Page 38 of The Assassin's Dancer
“What do you mean?” I laugh, but then my breath hitches as he tucks a stray hair behind my ear.
“Next time, you dance just for me,” he says, tilting my chin up towards him. “The other men here are lucky I was far too preoccupied with watching you to take note of which ones I need to kill for staring too hard.” Then he moves closer, brushing a whisper of a kiss over my lips. “Shall we remind them just how taken you are?”
Beneath my corset, my heart flutters.Oh,Stars…
“Miss Diosa!”
Flinching, I stumble back as Mr Bailey emerges from the crowd. Thankfully, Kaz catches me by my waist before I fall to the floor in front of the oblivious tavern owner.
“I must say, that was simply marvellous, Miss Diosa! The best entertainment we’ve ever had!” Mr Bailey beams, waving his hands ecstatically.
“As I said, the pleasure is all mine.” I smile. Kaz gives my waist an approving squeeze, pressing me to his side once again.
“Of course, my dear,” Mr Bailey blabbers. “But please, let me now invite the two of you somewhere more private, so I can give my thanks in full – and we,” he slides a knowing glance towards Kasimir, “can discuss the other reason you’ve gathered us all here tonight.”
I raise an eyebrow, but they both ignore me.
“Lead the way, Mr Bailey.” Kaz grins.
Together, we follow the tavern owner as he clears a path through the crowd. The entire time, Kaz keeps his arms wrapped protectively around me. I can’t see his expression as we walk, but it must be fairly severe considering that everyone seems to keep their distance as we pass by.
Eventually, we arrive at an unassuming door, and we’re quickly ushered through.
Inside, we’re greeted by a small, windowless room containing a round table large enough to seat twelve. But my chest tightens as I notice that each seat is taken by an equally gruff-looking man – each seat apart from three empty chairs slotted randomly between them.
Mr Bailey moves swiftly to take the chair closest to the door, gesturing for us to join him with a sweeping arm.
I swallow, but before I can walk off alone to find a seat, Kaz drags me towards the chair directly across from Mr Bailey. There, he sits down first before promptly pulling me into his lap.
I squeak in surprise as my backside hits his thighs. Then I squeak again as his arm snakes around my waist, smoothly pulling me against his chest.
My cheeks heat. The others watch us with narrowed eyes, but Kasimir ignores them.
“You may begin,” he drawls, relaxing into his chair. One hand strokes my skirt while the other hangs lazily off the armrest.
Mr Bailey clears his throat. “I appreciate you coming along today, and for bringing Miss Diosa with you.” He pauses, casting a glance my way before turning back to Kaz. “I trust we are able to speak openly about our business dealings in front of your… companion?”
“My fiancée, Mr Bailey,” Kaz corrects him. “But yes, you may speak freely. Scarlett is aware of our dealings – not that it makes much sense to her.”
I stiffen, surprised by his words.
“Women,” Kaz chuckles, stroking my thigh. “So sweet, and yet such simple creatures.”
“Simple?” I snap my head towards him. But my words are drowned out as the table erupts into cruel laughter.
Noticing my fury, Kaz pulls me closer, drawing his lips to my ear.
“Play the part,Miss Diosa,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss against my neck.
I could smack him. But instead, I choose to swallow down my anger. Whatever this is, surely it’s part of the plan. Or at least, that’s what I tell myself as I begrudgingly relax further into him.
“Simple creatures indeed,” Mr Bailey says between laughs. The men around the table all chuckle in agreement as I feel Kaz’s hand squeezing my thigh. Some kind of apology perhaps? Right now, I’m too angry to care.
“But alas,” Mr Bailey starts, catching his breath. “Onto more pressing matters…”
With a clasp of his hands, the large man launches into a speech about some kind of business deal, and every so often a few of the other men around the table pipe up too. Even thoughKasimir told them to speak freely, I can tell they’re still being vague – referring to whatever it is Kaz wants only asthe goodsand how much Kaz owes him asthe payment.
After a few minutes, my mind tunes out. If Kasimir wants me to be simple, then that’s what I’ll be. And right now, all this ‘simple woman’ can focus on is how boring this conversation is and how uncomfortable my seat has become.
