“You!” Lily was aiming at the shadow of a man standing behind Drago and Natalya. Evie hadn’t noticed Aleksander was there.
Lily poked him in the chest, and Aleksander looked so genuinely shocked at the behavior Evie had to cover her mouth to hide her smile.
“You’ve been ignoring me,” Lily slurred. She took a step back, stumbled, and Aleksander grabbed her.
“How drunk are you?” Aleksander’s voice was ice. It sent a chill down Evie’s spine, but Lily was barely affected.
“Not very.” She scowled at him, looking annoyed and not at all convincing.
“You said you wouldn’t have more than two drinks.”
Lily gave him a challenging look, the effect of which was lost by how much she was wobbling.
“They were twobigdrinks.”
“We should have cut her off earlier, sir,” Blake said apologetically. Aleksander ignored her. He grabbed Lily’s chin, making her look at him.
“How much did you drink?”
“Get off me, you brute.” Lily pushed off him, but Aleksander kept his hand on her arm. It was lucky. She would have fallen otherwise.
“Rich of you to worry,” she said. “You’re never here. It’s not like you care anyway.”
Lily was so gone Evie doubted she even knew what she was saying. Despite it, the comment sent a flash of hurt over Aleksander’s face. He eyed Natalya, who gave him a smile.
“I don’t require an escort. And it seems your precious flower needs some attention.”
Aleksander nodded, dragging Lily off towards the elevator. He looked grave, but he moved her slowly, taking care not to hurt her.
“Invinoveritas,” Natalya said. She turned back to Evie, glancing at the nearby stage. “Nice show, by the way.”
Not even the dim club could save Evie from the effects of that comment. She knew she was red in the face.
“You saw?”
“Some of it. You looked like you were having fun.” She nodded at the shots lined up on the bar. “By the look of things, you’ll have fun for a while.”
With how angry Aleksander had just been with Lily, Evie suddenly got anxious. She had told Natalya she was going to the floor to dance. Not to get drunk.
“You’re not mad, are you?”
Natalya understood her concern without her having to say it.
“Aleksander’s upset because Lily promised not to overindulge. You’ve made no such promise. Besides, I know you can handle things in excess.”
If the comment was meant to tease, it worked. It workedwaytoo well.
Evie chuckled nervously and lowered her eyes to the floor. It was one thing to have Natalya speak to her like that when they were in private. It had a whole other effect when there were people around.
“I’ll be out of the high-rise for a few hours. Aleksander wanted to check in on Lily, and I figured I’d do the same to you.” Natalya was smirking. She’d noticed Evie was flustered. “Drago will be here. If you need anything.”
Evie glanced at the red-eyed fiend leaning against the bar. She understood what Natalya meant with the comment. Drago would protect her if she was in danger.
“Don’t wait up for me,” Natalya said. “It’ll be late before I get back. If everything goes right.”
“Is there a chance it won’t?” Evie said, suddenly worried. It was dangerous outside the high-rise, at least more dangerous than it was to be within it.
Natalya offered her a calming smile. “You look cute when you’re concerned. I can take care of myself.”
