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As Alister peeks around the column again, he says, “Alright, he’s next in line.”
I nod and take a deep breath. “That’s my cue.”
* * *
Avery Gallagher istall with thick blond hair and a scruffy beard to match. Most notably, he’s built like a brick house. Which means, even without his security, it won’t be easy to subdue him. By the time I reach him, he’s already gotten his drink and is preparing to head back to his seat. I know I’m meant to approach him, throw myself at him. But, as my eyes meet his, there are no words on my tongue. It’s not that I’m afraid. I’ve taken down greater men than him. It’s just… I don’t trust the words that would escape me if I allowed them to. As my feelings for Alister continue to grow, I’m not sure I have it in me to outright seduce another man. So, I make my way past Gallagher, pretending to be lost. Seeing as I have no idea where I’m going, it’s not a hard act to sell. And if Alister’s compliments are worth their salt, Gallagher will follow behind me and aid his damsel.
“Are you lost, miss?”
Look who took the bait. At the sound of the unfamiliar voice with the slightest hint of a Boston accent, I turn. Gallagher takes a step toward me with his head slightly lowered as if to appear mysterious.
“It looks like I am.” I begin to fan myself and look around in search of something, anything but Gallagher’s green eyes. My disinterest in him will make him want me more. “It’s so congested in here. I’m feeling a bit flush and was looking for a place to lie down.” It’s then that I return my gaze to Gallagher. He now stands only inches from me, so close I can smell his cologne and spot the edges of a tattoo along the top of his shirt collar. “Do you know of somewhere private I might catch my breath?” As the words cross my lips, I pull out every trick in the book—light, breathless tone, wide, doll-like eyes, and slightly parted lips he can’t help but want to kiss.
Gallagher’s lips lift into a smile, almost hidden by the beard taking up half his face. And yet, the small wrinkles stretched out from his eyes let me know he’s fallen for my act. “I know just the place. Come. I’ll escort you.” Gallagher offers me his arm, which I graciously take. As I do, I catch a glimpse of a pistol hidden beneath his suit jacket.Great.He’s armed and Alister has no idea.
As Gallagher leads me to a door just off the bathrooms, I fight the urge to turn around and search the crowd for Alister so I can warn him about the gun. No. There are too many people hovering around. If Gallagher sees him, he’ll no doubt recognize him, and this will end badly for more than just us. Gallagher opens the door for me, and, with resolve, I take a step inside. The room is empty and dark, so dark I can’t even tell what color the walls are painted. There’s a couch to my right and some chairs to my left. At the far end of the room, there is an unmanned bar with high-end liquor and cigars ready for the taking. That explains the smell.
“Here, this should do well for you,” Gallagher says, directing me to the sofa. “Can I get you anything to drink?”
Knowing I’ve got only a few more seconds until Alister shows up, I reach out my hand to Gallagher’s. “What I want isn’t a drink.” Gallagher’s smile widens as he takes a seat next to me. Without a word, he leans in, bringing one hand to my cheek and one to my thigh, using the slit in my dress to gain quick access to my flesh. As his lips crash into mine, I move my hands to his side, wrapping my fingers around the handle of his gun just as the door to the lounge swings open, filling the dark space with light.
I open my eyes, finding Alister watching me from the doorway as Gallagher moves his hand from my thigh up my waist to my—
“Avery Gallagher,” Alister says, pulling the bearded man’s attention from me just before his hand reached my chest. When Gallagher turns to face Alister, I slip the gun from his hip holster and move away from him. Thankfully, he doesn’t notice. At the sight of Alister, his grin returns, only this time it is more wicked than lustful. He stands, every bit as tall as Alister. And yet, the lethal look in Alister’s eyes and the way his jaw clenches and the vein in his neck throbs lets me know I’ve got nothing to worry about. Alister will destroy him. For our sake, I just hope he can do it quietly.
“Alister Amato,” Gallagher says before turning to me. “Sweetheart, would you mind giving us a moment? Don’t worry. I’ll find you after.” He winks at me, though I don’t move. Alister uses Gallagher’s brief distraction to close the distance between them. When Alister reaches him, he brings his hand to Gallagher’s throat, shoving him against the wall so hard a picture falls to the floor.
“You do not speak to her. You do not look at her.She’s mine,” Alister growls.
“Then why did I have my tongue halfway down her throat?” Gallagher asks, a glint of pride in his eye even though Alister’s grip strangles his words. I take a step toward them, moving my finger onto the trigger of the gun still hidden behind my back. It’s then that a flash of silver draws my attention to the two men’s waists where Gallagher is just moments away from gutting Alister.
“Drop it,” I say, lifting the gun and aiming it at Gallagher’s head. If this thing goes off, stab wound or not, Alister and I won’t make it out of the opera house without being caught by Gallagher’s men. But I won’t stand by and do nothing. Gallagher turns to me, realizing how true Alister’s words were.I’m his.Alister, once again, uses my distraction tactics to his advantage and maneuvers the knife from Gallagher, pressing it to his throat.
“One move and I end you,” Alister says.
“That’s if I don’t kill you first,” I add.
Gallagher looks between us without showing an ounce of fear. Yet, something in his demeanor does change. The tension in his shoulders relaxes. The intensity in his eyes dissipates. What’s left is reason.
“If you kill me, you won’t get what you came for,” he says, returning his gaze to Alister. “Seeing as you’ve broken the Rules of Civility to come here, I doubt you’ll give up so easily.”
Rules of Civility?What is he talking about?
“Lower the knife, and the gun.” Gallagher turns to me, giving me a pointed look before returning his green gaze to Alister. “And we can have this conversation like gentlemen. Truth is, I’ve been expecting you.”
“I bet you have,” Alister bites out. Alister holds the knife to Gallagher’s throat a moment longer, as if fighting the urge to end him here and now for even daring to move against him and his family. And yet, just as I feel myself about to talk him down, he pulls back, letting Gallagher go. The two men adjust their suits, as if they’re buffing smudges from their armor. In a way, maybe they are. Gallagher’s eyes drift down toward the knife still clasped tightly in Alister’s palm, and Alister hands it to me for safekeeping. Gallagher nods.
“Will the lady be drinking as well?” Gallagher asks, moving to the bar.
“Does the lady have a pulse?” I ask, drawing a smirk from him.
With Gallagher focused on making the three of us drinks, I take a deep breath and return my gaze to Alister. As I do, I find his never left me. His eyes drift from mine down to my lips where they linger.Oh no.Is he upset I kissed Gallagher? I only did it to get the gun from him so he couldn’t use it against us, against him.
“Are you okay?” Alister asks, breaking my mental spiral. His voice is strained and nearly inaudible.
“I’m fine,” I say, though I am confused by his demeanor. Perhaps he isn’t buying Gallagher’s sudden offer for a cordial discussion. His guard is still up, which tells me mine should be too.
“Stay behind me, but close. Only use your weapons in an instance of life and death. We’re on their turf, which is already seen as an act of war. If we draw blood, we will have one.”
