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“That’s okay. They’re beautiful feet,” Dante responds smoothly.
I want to gag, and Zoe actually makes the noise. I blush, feeling heat bloom over my face. I know what’s coming next and for the millionth time, I wish I was more like Zoe.
“Feet are not beautiful not even Emilia’s—at least they’re not unless you’re some kind of pervert with a fetish. Is that what’s going on, Dante?” His eyes narrow as our classmates and their dates who are around us do a bad job of hiding their laughter.
“One of these days, that smart mouth of yours is going to get you into trouble, Zoe,” Dante says, his anger bleeding through in his tone.
“Probably. Some day. I doubt you’ll be around to see it, though.”
“I’ll be around. I’m not planning on going anywhere.” He sounds bored, but the look in his eyes is pure anger. The depths of it can be seen easily and it makes me shiver in reaction. I rub my hands over my shoulders, trying to chase away the trace of fear I feel.
“I doubt it. You’rea lotolder. You’re what more than twice mine and Emilia’s age?”
“You—”
“Zoe, did I show you what your father had delivered today for my birthday?” I interrupt in a panic.
Dante is dangerous. I don’t want Zoe on his radar. I wishIwasn’t on it. I sure don’t want my best friend getting that kind of attention.
“I—uh—”
I know she’s stalling because her father sent flowers. She knows because she already confessed that she ordered them for him. He didn’t come tonight because he had to work. I doubt he would have come anyway. He loves me—I know that. He doesn’t like crowds and he doesn’t like the men in my father’s business. My gaze moves to my father’s office, and I see him and Niko coming out the door. Niko looks at me, making me shiver again. This time it’s not about fear—not really. I’ve rarely spoken with him. He’s always cordial and he never looks at me the way Dante does. I never feel like he’s undressing me with his eyes. I’d never admit it to anyone—not even Zoe—but there’s a part of me that wishes he would. Niko is really hot, probably the best-looking man I’ve ever met in my life. I mean, I’m not insane or even delusional. I know he’s out of my league and way too old for me. I am also aware that I wouldn’t know what to do with a man like Niko. I don’t even want to try, not really. Still, what girl wouldn’t want the hottest man in the history of hot men to notice her and think she was desirable?
I push the thought aside because I need to concentrate on the here and now. I’ve completely lost track of the conversation going on around me. I realize this immediately when Dante takes my hand and tugs on me.
“Isn’t that right, princess?”
I blink, looking down in panic as Dante continues to hold my hand. I tug against his hold, trying to disengage as I inwardly recoil from his touch. He doesn’t drop it, but he does stop trying to pull me to him.
“I… isn’t what right?” I question lamely, not about to agree to anything because with Dante I could be saying yes to any number of things, and none would be good.
“Emilia.”
It’s just one word, but the voice is cool, solid, and very familiar. I immediately look over to find Niko standing there. His face is stern, breathtakingly perfect, and emotionless.
I swallow, my mouth suddenly dry. “Niko.”
“I came to claim the birthday girl for her dance.”
“You’re too late, Niko. Emilia and I were just about to do that ourselves. I traveled all the way here to celebrate her birthday. She’s family, you know,” Dante interjects.
“I don’t know,” Niko counters. “It would appear to me that she’s trying to pull her hand free. I suggest you let her.”
I thought Niko’s voice had been cold before, but I was mistaken. It’s sub-zero now. It seems to work, too. Dante immediately drops my hand. I frown, taking my hand back and rubbing it. If I were dealing with anyone else, I would take control and go out on the dance floor alone, telling Dante to take a hike and Niko thanks, but no thanks. I’m not, however.
I’m not sure why I feel so nervous right now, but I do. Besides, Niko and Dante both are dangerous men. I know what they do for a living. I know what it requires. I also know that with the position my father holds, I’m in a precarious situation. I’m only sixteen, but I’ve noticed the looks I get from the men wanting to make it farther up the ladder in the family. I’ve always known that’s what Dante sees when he looks at me. He wouldn’t physically hurt me, but he’s creepy for sure. He sees me as another way to get into his uncle’s good graces.
Antonio DeLuca and I aren’t close, but he's been part of my life for as long as I can remember. When his father was the head of the family, it felt like I had a second father. He spoiled me and told everyone that he viewed me as a daughter. Apparently, that and the fact my father has the position he has, is all it takes to get on the wrong radars.
“Emilia is just shy. You’re making her nervous.”
Asshole.I want to go off on him. Yet, I feel everyone’s eyes on me. Since my anxiety is already close to the surface, I can feel the tension inside me building. I try to find my voice—all while hiding the way my hand shakes.
“Leave, Dante. Emilia doesn’t want you here.”
“You can’t talk for Emilia. You have nothing to do with her or my relationship with her.”
“She’s sixteen. You have no relationship with her. Now, I’m not going to say it again. You’re done here. Leave.”
