I couldn抰 believe he抎 picked Mrs. Clark to bang. This was his way to pay me back.
Two could play this game.
If he acted like an asshole, I抎 show him what kind of bitch I could be.
I checked my surroundings for Clifford but only caught the back of his head. He was busy tongue-wrestling a brunette I didn抰 know.
I released a slow breath, close to snapping. The guy I should be obsessed with and the guy I was actually obsessed with were both getting it on with other women.
I looked around for my brother, his two sidekicks, and Luisa. Instead of finding the Beagle Boys or my friend, I only found Rocco close to the French doors, looking entirely up to no good. Which meant my brother and Riccardo were probably somewhere outside, getting themselves, and if I was particularly unlucky, me into trouble.
Luisa wasn抰 anywhere. Today wasn抰 my day. I scanned the crowd again as I slowly made my way over to Rocco, desperately hoping Luisa would show up again and not let herself be dragged into my brother抯 shenanigans. I needed a pep talk, or someone to talk me out of doing something particularly stupid. She was good at both, but had plenty of practice with the latter.
揇on抰 get me in trouble,?I said in warning when I arrived at Rocco抯 side.
揧ou look like you抮e in trouble yourself,?he commented curiously and with that head tilt and x-ray look that always made you believe he knew more than he should. Sometimes he creeped me out.
揘ot in trouble, but I need someone to make out with.?
Rocco抯 eyes widened.
Gotcha.
Then he gave a sly smile, and my lips curled.
揘ot you, moron,?I muttered.
I wanted to pay Santino back and not make him pity me for kissing a fourteen-year-old kid. Not to mention that I really needed a spectacular kiss that would make me want to sing to heaven as well. Maybe Mrs. Clark had been faking it, but she hadn抰 looked like that had been the case.
揧ou and the other Beagle Boys stay out of trouble, understood? I won抰 go down with you today,?I growled.
揟hat抯 a stupid name.?
I gave him a look that made it clear it fit them to a T before I finally found Luisa standing in the lobby. She was clutching her glass and giving the two boys who were talking to her an awkward smile. Unlike me, boys didn抰 recognize her as a mafia princess, so they actually dared to approach her. She looked like Bambi in human form, with huge brown eyes and long lashes, plus silky brown hair. Of course, she also reeked of innocence which seemed to draw in the boys even more. I made my way over to her and immediately relief crossed her face. I didn抰 spot my brother anywhere. I decided not to care for the time being. I抎 later give him an ass-kicking for leaving Luisa抯 side.
揂nna,?she said with a grateful smile as if I抎 saved her.
Both boys checked me out as usual, before the face of the first guy flashed with recognition and then caution.
揟hat抯 my friend Anna,?Luisa introduced me.
I leaned in and whispered in her ear while deciding my chances with the guy who hadn抰 recognized me yet were better. 揑抦 going to put the moves on the guy on the right, or have you called dibs??
It was a rhetorical question. Luisa was determined to wait until marriage for her first kiss.
揌e抯 French,?she murmured.
It was a clear sign and explained why he didn抰 know who I was.
I hit him with a charming smile. 揧ou抮e from France??I asked in French.
His smile brightened. 揧es, from Paris. I抦 here to improve my English.?
揥hat a coincidence. I抦 looking for someone to improve my French.?Kissing?
The guy smiled as if he knew what I hadn抰 said and introduced himself as Maurice. I told him about me going to Paris and soon we were immersed in a conversation. He often touched my arm and his eyes darted to my lips, so I knew things were going in the right direction. 揌ow about we head outside for a bit? I need some fresh air.?
Before I left with him, I leaned toward Luisa. 揑f you see Santino, tell him you can抰 find me.?
She shook her head with a warning look. 揇on抰 do anything stupid.?
揙f course not,?I said with a laugh.
Maurice and I strode out into the backyard of the mansion. It was still warm and I could feel the heat rise through the soles of my shoes as we crossed the expensive marble tiles surrounding the pool area. The music was so loud, I was surprised none of the neighbors had called the police yet. Either they had been bribed or Clark抯 connection to the Outfit was having effects.
Maurice led me toward a more secluded part of the premises down by a pond which was lined by a few tall trees. A bench perched on the very edge of the pond. Maurice and I settled on it, our legs touching. We chatted for a bit but I could tell his mind was already on another task. His gaze was now practically glued to my lips.