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Abby’s smile pops up, and I immediately wipe it away. “Is Ari around?”
“Of course.” Franco stops in the doorway of the library. “Where else would she be?”
I put up my hands. “Easy there, brother. You know she has a million excuses to miss these things.”
“Tell me about it,” he mutters. “She is testing every limit I set.”
“Rare birds don’t like to be told where to fly.”
“If she’s not careful, I will clip her wings and ensure she stays on the ground.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” I study the room filled with family members. “It could break her.”
“What the hell choice do I have?” He runs his hand down his face. “No respectable man will marry her if the rumors become too big to ignore.”
“You tell the men what to believe. Why should this situation be any different?”
“Some men can’t swallow a lie like that, and I don’t want to see how they would treat Ari if I made them.”
“Fair enough.” I follow Franco into the room and begin formulating ideas on how to escape living a life with a chain wrapped around my heart.
Perhaps Ari and I aren’t so different after all…since a life lived on my own terms looks damn appealing.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Abby
As I stroll into the enormous food court inside the Encore, I look around and wonder which treat will soothe my battered ego. The two hours I just spent at the tables cost me twenty thousand, so comfort food is not only needed but necessary.
Cutting through the jungle of tourists, I’m surprised to see Enzo standing in front of the coffee cart. Feeling my heart beat especially hard, I turn and pretend to study the menu at Pho Palace.
The man has been dominating my thoughts, and it wouldn’t take much encouragement to go down a road I would undoubtedly regret.
“Abby!”
I look up and see my prince of gold-plated promises slice through the crowd. His eyes never leave mine, and I wonder if the moment looks as cinematic as it feels. Smoothing my hand over my curls, I remind myself there’s zero chance of ever having a love story together.
“Hey, Sharky.”
“Hello Mobster.” He hugs me tightly, and I’m surprised when he holds me a few seconds beyond polite. Filling my lungs with his scent, I close my eyes. “I didn’t know we were doing that.”
“Now you do,” he says quietly before releasing me. “I heard you had a tough run at the tables.”
“Ugh, I don’t want to talk about it.” I wave my hand around. “I came down for some carb therapy.”
“Sweet or salty?”
“Why are you asking the perfect question?” Pressing my hand to my chest, I fake groan and ignore the shot of electricity his nearness produces. “I can’t do an unrequited love thing with a high-ranking criminal. It would be too cliché.”
“Yeah, I think it’s too late for that.” He takes my hand and leads me to a table near the waterfall that dominates the large space. “You should just accept that I’ll be your one and only true love.”
“I’m gonna need some fried food before I make confessions like that.”
He glances over his shoulder, and a man in a suit appears almost instantly. “Bring us the hangover special for two.”
“I want some of that.”
“What?”
