“I understand. You know that friends are always welcome. So, I heard there was a problem with one of the charity events. Does our account need to be updated?”
Albert nods his head, which means he’s got information about someone snooping around in our business dealings. It comes with the territory. Everyone suspects that we have illegal dealings, but our legal business is a global conglomerate, so they can’t prove shit.
“There’s been some recent concerning activity.” Albert puts a card and a flash drive on the desk and slides it to me.
Detective Lisa Wiley is written at the top. I search my brain for any recognition, but there isn’t any. I know I don’t know this woman, but if Albert is here, then she’s definitely a bigger issue than usual.
“I’ll be sure to look into it. Thanks for the heads up. I’ll make sure all concerning activity is clear before it becomes an issue.”
I will give the name and flash drive over to Niro so he can investigate the detective. We have enough bullshit going on rightnow to have some ambitious interloper poking her nose in our shit.
“Well, I’m glad that’s settled. I’m sure I’ll see you in a few weeks at the Contemporary Gala. I know you won’t want to miss that,” Albert chuckles.
“I’m sure I don’t.” I scowl.
I hate any type of social gathering. There is always unnecessary schmoozing and talking. However, I know the importance of these things for my family. It helps us fit into the high society circles that keep us well-connected.
Albert stands, and we shake hands before he leaves. The man is a vital part of our network, and his paranoia has kept us ahead of numerous investigations. I will make sure to take his warning about the detective as well as the gala invitation seriously.
It only took about twenty minutes for the meeting, so I headed to the lounge where I sent Mindy and Jules. When I find them, they are bobbing their heads to the music. Mindy isn’t as relaxed as she appears to be at first glance because even though she’s moving with the music, I can see her slightly turning to take in her surroundings. I can’t knock her for being vigilant; I’m the same way.
I approach her from behind and bend to whisper seductively in her ear, “Are you enjoying yourself,Coniglia?”
She turns her face up to mine, and I can’t resist stealing a kiss. The growl that escapes me is full of hunger. My dick swells painfully in my slacks, and I know I’m going to lose a battle for control if I don’t stop.
But the feel of her soft lips on mine is causing my brain to short-circuit. When she softly moans, the dark voice telling me to devour her almost takes over. I have to physically yank my lips away from hers so that I don’t spread her out and eat her like a buffet in the middle of this club.
“You can’t make those noises while we’re in public,Coniglia. They’ll cause you to get fucked,” I growl with my forehead still pressed to hers.
“Hmmm,” Mindy hums with her eyes still closed.
I’m pretty sure she didn’t hear anything I just said, but she’d better be careful not to absently agree with me. I will take advantage of her, and I’m doing my best to be honorable. Mindy is vulnerable, but if she gives herself to me, then there’s no going back.
“We can stay if you want,” I whisper.
When I speak, my lips slightly brush against hers. It is the faintest touch, but it somehow feels erotic. I’ve never wanted a woman so badly.
“I’m okay with staying. There’s no need for us to drive all over Dallas when we can just enjoy our time together here,” she breathlessly responds.
I take a seat beside Mindy and motion to the guys to give us some privacy. I scoot my chair close and grab her hand, bringing it up to my lips. I kiss the back and keep it intertwined with mine.
The easiness I feel is unlike any other feeling in the world. Usually, I’m on edge. I’m hypervigilant at all times, but when Mindy is around, I can breathe.
CHAPTER
TEN
I WANT YOU
MINDY
The kiss we shared has my entire being buzzing. I can’t focus, and Luca has been caressing me and whispering in my ear since he sat down. I’m not sure what his plans were before our dinner was interrupted, but I’m sure seduction was a big part of it. I swear the man sizzles with lust. It’s like pheromones saturate the air when he walks into a room.
You would be dead not to notice how gorgeous he is. I saw every woman everywhere we went checking him out. It does trigger some old insecurities, but I do my best to think positive and to keep it moving. It’s only a date, and I’m still married.
It’s crazy to even think I’d be in this situation. I thought I’d be married forever, and Ross was the man of my dreams. In such a short time, that was proven to be a lie. But the only thing I can do now is pick up the pieces and rebuild myself.
It’s only been a few months, and I know dating should be the last thing on my mind, but… fuck it. I have lived in a cage, afraid for my life, for too long. If there’s one thing I know, life is short. And after all this sexual tension, the thought of just being platonic with Luca has flown right out the window.
