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It is interesting to me, though, that I’ve spoken to this man on several occasions when I was alone, and he wasn’t the least bit interested in giving compliments.
“Congressman Wyatt, and you are?” He holds his hand for Smith to shake.
“Doctor Smith Rogers. Egypt’s boyfriend. It’s a pleasure.” Smith and the Congressman shake hands, and the man’s eyebrow raises high on his head.
“Egypt, I didn’t realize you had a boyfriend.” I know he’s fishing, but I’ll play along.
“I don’t think it ever came up in conversation, Congressman.” I chuckle, and we all snag a glass of champagne from the passing waiter.
“And a doctor too. Hmmm. I’ll be surprised if DeLuca lets you live.” Congressman Wyatt says in a thoughtful tone as he sips from his glass.
“Excuse me?” Smith chokes on his drink, and I pat his back.
“I’m sure you’re aware that Egypt is DeLuca’s secret weapon. He wouldn’t get anything done without her inanyof his businesses or his personal life. So, I know he wouldn’t want to lose her.”
The way the Congressman looks at me when he says the last line gives me goosebumps. I know many of the people in here pretend not to know Giovanni is the Capo of his family and runs Tennessee, but they would never say anything so bold out loud.
“Giovanni is a smart man, and I know my worth. He pays me well.” I say with a quirk of my eyebrow.
“Well, if he ever forgets, I could use a woman like you on my team.” He winks as he saunters away.
I don’t know whether to be flattered or insulted, but the Congressman’s cryptic words raise some concerns for sure.
***
Giovanni has been watching me like a hawk all night, and even now, I can feel his stare from across the room. I look up, and when our eyes connect, my body is instantly on fire.
It seems like I’ve waited my entire life for a man to look at me the way Giovanni is right now, and I know exactly what I plan on doing. The only problem is, I have Smith here as my boyfriend, and I don’t want to seem like I’m easy.
“I see your boy is watching you. Let’s dance and give him a show.” Smith leans down and whispers in my ear.
I look up into Smith’s mischievous gaze and smile broadly. The band is playing the typical cover songs for parties like this, and the song they’re playing is a mid-tempo bop from the nineties. Smith grabs my hand and twirls me around before pulling me in close.
We move from side to side as his hands land around my waist. I wrap my arms around his neck, and Smith winks at me. Whether Giovanni takes the bait or not, I’m still glad Smith came with me tonight.
“You know, I really missed you,” I say as I lay my head on Smith’s muscular chest.
“I missed you too, E.”
“I really appreciate you going along with this hair-brained scheme. I feel like we’re back in high school.” I look up into his smiling face, and he just shakes his head.
The four of us would get into all types of shit back in school. And even though Smith was a few years older, he would join right in instead of stopping us. I think it had to do with his not so secret crush on Alexa.
“Don’t mention it. You know I would do anything for ya’ll.” I smile up at him once again and rub a hand down his handsome cheek.
I wish Alexa would stop being so stubborn and put them both out of their misery. But I’m not exactly in a place where I can give dating advice. I’m at an event with a fake boyfriend trying to get my grumpy boss’s attention, for goodness sake.
Smith leans down and kisses my forehead as he often does in his brotherly way with Ari and me. And he starts to speak but is cut off when his shoulder is tapped. We stop mid-sway, and Giovanni stands there looking like the fierce brawler he was known as in his fighting days.
“I need to speak to Egypt.” Giovanni’s voice is gruffer than normal, and I can tell his temper is hanging on by a thread.
“Alrighty. I’ll go get a drink, you good babe?” Smith says with a sneaky smile, and I nod with a wink. Smith walks away and leaves me standing in front of a brooding Giovanni.
Before I can walk off the dance floor, Giovanni gathers me into his arms. It shocks the hell outta me at first, but then I snap out of it and place my arms around his neck like I did with Smith.
We sway for a moment quietly as his hands slide down my back. For a second, I think he’s going to palm my cheeks right here for the world to see, but his hands find a place right above my ass.
I don’t know if I’m relieved or disappointed that he stopped. But I do know that I can’t read what Giovanni is thinking. That is until he presses me firmer up against him, and I can feel exactly what’s on his mind.
