“I’ll pass.”
The look in his eyes grows impossibly darker.
“But maybe I could talk to you from behind the bar,” I hurriedly start to say. “I only have about an hour of my shift left. And after I can devote some time to you.”
Technically, my shift lasts for two hours but Carlos isn’t here and it’s a slow night. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind me taking off early.
“You think I’m going to wait until you’re done?” he asks, the amusement in his tone not matching the dark look in his eyes.
“Yes,” I answer confidently.
He smirks before leaning back. He moves like a panther waiting for prey to land in his clutches. And when he looks at me, I feel every bit like prey, and I’m worried what that could mean for me.
“The rest of the night,” he says after a few seconds.
“What?” I ask, confused.
“After your shift, you will devote yourself to me for the rest of the night,” he clarifies.
“Actually, I said I’d devote my time,” I correct warily.
“Go on, Liliana,” he ignores me, waving me away. “And while you’re back there, make me something strong for my troubles.”
He has a lot of fucking nerve. Usually, I’d never let anyone talk to me like this but there’s just something about this man with his dark, soulless eyes. His looks aside, he’s intriguing. I want to find out more about him. I want to know what makes him tick. And why his eyes look so haunted. I also want to know if his intensity translates into the way he fucks.
That last thought is a bit unwelcome but certainly not untrue. Since he walked in I’ve been feeling warmth in all the right places. He looks like he’d be fun in bed and I’ve never been one to turn down some fun. My life is already depressing enough, I take what I can get when I get it.
So I do his bidding like a good little soldier, heading behind the bar to start up my shift.
Bryan practically bolts as soon as I reach him. He exhales in relief and walks away without another word and without turning back, which is weird.
Why is he so scared of Rafaelle?
I’m not completely stupid. A part of me realizes the man in front of me is definitely dangerous. He could be anything from a gangster to a loan shark to some form of business tycoon. He looks like old money with his expensive cologne, suit and the arrogance wafting off him.
But his dangerous aura aside, I have no clue why there’s actual fear and trepidation wafting about in the room with his appearance. Self-preservation tells me it would be smart to find a way out of this mess I may have unwittingly gotten myself into.
But considering the way he’s staring at me with rapt attention, it might be a bit too late to back out. So I make him a drink like he wanted.
He watches my every move, eyes following me like he wants to dissect me. I’ve never been the subject of this much attention before. My heart keeps stuttering underneath his gaze.
I let out a small breath when someone walks up to him from behind stealing his attention. It’s a man in a dark suit, tall and imposing. He has a black earpiece in his ear like in movies. I realize with a start that he’s probably a bodyguard. Then I glance around the bar and notice three other men spread out in the bar looking exactly like the one whispering to Rafaelle. Their eyes sweep around the room like they’re actively looking for threats.
What the hell have I gotten myself into?
Whatever the bodyguard says to Rafaelle must annoy him because his expression turns dark once again. And then they’re speaking loud enough for me to hear.
“Get back to your position,” Rafaelle orders, his voice filled with displeasure.
“But, sir...” the bodyguard starts to argue.
“Tell Sal that he’ll just have to make do without me for one night. I’ve got better things to do,” he says facing me once again.
Making it clear I’m thebetter thingshe has to do.
Fuck my life.
The bodyguard looks like he wants to say more but he keeps his mouth shut and fades back into the background.
