Demand (Careless Whispers #2)(47)

Kayden’s phone buzzes and he removes it from his pocket, inspecting the screen before announcing, “I need to make a call.” He leans in to kiss me, lingering long enough to whisper, “Give him hell,” before he straightens again. He then eyes Donati, gives a laugh, and says, “Good luck,” before he leaves.

Donati arches a brow at me. “What does ‘good luck’ mean?”

“He thinks I’m a handful for everyone but him,” I say.

“And why is that?”

“Apparently Italian men find self-proclaimed feminists intimidating.”

He studies me for several heavy beats, stunning me as he asks, “Do you know what that bracelet means?”

“Do you?” I challenge.

“That you’re his woman.”

“Yes,” I say. “I am very much his woman.”

“And you know who, and what he, is?”

“I do know who and what he is. Do you know who, and what, Gallo is?”

“A man who doesn’t like to color outside the lines, even when it might be to our benefit.”

“And yet he threatens me, and seduces the young woman who lives with us. That’s outright scribbling in all the corners.”

“Are you telling me that Gallo is involved with Adriel’s sister?”

“That’s exactly what I’m telling you. She isn’t part of any of this, and I respectfully request that you keep him away from her.”

He studies me for several moments. “You are bold for a woman so newly inserted into Kayden’s life.” The word inserted hits a very bad spot in me, but I have no time to explore his meaning. “What do you think Kayden would do for me, should I grant your request?”

“I wonder what he will do should you not grant it.”

A man in uniform steps to his side, whispering something to the chief. A moment later the newcomer leaves, and while the chief’s expression remains unchanged, I don’t miss the subtle tightening around his mouth. “I’m afraid I have a situation to attend to. I’ll handle Gallo and we’ll talk again.”

He turns and leaves, and I have a bad feeling that “we’ll talk again” translates to him calling on me for a favor. I scan for Kayden and start walking through the random clusters of sparkling dresses and tuxedos with no success. I finally spy him standing in profile, with a beautiful brunette woman, at the exact moment that she grabs his arm and leans her body into him. I suck in a breath and exhale as he immediately extracts himself. The woman looks at me and says something to Kayden, and I have déjà vu, remembering a similar incident in the bar with the bartender.

Sure enough, he responds as he had then, turning to seek me out. Rather than leaving, as I tried to do then, I hold my ground and he motions me forward. Not certain I really want to meet Little Miss Grabby Hands, who doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, I force myself to sidestep several guests and make my way to his side. The instant I’m within his reach, Kayden shackles my waist and says in my ear, “You know—”

“Yes,” I say firmly. “I do.”

“Good,” he says, approval lighting his eyes before he turns to face the other woman. “Eleana, this is Sasha. She’s one of ours.”

“You’re so beautiful,” Sasha gushes, reaching out and stroking my arm, her accent not quite like everyone else’s. “I love your green eyes,” she continues. “They’re the color of grass on a perfect summer’s day.”

I’m not sure what to make of her, and Kayden laughs. “As you can see, Sasha is a toucher and a talker, with a big personality, which ensures that she’s well known at these events.”

Sasha points at her deep cleavage, and shakes her breasts. “These are why I’m well known.” She waves down her body. “And all of these goodies, too. Do you like?”

The woman has me blushing. “You’re fabulous. And I wish I had your confidence. Is your accent Italian?”

“I am the best French import Italy has ever seen.” She adds, “Je séduis les gens pour leurs secrets.”

I blanch and repeat her words. “?‘I seduce people for their secrets.’?”

Kayden turns to face me. “You understand French?”

“Yes. Or I think I do. Do you?”

“Fluently,” he confirms. “Comment a été votre rencontre avec Donati?”

I repeat his question. “?‘How was your meeting with Donati?’ Kayden, I know French! How? Maybe I took it in school, but that doesn’t feel right.”

“I have a thought on that,” he says, “but we’ll talk about it later. How did it go with Donati?”

“I asked him to keep Gallo away from Giada, and he was trying to manipulate me into promising him a favor when a man in uniform came up to him, whispered something, and Donati left.”

Another interruption occurs as two men join us and start a conversation with Kayden that I of course can’t understand.

Sasha listens a moment and rolls her eyes, stepping closer to me. “They want him to sit on some ridiculous board, which he’ll never agree to join. I need to go to the toilet. You want to join me?”

“Yes,” I say, glad for a few minutes away from the crowd.