White Knight (Dirty Mafia Duet, #2)(27)

“Same. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help with Teal. I really mean it.”

She nods and lifts a glass to her lips to take another sip of what looks like ice water. “That means a lot. Have fun here. If you need to be rescued from some awkward conversation about how quickly you and Cannon are going to get married and start popping out perfect little bambinos, signal me and I’ll try to help.”

Before I can thank her for the surprising offer, she disappears into the crowd.

Cannon’s arm slips around my hips, and I forget what I was going to say to her anyway. He pulls me into his side and lowers his head to whisper in my ear.

“Did I just hear Tanya apologize to you?”

“Are you as shocked as I am?”

He kisses my neck quickly enough that no one even sees him do it. “Not at all. She’s good people. It was my fault that you got caught in her bitchy web over firing Teal. She would’ve hated anyone I hired. And then add in the fact that you’re gorgeous and I pretty much couldn’t stop myself from falling for you, it would give any woman in a shitty situation a reason to be pissed off. I shouldn’t have put the target on your back for her.”

“All of these apologies in one night. I’m not even sure what to do with them.” I roll my shoulder into his chest and inhale his addictive scent.

“I would say put them in your pocket, but I suspect that dress you’re wearing wasn’t built to hold any more cargo than it’s already got. You look fucking amazing tonight, baby. Just wait until I get you home.”

I love when he flirts and plays. He’s boyishly wicked, and I eat it up every time.

“I’m going to hold you to that.”

“I dare you, but first brace yourself. Half the guest list isn’t even here yet.” As soon as he finishes speaking, his entire body stiffens and he straightens to his full height.

“What? What’s wrong?” I follow his gaze to the entrance of the restaurant where a dark-haired man and a stunning brunette walk in the door. Every head in the room turns, as if on a swivel, to stare at them.

“Creighton and Holly are here.”

Creighton Karas and Holly Wix. Cannon’s former best friend and boss, who fired him once he found out that Cannon was really working for Dom and reporting back to him on all Creighton’s actions. Oh, and current half brother, since they’re both illegitimate sons of Dom—by different women.

I place my palm on his flat stomach and lean in. “Are you okay?”

Cannon’s chin lifts as the other man’s attention zeroes in on him. A silent conversation passes between them, one I can only imagine comes from half a lifetime of knowing each other well.

With what seems like Herculean effort, Cannon tears his attention away and looks down at me. “What?”

“Do you need me to run interference? So you don’t have to deal with him?”

His face contemplative, Cannon seems to consider his response for longer than normal. “If Crey wants to talk to me, he will. Nothing and no one can stop that man from getting what he wants.”

From the tone and respect in his voice, I would be willing to bet that Cannon wants to reconcile with Creighton, and badly. A lot of pent-up emotion is running through him, and for his sake, I wish we weren’t in such a public place.

“Whatever you need me to do, I’ll do it. All you have to do is tell me.” It’s the least I can do for the long nights he’s stayed up with me, digging through my father’s last investigation so we can bring it to a close.

Cannon leans down to brush a kiss across my lips. “Keep doing exactly what you’re doing.”

His answer is good enough for me, and I give him a smile that I hope fuels him through the night. “All right then. Do you want to mingle?”

“Cannon! It’s been years, kid! How the hell are you?”

We both turn to face a man I now recognize from a picture in the file. Benny Romano. His tanned skin is lined with wrinkles, like he’s spent his entire life outside without sunscreen.

“Benny, it’s been too damn long. You’re looking good.” Cannon turns to hug the man and slap his back, which I’m thinking is pretty standard based on everything going on around me.

“When did you get older, kid? You’re making me think I’m old, and I don’t believe in that shit.” He laughs, and it turns into a hacking and coughing fit. “Dammit. Excuse me.”

“You’re not old, Benny. You’ll never be old.”

“Damn right, because you’re only as young as the women you feel.” His gray eyes swing to me. “And speaking of which, who is this fox? I’d love to steal her right off your arm.”

He holds out his hand, and instinctively, I take it.

“Sweetheart, you’re a vision for sore, sore eyes. Why’re you hanging out with this riffraff?”

I don’t know if it’s his navy-blue Hawaiian shirt or his gregarious personality, but I smile and laugh. “Maybe I like riffraff. I picked him out myself.”

His eyes seem to twinkle. “Then you’ve come to the right place. Because we’re all a little dangerous, baby.”

Hearing the word dangerous has my eyes firing at Cannon’s to briefly enjoy our inside joke. “Perfect, because I happen to love danger, Benny.”