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The blond behemoth pauses and glances my way, the fire in his gaze flickering to a smolder when he reads the expression on my face.
Anthony takes the opportunity to make a break for it, fleeing as quickly as he can without breaking into a full-on sprint.
I’m not accustomed to men using physical force to get their way. And I worry that Efrem’s actions might come back to bite me or my family because paparazzi members have a reputation for being vindictive. And Efrem went so far as to destroy Anthony’s personal property.
But I’m also mildly impressed and shockingly grateful because the paparazzi hound me so persistently. Not that I would admit it, but it feels really good to see one go running after the way he treated me.
“No one threatens the Veles family. And though you do not share their last name, that includes you,” Efrem states darkly.
My heart skips a beat at the intensity in his voice, and my breath catches in my throat. Why it feels so good to know I’m under Efrem’s umbrella of protection, I don’t know. But hearing that he is looking out for me as well as Silvia, makes my stomach flutter.
“Are you okay?” Silvia murmurs beside me, boosting Isla on her hip.
I jump because I hadn’t even noticed her approach. Releasing my breath with a laugh, I try to shake off my nerves. “Yeah, I’m fine. Are you okay? I can’t believe he would take photos of Isla without permission. I feel like they should have a bit more common decency when it comes to babies.”
Silvia’s little girl has her face nestled in the curve of her mother’s shoulder, hiding beneath her mother’s thick curtain of mahogany hair.
Silvia’s face darkens. “I’ve never experienced paparazzi like that before.”
A bitter smile stretches across my face. “Welcome to New York. I’m afraid it’s one of the drawbacks to being my friend.”
Silvia reaches out to give my hand a squeeze. “That doesn’t make me like you any less. I’m impressed by your effort to be cordial.”
Grimacing, I glance in the direction our paparazzi member fled. “Yeah, generally, I find it less painful to let them take what they want and pretend it doesn’t bother me. But I hate it when they try to use me to go after my father. It drives me freaking nuts.”
“Shall we head home?” Silvia suggests kindly.
“That’s probably a good idea,” I agree. “Just in caseAnthony Berry of the Daily Dishhas a spare camera in his car.”
“I would like to see him try taking another photo of you today,” Efrem threatens darkly.
Warmth pools in my belly at the protective statement.
The car ride back to the Veles house is fairly quiet as Isla falls asleep. And when we all climb out of the black Escalade, Silvia gives me an awkward side-hug as she keeps Isla cradled in her arms.
“Thanks again for helping with my school project,” I say to Silvia, smiling warmly at the sleeping toddler.
“Of course. Let’s do something again soon.”
I beam and nod, then turn to head down the street toward my house.
“Wait, Dani?”
I stop and glance back at Silvia’s expression of concern.
“Let Efrem walk you home? I don’t know if paparazzi usually follow people, but I would feel more comfortable if you don’t mind.”
Butterflies come to life in my belly as I think about being alone with Efrem twice in the same day. I glance tentatively toward him, biting my lip as our eyes meet. “You can spare him?” I ask, and it feels so uncomfortable to talk about him like an object when he’s standing right there. But I don’t want to take him away from his responsibilities if it might get him or Silvia in trouble.
“Of course. You don’t mind, do you, Efrem? It would give me peace of mind.”
“Not a problem,” he assures her, his rumbling baritone making those butterflies burst to life once more.
“Great,” Silvia breathes, breaking into a relieved smile. “I’ll see you soon, Dani.” Then she climbs the steps of their brownstone home and disappears inside.
“Shall we?” Efrem asks, gesturing for me to lead the way.
A flush warms my cheeks as I turn, and he follows. Though he moves almost silently beside me, I’m intensely aware of how close we are, the way his bulging arms nearly brush my shoulder as we walk side by side. The air is still and quiet around us, and yet, that only seems to add to the tension humming through me.
