Page 52 of Hostile Rival
Giovanni taught me that.
My arm falls away and I glance at my watch again. “I came here with my mother and Dré. Anyway, I have to make a private phone call. No rest for the wicked.” I wink and turn away the second her expression drops. “Later, Giana.”
It feels like someone injected me with a shot of adrenaline. My heart is pounding, and my feet are moving at the same quick pace. I’ve stayed visible for long enough. Now it’s time to have a little fun and slip under the radar.
Reaching the top step, I dig out a pack of smokes, light one, and watch the tip burn amber as I inhale.
I know Dani is around here somewhere. So, I follow the singer's operatic voice, prowling along the upper level, aware of Di Rossi’s security detail vigilantly assessing the guests below.
I peer over the stone balustrade and see my brother, drink in hand, clearly losing his patience when he lights up a blunt and sits beside the pianist.
Guilt washes over me. I should be down there next to him, not chasing our enemy’s top sicario for another kiss.
I reckon I have about half an hour before he leaves or causes chaos, both options I’m fine with. As long as I’ve had another taste of Dani in that time. Then I’m all his.
“Everything okay, Mr. Souza?” A guy dressed in a black shirt and tie strolls closer.
“I have a meeting with an insatiable female and would appreciate half an hour of zero interruptions. Can you help a guy out?”
He nods once and moves away, giving me permission to carry on.
Turns out our meeting point is only accessible via the guest suite and when I arrive, she’s nowhere to be seen.
Inside, I push open the heavy wooden doors to the indoor balcony and nod to the singer when she spins around, holding a high note.
Smoke twirls past my eyes, the cigarette clinging to my lips when I grin at her.
“Seen a brunette passing through?” I ask.
She palms her heart and shakes her head, confused. I cross from the carpet to marble tiles, stalking closer and on the final note, she stops singing.
“When she gets here, I’m gonna need you to keep singing with that stunning voice of yours.” Digging my hand into my inside pocket, I pull out a wad of folded hundred-dollar bills, cinched tight with a money clip, and hand it to her. “I’ll double this if you promise not to turn around.Comprendes?”
Her brows knit together, then she plucks the offering from my hand and stares at the cash. “Will you hurt her?”
I inhale more nicotine, quietly contemplating the question. “Nah,señorita, I like her too much to ever do that.”
“You’re awfully confident she’ll show up,” Dani’s voice prickles over my scalp, coming from behind me.
I take my time to rotate in her direction, not wanting to come across too keen. “Oh, she’ll show up.” In a few strides, we’re toe to toe. “Because she likes me.”
Her pupils flare and she nibbles the edge of her lip, making my heart rate soar. “She most definitely does not like you,” Dani admits and sighs, almost defeated.
“That’s unfortunate,” I quip with a smirk. “Since the woman who claims not to like me hasn’t shown up, and you’re here…perhaps I could show you what she’s missing out on?” I thumb over my shoulder at the same time as the pianist starts playing a new melody. “Want to join me on the balcony?”
Dani’s dark brown hair kissed with threads of gold shines and her eyes come alive, sparkling at the invitation. I hold out my hand and wait for her to take it.
After a beat of hesitation, she sets her tiny hand in mine, gasping when I tug her forcefully. Her chest bumps into mine and her lips part, her minty breath warming my face.
My blood is hot now, incredibly so. Leaning sideways, I stub out my cigarette in a china dish and straighten.
I spin her around and settle in behind her, my boner tight against the base of her spine. Ushering her forward, I walk us to the balustrade. My mouth is at her ear and a hand on her belly. “Do you think they can see us, Dani?” I mutter, craving her taste.
Below, the guests are absorbed in empty conversations, comparing successes and figuring out who to crush next to satisfy their greed.
It's hard to fit in with those people if you’re elite like me. When you don’t need anyone to enhance your career, because you’re already at the top of the food chain. Everybody wants something from me—except for Dani.
“It feels good having the world at your feet and even better when no one can see you.”
