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“You can just call me EZ,” he says.
“Easy.”
“Yep.”
I shake my head. That can’t be your given name. Dare I ask why they call you Easy?”
He gives me slanted grin. “It’s initials, darlin’, E. Z. Although, for you, I can be easy if you want.”
“I’m thinking you are a natural flirt, EZ,” I laugh.
“Can’t deny that,” he says. “Some even say I have skill at it. You could go to dinner with me tonight and I’ll dazzle you.”
“Dazzle?” I laugh.
He gives me a slow nod.
“I’m afraid I’m tonight,” I lie, half tempted to tell him yes. What the heck does that say about me?
“Helena? Do you have that folder I asked you to lay out for Mr. Levkin?”
I jerk as Zervas calls out my name, his voice sounding almost harsh. When I turn to face him, I see Ivan Levkin is standing beside him. He looks at me and it takes all I have not to shiver in revulsion. I get the distinct impression that the man is imagining me naked and it’s not a feeling I like. Instinctively I move in closer to EZ. He must sense my nerves because his hand goes to the small of my back.
“Uh, yes. It’s on my desk. I’ll just go and get it.” I turn my head to the side to look at EZ. “I’ll be back in a—”
“I wouldn’t have thought you were an art lover, EZ,” Ivan interrupts, his voice cool.
“I’m a lover of all things beautiful. Doesn’t matter if it’s art or women. This place just happens to have both.”
“I can see that,” Ivan replies and I do shiver then and EZ’s hand at my back strengthens, allowing me to feel his touch firmer against my back.
“Does she belong to you?” Ivan asks.
“What?” I squeak.
Before I can say anything else, EZ’s hand moves to my hip and gives it a warning squeeze. The air around us feels thick. I snap my mouth shut, however, because—for whatever reason—I can sense the situation is dangerous.
“Club protection,” EZ responds. I’m not sure what that means, and I don’t know if it’s good or bad. What I do know is I wish was anywhere else but here right now.
“Helena belongs to me,” Zervas says.
My body jerks. I know he’s been flirting but I haven’t said or done anything to make him think I wanted his attention. At least I don’t think I have.
What the hell is going on here?
I feel EZ’s hand tighten on my hip again. It’s almost painful. I glance at him, and I see surprise on his face. He can join the club. I’m completely astonished. I’m not sure how I ended up in the twilight zone, but I definitely feel like I’m there right now.
“I’m just going to go get that folder,” I murmur, because I don’t know what else to do. I want to talk to Zervas to make sure he hasn’t lost his mind. I want to ask EZ what he means about me being under club protection. I don’t do any of that. Nope. I’m not that brave. I try to make myself as small as possible and move around the men.
“I’ll follow you. I’m done here until you speak with the artist about that painting,” EZ says, and I don’t respond. I just walk away. He can follow or not—and I’d prefer not. I need a moment alone.
And maybe a stiff drink…
Chapter 33
Marco
Two Days Later
“Are you claiming this woman as yours?”
“What the fuck?” I growl.
I know the voice. It’s the man that Antonio put me in touch with. We’ve spoken a few times and I faxed him the information I had on Helena. I made it clear she was off limits. Yet, I also said that I was doing this for her protection.
Which, admittedly left room for him to wonder. That means, I’m mad at myself and his question pisses me off.
“She’s a hot piece,” EZ says, and I don’t stop the rumble that escapes.
“She’s not a piece and she’s off limits.”
“Oh, I got that message.”
“Good,” I mutter.
“It was delivered by her man.”
“Her what?” I bark.
“Your girl is hot, but she also a damn magnet for trouble. First, she’s hot as shit—”
“It would be better if you fail to mention this again. She’s a job to you, nothing else.”
“Last I checked, my dick still works and since I woke up with two women in my bed, I received that confirmation today.”
“Jesus,” I huff.
“That means I noticed your girl is shit hot. If the worst happens and I become dead below the waist and don’t have the will to swallow a bullet then, I might fail to notice her long legs that are made to wrap around a man. There’s even a chance I’d miss her sweet ass—”
“It’s like you have a fucking death wish,” I growl.
“But I sure as fuck wouldn’t miss the way her long hair begs a man to wrap it around his hand and introduce those cherry lips of hers to his—”
