“Business” is all I say.
A devilish smirk pricks at his features. “I understand Luca having business here, but you… are not meant for a place like this.”
“We share the same sentiment. But business is business.”
“I can see that.” Dmitri tries not to laugh as he looks over his shoulder at Lily, which further irritates me. If I didn’t already know he was obsessed with his fiancée and willing to die for her, I’d physically remove the former playboy's gaze from Lily.
Another two women join them in light conversation, and it would appear that Lily is her usual self. It’s almost terrifying how easily her mask slips on in a setting like this. I could never understand how someone genuinely finds joy in a superficial life like this. Don’t get me wrong, I like nice things, but these circles are toxic.
“Does this have something to do with the incident in Italy?” Dmitri quietly asks. My lethal gaze sweeps back to him, and he chuckles as he takes a sip of water.
“I thought we were friends. And don’t be so surprised that I know; I have my sources.”
“We aren’t the type to do friends,” I remind him. “And I’m here as Lily Taylor's date.”
Dmitri chokes on his water, and I step back from him, brushing over my sleeve. A nearby couple stares at him, indignant.
“Her date? Not for real, though, surely?” he asks incredulously. I don’t respond. “Listen, I don’t know what you and Luca are up to, but tread carefully around her father. It’s well known that he coddles his daughter. He might be someone who plays by the rules, but he can get messy when he becomes focused on taking somebody out.”
“You think I’m scared of her father?” I could almost laugh.
“No, I’m just warning if you’re trying to go under the radar, thendatingLily Taylor is the brightest fucking sunbeam you could be standing in.”
“I suggest you don’t look into my business unless you want me involved in yours,” I warn Dmitri, and the asshole has the audacity to chuckle and shrug as if to say,Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
When I look back at Lily, I realize we’re being surveyed by the group of women.
“Oh boy, looks like you’ve officially made it into the gossip circle.” He places his hand on my shoulder. “Welcome to high society, my friend. Good luck.”
My jaw tics because I shouldn’t have to be the one to remind him that I deal with far worse than these chimpanzees.
I brush his hand off my shoulder and then make my way toward Lily, uncomfortable by the distance between us. With Luca, at least I know he can look after himself in the event of an assault or ambush, at least until I can get to him. Lily is as vulnerable as they come, which causes an unnerving need to be by her side at all times.
“Wow, never thought you’d be daring enough to introduce someone to your father, especially at a party,” I overhear one of the women say. I don’t look at her, only focusing on Lily, who still hasn’t looked back at me.
She lets out a small laugh, eloquently brushing off the underhanded dig.
“Well, you know how he’s been pressuring me to date more seriously lately,” she says lightheartedly, and I’m surprised when she pulls me in by the lapel of my suit jacket. “I suppose everything comes down to timing. Right, dear?”
My entire body locks up with the foreign endearment and the way she so desperately uses me as a decoy. I’m used to being used as a shield against bullets, not bitchy comments. She might consider them friends, but she so clearly wants to be anywhere but here. I force my body to soften as I pull her in by the waist and slam her back to my chest possessively, my hand resting on her hip.
“I don’t care too much for the timing of things, but if it led me to my Lily, then I have someone to give my thanks to,” I say as I loom behind her, peering down at the women who would so openly mock her.
The two women’s mouths open. I can feel Lily stiffen under my touch, but I hold her in place. I don’t give a shit if she reprimands me later for my tone or intimidation tactics. These women are nothing.
In my periphery, I notice Elanee trying to hide a smile. I don’t know what exactly Lily told her, but I doubt it’s the truth. Even then, it's less of a hindrance that she’s not one I have to pretend around, since we’ve had dealings before.
“Wow, we’ve never seen you attend any of these events. Are you new to the area?” the blonde woman asks flirtatiously, suddenly recovered.
“I’d like to know the same thing.” The voice carries over their shoulders, and they immediately part to give a direct view of Lily’s father, Henrith Taylor, dressed in an expensive tailored suit.
Meeting his gaze, I see where Lily gets her bright blue eyes from. But where she is soft and kind, he’s cynical and cold. And not in the way I like. I know men like him aren’t forthcoming in their business affairs. He’s as slimy as they come. And I always stand by my first impressions because my instincts have never failed me.
“Father. It’s good to see you,” Lily greets, stepping out of my hold, basically shoving my hands off of her, like I’ve scorched her skin. She leans in to kiss her father’s cheek. She then does the same to her mother, Isabella, who stands beside him, a frailer-looking version of Lily. Her mother’s gaze falls to my shoes and trails all the way up, curiously. Her father, however, looks at me with complete disdain.
“Care to introduce yourself, or will you hide behind my daughter the entirety of tonight?” Henrith asks haughtily.
As expected, a patronizing elitist.
