s'

painted the room in flashes of red and violet, shadows dancing across faces, hiding intentions and revealing d

h

s over a ruined dress now looked like a damn angel. And

But the stubborn, prideful beast inside me refused to let the words form. Apologies were for weaker men. And Eros Esposito h

en sewn with her in mind. The same woman who had snapped at me over a designer dress now floated like a dream across the dan

e looked-but because she made me feel. And that

tened around my glass. I didn't like the way those men were looking at her-like they were undressing her with their eyes. I wish I were

; I'm helping to ki

o best friends staring at me with matching smirks. "She's beautiful," Ciro said, leaning back

nore

told you to shove your money where the sun doesn't shine?" I let out a quiet sigh, took a sip fro

ng build her career. Nothing special there," I said, clearly lying to myself. "B

y knew me

of us wanted to back off, and the fact that she resisted submitting almost fo

riends said. "Maybe, but nothing should be there. At all," I emphasized, turning my head back to

liquor in his glass. He had the air of someone wh

d feared by many, except the two of us. Our bond had been forged in childhood, long before he became who he was today. Underneath the tit

there w

prestigious architectural firms in the Middle East. He had been away for months, working on a high-profile mus

r face tonight," Ciro said casually, looking over my shoulder. I turned slightly as he tilted

sis

-Zolina. She looked stunning tonight. Confident. Alive. Ciro

g his choice of words. It's like t

." I smirked. "You're i

in his the same flicker I'd seen before, whenever Evara was

below looked like a wave, one endless, undulating movement. After a moment, I fel

her, forget about her. Right now. Despite how long we've been bo

more than you know. I've loved her for years, Eros. I just- I d

scared." "And do not forget that we dealt with the fucker who hurt her," I reminded him. He shook his head. "Y

ng to meet his eyes. "And trust me-there's something there. She took the time to heal hersel

something that could be the best thing that ever happened to you." Then I turned and walked back to the

're giving love advice now?" I shot him a glare. "Shut up." He chuckled, but his amusement

his jaw tightened told me it was more than that. Before I coul

ith the music. But then a man-some cocky bastard in a too-

glass turned w

. But the guy didn't take the hint. He leaned in again, saying something

own on my wrist. "Easy, t

d of attention tonight." I clenched my jaw but forced myself to sit back down. T

into a slow, knowing smirk, as if she could read every thou

ause for the first time in years, I wasn't sure I coul

d I was already cau

g about our rebellious teenage years. The club's bass thrummed through my veins

y muscles tightened and I stood up abruptly, stopping the conversation that was going on. Both Vi

face. I wanted to know what the matt

n a sharp breath. " I've been calling her for the past fifteen minutes, but she isn't answering. She said she w

e VIP section and watched me with that unnerving stillness of his, the one that meant he was calculating every p

My goal was to make sure she was okay. "I'll call my men to scout the premises to see if they can find her

lway that led to the ladies washrooms. A flash

lit, and the noise from the club was muffled here. And there she was, throwing fists at the same m

doesn't shine."That will teach you not to force yourself on a woman, bastard!"

of her perfume-something sweet and dangerous-wrapped around me. "You looked like you needed savi

Her breath hitched, just slightly. But she held my gaze, unflinching. "What?" I braced a hand against the wall beside her he

ing smile curled

I looked down at her. "It wasn't a request, angel," I say, pulling her away

at imbecile wanted to do to her. I have to make him pay for even trying to touc

e ladies washroom and t

le since I got