Another smile. “How did you know the first one was wrong?”
“You’re colder than the Arctic. You don’t become that way in a friendly small town. That’s city living, most likely on your own. No wonder you found yourself on the wrong side of the law.”
Small shake of his head. “Heard a lot about you, Elena Abelli. Can’t say you’re what I was expecting.”
I didn’t even want to know what this man had heard about me. I seemed to be a popular subject, and I didn’t believe it was for any good reason.
“Haven’t you heard? Assuming will only get you killed.”
“Sounds right out of Ace’s handbook,” he said wryly.
A sliver of uncertainty curled in my chest. He knew there was something going on between Nicolas and me, though I didn’t know what myself. What a twisted web I was tangled in.
“Christian, do you drink?”
“I do.”
“I’m going to use the ladies’ room and then make one. What would you like?” I finally looked from the sky to him. Wide shoulders in a navy blue suit outlined the brightly lit horizon.
His presence was comfortable but distant, like he stood on a different terrace another world away. His gaze met mine, and I waited for that zing of chemistry to settle in, but all I felt was scrutinized by icy blue eyes in a handsome face full of secrets.
He ran a thumb over his watch, in a thoughtful tic I’d noticed he had. “I’ll get the drinks and meet you back out here.”
His gaze flicked to the left and so did mine. My papà watched us through the glass in the living room, not with caution but interest. All of a sudden, I knew. This had been set up.
Disappointment sank like lead in my stomach. I wanted control of some things in my life—this conversation one of them—but as my papà gave me a “behave” expression, I knew it had all been contrived.
Although, if Papà was considering Christian, that meant he hadn’t settled on Oscar Perez. The possibility released some of the pressure closing in on me. I would take Christian over that creep any day.
“That sounds great.” I smiled the Sweet Abelli smile.
Feeling tipsy, with too many thoughts on my mind, I headed inside. My feet froze when I saw Nicolas leaning against the hallway wall. One hand was in his pocket while the other held a cigarette he played between his fingers. He wore an expression most people would run from.
I had no choice but to walk past him, so I swallowed, and then forced one foot in front of the other when I wanted to head in the opposite direction.
His gaze burned as it followed my every step. My heart raced, and I prayed for anyone to step around the low wall and save me from this man.
My skin danced with unease as I walked by him, but apparently, he was only trying to kill me with his expression because he didn’t say a word. His silence seemed to be worse than his demands; at least I knew his intentions then. Once I’d made my way past him, I stopped, turned, and snapped, “What?”
“What did I tell you about Christian, Elena?” His voice was low and calm, but it carried a deadly edge.
I hadn’t considered his current mood could be due to the fact I was talking to Christian on the terrace. We’d only been speaking, and in view of everyone. Was he serious?
“I don’t know. I must have missed it.” My response was sarcastic, and he didn’t like it at all if his narrowed gaze was anything to go by.
“Then let me remind you. Stay the fuck away from him.”
“I told you before, and I’ll say it again: I’m an Abelli, not a Russo. You don’t get to tell me what to do.”
“I’m growing tired of you not showing me the respect a don is due,” he bit out.
“And I’m fucking tired of men!”
His gaze grew lethal. “Watch your fucking mouth.”
I couldn’t believe what I had said, but I was drunk, frustrated, and just damn tired of trying to force myself not to feel a certain way. I could still taste the curse word on my tongue and it felt strange, sinful, liberating.
“No Christian.”
Two words. He expected me to listen to those two commanding words.
I shook my head. In my mind, it was Christian or Oscar. The easiest decision I’d ever had to make.
“No.”
He slipped the cigarette in his pocket, and my pulse leapt when he took a step toward me.
I backed up and was only aided when a soft yet consuming grip came to my throat and he lightly pushed me. I fell back a step until I hit the wall. It was an aggressive move, but the way he did it so gently, so absolutely, made something flutter in my chest and spread throughout my body. Want. Need.