Leila's eyes flicked around to meet him, her expression inscrutable. "Are you jealous?"
He laughed humorlessly. "I think you're getting too attached to him."
"Am I?" she said, moving closer to him. "Or am I just playing smarter than all of us?"
"You'd do well not to forget your true mission," Nicolai warned with a tiny smile.
"I know what I'm doing," Leila whispered.
Nicolai's jaw hardened. She was hopeless. But he was not about to give up on her yet. Not until he had used her for what he needed.
Chapter Sixty-Four
Dance With A Bullet
I adjusted my cufflinks as I strode back toward Leila, the lingering satisfaction of my brief exchange with one of Greece's most prominent business tycoons sharpening my composure. I stood taller, my demeanor assured. Power had that effect.
Nicolai gave me a brief nod before stepping back, putting some distance between us. Positioned a few hundred meters between us, he was far enough to give us privacy, close enough to remain on watch.
Leila's gaze flickered in the direction I'd come from. "So, who was that man? Friend of yours?"
"Vasilis," I said smoothly. "A well-known businessman in Greece. Just placed an order for a thousand units of our new shoe design."
Her brow arched. "A thousand? That's a big order."
"Yeah, he—er, wants the first thousand supplies sold exclusively in his boutiques."
"How big is his boutique?"
"He's got more than one," I replied, watching her carefully before steering the conversation elsewhere. "What do you think of your new gift?"
She beamed up at the car, trailing her fingers lightly across its sleek surface. "It's beautiful, Makros. And... I didn't expect it."
I smirked in satisfaction. "I'm glad you're pleased." I extended my hand. She took it. "Let's go in. The couple's dance is about to start."
Inside, the slow melody of a love song filled the air. Some guests were already swaying to the rhythm, their movements relaxed, indulgent.
I led her to an open space, taking her hand in mine while my other hand rested at the small of her back. I moved with quiet confidence, guiding her effortlessly.
Leila followed without hesitation, our steps falling into place as though we had danced together a hundred times before.
She got momentarily distracted and I followed her gaze. I saw that she was looking at the bodyguards stationed around us. Nicolai. Andreas. Konstantinos.
She barely had time to refocus before I closed the distance, my lips brushing against hers in a slow, teasing manner. It was a fleeting, flirtatious kiss until she leaned in, deepening it, meeting me halfway.
A shrieking vibration cut through the moment.
I exhaled sharply, irritation prickling beneath my skin as I pulled back and snatched my phone. The heat of her still lingered on me, but the magic had dissipated.
Dragon.
"This had better be good," I growled into the receiver.
His voice was tight. "This isn't good news, Makros. Aleksei is dead. The Russians caught up to him."
I went rigid. My expression didn't change, but inside, gears shifted rapidly.
"How did they find out he was alive?" My voice was level.
