long she was going to tolerate this.
One second.
Two.
Three.
Then the second man leaned in, tracing his fingers up her arm.
That was a mistake.
Before he could do anything, Leila had him by the wrist, twisted his arm hard, and slapped the back of his hand on thetable. The pain would've been immediate, though, because the man gasped, jerked in surprise.
His buddy moved forward reflexively, but I'd already closed the gap between us.
Leila leaned closer, speaking in a soft, deadly whisper. "I said. Not. Interested."
My hand descended on the shoulder of the second man. He barely had time to react before I tightened my fingers, causing him to look up at me.
"You should leave," I said quietly.
His face went white.
"SignorMakros."
Oh, so he did know me and so did his friend.
Leila released the wrist of the first man, and he stumbled back, holding his hand. His friend swallowed hard and nodded quickly.
"S-Sorry," he muttered. "Didn't mean no harm."
"Then walk away," I said, and they did.
Swiftly.
I turned back to Leila. She released a breath, reaching for her glass as if nothing had happened.
"You could've stopped them earlier," she whispered, taking a sip of her drink.
I smiled. "And spoil your fun?"
She rolled her eyes but didn't complain. Just like that, the tension had died.
But I was watching her.
The strain in her shoulders. The manner in which her fingers clasped her glass a little harder.
She was still prepared to fight.
She always was. And I adored her for it.
In fact, it reminded me of the first time I met her, before I had stolen away her life. Sometimes I question if she hadforgotten me or if she was just pretending to be dumb since she never brought it up.
It was during a luncheon some five years ago.
I had not been concentrating on anything in particular, until I heard loud voices.
