He shakes his head.
“Do you believe I’m a man of my word?”
He nods.
“Good.” I slowly straighten up, and my men let go of his arms. “Now get the fuck out of here so people can enjoy their party.”
I step back, and Ricky Ritz hugs his arms around himself as he leans forward, away from the railing.
I lower my face to his. “Now.”
He opens his mouth, but instead of replying, he darts away through the crowd.
CHAPTER 56
Val
“Um, actually, I don’t think I want to meet him. I’m going to go find us some dessert,” Bri’s husband mutters before stepping away from us.
“Chicken!” Bri calls after him.
I want to laugh at their exchange, but I’m too busy trying to keep my tongue in my mouth.
I didn’t know I was attracted to over-the-top, brutish behavior, but it turns out I am.
I really am.
I have to press my thighs together under my dress as my boss scurries away from Dominic.
Whatever was said between them was clearly enough to scare Mr. Ritz half to death. Obviously, I can’t work for him anymore after this. Maybe he can pretend nothing happened, but all I’ll see if I look at him are Dominic’s broad shoulders and the way it made me feel all hot inside.
As Dominic says something to two men who are clearly his, I glance at the people around them.
Dom never raised his voice. And the movements between him and Mr. Ritz were subtle, but the interaction didn’t go unnoticed. But no one is shouting. And no one even has their phones out to record the incident.
No one cares.
Or maybe no one here wants to do anything to cross Dominic Gonzalez.
More than one set of eyes turn my way, and they’re looking at me because I’m his.
And he’s mine.
It only takes a second after Dom stops talking to his men before he finds my gaze.
And just like that, I’m over this party. I want to go home and be alone together.
Dominic’s chest expands, and my eyes drop to look at his chest through his white button-down shirt. I wonder if I can convince him to step into the shower fully dressed. Just so I can see the material cling to his inked body.
My eyes lower as he moves closer.
And I picture how his Til Death tattoo must look underneath his clothing while he walks like that. His hips twisting with each step. The movement pulling his skin tight over his muscles.
And then I think about the designs that trail down his legs.
My mouth starts to water, and I lift my root beer, taking a sip in an attempt to quench my new thirst.
I know what I want for Christmas. And it’s a calendar full of nude photos of Dominic. Hard and ready and for my eyes only.
Bri snaps me out of my daydream when she smooths out the skirt of her red dress next to me, a much more appropriate color for tonight than my yellow. Except Dominic is looking at me like he wants to consume me, so I’m feeling like I made the right choice in wearing this.
He stops before me, and I can’t stop my smile. “Everything okay over there?”
Dom inclines his chin. “Of course. Though it does seem as though you’ll be getting a new boss.”
“Oh?”
“Something about him quitting tonight and never coming back.” Dom’s mouth pulls to the side, and he gives a small shake of his head. “Never can tell with people, can you?”
I raise my brows and similarly shake my head. “So weird.”
His eyes stay on mine. “You look perfect.”
This man.
I twist from side to side, letting the skirt dance around my knees. “This old thing?”
Dom’s lids lower, and I’m suddenly afraid he might just sling me over his shoulder and carry me out of here like a warrior with his prize.
I hold my hand out toward Bri, who has been silently standing at my side. “Dominic, this is Bri. My friend.” I tack on that last part and hope it sounds sincere. Because I really do consider Bri a friend now, and I want Dom to know that she’s not just some work acquaintance. “Bri, this is Dom.”
“Pleasure to meet you.” Dom holds out his large hand, and Bri takes it. “Any friend of Valentine’s is a friend of mine.”
When I look over at Bri, I expect her to be beaming, but the look on her face is so serious.
“Thank you.” And her voice is just as serious.
Dom nods his head, then lets her hand go, and I realize serious is probably the right tone. I think Dominic just offered her the protection of the mafia, and she accepted it.
“I hear congratulations are in order as well,” Dom says to Bri, even as he holds his arm out for me, and I tuck myself into his side. “Is your new husband here?”